In the past, we used mechanical dermabrasion to manage acne scarring. However, we believe today that dermabrasion (not to be confused with microdermabrasion) does not offer sufficient improvement to be warranted in most cases. The major pathology in acne scarring is a depressed scar. Traditional dermabrasion tries to level the field by lowering normal skin down to the level of the abnormal skin. Instead, we believe it is important to elevate the depressed scar to the level of the normal surrounding skin. The way in which we accomplish this task depends on the problem at hand. For small pits and depressions, we use the CROSS technique which elevates the microscars up toward normal skin tissue levels using a series of very concentrated micro-acid treatments. In wider areas of depression, we use lipotransfer to elevate these depressed scars and to bring the atrophied (depressed) tissues up toward the level of normal skin.

Yes, as mentioned, we prefer fat grafting for overall facial rejuvenative purposes .we don't use silicone injections. we will discuss with you what options would be best for you and what risks would be involved with a particular filler in your circumstance.

Please read the Lip Enhancement FAQs section for more information

The recovery time for a filler depends on how much filler and what type of filler you prefer to use. All hyaluronic acid products like Restylane and Juvéderm are what are known as hydrophilic, i.e., they love water and soak up water. For this reason, you will be swollen for 2 to 3 days.

Unfortunately, no. We have seen many patients from other surgeons who have come to us dissatisfied and disillusioned with fat grafting or a facelift because they were promised that either method would correct folds around the mouth. We believe that there is no long-term correction of the folds around the mouth with fat grafting or a facelift. These lines must be addressed through office-based (non-surgical) methods as outlined in the response to the previous question.

There are many options to treat facial lines. There are also many types of facial lines: lines that only appear when you smile or frown, fine or deep lines that appear all the time that have come about from repeated animation like smiling or frowning, and folds around the mouth that arise from gravity and loss of facial fat and bone like the smile lines (nasolabial folds) and puppet lines (marionette lines). Depending on the depth and location of the line as well as when the line appears, the treatment options are different. Although this brief FAQs section can offer some general guidelines, only a personal consultation can offer you a tailored answer to what solution would best fit your budget, aesthetic desires, anatomy, desired surgical versus non-surgical intervention, temporary versus permanent correction. Generally speaking, fine lines that appear around the eyes and forehead are difficult to fill with an injectable filler. BOTOX (see BOTOX FAQs) is the best preventative and therapeutic treatment for these types of lines. Like a shirt that gets constantly wrinkled with wearing, the skin will continue to develop wrinkles that become worse and worse without something to prevent them from becoming deeper like BOTOX . With very early lines around the eyes and forehead, ongoing BOTOX can actually make these lines completely disappear with repeated usage over time. For deeper wrinkles, BOTOX will only prevent them from getting worse (as well as make you look better when you smile and frown) but will most likely not completely manage the deeper wrinkles. Nevertheless, to prevent or limit these wrinkles from coming back over time, BOTOX is an integral component to an overall strategy of maintenance.Fine and deeper lines around the mouth are managed differently. Oftentimes, certain habits can predispose toward the occurrence and worsening of these lines like pursing one’s lips, smoking, and using a straw. Although BOTOX can be successfully used for these kinds of lines, there are two major drawbacks. First, BOTOX lasts only a shorter amount of time around the mouth than around the eyes and forehead. Secondly, BOTOX therapy can only be used on some of the wrinkles, as over treatment of BOTOX in this area can lead to a speech impediment. BOTOX however is very safe around the mouth if done properly. It can be used to treat fine lines around the mouth that appear during animation and soften lines that appear as creases over time. BOTOX can also lift the corner of the mouth slightly and reduce the appearance of the nasolabial fold and a gummy appearing smile. However, BOTOX can reduce your ability to drink soup and to purse your lips around a straw or cigarette after each treatment. That limitation must be kept in mind.For very fine lines around the mouth, filling these lines with a filler like Restylane is problematic, as the area may be converted into a bump. However, for slightly deeper creases around the mouth, Restylane and Juvéderm Ultra provide wonderful temporary solutions for these kinds of lines. Perlane, and Juvéderm Ultra Plus are too thick and are not helpful with these kinds of fine lines. For definitive treatment of these lines, a skin resurfacing option like laser may be ideal.For deeper folds around the mouth, fillers like Restylane, Perlane, and Juvéderm Ultra and Juvéderm Ultra Plus can be beneficial depending on your budget, anatomy, and desires. If the fold has a deep visible crease or overhang of the cheek, most oftentimes, fillers simply won’t work.