How to Fix Neck Wrinkles and Sagging
Plastic Surgery Dubai | 18 March 2020
The first signs of ageing often show in the neck, as the skin and muscles lose their elasticity – leading to the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Losing a lot of weight can also have the same effect, but whatever the cause the neck is an often overlooked indicator of age. This procedure is designed to help improve the appearance of your neck. A neck lift is a form of cosmetic surgery which aims to reshape the skin around the neck and jaw, reducing the appearance of sagging and other visible signs of ageing. A neck lift can improve the appearance of the skin, resulting in a more youthful and refreshed look.
A neck lift is generally made up of these procedures:
Loose skin that bunches around your throat – sometimes called ‘turkey wattle’ – is usually addressed through surgery to tighten skin and muscles.
As skin loses elasticity it can begin to sag, resulting in the appearance of vertical bands, lines and wrinkles. We can remove the excess skin to tighten neck muscles or use liposuction to remove excess fat or anti-wrinkle injection to get rid of the ‘banding’.
A neck lift is also sometimes performed in conjunction with a facelift. Neck lift surgery, rather than a full facelift, may be sufficient to achieve the results you desire.
If you’re having the full neck lift procedure you will be given the option of going under a general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep throughout. Dr. Vigo will make a series of incisions under your chin and behind your ears to access a neck muscle called the platysma. He will use small surgical instruments to make adjustments to the muscle before tightening the skin across the whole neck area. Liposuction may also be used to remove excess fat. The whole procedure usually takes around three to four hours. If you’re just having liposuction Dr. Vigo will make a small cut beneath your chin to remove any excess fat. This will usually take around an hour. Anti-wrinkle injections – which can relax the parts of the platysma that are responsible for banding – can be given in 15 minutes and will be done on an outpatient basis. Afterwards your neck will be wrapped in compression bandages that you will need to wear for about a week.
THE MANY WAYS DERMAL FILLERS IMPROVE YOUR AESTHETIC APPEARANCE
Fillers in Dubai | 16 March 2020
Did you know that many visible signs of aging can be traced back to volume loss? As facial tissues thin out, lines become etched around the nose and mouth and cheeks look a little hollow. Dermal fillers can replace lost volume to help smooth wrinkles, plump the lips, and restore a more youthful appearance. Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines and soften creases, or enhance facial contours. More than 1 million men and women annually have choose this popular facial rejuvenation treatment, which can be a cost-effective way to look younger without surgery or downtime. While dermal fillers are casually known as “wrinkle fillers,” they can do much more than just smooth out wrinkles, although they are excellent at this too! Here are a few of the common issues dermal fillers can help address:
Smooth out lines around nose and mouth (a.k.a. marionette lines, smile lines, and parentheses)
Enhance & restore volume to sunken cheeks or temples
Diminish vertical lip lines
Plump & enhance the lips
Smooth out a chin crease
Improve symmetry among facial features
Wrinkle Fillers: What You Need To Know
Fillers in Dubai | 15 March 2020
Injectable wrinkle fillers can give you a more youthful look for a fraction of what a traditional facelift costs. Most will fill hollows, lines, and wrinkles in less than 30 minutes with results that can last from 4 months to more than a year. Injectable wrinkle fillers, unlike Botox injections that relax the muscle under a wrinkle, fill the line, crease, or area with one of several different substances. As a result, trouble spots nearly disappear. Wrinkle fillers can also be used as “volumizers,” plumping and lifting cheeks, chins, jawlines, and temples; filling out thin lips, and plumping sagging hands. The treatment is fast and easy. But all wrinkle fillers have a downside, including the risk of allergic reaction and the formation of tiny bumps under the skin. In some cases, those bumps may be permanent. And sometimes, a bluish skin discoloration known as the Tyndall effect happens. The colour change can last for several months, but there are treatments available. Typically, the wrinkle fillers that last longer are the ones more likely to cause side effects. Not every wrinkle-filler is right for every type of wrinkle. The least risks and best results come from using the right one correctly. That’s why you should only have fillers injected by a plastic surgeon with ongoing, special training like myself.
Eyelid Surgery: Options for Improving Appearance
Blepharoplasty Dubai | 12 March 2020
Eyelid lift surgery actually encompasses a number of different surgical techniques; which techniques a cosmetic surgeon will use depends on a patient’s anatomy and the particular changes that need to be made to achieve a patient’s goals. For any given patient, an eyelid lift may include upper eyelid surgery, lower eyelid surgery, or both.
