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Category Archives: Dermal Fillers
What Makes Sculptra® Different from Other Dermal Fillers?
- Tuesday, 15 October 2024 12:00
- Kim
- 0 Comments
With so many dermal fillers available today, choosing the right one for your facial rejuvenation needs can be difficult. Among these options, Sculptra® stands out for its unique approach to restoring youthful volume and smoothness.
At Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center, we offer Sculptra injections under the direction of Dr. Robert M. Kimmel, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Find out more about what makes this filler unique below.
What Is Sculptra?
Sculptra is a cutting-edge dermal filler. It restores facial volume by encouraging collagen growth.
Instead of temporarily filling lines or wrinkles, Sculptra works below the surface of your skin to promote collagen production over time. This leads to a more youthful and natural look as your skin gradually becomes firmer and smoother.
Sculptra is especially effective for treating areas like hollow cheeks, temples, and smile lines. As collagen production increases, it provides a fuller appearance.
How Sculptra Differs from Traditional Fillers
Traditional fillers are made from substances like hyaluronic acid. However, Sculptra’s main ingredient is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). This biocompatible material works with your body to deliver long-term results.
Dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid provide immediate results by adding volume to the treated areas. Sculptra takes a different approach.
The gradual stimulation of collagen results in subtle improvements over time. This makes Sculptra ideal for individuals who want a natural enhancement without the noticeable “overnight” change that some fillers provide.
Additionally, Sculptra offers one of the longest-lasting results in the world of cosmetic fillers.
Patients can expect their rejuvenated look to last up to two years or more with proper care. On the other hand, most other fillers last between 6 and 18 months. This makes Sculptra a more cost-effective option for long-term facial rejuvenation.
Schedule a Consultation in Pottsville or Hazleton
Do you want to find out if Sculptra is the right treatment for your goals? Schedule a consultation today with Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center. Our expert team can help determine the best strategy to restore your natural beauty.
Call our Pottsville office at 570.622.2900 or our Hazleton office at 570.455.4252. You can also submit our online contact form.
Dermal Fillers for Men: What You Should Know
- Wednesday, 15 November 2023 12:00
- Kim
- 0 Comments
Although dermal fillers are predominantly marketed toward women, men can also benefit from their restorative and rejuvenating effects. Fillers for men are the exact same as the ones used for women; the difference lies in the treatment area and injection method.
Because men’s facial anatomy is different from women’s, additional care must be taken to avoid overfilling or creating undesirable results.
Men Are Now Using More Fillers
In the past, cosmetic surgery as a whole was largely dominated by female patients. However, in recent years, more men have shown an increase in both preventative and restorative cosmetic procedures.
Fillers like Juvéderm®, Restylane®, and Belotero® are all popular fillers for men. And, of course, BOTOX®, the neurotoxin injectable, is also frequently used.
It is important to mention that BOTOX is not classified as a filler as it does not restore any lost volume to the face; instead, it immobilizes muscles in treatment areas to provide smooth fine lines and wrinkles. It is also used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including migraines and lazy eye.
If you are looking to boost plumpness and fill in specific areas on the face, filler is the go-to solution.
Anatomical Differences Matter With Injections
The facial anatomy of men and women differ in many ways; it’s vital that you work with a surgeon who offers men’s treatment. For example, when it comes to filling tear troughs, men have a flatter median cheek, which can lead to more pronounced hollowness as they age and lose fat in the face.
In order to avoid puffiness, the surgeon must make sure to select the best candidates and the right filler for their concerns. An ideal candidate for tear trough filler will have good skin thickness and elasticity. Furthermore, a filler with a thinner consistency is advised to prevent imbalance and an uneven contour.
Find the Right Fillers for Men in Pottsville and Hazleton, PA
At Keystone Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Robert M. Kimmel offers filler and other cosmetic treatments for men in a state-of-the-art surgical center. With double board certification and decades in practice, he offers comprehensive care with an expert touch.
To schedule an appointment, please call the Pottsville location at 570-622-2900, or Hazleton at 570-455-4252. You can also submit a contact form, and a member of the staff will be happy to assist you.
