Things to consider by Ages

30’s

Everything mentioned in the 20’s can be applied during this decade. The skin care regimen should be more intensified, with consideration for various different types of non-ablative laser therapy for optimal skin maintenance with minimal to no downtime. While half of the patients in this decade seem to enjoy similar youthful looks to patients in their 20’s, the other half begin to show signs of “aging.” Usually one of the first signs of aging is the “puffy bag” underneath the eyes. This can start as early as the early 30’s (rarely late 20’s for some) and will eventually appear on most everyone by the late 30’s to mid 40’s. This “puffy bag” appearance is always worsened with stress, fatigue, and poor sleep, but foremost simply represents one of the first aging signs. There is a simple surgical remedy which usually involves no visible incision or scars. Very often, if a puffy bag is the only aging change, this surgery can transform a 30-something patient into appearing more like someone in their late 20’s, and, as long as no other aging signs appear, these patients can enjoy looking like they’re in their late 20’s as they slide into the fourth decade of their life. In addition, Botox and Fillers should be considered for early signs of wrinkles and grooves as well as to achieve optimal harmony and proportions of the face. For those patients experiencing early facial volume loss, Fillers and Lipo-transfer should be considered. Very often, Lipo-transfer can be considered at the same time laser-assisted body sculpting is being performed using the Smartlipo Triplix laser.

40’s

Everything mentioned in the 30’s can be applied during this decade. However, the goal is to enjoy the maturity which comes with aging but retain one’s natural youthful beauty through this decade. The skin care regimen should now be a little more intensified. Almost everyone will benefit from Fraxel and Thermage during this decade, as well as Botox and Fillers. But in everyone’s mind during consultation is a concern for “gravitational” effects on the face. Depending on the patient’s needs, this pervasive aging change can be addressed in many different ways. For those who simply can’t afford any downtime, “liquid lift” can be performed, very often in conjunction with Thermage lift. For a patient who is more surgically willing but only has a week or less of recovery time, “Minimal Incision” lift surgery is recommended, often combined with Thermage or Smart Lipo laser-assisted tightening of the face and neck. For patients usually in their late 40’s who have at least two weeks to recover and already show significant jowling and sagging of the jaw line, “Full Incision” face and neck lift can be performed.

 In addition, if not already done, most patients during this decade will also benefit from upper and lower eyelid surgery. When performing upper eyelid surgery, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of maintaining an optimal aesthetic balance between the brow and upper eyelid as well as not hollowing out the upper eyelid sulcus. In our practice, many revision surgeries of eyelid and nose initially done elsewhere are performed during this decade to optimize the overall appearance. Laser-assisted body contouring, especially of the waistline, bra line, and heaviness of the back of the upper arm, is very popular during this decade. Very often, many patients who present to our office early during this decade can enjoy looking mature and yet “naturally” youthful, unique to this decade of their lives. Some would even attest to looking “younger as they get older” as they approach the next decade of their lives.

50+

Everything mentioned in the 40’s can be applied during this decade. All three areas of aging changes, including the quality of the skin, the degree of facial laxity, and the degree of loss of facial volume, should all be addressed during this decade. I can’t emphasize enough finding a cosmetic surgeon that you can trust to address all three areas of the aging process and sticking with the “regimen” comfortable for both you and the physician to keep you appearing graceful and youthful during this decade. With the latest available technology, both surgical as well as non-surgical procedures are viable options. However, you need to have a comprehensive consultation, fully explore all available options and come to an understanding of what techniques best meet your needs.