The number of available filling agents has increased dramatically, improving the range of options available to select from. Getting some information about the different charac­teristics, capabilities, risks, and limitations of the varying options can help an informed consumer understand what results they can expect and how much risk they face in terms of potential complications. […]

No matter what it’s called—tissue augmentation, injectable fillers, soft-tissue fillers, im­plants, or dermal filler injections—one of the more popular ways to improve the appearance of wrinkles or acne scars is to fill them in with a variety of substances. These fillers work just the way they sound: by literally being injected or implanted into a […]

Dermabrasion is a procedure in which a high-speed wheel, similar to a rotary sander using fine-grained sandpaper, is used to abrade the skin. As a method of resurfacing, dermabra­sion can be an effective way to treat deep acne scars and deep facial wrinkling. Its strong point is that the procedure can be done without the […]

See Dermal Fillers in this chapter. Cosmetic tattooing ($750 to $i,500) Cosmetic tattooing, or micropigmentation, can be used to create permanent eyeliner, eyebrow color, or lip color. It can also be used for permanent blush or eyeshadow, though this is uncommon. Other uses include re-creating the coloration of the areola around the nipple following breast […]

Chin augmentation can strengthen the appearance of a receding chin by increasing its projection. (Look at pictures of Michael Jackson when he was young, then look at a recent picture; it’s hard to ignore his mega-chin implant.) The procedure does not affect the pa­tient’s bite or jaw, and can be done using one of two […]

Peel solutions may contain alpha hydroxy acids (glycolic or lactic acid), beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid), tricholoracetic acid (TCA), or phenol as the peeling agent. Each of these is categorized by the percentage of its concentration and the resulting depth of the peel that takes place on the skin. Fine lines and wrinkles, skin discolorations, […]

Improving the shape of the face is usually considered separately from the issue of facial rejuvenation, although it can serve both purposes. For many women, having a more sculpted face is an aesthetic goal, and, therefore, cheekbone augmentation is among the more com­mon procedures in facial plastic surgery practices. Cheekbones are reshaped and built up […]

Myobloc (botulinum toxin type B) was approved by the FDA in December 2000 “for the symptomatic treatment of patients with cervical dystonia (CD) to reduce the severity of abnormal head position and neck pain associated with CD.” Cervical dystonia is a neu­rological movement disorder in which a person’s neck and shoulder muscles are subject to […]

botox (Botulinum toxin a) ($300 to $i, ooo) Botox is the number one noninvasive cosmetic corrective procedure around the world. When injected into specific muscles Botox (botulinum toxin A) prevents muscle movement by partially and almost completely paralyzing them. Botulinum toxin inhibits the release of the chemical acetylcholine, which stimulates nerve endings attached to the […]