When Surgery is the Right Solution for Facial Aging
- Sunday, 15 August 2021 08:36
- Kim
- 0 Comments
We’ve come to realize that we cannot stop our aging process. Through the ages, humans have developed all sorts of ways to at least slow down its progression. Most recently, research has led to the development of multiple injectable products that can pump up the volume and smooth wrinkles with extraordinary speed. For nothing more than the ease of injectable treatments, many adults easily slip into the notion that surgery is no longer a necessary consideration. This isn’t the case. Here, we discuss how to identify when surgery may be the best option for achieving the results you want.
What is a Liquid Facelift?
Treatment that focuses on the use of soft tissue fillers and neuromodulators like Botox is often referred to as a liquid facelift. Doctors and nurse injectors can achieve outstanding results using carefully selected products in specific areas of the face, such as the cheeks, eyes, and jawline. Depending on the products included in the injectable treatment, the rejuvenating results may last up to two years.
The benefits of injectable treatment are obvious. People first choose this route because they don’t need to schedule time off for recovery, do not require prescription painkillers to ease postoperative discomfort, and can see at least some improvement the same day they undergo treatment. Injectables are also pretty accessible in terms of cost, making them more convenient to get than surgery.
Today’s Facelift Surgery
Facelift surgery has been performed around the world for many years. The perceived downside to a facelift is that it will look obvious. In the early days of this procedure, when surgeons focused more on tightening the skin and superficial tissue, that may have been true in more cases than not. Today, it’s just a lingering misconception. Facelift surgery today gets to the heart of facial aging. It repositions the fatty tissue and muscle that have descended downward from the cheeks so that a more youthful facial shape is restored. Sure, a facelift can achieve more dramatic results than injectables. It can make a person look about 10 years younger versus 2 or 3 years. However, it does not result in an overly-tightened appearance.
It is a big decision to have a facelift. We understand that. Some of the signs that it may be more appropriate than injectables include:
- More severe signs of aging
- Significant tissue laxity has caused a turkey neck, jowls or sagging cheeks
- The neck could also benefit from some lifting
- You want more dramatic results
- You want long lasting results
Facial rejuvenation via surgery has been on the rise. To explore your options, including the Thread Lift, contact us and arrange a visit in Pottsville or Hazleton.
How Do Juvéderm and Sculptra Stack Up?
- Saturday, 30 January 2021 08:26
- Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center
- 0 Comments
The vast majority of cosmetic treatments performed today involve injectables. Most injectable treatments are intended for wrinkle-reduction. Botox, perhaps the most well-known injectable, reduces wrinkles that are caused by muscle movements in the upper-face region. Dermal fillers like Juvéderm reduce wrinkles and other problems caused by a loss of volume in the deeper tissues of the skin. And then there is Sculptra. This product sits in a class of its own. The problem is no unique class has been established, so Sculptra is bulked with all other dermal fillers. Here, we compare how two popular products, Juvéderm and Sculptra, compare.
About Juvéderm
Juvéderm is referred to as a dermal filler, which is correct. However, we must clarify that there is not a single Juvéderm product; it’s an entire line of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers under one brand name. All Juvéderm fillers are made of the same base ingredient. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring chemical that the body uses to lock in moisture in important structures, including the joints, eyes, and skin. As a dermal filler, hyaluronic acid traps water molecules in a target area. The addition of water plumps the skin to eradicate lines and creases or build volume to rejuvenate facial contours. Juvéderm products are used to plump the lips, reduce nasolabial folds, augment the cheeks, eliminate undereye bags, and more. Results are immediate and can last from a few months to 2 years.
About Sculptra
We call Sculptra a dermal filler but it does not act like other fillers. When a person receives Sculptra, they do not see immediate results. That’s not the intent. Rather than immediately fill lines and wrinkles, Sculptra is administered to stimulate collagen production. Collagen is the protein that supports tissue firmness and suppleness. The decline in collagen can result in gaunt or hollow areas. Common uses of Sculptra include volume restoration in the temple and cheek areas. This restoration occurs gradually, so no one knows you’ve had injectables. While a series of 2 to 3 Sculptra sessions are scheduled to achieve optimal results, studies suggest that benefits can last two or more years.
There is no “perfect” dermal filler. This is why we have so many options. Within those, we can find the perfect injectable for you. Call our Hazleton or Pottsville office today to schedule your consultation and treatment.