Upper Eyelid Surgery – Do you feel like your eyes always look tired, as though you are unhappy or less alert than you feel? Do your upper eyelids seem to lack contour or obscure your upper eyelashes? Sagging, wrinkled skin on the upper eyelids can cause this type of appearance, and upper eyelid surgery can help remove the excess skin and restore a naturally youthful shape to your eyelids and a more open, refreshed appearance to your eyes. Upper eyelid surgery typically involves an incision made in the natural crease above the eye, through which your cosmetic surgeon will remove a precise amount of excess skin and fat and/or adjust the surrounding muscles to make the desired improvements.
Lower Eyelid Surgery – Do you have puffy, sagging “bags” beneath your eyes that make you look as though you haven’t slept well, even though you have plenty of energy? This is likely due to herniated fat that collects beneath the eyes. While this can become more pronounced over time as skin loses elasticity, puffy lower lids can occur in patients as young their twenties, causing them to look much older than they actually are. Lower eyelid surgery can be an excellent solution to correct eyelid bags. There are a variety of surgical techniques that cosmetic surgeons can use to improve the lower eyelids; incisions are generally located on the outer edge of the lower eyelid, just beneath the eyelashes or inside the eyelid. Your cosmetic surgeon will explain the approach he or she determines is best for you. Through the incisions, your cosmetic surgeon will remove or reposition fat to create a smooth, natural contour beneath the eyelid. Depending on the case, excess, sagging skin may be removed or the lower eyelid muscle may be tightened to provide the most natural, effective results.
If you are like many patients, you may want to address aging in a few different areas of your face. While eyelid surgery alone can significantly rejuvenate your appearance, it’s quite common to have a facelift, brow lift, or both performed in conjunction with an eyelid lift to achieve more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. A brow lift will address sagging skin and deep furrows above the eyes, while a facelift will address jowling, sagging, and wrinkles on the cheeks and neck.
Do’s and Don’ts Before & After Dermal Fillers
Fillers in Dubai | 8 March 2020
Although no one likes the thought of aging, we can be thankful that we are living in this modern age when there are more facial cosmetic procedures than ever before to aid in the battle against time. Injectable fillers are not only effective, they are a completely safe method of rejuvenating the face. Even in the past 10 years, there have been advancements in the science of fillers, and my clinic offers several different approved brands. The most popular are Juvéderm, Profhilo, Restylane, Radiesse, Teosyal and Neauvia. The area of the face that requires filling determines the type of filler that he chooses. Some fillers have a thicker consistency than others and are more suited to areas where more substance is needed to achieve the desired lift. It is possible to fill nasolabial folds (lines between the nose and mouth), cheekbones, noses, chins, tear troughs, jowls, and lips.
When injected by an experienced professional, fillers also have the ability to contour and refine features. Lips can be augmented to reduce the lines that appear with aging, and small noses can be enlarged so that they balance nicely with other facial features. A flat chin can be injected with filler to provide a symmetrical profile. Fillers can provide a straighter nose for people who have a hump in the middle. Cheek bones can be injected to provide a natural-looking lift to the face. Although amazing results can be achieved with injectable fillers, it is the artist in control of the needle who determines the final outcome. It takes artistry, not just a licence, to sculpt the face in perfect harmony and proportions. Not only can fillers be injected in a short period of time, but there is also little discomfort for the patient. Local anaesthetic is administered prior to the injections, and some brands even have the anaesthetic combined with the filler. Slight swelling or redness at the injection site may be experienced, but this is minimal, eliminating the need to take a few days off of work to heal. Another major benefit of injectable fillers is that they are affordable. Great results can be accomplished without breaking your pocket book.
Whether you are considering getting dermal fillers to smooth out wrinkles or enhance facial contours, a quick look at some criteria and facts will help you know you have come to the right place for your treatment. Dermal fillers should be injected only by an experienced and qualified medical doctor. This procedure requires qualifications, experience, and an artistic edge, because 90% of the success of cosmetic procedures depends on who is doing them. For example, a bad haircut would indicate the level of experience of the stylist, not the scissors that were used. This is why it is extremely important to inquire about the credentials of your practitioner and ask to see before and after pictures. Getting a consultation first is advisable, as you would get a chance to see my facility and raise your questions or concerns with me.
