It’s summer, which means you might have at least one to wedding to go to, if not more. While you definitely don’t want to upstage the bride, you do want to look as refreshed and youthful as possible at the wedding and at any events leading up to it. Whether you want to eliminate your crow’s feet or fill in the lines around your mouth, there are a number of non-surgical treatments to choose from to help you look your best at any weddings, parties or other events you need to attend this summer.
Botox Injections
You don’t want to look as though you’re frowning throughout the ceremony, nor do you want to look like a grumpy guest in any of the wedding photos. If you have frown lines, or the “11s” between your brows, a quick fix for them before a wedding is Botox. Botox injections block nerve signals to the muscles that make the movement which creates the frown lines.
Since your facial is unable to make the subtle movement responsible for the wrinkles, they fade from view, usually within a week of treatment. The results last for about three months, so timing is important before a big event. You want to schedule your injection treatment at least a week or two before the wedding or other event, so that it has time to work and time for any side effects, such as redness or bruising, to fade. But, you don’t want to schedule the injection so far in advance that the effects have worn off before the big day.
Injectable Fillers
While Botox will take care of the frown lines and the crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes, other lines and wrinkles can be taken care of with a filler, such as Juvederm. The injectable filler that is most appropriate for you depends on the depth of your wrinkles or lines or what you’re hoping to correct. Some fillers, such as Voluma, are used to add volume to the cheek area, not to reduce wrinkles, for example.
When choosing a filler before a wedding, you most likely want one that provides relatively quick, if not instant results. In that case, an option such as Sculptra, which adds volume to the face, but works gradually and usually requires a series of treatments, might not be the most appropriate pick. Timing is also important. While most fillers do give you instant results, there is a chance that you might not quite like them. Since many injectable fillers last for a minimum of four months, but often for much longer, it can be helpful to schedule your treatment a month or two before the event.
That way, the filler has time to settle in and you have time to get used to it. You might decide that you don’t like the results, in which case, you have time to have the surgeon reverse it, if you received a hyaluronic acid injection. Or, you might decide that you want just a bit more, in which case you have time to go in for a touch-up before the wedding.
Sephyl Procedure
Nicknamed the “vampire facelift” by popular culture, the Selphyl procedure involves injecting growth factors just under the skin of your face. Selphyl can be seen as an all-natural alternative to other injectable fillers, since the substance used comes directly from you. When the growth factor is injected into your face, it helps stimulate the production of collagen, which provides structure and support, smoothing lines and wrinkles.
The Selphyl procedure provides somewhat immediate results, but does also need time to fully work. Right after the surgeon injects the growth factor into your face, you will notice that wrinkles and lines are filled in. They might seem a bit over-filled at first, but that should diminish as time goes on. After a few weeks, you’ll see final results of the treatment.
Depending on your area of concern, it’s possible to combine several injections to get the look you want. Dubbed the liquid facelift, the treatment is best suited to people who have some lines and wrinkles but don’t yet have the loose skin that requires a surgical procedure to correct.
Dr. Michael Schwartz offers a variety of injectables and treatments at his practice in West Palm Beach. If you’d like to minimize the signs of aging in time for a friend’s or relative’s wedding this summer, call his practice today at 561-655-5562 for a consultation.