Addressing the Double Chin: Kybella or Liposuction?
- Wednesday, 15 April 2020 14:43
- Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center
- 0 Comments
It is a well-known fact that good food choices coupled with exercise can do a lot for overall health. It is also common knowledge that, despite our best efforts, the degree of body contouring we wish to achieve may elude us. Some areas of the body are incredibly resistant to dropping fat cells. The submental area under the chin is one of them. The fat that accumulates here is often referred to as a double chin. Thanks to our digital lifestyle, it may also be referred to as “tech neck,” a problem caused by frequently looking down to view smartphones and other small electronic devices.
While modern technology has added to our cosmetic woes, it has also provided a way out. Double chin fat can be resistant to healthy lifestyle habits but it is no match for professional fat-reduction treatments. Two options include Kybella and Liposuction. Here, we discuss how each works so you can determine which might be better suited to your needs.
Kybella, The Injectable Double Chin Treatment
Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable drug that was years in the making. Before its use here in the U.S., the ingredient in Kybella, deoxycholic acid, had been widely used in Europe and other countries. Deoxycholic acid is an integral part of the digestive process, helping the body break down dietary fat. In the form of Kybella, this acid is inserted directly into an area where subcutaneous fat cells have expanded. The acid is absorbed by many of the fat cells in the submental area, leading to their destruction and elimination.
Details to know: There is no downtime associated with Kybella. However, patients should expect 4 to 5 days of significant swelling after treatment. Multiple sessions may be necessary to achieve optimal fat reduction. Once the fat is gone, it will not come back.
Liposuction for Double Chin Elimination
Neck liposuction is a minor surgical procedure that can be performed in the submental area to permanently eliminate fat. When conducted independently, this procedure may not require general anesthesia. A local anesthetic and mild sedative can sufficiently maintain comfort. The liposuction procedure involves small incisions and the insertion of a hollow tube that suctions out unwanted fat cells. The incisions are placed as discreetly as possible to hide post-surgical scars.
Details to know: Two to three days of downtime may be needed to allow bruising and swelling to fully resolve after neck liposuction. A dressing or compression strap may also need to be worn for those few days. The results of one liposuction procedure can last indefinitely.
Are you ready for a more sculpted chin? Contact our Hazleton or Pottsville office to schedule a consultation to learn more about Kybella and liposuction.
What is a Lip Lift and How Does it Compare to Fillers?
- Monday, 30 September 2019 05:38
- Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center
- 0 Comments
For centuries, we humans have perceived full, defined lips as one of the hallmarks of youthful beauty. It is no secret that lip augmentation is one of the trendiest treatments at the moment. In fact, over 30,000 patients had lift lip augmentation surgery in 2018 (up by 66 percent since 2000). Each year, more than 2 million nonsurgical lip enhancing treatments are performed using dermal fillers. Because both methods of lip enhancement are popular, we find it beneficial to discuss how they compare.
Lip Fillers
Many people lean toward nonsurgical treatments, especially for facial rejuvenation. At first glance, injectable look like they offer a lot. They can, but not for every person. Soft tissue fillers work by increasing volume. The lip fillers that are commonly used are made with hyaluronic acid. This organic substance increases the plumpness of the lips by drawing water molecules into the tissue. Hyaluronic acid then traps these molecules and holds them in place for several months. To improve symmetry, fullness, and definition, lip fillers are administered into the deeper layers of the skin in a procedure that takes only about 15 minutes. From this time, results typically last up to 12 months.
Lip Lift Treatment
A lip lift requires an incision and a few stitches. It requires a local anesthetic and may also include a mild sedative, but no general anesthesia. For this reason, the procedure is referred to as lip lift surgery. However, the treatment takes place in the office and does not involve nearly the same commitment to recovery as most surgical procedures.
The purpose of a lip lift differs from dermal fillers. Ultimately, the goal is to restore the youthful, sensual shape of the lips. However, the process through which this is achieved is different. During a lip lift, an incision is made at the base of the nose. When the incision heals, a barely perceptible scar may remain in the center column of tissue that separates the nostrils. Through this tiny incision, the superficial tissue and skin between the nose and the upper lip are carefully repositioned. The excess is trimmed and the incision is closed with one or more sutures.