Bringing a picture of your younger self to your appointment is helpful. However, bringing a picture of your favorite celebrity is not conducive. While you may see one aspect or feature of your face, it is important to know that a face has to be analysed in whole and not in part. The aim of the injectable procedure is to look naturally enhanced. It is also important to understand that each face has its own asymmetry. A good doctor can help bring more symmetry while keeping the overall aesthetics of the face visually pleasing. So make the most of your consultation by being open to recommendations. Your doctor sees in three dimensions, and you would benefit from exploring all your options.
There are many types of dermal fillers on the market. But the most common of them are hyaluronic acid (HA) products. They have proven to produce natural and lasting results while maintaining fluidity to move with facial expressions. This line of dermal fillers also incorporates antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins to deliver further treatment benefits while filling and contouring the face.
Hyaluronic acid in dermal fillers also naturally occurs in the body and therefore gets metabolized eventually. Depending on the dermal filler chosen and whether or not this is the first time you are having a filler injected, you can expect results to last anywhere from 3 to 6 months. If for some reason you are not satisfied with the results, which is very rare, HA fillers are also dissolvable at your request by injecting an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
It is always best to schedule your injectable appointments a couple of days to a week prior to any major event. With dermal filler injections, you will also need to take bruising and swelling into account. You can reduce this likelihood by stopping any supplements that can act like blood thinners such as fish oil and also some pain killers such as Aspirin, Aleve, Advil, etc., 2 weeks prior to your appointment.
After your dermal fillers treatment, follow the post-care instructions given, which include applying cold compresses, avoiding extremely cold or hot drinks, sun exposure, extreme temperatures, excess facial mimicry, and vigorous exercises. Being gentle is key.
Unhappy about prominent ears? What surgery is available and what techniques are involved?
Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 3 March 2020
Most cases of prominent ears become a problem in early childhood, often relating to teasing at school. Most surgeons advise that surgery for prominent ears is not undertaken until the child is old enough to understand what the surgery involves. At this stage the child is more likely to be cooperative and happy with the outcome. In addition one must consider that not all adults with prominent ears wish them to be corrected. Therefore if one operates on children prior to the acquisition of understanding a proportion will have been subjected to unnecessary surgery. For this reason, and because ear cartilage is often soft in the early years, operations for prominent ears are rarely performed on children under the age of five.
Otoplasty is the term used to describe the surgical correction of prominent ears. Most surgeons recommend that this operation in not carried out until a child’s ears are fully grown, which is usually around the age of eight. Some doctors will argue that the child should be left to decide for themselves. There is no right or wrong answer to this issue each child should be treated individually.
The surgery involves a general anaesthetic for children, although adults may be operated on under local anaesthetic only. During the operation, a cut is made behind the ear close to the groove between the ear and the side of the head. This incision exposes the cartilage, the ear maybe set back by scoring the front surface to weaken the cartilage, removing a small piece of the cartilage bowl (concha) or by inserting some stitches at the back of the ear to reshape or to rotate it closer to the head. Once this is done, the skin is closed with a stitch and a protective bandage or head garment is usually applied.
Getting vitamins and minerals through IV infusion
Cosmetic Clinic Dubai | 1 March 2020
Receiving vitamins and minerals through IV infusion has become increasingly popular, but what exactly is it and how do they help you? You might typically think of intravenous therapy as being a common part of hospital treatment, where an IV bag is placed beside a hospital bed with a needle attached for purposes of rehydration. Certain IV infusions that contain high amounts of glutathione, vitamin C, and magnesium have become increasingly sought after because of their positive effects on skin and hangover recovery. In addition, shifting your diet to become more whole and balanced is always recommended. Intravenously injecting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals allow for the bypassing of the complex and multifaceted digestive process and goes straight into your bloodstream making them more bioavailable. You may also feel the effects faster than you would be taking them in supplement form.
