At our Santa Barbara Cosmetic Surgery Center, we take the time to educate you – our clients – on various surgical and non-surgical options to address concerns. We work with you to determine what is the best treatment for your wants, needs, and your wallet.
Call (805) 563-0000 to schedule a cosmetic surgery consultation with Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins.
As a Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon, I am often asked, “What is the most ‘popular’ cosmetic surgery procedure?” and it interestingly varies by the season of the year. However, one procedure that is popular all year long is a minimally-invasive Facelift (or mini-lift) because it can give most patients a lot of benefit but has less cost and downtime than a full facelift procedure. It can be done on both men and women and is often suggested when patients have early signs of aging or some recurrence of sagging / laxity following a facelift procedure done many years ago.
What is a minimally-invasive Facelift?
A mini-lift addresses sagging and some wrinkling in the lower two-thirds of the face. Some of the deeper fat, muscle, and connective tissues are able to be lifted and tightened. Skin is also removed and tightened. The approach I prefer has many of the benefits of a regular facelift and tends to “last” longer compared to a “suture lift” or purely endoscopic surgeries where tissue is merely “shifted”. Since there are smaller incisions and less extensive dissection, the result may be less dramatic than a full facelift but it will still be very noticeable and will always be “natural” looking.
Who is a good candidate for a Mini-Facelift?
The majority of mini-lift patients are in their late 30’s, 40’s or older. Patients should be in good general health but are bothered by signs of aging that are improved when one uses their finger tips to lift the skin in front of the ear canal. As a mini-lift does not deal with the eyes or forehead, those areas remain the same. However, patients may treat problems in the upper one-third of the face at the same time, if desired.
Is general anesthesia needed for a minimally-invasive Facelift?
Patients are always happy to hear that the minimally-invasive facelift, eye lift or forehead surgery can be very comfortably done using a combination of local anesthesia and oral or IV sedation. This method provides a nice relaxation and lack of awareness throughout the procedure and patients have no “hangover” feeling as is often seen after general anesthesia.
How would you describe the results of the mini-Facelift?
The goal of mini-lift surgery (as with any cosmetic procedure) is to have the patient look rejuvenated, rested, and “younger” but not “operated”. Specifically the cheek contour is restored and the jawline is more defined. We always want to have the patient look natural and not “done” … like a younger version of themselves. As we can’t stop the aging process, some relaxation will eventually occur, but the patient should always look better, even as time passes.
Contact my office, Cosmetic Surgery Center in Santa Barbara (805-563-0000), to schedule a minimally-invasive facelift consultation.
In our culture, a swan like neck is the symbol of youth. The skin is taut, smooth, and firm. As we approach our 40s and 50s, the well-defined jawline and neck may blur together as the skin becomes thin, crepe-y, and saggy. The area under the chin may become “wobbly” and fine lines and wrinkles may also appear in the neck area. At my Santa Barbara cosmetic surgery practice, we treat all stages of neckline aging. I will share with you tips on slowing down the aging process as well as treatments (non-invasive and surgical) that are effective in turning back the clock.
Taking Care of Your Neck
In speaking with my patients about skin care and reading articles on the subject, I have found that the neck area is often neglected. This is ironic because the neck is usually exposed to the sun’s UV rays and environmental pollutants just as much as the face is (unless you are someone who wears turtlenecks and scarves year round). In fact, the neck skin tends to be more delicate than facial skin and so care of the neck area should be done daily. Treat your neckline as an extension of your face and feather down your cleanser, anti-aging serums, and moisturizer. More aggressive products like Tretinoin (“Retin A”) or products containing retinol may irritate your neck skin so use them sparingly and watch for signs of irritation (such as redness or peeling). The best thing that you can do for the neck area (and chest) is to apply an SPF 30+ sunscreen daily and re-apply if you are outside for a long time, have been swimming, or have been sweating excessively.
Early Aging Neck Product
If you have noticed that your neck skin seems just a bit less taut, one product that I highly recommend is Nectifirm. This neck-specific cream is formulated with special peptides, plant extracts, and anti-oxidants that address the changes in your neck as you age. The skin will look firmer and more lifted and can reduce the appearance of rough, crepe-y skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. Nectifirm is available at Evolutions Medical and Day Spa in Santa Barbara.