Lip lift treatment may be ideal for people who have 1.5 centimeters or more of excess skin between their nose and mouth. The procedure can correct thin lips, an elongated upper lip, and may also improve the position of the corners of the mouth so they do not turn downward. After treatment, the definition and shape of the upper lift are improved, which can create the illusion of fullness.
Filler or Lift: Which is Right for You?
If you know you want to improve the appearance of your lips but aren’t sure which technique is right for you, we can help. Contact our Pottsville or Hazleton office today to schedule your consultation for lip enhancement.
I’m Not Angry, That’s Just My Face!
- Saturday, 15 December 2018 21:12
- Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center
- 0 Comments
If you’ve never had to explain your neutral facial expression, you can count yourself as one of the lucky ones. In recent years, a common term has been developed to describe certain facial characteristics: “resting bitch face.” As many jokes that have been made about the face that looks angry or unfriendly, this can be a real problem in a society that places a great deal of value on looking happy and approachable.
The Science of Facial Analysis
Numerous studies have been conducted to observe how humans perceive one another based on appearance. You may be able to look through your own life and recognize all the times you’ve based an immediate perception of another person on appearance alone. What research has suggested is that certain character traits are associated with facial characteristics. For example:
- A person with thin lips is thought to be stern, strict, or mean.
- A downturned mouth is a type of scowl, making a person appear harsh, unfriendly, and unapproachable.
- Closed-off, squinty eyes create the impression of boredom, disinterest, fatigue.
- Frown lines make a person appear angry and stern.
- Flat eyebrows give the impression of fatigue and stress.
- Eyebrows that slant toward the center make a person seem judgmental.
- Eyebrows that slant toward the side of the face make a person seem sad or worried.
The Science of Facial Expression
Researchers have discovered some interesting interplay between facial movements and the way a person may feel. We inherently assume that emotions show on the face; when you’re angry, you frown or purse your lips. What studies have found is that, when people routinely make certain facial expressions, such as frowning to see their computer screen, their emotions eventually follow that expression. Basically, you are less likely to feel happy emotions if your face if perpetually turned downward.
As you may know, the face takes a sharp decline with age; it will naturally start to turn downward, causing an angry, unfriendly appearance in many people. Here in our offices near Philadelphia, we have come to realize that it isn’t necessarily the desire for a younger-looking face that leads people to seek surgical or non-surgical facial rejuvenation, it is a longing to have their outward appearance match their inner emotional state.
Your face should reflect how you feel on the inside. For help turning your frown upside down, schedule a visit with our Hazleton or Pottsville team.
Is the Facelift Outdated?
- Sunday, 15 April 2018 07:23
- Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center
- 0 Comments
One cannot argue the fact that aesthetic medicine has evolved by leaps and bounds in the past two decades alone. Before the development of injectables and energy-therapies like radiofrequency, the way to treat lines and wrinkles, sagging skin, and other signs of aging was through surgery. For the sheer fact that the surgical facelift has been around so long, we have all had the opportunity to see this technique go too far.
Some of our favorite celebrities look very different from their norm due to surgical lifting. These cases are few and far between, and yet they are what get our attention – and what creates apprehension about facelift surgery. When we couple exaggerated examples of bad plastic surgery with the immediate availability of injectable treatments, we may easily form the opinion that the facelift is outdated and unnecessary. Here, we want to explore the validity of this theory.
Injectables for Facial Rejuvenation
There are so many injectables on the market today that we can correct a much wider range of concerns than was possible twenty years ago. Botox can smooth those frown lines and crow’s feet, and can even lift the sagging brow. Where Botox leaves off, we’ve got dermal fillers to pick up the slack. Products like Juvederm Voluma have become the go-to for facial contouring, from the jowls to the cheeks and even to the nose. Why wouldn’t this be enough for every person?
Surgical Lifting Has Value
The surgical facelift may be necessary for some situations. This procedure moves tissue into a position that reinstates the youthful contours of the face. In so doing, the surgical facelift achieves longer lasting and more noticeable results. Through refined technique, the facelift of today is much gentler, much more subtle and natural-looking, than those that may have been common just a decade ago. This procedure intends to lift tissue and skin in a conservative manner that complements the bone structure of the face.