Some important ingredients found in IV drips include:
Magnesium – plays an important role in glucose metabolism, protein synthesis, cardiac and smooth muscle contractibility, and nerve function
Vitamin C – assists in collagen production, plays a role in neurotransmitter and hormone balance, serves as an antioxidant – protecting our cells from free radical damage, prevents aging, and boosts immune system
Glutathione – found in every cell in the human body, this powerful antioxidant helps to protect our cells from and alleviates oxidative stress that leads to cellular damage and premature aging
Vitamin B12 – regulates red blood cell function; deficiency in b12 includes a type of anemia that will result in weakness and fatigue
Proline – an amino acid that serves as a collagen building block and helps to repair damaged skin. It’s also important for supporting gut health and healing leaky gut
Taurine – the most abundant amino acid, taurine plays an important role in regulating hydration, supporting central nervous system function, and serves as an antioxidant
IV drips are highly sought-after because of their ability to restore hydration within our cells, prevent cellular aging and enhance digestion, among the many other benefits. They are surely making their way out of hospital settings and into the world of preventative medicine and wellness.
Excessive Sweating Treatment
Aesthetic Medicine Dubai | 29 February 2020
Overactive sweat glands especially underarms, hands, feet or even on the forehead, nose and upper lips can be a cause of much embarrassment and affect self-confidence. Sweating which is troublesome, can be controlled without the use of topical anti-perspirants, using the most up to date dermal solution – Botox. This clinic treatment provides long term control of sweating at any site, so you can avoid or significantly reduce the use of deodorants / anti-perspirants. Reducing the amount of sweating can profoundly improve your quality of life with a simple, safe, effective and long lasting treatment.
What is Botox Treatment to reduce Sweating?
Attempts to control sweating have traditionally been by use of topical drying agents – anti-perspirants / deodorants or surgery to remove the sweat glands such by sub-dermal excision, Liposuction or nerve division. These treatments have limited use and require daily application or painful injections or surgery. The Jet technology uses the innovative supersonic jet of saline to deliver Botulinum toxin into the skin and sweat glands without needles.
How does the treatment with Botulinum Toxin reduce sweating?
The delivery of Botulinum toxin to the sweat glands blocks the transmission of nerve impulses to sweat glands which can be used to control sweating. Botulinum toxin is therefore effective in the treatment of sweating or Hyperhidrosis of the underarms (axilla), face, hands and feet. Because the receptors that are blocked by Botulinum toxin are continually begin replaced, the effect of Botulinum toxin is never permanent but typically lasts 6 – 12 months in sweat glands.
Am I suitable for Botulinum Toxin Treatment?
If you are troubled by sweating which may or may not be controlled by topical antiperspirants and would like a long term treatment, then Botox treatment may be suitable for you. Sweating or Hyperhidrosis can take a terrible social toll on the individual, making them feel embarrassed and self-conscious because of wet patches on their clothing and the odour which develops from sweat. Botox Treatment can control sweating and have a profoundly beneficial effect on your quality of life. Botulinum toxin treatment should not be used during pregnancy or breast feeding.
How is the treatment performed?
Initial consultation will determine the goals of your treatment, make note of any medical conditions and plan the optimum treatment to achieve the ideal result in each patient. Treatment is carried out in an out-patient setting and takes 20 – 30 minutes. The treatment is painless, with a comfortable, even soothing jet of saline onto the skin.
Will the treatment be painful or cause bruising?
The Botox Treatment is a painless, no needle treatment. The skin feels cool during and after the treatment. There are rarely any side effects of the treatment. Tiny bruises may occur in areas of delicate skin.
What are the risks of Botulinum Toxin Treatment?
Firstly, the treatment with Botulinum Toxin is a very safe with minimal side effects or risks provided the treatment is performed by a qualified and trained practitioner. Allergic reactions to Botulinum Toxin are rare. A small number of patients develop natural antibodies to some forms of Botulinum Toxin and therefore made not have a good response following treatment. Usually, switching to an alternative form of Botulinum Toxin enables effective treatment.
The Benefits of a Brow Lift
Cosmetic Surgery Dubai | 27 February 2020
Drooping of the forehead or eyebrows with deep lines on the forehead can be very ageing and cause concern for many patients. Brow Lift Surgery will correct drooping of eyebrows, loose skin with some improvement in facial lines. Botulinum toxin treatment to relax the muscles of the forehead and eyebrow is recommended 2 weeks prior to surgery for a more effective healing. Dermal Filler or Fat injections may also be recommended to achieve the best results. Any existing facial asymmetry will be pointed out and treatment planned to correct this.