Non-Invasive Neck Skin Tightening
A non-invasive skin tightening neck treatment can be ideal on many levels. There is little to no downtime, it can be more cost efficient, and it gives a nice result. I have developed Total Tightening which is a protocol combining two superior non-invasive skin tightening technologies (ReFirme and Titan) that can give the neckline a firmer look. Results are cumulative, so a treatment series is recommended (usually 4 treatments, about 4 to 6 weeks apart). Total Tightening is a great way to address skin laxity without needles or surgery.
Neck Lift Surgery
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| Before and After Pictures of Neck Lift Surgery by Dr. Terry J. Perkins |
If your neckline has really succumbed to gravity and/or has fat accumulation that is causing a “wobble”, then Neck Lift Surgery may be your best option. This surgery creates a new “support” for your neck by tying the muscles under the skin to help create a “sling effect”. Incisions are hidden behind the ears and a small one under the chin.
My Neck Lift patients express great satisfaction with the outcome of their surgery. An added bonus is that the removal of excess skin and fat can change the shape of their face – no longer looking “bottom” heavy – their face looks thinner and gives the appearance of weight loss.
If you are interested in discussing neck lift surgery or other alternatives, feel free to contact my office for a consultation.
Schedule an appointment with Santa Barbara cosmetic surgeon Dr. Terry Perkins by calling 805-563-0000. Click here to view more before and after Neck Lift Surgery photos by Dr. Perkins.
Rhinoplasty, or “nose job” surgery, is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures. There are many reasons why people seek rhinoplasty and the most popular are:
Full lips are a sign of youth. As we age, collagen is lost and the lips begin to deflate and sag. Recent research has suggested that lip volume and fullness may have as much to do with a woman’s perceived age as the appearance of wrinkles elsewhere on the face. The volume of lips can begin to decline in women as early as in their 30’s and can be a combination of age and genetics. If your parents have thin lips, than you may be predisposed to your lips thinning in the future. Fortunately, now there are many safe lip enhancement options, both temporary and permanent, to help re-create youthful, luscious lips.
Temporary Lip Enhancement
Dermal fillers made with hyaluronic acid, such as Restylane and Juvederm, are a great way to create fuller, plumper lips. It is a procedure that can easily be done on your lunch break, with no downtime. Your lips may be slightly swollen for a short amount of time (usually less than 12 hours) and bruising is a possibility but can be covered up with makeup and will fade over the course of a few days. Many people have their lips injected with filler without any occurrence of swelling or bruising. A filler is a great way to add volume, but for those who have a lot of lines around the lips, a touch of Botox or Dysport may need to be used to minimize the appearance of lines. Your enhanced lips will last 6 to 12 months. Botox or Dypsort injections used to minimize lip lines will last about 3 to 4 months.
Permanent Lip Enhancement
Lip enhancement cosmetic surgery by Dr. Terry Perkins is a great option for those who are seeking permanent volume replacement. Dr. Perkins can add a soft implant or grafting of the patient’s own fat or other tissue to create fuller lips. Lip enhancement surgery is a bigger commitment in terms of cost and time, but ultimately the result will last much longer than dermal fillers.
Lip Enhancement Expectations
When embarking on the quest for fuller lips, it is important to have reasonable expectations about the outcome. If you have small lips to begin with, your lips are most likely not going to turn out like Angelina Jolie’s. It is better to want your lips to look full and natural, instead of desiring your lips to resemble a certain movie star’s.
How to Avoid Over-Filled Lips
Having your lips done by a qualified, reputable medical professional, is one way to help to ensure that your lips are not over-filled. Natural lips generally have a smaller upper lip. Too much filler in your top lip can create an unnatural, shelf-like appearance. A qualified clinician will also consider the size of the lips in proportion to other facial features which will give you a nice outcome.
Caring for Your Lips
While you may not be able to enhance your lips without the aid of physician, you can care for your lips to help minimize or prevent lip lines. Lips that have lines all around them look older and often cause lipstick to bleed. There are a few ways that lip lines can appear. The constant pursing and puckering of smoking causes collagen to breakdown and lines to become apparent. Drier lips and lips with dead skin buildup are more susceptible to lines. Keep your lips moisturized with lip balms and anti-aging products that contain humectant ingredients like hyaluronic acid, sugar, or honey. Use a gentle lip exfoliator weekly to remove dead skin buildup. Using a lip balm or gloss with SPF will protect your lips from lines and sun damage.
Dr. Perkins does lip enhancement in Santa Barbara, both surgically and with dermal fillers. Call his Santa Barbara Cosmetic Surgery Center office for a consultation at 805-563-0000.
