How Safe is Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Thousands of American women have made breast augmentation one of the top three cosmetic surgical procedures in the country. But is there safety in those numbers? Here’s a closer look at the procedure.
Fat Injections, Implants, or Fillers — Which Is Best?
Gravity tugs at your tissues throughout your life. However, it has little effect in your youth because your skin has plenty of fat and collagen to withstand it.
As you age, though, you lose that structural fat and collagen, leaving your face vulnerable to gravity’s constant force.
The good news is that fixing the effects of aging is not only possible — it’s easy.
Our Rick J. Smith, MD, team makes it easy to decide which of the many solutions suits you best. As an experienced plastic surgeon, he understands facial anatomy and how to use the most advanced formulas and technologies to transform your face into the best version of its former self.
Here, he compares three of the most popular facial rejuvenators — fat injections, facial implants, and fillers.
Fat injections
For fat injections, also known as fat grafting, we take fat from one part of your body and inject it into your face to restore volume and reduce wrinkles.
How fat injections work
During the procedure, Dr. Smith harvests fat from your abdomen or thighs using liposuction. We purify the fat and inject it into the facial areas that have lost volume. Since the material comes from your own body, it’s a natural method with little risk of allergic reactions.
Benefits of fat injections
- Long-lasting results: fat injections can provide permanent results
- Natural look and feel: because it uses your own fat, the results look and feel natural
- Minimizes risks: reduces the chance of allergic reactions and complications
When to consider fat injections
Dr. Smith often recommends fat injections to people who want a natural solution to restore facial volume and reduce wrinkles.
Facial implants
Facial implants enhance your facial structure, particularly the chin and cheeks, using surgically placed artificial implants that create more balanced and distinctly shaped features.
How facial implants work
Most facial implants are made from biocompatible materials like Medpor. We customize them to fit your facial structure and insert them through small incisions. For chin implants, Dr. Smith makes the incision below your chin. For cheek implants, he accesses the area through your mouth.
Benefits of facial implants
- Permanent enhancement: implants are permanent
- Customizable: we tailor implants to match your facial structure
- Natural integration: Medpor allows tissue to grow into the implant, becoming part of your facial anatomy
When to consider facial implants
Facial implants are ideal if you’re looking for a permanent solution and a specific shape for your facial contours, especially if you have underdeveloped or under-pronounced features.
Dermal fillers
Dermal fillers increase the volume under your skin to eliminate annoying wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. They’re a popular nonsurgical option. Lisa Allen, RN, our experienced certified injector, uses the comprehensive Juvéderm® line of fillers to artfully “sculpt” your facial features.
How dermal fillers work
Dermal fillers contain various substances that plump up your skin from within. Juvéderm uses hyaluronic acid (HA) to add volume and help your skin retain moisture.
Benefits of dermal fillers
- Quick results: noticeable improvements almost immediately after the treatment
- Noninvasive: a non-surgical option with minimal downtime
- Versatile: Great for treating fine lines, wrinkles, and thinning lips
When to consider dermal fillers
Dermal fillers are a quick and noninvasive solution to enhance your facial features.
Comparing the three options
When deciding between fat injections, implants, and fillers, Dr. Smith helps you find the best option, given your goals and personal preferences.
Longevity and maintenance
- Fat injections provide permanent results but may require multiple sessions
- Facial implants are a permanent solution with no need for ongoing treatments
- Dermal fillers offer quick results but require maintenance every 12-24 months
Customization and natural look
- Fat injections are customizable and natural-looking
- Facial implants are highly customizable
- Dermal fillers are versatile and natural-looking
Risk and recovery
- Fat injections have little risk of allergic reactions but cause temporary bruising and swelling
- Facial implants involve surgery and a longer recovery period
- Dermal fillers are noninvasive with minimal downtime.
Still wondering which treatment is best? Call Rick J. Smith, MD, or request an appointment online to schedule a consultation about fat injections, facial implants, or fillers.
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