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Master Techniques in Facial Rejuvenation

Facial Rejuvenation Book PhotoDr. Azizzadeh is the author of the preeminent facial plastic surgery textbook "Master Techniques in Facial Rejuvenation", which is currently in second print. Surgical techniques are described in detail through text, photos, illustrations, and two comprehensive DVD's.

Read Chapters: One Ten

Available at Amazon.com

Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Dr. Azizzadeh Course Director for Advances in Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery October 25-26

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Beverly Hills Plastic Surgery

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Repeat Facelifts Keep You Ahead of the Aging Curve

Facelifts can give your appearance a boost by reversing the effects of gravity, sun exposure and stress, thereby erasing some of those pesky deep lines, creases and sagging skin. Unfortunately, the youthful appearance achieved by facelifts does not last forever. Sagging skin and wrinkles will ultimately reoccur on a face that has undergone cosmetic surgery. The length of time this will occur varies greatly from person to person, but generally facelifts will last up to 10 years.

An increasing number of patients are returning to our office for repeat facelift procedures. The surgery techniques behind repeat facelifts are more difficult than primary facelifts and require special techniques and care because of previous surgical manipulations and delicate scar tissue.

Before our office performs any type of repeat facelift, Dr. Azizzadeh takes into consideration a number of factors:
  • overall skin condition
  • altered anatomic positions of the face and facial balance
  • how the original procedure was performed
  • how the face healed after surgery
  • how the patient has aged since the previous surgery

Dr. Azizzadeh uses the short flap rhytidectomy facelift (SFR facelift) procedure. The underlying tissue and muscles are elevated with the skin flap in order to obtain the best possible elevation of the areas being improved in the neck and the face. The SFR facelift also allows fat grafting to the mid-face and cheek areas as well as chemical TCA peels to be performed with limited risks to the skin.

If you would like to learn more about how repeat facelifts can keep you looking younger for years to come, please contact our office today for an initial consultation.

posted by Patti at 8:41 AM 0 comments

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Facial Injectables: More Options Available than Ever Before

It’s tough to wade through all of the injectables available today to determine the best fit for your needs. At our office, we can help you review your choices and make a well-informed decision.

The following are some of the injectables used today for cosmetic purposes:
  • Evolence – This material contains porcine collagen. Used for smile lines, acne scars and more, results can last up to a year. Evolence results in decreased bruising and swelling compared to other injectable products.
  • Botox – Botox relaxes the contracted muscles that create wrinkles around the eyes, forehead and mouth. The results can last for about three months.
  • Sculptra – Sculptra is synthetic product called poly-L-lactic acid that stimulates the tissues to produce collagen. The results can last 2-3 years. The main use of this product is to restore volume around the cheeks, temple, mouth and laugh lines.
  • Radiesse - Radiesse is calcium hydroxylapatite, a natural protein from the body. It has been used extensively in the past five years and allows excellent correction of laugh lines, jaw lines, and hollow cheeks. The results can last about 1-2 years.
  • Juvederm – A gel implant containing hyaluronic acid, Juvederm, is used for facial wrinkles and folds. The body absorbs Juvederm in about six to nine months.
  • Restylane – Restylane is a natural sugar compound that decreases facial wrinkles, especially around the mouth and nose. Treatments can last more than six months.

Even more options exist to quickly and easily correct trouble spots and create a more youthful you. If you are in the Los Angeles area and are seeking to explore a variety of potential facial enhancements, please contact Dr. Babak Azizzadeh for an initial consultation.

posted by Patti at 8:32 AM 0 comments

Friday, July 25, 2008

Facial Rejuvenation

Facial sagging and wrinkling seem to be the inevitable byproducts of growing older. Thankfully, many options currently exist to create a more youthful appearance. I have seen remarkable improvement in the many patients that come to our offices in search of facial rejuvenation.

What Brings About Skin Aging?
The following are just a few of the factors that contribute to facial aging:
  • Volume loss
  • Sun, wind and excesses of heat and cold
  • Chemical and environmental pollution
  • Hormone changes
  • Reduced collagen production and thinning of the skin
  • Changes in facial bone structure
  • Gravitational laxity (sagging)

What can be done to Improve Aging Skin?
Facial rejuvenation is a word that describes a treatment or procedure used to revitalize the appearance of the face. Techniques that accomplish this objective include fat grafting (volume restoration), brow lifts, eyelid lifts, treatment of fading skin or age spots, as well as correction of sagging facial skin and wrinkles through a facelift and/or physical or chemical peeling.

Other facial rejuvenation alternatives include the following:
  • Botox injections
  • Sculptra, Radiesse, Restylane, Evolence or other materials injected into wrinkles
  • Permanent makeup
  • Facial toning
  • Cosmetic creams

If you are in the Los Angeles area and are seeking to explore a variety of facial rejuvenation alternatives, please contact Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, to schedule an initial consultation.

posted by Patti at 8:22 AM 1 comments

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

How Modern Facelifts Differ from Facelifts in the Past

If you are unhappy with your appearance as you age, it may be time to consider a consult with a plastic surgeon. Our office provides a variety of procedures that can assist you in your quest to appear more youthful. It’s important to note that one procedure, the facelift, has improved dramatically in recent years.

Facelift Procedure Improvements
Facelifts in the past often seemed to produce a “stretched” appearance. It’s important to know that facelifts years ago focused only on tightening facial skin while modern facelifts take a many-faceted different approach:
  • Reduce excess skin
  • Target sagging facial muscles
  • Decrease lower face and neck fat
  • Fill in hollows in the cheeks and lower lids

Today’s procedures delve beyond the skin to reposition facial muscles and decrease excess skin. The modern facelift does not focus on increasing the skin’s tension, the method that produced that “stretched” look that made it so obvious that work had been done. A modern facelift procedure also corrects the skin of the neck. The neck’s vertical bands must be manipulated to provide a smoothing effect that allows youthfulness to be restored.

Dr. Azizzadeh approaches facial rejuvenation in three dimensions. He routinely utilizes fat grafting and fillers such as restylane, radiesse and sculptra to fill in hollows that are not addressed with face lifts. His preferred facelift is a short-scar facelift that limits the available incisions and allows patients to get back to work or normal routine within a week or so of surgery.

Less Invasive Options for Younger Patients
Plastic surgeons today can also offer their younger patients less invasive procedures that don’t require general anesthesia. The results are not as dramatic, but they can still greatly improve facial appearance. Patients heal more rapidly from these non-invasive procedures, and costs are lower.

If you are in the Los Angeles area and are seeking a more refreshed appearance, please contact the office of Dr. Babak Azizzadeh to schedule an appointment. Dr. Azizzadeh can work closely with you to find the solution that best meets your needs.

posted by Patti at 8:15 AM 1 comments