Correction of wrinkles

Plastic surgery offers a wide range of methods, which are able to successfully correct wrinkles. These include application of filler materials and botulotoxin, use of various types of lasers and also conventional plastic surgery procedures.

Fillers

The most widely used technique nowadays is clearly injection of application materials based on hyaluronic acid or PEG. This concerns transparent gels, which are injected into the skin under the wrinkle, which is filled and smoothed out in this manner. This is an out-patient procedure, which does not require any type of anaesthesia. The method is quick, very safe and causes only the minimum of pain. It basically poses no risk at all or even unwanted side effects. The location of the injection or minor redness of the application location is usually only visible for at most 24 hours. The gel is gradually absorbed from the application location, so according to the type of preparation, the effect lasts for 4 – 24 months. These preparations are most used for correction of wrinkles in the area at the top of the nose, nasolabial folds, around the eyes or wrinkles on the upper lip. Another option is application of your own fat, so-called lipofilling. The operation is performed on an out-patient basis under local anaesthesia and consists in collection of the patient’s own fat (most frequently from the abdomen, but it can be taken from anywhere), its subsequent treatment (centrifugation and filtration) and then injection into the required location. This method is most frequently used to treat wrinkles in the area at the top of the nose and nasolabial folds. The procedure takes about half an hour. You must count on a slight swelling, which subsides within seven to ten days. Slight absorption occurs over time in most cases. The possible complications of this method include the creation of hematomas or inflammation could occur in the collection or application location. Sometimes unequal absorption of fat can occur.

Botulotoxin

Botulotoxin is a substance which blocks transfer of nerve impulses from the nerve to the muscle tissue. It is used for correction of mimic wrinkles, which are wrinkles created by the activity of the mimic muscles. Application of botulotoxin is performed on an out-patient basis without the need for use of anaesthesia. Its most frequent use is for treatment of wrinkles on the forehead, at the top of the nose or wrinkles around the outer corner of the eye.

Laser

There are several types of laser which are used for reduction of wrinkles. Some of them can even be used without anaesthesia. Although their effect is not usually as dramatic, they do on the other hand have the great advantage of short-term convalescence. In the case of more “heavy weight” lasers, local or general anaesthesia must be used in terms of the operation. After the procedure, it is usually necessary to cover the area which has been operated on with a bandage for several days. Convalescence is also longer and the more conspicuous reddening of the skin can last as long as several weeks. The advantage is more radical correction of wrinkles and a longer lasting effect.

Conventional operation

Conventional plastic surgery operations above all include the facelift, which is able to significantly improve the appearance of the lower two thirds of the face and also the area of the neck. Wrinkles on the forehead can be treated by means of a front lift, which is nowadays the most frequent endoscopically performed operation, in terms of which the skin of the forehead is tightened and the mimic muscles of the forehead are also treated, the eyebrows and the top of the nose. Another possibility to improve wrinkles (especilally of the upper lip) is dermabrasion. Less radical procedures include mini-invasive methods such as APTOS, when absorbable fibres which tighten the skin are introduced subcutaneously under local anaesthesia.