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Facial Rejuvenation

Facial Rejuvenation

Look and Feel Younger

  • Facelift
  • Selphyl / Fat Transfer
  • Eyes
  • Necklift
  • Laser Skin Care

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Eyes

Eyes

Refresh Tired Eyes

  • Blepharoplasty/Eyelid Lift
  • Facial Fillers
  • Fat Transfer
  • Laser Rejuvenation

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Laser Skin Care

Laser Skin Care

Safe & effective, minimal recovery time

  • Rejuvenate Skin
  • Erase Fine Lines & Wrinkles
  • Even Skin Tone

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Meet Dr. Shapiro

Aaron Shapiro, MD

Superior Skill, Exceptional Results

  • Over 20 years Experience
  • Board Certified Otolaryngology
  • Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgery
  • Fellowship Trained Plastic Surgery

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Additional Services

Additional Services

Recontour and rejuvenate the body

  • Smart Lipo/Laser Lipo
  • Natural Breast Augmentation
  • Tummy Tuck
  • Body Contouring

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Blog

Mini Neck Lift

Cosmetic surgery has come a long way since the days of the all-in-one face lift. Most people have small areas of their appearance that they would fix if they could, and now those areas can be altered without the investment of major surgery. The mini neck lift, which removes fat and tightens skin in less than two hours, is the best option for people who are looking to turn back the clock and regain a more youthful appearance. Designed for men and women, a mini neck lift can be used to augment additional facial reconstruction, or stand alone as a way to refresh your look and your self-esteem. Because this is considered a minor procedure, patients don’t have to worry about general anesthesia; most physicians use a local anesthetic along with a sedative, making pain non-existent.

The ideal candidate is between thirty and fifty years old, although mini neck lifts are routinely performed on patients in their seventies and eighties. Prospective patients should have enough elasticity in their skin to withstand surgery, and should also have strong bone structure along their jaw bone. Your doctor will conduct a pre-procedure examination to uncover any potential problems, and discuss pre-surgery precautions, like quitting smoking. Part of the appeal of a mini neck lift is the ease of masking the incisions, because the incision is commonly made under the chin, the scar blends easily in to the crease of the neck. Another aspect of the procedure that attracts most people is the fact that it can be done on an outpatient basis, usually performed in your surgeon’s office.

The speed of your recovery is pretty much up to you. There’s minimal pain and discomfort, which is controlled by prescribed medication, and patients are usually up and around after a week, although physical activity should be kept to a minimum. Your pre-surgery consultation will give you a chance to discuss the particulars with your doctor to ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible before your procedure. With a growing number of people opting for less extensive surgery, the mini face lift is the one of the safest, most effective options available.

 

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Silhouette Neck Lift

When people reach their late thirties or early forties, they may begin to have sagging skin around the neck and jaw line. This can cause them to look older than they actually are. Silhouette Neck Lift is a minimally invasive procedure that reduces those signs of aging and helps patients look dramatically younger.

The Silhouette Lift uses special threads that are inserted under the skin from the neck to the temple area. The threads lift the skin in the neck and jaw line. They are safe to use and are securely held in place.

Local anesthesia is administered for the procedure, and the pain of the treatment is reported to be minimal. It takes approximately 45 minutes to complete the Silhouette Neck Lift. It is an outpatient procedure.

Patients may experience some redness or swelling from the treatment, but many of them can return to work right after the procedure. Those who have jobs that involve a lot of physical activity may need to wait two to three days before returning to work.

People who get neck lifts will see immediate results. The sagging skin will be visibly lifted, reducing the wrinkles that were present before the treatment. The jaw line will be noticeably more defined.

The results continue to improve over the next two weeks as the face and neck adjust to the Silhouette Neck Lift. During that time frame, patients should limit facial movement.

Any signs that patients had a cosmetic procedure will fade during the healing process. At the end of the two-week recovery period, patients have softer, more youthful appearances.

The neck lift procedure is not as effective as plastic surgery that removes excess skin, but it can drastically enhance a person’s appearance.

The Silhouette Neck Lift is not just for women. Men will benefit from getting the treatment. Patients who have previously had plastic surgery can also get neck lifts.

The procedure is not limited to younger patients. Candidates for neck lifts just need to be in good general health and have the required skin thickness. Patients can range in age from their late thirties to their early seventies.

