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“We don’t fix a flat or line chase”

It happens to everyone…loss of facial fat pads in middle age. “I hear it all the time,” says Brian Whaley, ARNP-BC and Director of Rejuvenation at Essentials Medispa & Salon. Our patients “suddenly” notice that the firmness and lift in their faces have greatly diminished. It is normal in middle age for facial fat to decrease, which in turn has a hollowing and sagging effect. Indicators that most people notice are the deepening of the nasolabial folds and deepening of the tear troughs. These are both caused by a shrinking of the malar fat pads that lie just below the orbital bones of the eye. These are often called the apples of the cheek. Decreasing fullness here has a distinct elderly appearance and will continue unless corrected. “Filling in lines” is ineffective and amateurish – instead, an expert professional will treat the cause, not symptoms.

One may not be surprised at the treatments patients have undergone to address this problem, especially in this day and age. For some reason, providers are still injecting into the nasolabial folds. Whaley states, “This is a poor treatment choice that wastes money and does not improve the underlying problem of volume loss. The first thing I have taught my students is that A LINE IS A SYMPTOM, NOT A CAUSE. Fillers belong below the skin, not in the skin. The nasolabial fold is the medial margin of the flap over our oral cavities. This flap hangs under our eye which can cause tear troughs and flatten over the cheekbone, which can cause drooping of the corners of the mouth and marionette lines and the lowest tip of the flap is the jowl. The skin is a highly multifunctional organ system which renews every 60 to 90 days. Products injected into the skin are rapidly eliminated and also add weight, therefore dragging the skin downward even further. It is a mediocre cover-up and adds nothing to the improvement of contour. The line filling technique is antiquated and average; it is like using caulk in the bathtub!

Facial fillers that are properly injected deeply, just above the periosteum, replaces lost volume and adds the beautiful contours of youth. It can last up to two years, depending on the quality of the product. It is safer, more beautiful and less expensive than any “caulking approach” to a contour issue. Artistically placed filler, safely and meticulously performed, can bring back years of contour and make you appear younger, more attractive, and boost self-confidence! Interested or want to hear more? Schedule a free consult with Brian Whaley, ARNP-BC. You can age gracefully and modernly, subtle yet dramatic. Making Faces for 20 years.

Why Choose Sculptra Over a HA Filler

Sculptra is a stimulatory injectable filler composed of poly-L-lactic acid. It is biocompatible, meaning it is not harmful to the surrounding living tissue. It works by way of neocollagenesis, or stimulation of the body to produce its own collagen at the site of injection. Neocollagenesis triggers the targeted area to firm, tighten, lift and smooth the overlying skin. This is beneficial in areas of depressed skin caused by facial lipoatrophy (fat loss). This includes skin creases, wrinkles, folds, scars, and overall aging.

The injection itself is biodegradable and is absorbed by the body within one week. It is the response it creates that leads to the volume increase. The poly-L-lactic acid causes a localized inflammatory reaction, causing fibroblasts to infiltrate the area, encapsulating the injected implant with thin-walled collagen. The poly-L-lactic acid, itself, degrades into lactic acid leaving behind residual crystals. Over time, the crystals lead to collagen production causing the formation of fibrous connective tissue around the implant (fibroplasia) and thus a gradual thickening of the dermis.

This differs from other injectable fillers, such as hyaluronic acid, which cannot stimulate fibroblasts but instead stretches the existing collagen fibers through displacement of the area, leading to a short-term fix. Though the volume increase in Sculptra may take anywhere from three to six months to develop, the results persist upwards of two years. For this reason, Sculptra should be considered one of the first options for cosmetic rejuvenation.

Elizabeth Sippey PA-Resident
Essentials Medispa & Salon

How Can I Slow or Reverse the Effects of Aging?

They say aging is inevitable, but no one says it has to be noticeable.  Every day we live ages us, but how can we slow down the effects on our bodies? Social media shows retouched images of supermodels and photos which use filters to defy the natural consequences of aging. Mainstream media promotes expensive procedures that are not available to the average American.  Isn’t there something that can be done that is affordable and available to all?

The simple answer is “yes a healthy lifestyle can slow aging, but stopping the progression will require professional intervention.” 

Does Water Improve the Appearance of Aging Skin?  

The skin is about 30 percent water, but there is little evidence indicating that drinking more water every day (such as 8 to 10 glasses) will flush toxins from the skin and generate a “glowing complexion,” as is widely touted in the beauty industry.  Adequate skin hydration won’t prevent wrinkles or other signs of aging related to genetics, but it will assist in keeping skin supple and reduce dryness.  (1) 

Can Supplementation Slow Down the Effects of Aging?

Free radicals are the leading culprit in accelerating the appearance of aging.  Dermatologist say “The best prevention strategy against the harmful action of free radicals is a well-regulated lifestyle, with low-stress conditions and a balanced nutritional diet, including anti-oxidative rich food.” (2) The standard American diet often falls short in supplying the vitamins and minerals our bodies need to combat free radicals effectively.  Supplements to consider in your fight for a youthful appearance are Vitamins C, D, E as well as Carotenoids which are derivates of Vitamin A.  Polyphenols, Coenzyme Q10 (known as CoQ10), Essential fatty acids, some proteins, and lactobacilli have also been referred to as “agents capable of promoting skin health and beauty.” (2) 

How Does Poor Sleep Accelerate Premature Skin Aging? 

