When you say you want to reverse the signs of aging, what do you mean? If you’re like most people, it’s all about lines and wrinkles. But those symbols of maturity are not all created equal — they’re caused by multiple environmental conditions, health issues, genetics, and lifestyles, and they affect your skin on the surface as well as deep within the layers. If you think that there’s a product on the drugstore shelf that can address all those different issues, think again.
Dr. Robert A. Guida, a double-board certified rhinoplasty and plastic surgeon, sees the effects of aging on his patients in Staten Island and New York every day and helps them understand what causes premature aging, what type of skin issues they have, and the best ways to turn back the clock. Two of the most effective treatments are dermal fillers and Botox® injections — and they’re even better together.
At first glance, you may think that all wrinkles are pretty much the same, and they all tell the tale of a long life. But a deeper dive reveals a different story.
Some are caused by overexposure to the sun, others come from smoking or other pollutants. Some are signs that you’ve stopped producing essential proteins like collagen and elastin, you’re lacking hyaluronic acid, or you’re simply dehydrated. And some are a direct result of every facial expression you’ve made over the course of your life.
Static lines and wrinkles, called rhytides, tend to become more prominent as time passes. The loss of proteins and fats makes your skin thinner and more susceptible to environmental damage. What once was plump and full, now begins to sag and succumb to the pull of gravity, similar to a deflated balloon.
Another type of wrinkle is really more like a dent or deep line. These appear in the places where your facial muscles move and contract frequently, which is how they get their name. Over time, your skin loses the ability to recover from the constant creasing, and the lines stay put.
Clearly, these two very different skin issues call for two very different treatment approaches. That’s why Dr. Guida recommends Botox for dynamic wrinkles and dermal fillers for static wrinkles. And if you happen to have both types of problems, you're in luck, because the two treatments are perfectly safe and highly effective when used together. In fact, Botox may even increase the effectiveness of the fillers.
Botox contains a very small amount of botulinum toxin that’s injected into your facial muscles that cause the deep lines — think between your brows, around your mouth, and at the corners of your eyes. The injection temporarily paralyzes the muscles and prevents them from creasing your skin. If you continue to get Botox injections every three or four months, you may be able to retrain those muscles to relax on their own so you’ll need fewer injections.
Dermal fillers work very differently. Dr. Guida administers fillers by injection, and that’s about the only thing they have in common with Botox. Dermal fillers deposit a solution under the surface of your skin to replace lost collagen and hyaluronic acid — kind of like adding air back into a deflated balloon. These fillers are ideal for adding volume back to thinning lips and sallow cheeks. The increased volume inside smooths the wrinkles on the outside, making your face look fresher, tighter, and younger.
If you want an even more dramatic effect than you get from Botox and dermal fillers, Dr.
Guida has you covered. If you have age spots, acne scars, or sun damage in addition to your wrinkled skin, laser resurfacing gives you the next level of skin rejuvenation. It uses the powerful energy from laser technology to penetrate the layers of your skin and trigger healing as well as a new supply of collagen and elastin.
If your aesthetic goals include getting rid of your “turkey neck” and jowls, you might consider a surgical facelift. Patients throughout New York come to Dr. Guida for his signature 3-in-1™ Facelift, which includes skin resurfacing as well as neck and midface restructuring.
Regardless of how mild or advanced your skin issues, Dr. Guida’s safe and effective anti-aging techniques can be customized to suit your needs. If you’re interested in the benefits of Botox, dermal fillers, or any other cosmetic treatment, call either of our New York locations or book your appointment online.