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Selphyl Dermal Filler

Selphyl is a new and unique cosmetic dermal filler that uses natural plasma from the patient’s own body. This is in opposition to other fillers that use calcium hydroxyapatite and other foreign ingredients. Its primary use is as an approach to anti-aging treatments. Dermatologists or surgeons use it to treat wrinkles and have achieved excellent results. The filler and process used to implement it are unique in that the mixture is processed on site, right in the doctor’s office. A small vial of blood is collected from the patient and is spun at a very high speed in a centrifuge for under ten minutes, creating a matrix. This substance is then injected into facial wrinkles and other areas of the face have been determined by the doctor to have the potential to improve with the injections.

Selphyl is a natural autologous substance that stimulates the body’s own collagen production and the grown of new skin cells. Over time, it has the potential to lead to a stronger collagen structure underneath the top layer of facial skin. It is most commonly used to fill wrinkles around the mouth and nose, as well as acne scars. It works by provide volume for the face, plumping the cheeks or filling in hollows under the eyes, giving a refreshed, more youthful appearance.

It takes approximately two weeks after the injections for the results to be evident. Since the process and matrix are still relatively new, researchers are not yet certain of how long the treatments last. However, based on prior research, the skin usually renews itself every two years. Doctors predict the injections will last at least that long.

Selphyl is popular among patients because it uses their own cells and no artificially-produced chemicals. The entire process can be performed quickly and easily in the doctor’s office with no need for anesthesia. While the product is not effective for a very small percentage of patients, it does work for from 85-90% of patients. The product has only recently become available in the United States, and the average cost per treatment is in the $1000 range.

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The Benefits of Juvederm

Juvederm is an injectable gel that can be used as a non-surgical option to smooth folds and wrinkles on your skin. It is said to be the number one growing non-surgical aesthetic procedure in all of the United States.

Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid dermal filler that has been approved by the FDA to last up to one year. It is a smooth gel that is virtually unnoticeable. It is a non-animal dermal filler, and has been called a “next-generation” filler. The hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally, and it’s role is vital in replenishing skin to it’s natural volume, as well as hydrating the skin. Another one of the major benefits of Juvederm is that anyone can use it. There are no tests that need to be done to make sure a person is not allergic to it.

Juvederm is the first approved dermal filler that is both efficient and safe for use by people of color. The Juvederm treatment is done by a physician and provides the patient with minimal recovery time. There are two types of Juvederm that each supply aesthetic improvements.

Juvederm Ultra is used to volumize and contour facial folds and wrinkles. Juvederm Ultra Plus is used for deeper wrinkles and folds. Your physician will be able to meet your needs no matter which gel may be right for you.

Not only can Juvederm be used to smooth facial folds and wrinkles, but Juvederm can be safely used as an augmentation device for the lips as well. The results of the treatment are immediately noticed, and although it is not likely it will be easy to tell right away if another treatment is needed. Results generally last more than six months. While the skin may be sore right after the initial injection, this uncomfortable feeling goes away quickly. The skin becomes pliant and soft quickly, and will take on the quality of the surrounding skin.

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Botox

Many folks are utilizing Botox injections to look younger. Lots of them are also throwing Botox parties where they and their friends come together for youth enhancing injections and drinks. This is not recommended, as you should receive Botox treatments only under the care of a physician. Botox was approved for wrinkle removal by the FDA in 2002. While Botox is the actual brand name, the compound name is botulinum toxin A. It is successfully used to treat various medical conditions and is most widely revered as a popular wrinkle remover.

Botox is utilized for erasing wrinkles around the eyebrows as well as other parts of the facial area. Botox intercepts nerve to muscle signals, causing a smoothing of skin wrinkles. The muscle tissue that receives the botox will become relaxed and wrinkle free. The most common areas that have been treated with it are wrinkles on the forehead, encircling the eye, and around the mouth. Any wrinkling as a result of UV rays or gravitational causes won’t be affected by Botox.

The procedure takes just a couple of minutes and the patient can stay awake and alert the whole time. A very thin needle injects the Botox into the targeted muscle with very little discomfort. You will see the maximum benefits in 3-7 days, and you shouldn’t drink alcohol for about a week after the procedure. Anti-inflammatory medicines should not be taken for about two weeks prior to the procedure to prevent skin bruising.