“Our study is the first to conclusively demonstrate that inadequate sleep is correlated with reduced skin health and accelerates skin aging. Sleep deprived women show signs of premature skin aging and a decrease in their skin’s ability to recover after sun exposure,” says Dr. Elma Baron. (3)  Research shows poor sleep manifests itself through fine lines, uneven pigmentation and reduced skin elasticity. Studies also show that those who enjoyed quality sleep were more quick to recover from stressors to the skin such as sun and environmental toxins. “This research shows for the first time, that poor sleep quality can accelerate signs of skin aging and weaken the skin’s ability to repair itself at night,” said Dr. Daniel Yarosh. (3) 

Can Facials Help Diminish Aging? 

Yes, facials can make a big difference in skin tone and appearance.  The licensed staff at Essentials Medispa & Salon can “renew and invigorate your skin by providing deep cleansing and delivering essential nutrients to thirsty skin cells.”  Regular facial treatments condition, restore moisture, and increase elasticity to leave you with a healthy, supple, radiant glow.

What About Using Injectables and Dermal Fillers? 

Injectables and dermal fillers are incredibly useful in addressing many issues of aging skin. Whether it’s fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin or thin, brittle skin, dermal fillers can make a significant difference.  Essentials Medispa & Salon is a state-of-the-art cosmetic center that offers multiple fillers that address many signs and issues of aging.

What Other Options Are Offered at Essentials Medispa & Salon?

Although you can make an impact on your skin with healthy living, to indeed reverse the effects of aging, you will need professional help.  Essentials Medispa & Salon offers dermabrasion, chemical peels, micro needling and more to address signs of aging.  The best option to knowing how to improve your appearance is to schedule a consultation with a licensed skin care specialist at Essentials Medispa & Salon in Melbourne. We provide excellence in skin care treatments for our patients in Orlando and neighboring areas in Central Florida. 

(1) – Sinatra, S. Why Water is Key for Anti-Aging.  Retrieved from https://heartmdinstitute.com/health-and-wellness/water-important-anti-aging/

(2) – (2012 July 1). Discovering a Link Between Nutrition and Skin Aging. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583891/

(3) – Emling, S. (2013, July 24).  Sleep Deprivation Linked to Aging Skin, Study Suggests.  Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/24/sleep-deprivation-effects-aging-skin_n_3644269.html

How do I get rid of my wrinkles? – Contours of Youth

How do I get rid of my wrinkles?

When it comes to the cause of facial aging, the blame has usually rested with the old standby culprit- THE WRINKLE!  This is not the case! Especially when most people are asking, “How do I get rid of my wrinkles?” The greatest culprit in the appearance of an elderly face is the loss of facial volume. Just like a container holds volume, we need to think of our face as a container for the tissue (fat pads) that lifts our skin off of the bone and creates beautiful cheeks and jawlines. Hollow facial concavities give an aged and tired appearance.

Why does my face wrinkle? What has been done to treat wrinkles in the past?

Facial fat pads become atrophic (shrink) in our middle years as a normal part of the aging process. Early treatment by implants and collagen were less than satisfying, so alternatives were developed. Fat transfers were available but a part of the population did not want surgery. In the early 2000s, hyaluronics like Restylane were introduced. These were well received by the public and volume replacement became common. Collagen and implants became less utilized, although fat transfers are still used in surgery. Unfortunately, over time injection techniques became more superficial and less effective. Instead of volume replacement, superficial lines were being targeted. This is a poor substitute for volume replacement, due to the short duration and lack of contour creation. The average aesthetic patient was becoming a line chaser instead of a volume replacer. Facial contouring is not chasing lines, it is replacing lost volume, creating contour, and treating the cause – not the symptoms of facial aging. Lines are caused by volume loss and if nothing is done, the face will become emptier and more skeletal as time goes on.  

How can I have a longer lasting wrinkle correction result?


Fortunately, the answer to volume loss has been discovered and we have many options at Essentials Medispa and Salon to address this problem. Products such as Juvéderm, Restylane, Versa, and Lyft are well tolerated and effective volume replacements. The duration of these products varies, but when injected properly and with proper amounts they can last up to two years. Essentials Medispa’s Rejuvenation Director, Brian Whaley recommends one year as the time frame to come in for a touch up. It is not advisable to allow treatments to wear off completely.
 
Another long lasting treatment for volume loss is found within bioactive formulas. Unlike hyaluronic medications, bioactive medications cause significant collagen growth. Collagen is the longest lasting form of volume replacement. Sculptra is our bioactive medication of choice here at Essentials Medispa and Salon in Melbourne, Florida. Once injected, patients can expect up to five years of volume correction.  Together with your practitioner, a maintenance schedule is setup so that a ¾ full approach is maintained. Volume replacement for facial rejuvenation is like the gym is for our bodies. It is best to first get to the place we want, so that we can then focus on maintaining our new body!