There is a myriad of reasons why our faces change as we age. Two important ones are lost volume and wrinkling, and frankly, time works against us with both. But, your board-certified dermatologists at Santa Barbara Skin Care provide adults with the tools they need to attain a refreshed and youthful look. Let's look at dermal fillers and BOTOX injectables in Santa Barbara, CA. Dr. Gary Novatt, Dr. Corey Frucht and Dr. Robert Sheffield use them on qualified patients with beautiful results.

Dermal fillers

Sun exposure, heredity, tobacco usage and passage of time thins and creates lines on our skin. This is especially noticeable around the eyes, nose, forehead and lips as the fat which plumped out our faces when we were very young shifts and disappears.

What's the solution? Is a face lift the only way? The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says that the gentler method to smooth fine lines and wrinkles is through use of dermal fillers. Your dermatologist uses dermal fillers in his Santa Barbara practice as a natural way to refresh facial appearance.

"Natural?" you say. What can be natural about injected medications? Well, today's popular dermal fillers are derived from substances either already present in our bodies or highly compatible with them. So the body accepts them readily, and the fillers do their jobs exceptionally well. Fillers actually add volume to aging skin.

If you're a candidate for dermal fillers, the doctors at Santa Barbara Skin Care may treat you with:

• Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite) This long-lasting, viscous filler works well around the eyes, lips and backs of the hands--areas which lose their volume and elasticity.
• Juvederm (hyaluronic acid) This very popular product works very well on fine lines on many areas of the face and neck.
• Bellafill (polymethyl-methacrylate) Lasting up to an amazing 10 years, Bellafill specifically smoothes smile lines and acne scars.
• Sculptra (poly-l-lactic acid) Given in a series of injections, this popular choice actually stimulates the body's own elastic collagen. Sculptra increases volume and tightens sagging skin.

Your skin doctor will assist you in determining which filler is right for you.

BOTOX

This FDA-approved injectable stops the movement of facial muscles which cause wrinkles and fine lines. Specifically, it targets the dynamic lines, formed from smiling and frowning, around the mouth, under the lower lip, between the eyebrows and around the eyes (crow's feet). While results last just three to four months, this derivative of the botulinum toxin gives patients time to learn how to frown less. So your face actually wrinkles more slowly over time.

What treatment is right for you?

Why not contact Santa Barbara Skin Care to find out more about dermal fillers and BOTOX? Dr. Novatt, Dr. Frucht or Dr. Sheffield love helping patients make the best decisions for their skin health and personal appearance. Call today, won't you: (805) 569-1164.

Wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process, but certain skin types and lifestyles can sometimes produce deeper, more noticeable wrinkles earlier in life. If you have "crows' feet" - the wrinkles that spread outward from the corner of the eyes - or "frown lines" between the eyebrows, Botox treatments from your Solvang and Santa Barbara, CA dermatologist might be exactly what you need to look and feel young again. Our medical professionals at Santa Barbara Skin Care - Dr. Gary Novatt, Dr. Corey Frucht and Dr. Robert Sheffield have provided some information about this well-known cosmetic wrinkle treatment.

What is Botox?

Botox is a protein that is derived from naturally-occurring organisms. When used in a clinical setting, like at Santa Barbara Skin Care, its primary function is to stop nerve activity from reaching targeted muscles. Your Solvang and Santa Barbara dermatology professional uses a fine needle to carefully administer the Botox solution under the skin where crows' feet and frown lines appear. With the movement restricted in these muscles, the wrinkles gradually begin to disappear; the full effects of Botox are usually seen within a week or two.

Is Botox safe?

When patients hear that the name brand "Botox" is short for "botulinum toxin," many are understandably concerned about the safety of the product and procedure. While in the natural world, these organisms can be poisonous, the product used is purified and produced in a controlled laboratory setting. Since 2002, Botox has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a cosmetic treatment, making its ingredients regulated and its effects well-studied. Finally, when you go to a certified medical facility like Santa Barbara Skin Care for a Botox regimen, you can be sure that it will be administered by a licensed medical professional.

If you'd like to learn more about Botox, we encourage you to contact Santa Barbara Skin Care in Solvang and Santa Barbara, CA for questions or to make an appointment.