The benefits of your Botox treatment will be evident for about 4 to 6 months. When the muscles begin to resume normal behavior, you will see the wrinkling begin to occur again. A simple repeat treatment will remedy this, and over time, wrinkles will look less prominent since they are being conditioned to stay smooth and relaxed. A frequent, but very minor, side effect of treatment is temporary bruising. This is minimal and quickly resolves itself. A few folks have experienced eyelid drooping caused by the Botox moving away from the targeted area. This is rare and only lasts a few weeks. It can be prevented by not rubbing the target muscle for about twelve hrs after treatment.

If you are expecting a child, nursing or have any type of nerve condition, Botox is not recommended. A doctor consultation should always precede treatment. These treatments are not usually covered by your health insurance for wrinkle removal. Contact your insurance company to be sure of coverage.

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Sun Damaged Skin and How to Treat It

The sun is a beautiful, heavenly object and is necessary for life on earth. It feels wonderful to be out on a warm sunny day, but there’s no question that the sun does a number on human skin. Too much sun exposure causes everything from premature wrinkling to skin cancer.

The sun’s ultraviolet rays cause the worst damage to the skin, and they do so in a couple of ways. There are two types of ultraviolet rays that make it to earth, categorized as UVA and UVB. Of the two, UVA is the far more damaging. It causes sunburn, though not as much as UVB rays and can damage the DNA in skin cells. It also penetrates the second layer of skin, called the dermis. The injured skin then releases free radicals, molecules that tear up other cells. More, the body actually launches an immune response, as if the ultraviolet rays were an invading organism. But the UV ray isn’t anything like a bacteria or a virus and the body attacks its own healthy collagen and elastin, the substances that make skin supple and springy. After years and years of this, the collagen and elastin are ruined and the result is wrinkles, furrows, age spots, spider veins and leathering. UVB dries the skin out and is responsible for most of the sunburn. UVB damage also causes the release of free radicals.

UVA is more dangerous to skin than UVB because UVB can be blocked by clothing, cloud cover and even glass, and is most dangerous during the summer months. UVA rays bombard the earth for most of the day and in all seasons and isn’t blocked by cloud cover.

As with most things, the best possible treatment is prevention. Since no one wants to stay out of the sun all the time, the best treatment is a sunscreen, a cream or ointment that absorbs the energy of ultraviolet rays. But if the damage has been done, other treatments include vascular pulsed lasers to remove spider veins, Botox injections for wrinkles, or retinoid creams. Retinoids, which are made from Vitamin A, speed up cell division and the sloughing of dead skin cells and induces the formation of new blood vessels, which can smooth out fine wrinkles and lines.

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Silhouette Face Lift

There are five specific reasons why our faces change as we age, and any one of them may have you longing for the face of your youth. More than 80 percent of facial aging is caused by years of exposure to sun and wind. Gravity is a natural occurrence of aging, and over your lifetime you can expect your eyelids, jaw bones, cheeks and ear lobes to droop. Years of various facial expressions can cause permanent lines near your mouth and eyes. Sleep lines can be permanently etched on your face if you sleep in the same position on your pillow every night. Finally, as you age, you lose subdermal fat and this leads to eyes and cheeks that have a sunken appearance.

Have you been considering a face lift for a while, but have been scared off by the idea of undergoing surgery and a possibly painful recovery time? With a silhouette face lift, these issues no longer need to worry you. This is a new procedure that can be done in a doctor’s office under general anesthesia in less than one hour. You can return to work and the rest of your normal daily activities within two days of the procedure. Within two weeks, no one will see any indication that you have had work done on your face.

The silhouette face lift is performed using a specialized thread which is inserted on the upper side of your head. From there, the doctor moves the thread down to your jowls and cheeks. This tightens and reshapes them to give the appearance of a firmer and younger looking face. The doctor will also tighten the skin in your neck area, since loose and flabby skin is a sure sign of aging. When you leave the doctor’s office, sagging cheeks, sunken eyelids and drooping of the rest of the face will soon be a thing of the past.

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Welcome To Our Blog!

Welcome to the Center for Facial Plastic Surgery blog. All surgeries are performed by Dr. Aaron Shapiro, MD, Board Certified in platic surgery and with over 20 years experience in the field. Our goal is to provide you with a complete individualized approach to your beauty concerns. At our Center, we have a brand new state of the art facility where procedures can be done under local anesthesia with oral sedation. Our commitment is to provide you with state of the art equipment and techniques for your specific needs and desires.

The Center for Facial Plastic Surgery is located near Philadelphia, in Langhorne, PA. It was started by Richard M. Goldfarb, MD, FACS. For more information or schedule a consultation, visit http://www.centerforfacialplasticsurgery.com/

 

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