What is Brow Lift Surgery?
Brow Lift, also known as Endoscopic Brow Lift, Brow Reshaping, is a Cosmetic Surgery Procedure to correct drooping of the eyebrows and improvement of forehead creases and lines to achieve a natural youthful appearance.
What are the benefits of a Brow Lift?
Since the introduction of Botulinum toxin injections to rebalance the muscles of the upper face, many patients are able to achieve good rejuvenation of the upper face without surgery. A Brow Lift is necessary when the drooping of the forehead, eyebrows cannot be improved by Botulinum toxin injections. The procedure will elevate the drooping forehead and eyebrows to give a natural youthful fresh appearance.
What about the results of Brow Lift Surgery?
The results are first and foremost natural. The goals of Brow Lift Surgery are to restore an aesthetically pleasing upper face which is in balance with your facial features – i.e. looks natural and does not appear abnormal or over stretched. Remember that it can take up to 3 – 6 months before the full healing and final appearance is achieved.
What are the risks of Brow Lift Surgery?
Common to all surgical procedures there are always risks associated with surgery. However, complications are uncommon. The most frequent is bruising following surgery and may take 2 weeks to resolve, while major bleeding is rare. Infection is infrequent (less than 0.5%) and will require a course of appropriate antibiotics. Hypertrophic or keloid scarring in the scalp is also rare but will require specific treatments to reduce the scarring. Reduced sensation over the scalp is expected and commonly returns within 3 – 6 months. Weakness of the forehead muscle (frontalis) is uncommon and usually temporary with recovery expected in 6 – 8 weeks.
Am I the ideal patient for a Brow Lift?
The ideal patient for a Brow Lift has drooping of the forehead and eyebrows which is not corrected by effective Botulinum toxin injections. Patients should have normal hairline and forehead height not exceeding approximately 7cm. Receding hairline or high forehead may benefit from Hairline Lowering Foreheadplasty with advancement of the hairline to a normal position in combination with Brow Lift Surgery.
Facelift Surgery – Face and neck rejuvenation
Cosmetic Surgery Dubai | 24 February 2020
A Face Lift, also known as Rhytidectomy, is a meticulous procedure to restore the normal and anatomical vectors of facial tissue layers (skin & underlying muscles). The procedure is carried out with hidden small incisions / endoscopically to rectify the wrinkled and saggy skin. In this way jowls (hanging jaw skin), chin folds, and neck folds are corrected leading to a much younger look.
Why have Face Lift Plastic Surgery?
Face Lift Cosmetic Surgery is performed to regain a more youthful fresh look by lifting sagging jowls and cheeks. Face Lift Plastic Surgery is used to enhance the facial features to gain a rejuvenated appearance. The surgery is carried out to correct displaced tissues, skin, fat and muscles of the face. As we age several things happen to our face. The skin loses elasticity and becomes lax, fat decreases and becomes displaced by gravity producing the typical jowls, flat cheek and lower Eye Bag. Muscles also lose their size and strength and with loss of bone especially around the upper and lower jaws, the face takes on the typical features of aging.
The skin looses collagen and hyaluronic acid, sun-damage and pollution occurs (Can also be worsened by smoking), pigmentation is common (age spots), fine blood vessels and wrinkles appear. These all contribute to the ‘ageing’ of the face.
The Face Lift Cosmetic Surgery procedure will help reposition displaced skin, fat and muscles to achieve a natural subtle youthful appearance. Remember Face lift Plastic Surgery will not change you and solve any life crises, but should boost your self-confidence and enjoyment of life.
Can Face Lift surgery be performed in conjunction with other treatments?
Several other non-surgical or minimally invasive treatments or procedures may be suitable to achieve the optimum rejuvenation of the face. Dr. Vigo can provide a full treatment plan that covers not only surgery but aftercare, non-surgical treatments and more.
Rejuvenation treatments or procedures may include non-surgical Photo-rejuvenation, BOTOX, Dermal Fillers – Restylane (FDA Approved), Evolence, and Browlift, cheek or chin implants or a Cheek / Midface lift. What is right for you will clearly depend on your goals. Thus, at the time of your Consultation a thorough discussion of these non surgical and Surgical procedures and the options is essential to providing you with the highest standard of care.