Ultimately, our job is to meet your needs and preferences. Beautiful rejuvenating results can be attained with facelift surgery and, in many cases, with injectables or radiofrequency. The final decision is all yours to make; we’re here to provide you with the details you need to feel confident in that decision.
To learn more about surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation, call our Pottsville or Hazleton office.
Filling out the Face: Fillers or Fat?
- Monday, 15 May 2017 07:45
- Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center
- 0 Comments
Age provides us with better knowledge of ourselves and others. It gives us the opportunity to look back on happy memories and accomplishments. It also means we have had more time to recognize a few adversaries. Interestingly enough, age is the enemy when it comes to unwelcome changes in appearance. Loose skin, sagging eyebrows, and a disappearing jawline are all effects of the aging process that we cannot run from. That being said, we can manage them. The only question is “how?”
Fine-Tuning the Face
Many of the men and women who seek treatment for cosmetic concerns express an interest in dermal fillers. It’s true that these natural or synthetic products can do a lot of good for aging skin. And if you are new to the anti-aging game, natural fillers based on hyaluronic acid may be optimal. You get to see how filler products can work without making a long-term commitment to the outcome of care. Even synthetic fillers are only temporary, though they can last months longer than natural fillers.
When you’re Ready for More
Patients who have relied on injectables for some time may be ready for something more permanent, and they can get it. More than getting the outcome they want, they get it in a safe, efficient manner: fat injections. Fat has made a grand entrance on the aesthetic scene in recent years. Cells that are unwanted in one part of the body really can be extracted and used someplace else. Genius! Jokes have been made about this process for years, and now we see it in action in a very good way.
Fat injection treatments number over 500,000 yearly. The process involves fat extraction through a gentle liposuction procedure, usually requiring only local anesthetic and mild sedation. The cells that are captured are purified in a centrifuge before they are introduced into a part of the face that is in need of volume. This could be the cheeks, the temples, the lips, or lines and wrinkles.
Do you want to know more about dermal fillers or fat injections? We have offices near Philadelphia, Reading, Harrisburg, and other areas. Contact us today for a visit to our Hazleton or Pottsville practice.
Have You Heard Of Sculptra Aesthetic?
- Monday, 15 August 2016 07:10
- Keystone Cosmetic Surgery Center
- 0 Comments
Aging and the ubiquitous, disheartening visible signs that accompany it seem to be inevitable. You can’t escape growing older, but there are some things that you can do to ease the process and rejuvenate your facial skin. The perfect treatment for shallow and deep facial folds, lines and wrinkles is the FDA-approved injectable Sculptra Aesthetic.
Sculptra helps gradually replace lost collagen – one of the foremost causes of visible aging. Would you like to know more? Read on:
Sculptra is an injectable, however, not all injectables are created the same. Each is formulated differently, each targets different areas, each produces different results. What makes Sculptra unique is that it contains a synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid, which is a bio-compatible, bio-degradable substance that is naturally and gradually absorbed by the body to help rebuild lost collagen.
•Injectable fillers are either gels or liquids that help reduce fine lines by pushing the dermis space up beneath existing lines, wrinkles and creases. Results appear immediately and can last up to several months.
•Toxins minimize fine lines by temporarily weakening facial muscles, typically in the forehead and near the eyes. Results appear within a few days and can last several months.
•Collagen creams purport to deliver absorbable collagen. However, collagen molecules are too large to penetrate the skin. In truth, collagen creams include vitamins and hold moisture, which makes them suitable moisturizers that can briefly improve the skin’s appearance.
•Collagen stimulators can diminish facial wrinkles by helping to restore the deep, underlying structure of the skin. Results appear gradually over multiple injections – usually three injections space three months apart. Results can last up to two years.
As collagen stimulator, Sculptra is different. It works deep within the dermis, rather than topically. As Sculptra’s micro-particles are absorbed, they work to stimulate collagen production. The rebuilt collagen strands then gradually begin to help restore your facial structure and volume and create fullness to existing wrinkles and folds.
Fall is the perfect time for a Sculptra Aesthetic treatment. Call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kimmel, today.
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