Aging tissues will lose elasticity and volume, diminishing the healthy fullness in the cheeks, giving the face a hollow appearance and reduce the bright and full facial appearance of youth. Dr. Schoenfeld at Renu by Dr. Schoenfeld has a nonsurgical solution for aging tissues and static wrinkles: dermal fillers, such as fat injections, Restylane, RHA® Collection, and Juvederm.
To prolong a youthful appearance and display a more energetic look, Renu Artful Medicine offers patients an array of surgical and non-surgical eye rejuvenation procedures. One of the most transformative surgeries is blepharoplasty, commonly called eyelid lift surgery, performed by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld of the Washington, D.C. suburb, Chevy Chase, MD.
It is common to experience a change in tissue elasticity and facial volume as we age. Sun damage, smoking, weight fluctuations, illness, and genetics work against us, as well, speeding up the signs of aging. The face will start to see fine lines, sagging skin, and a loss of facial volume.
Dr. Schoenfeld has been performing fat injections for facial rejuvenation for many years. Autologous (meaning your own fat) injections is used for augmentation of numerous areas of the body and face. Typically fat is harvested from other fat rich areas of your body such as your abdomen, flanks, or thighs. The fat that is harvested is cleaned so that the highest concentration of fat cells is used for your facial injections. There has also been a great deal of research on the presence of growth factors recently.
The fat that is harvested also contains growth factors. Growth factors are essentially cells that have the potential to become several different kinds of cells in the body. One of these types of cells, fibroblasts, have the potential to produce collagen. Fat injections to the face can not only improve the appearance of your face and reverse the signs of aging by increasing facial volume, but also by placing growth factors in the area which can lead to the creation of cells that will create new collagen in the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Fat injections are extremely effective in creating volume to the face, addressing deep nasolabial folds, and improving the appearance of hollow areas or bags under the eyes and temples. Some absorption of the injected fat can be anticipated and slight over correction at the time of the procedure can be expected due to the natural absorption of perhaps 40% of the injected fat. The remaining fat injected can last for several years.
Placement of autologous fat to the face takes under an hour. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia but is often times done in conjunction with other cosmetic surgical procedures while you are under sedation. A solution of saline, bicarbonate, epinephrine, and lidocaine is infused into the donor site prior to fat harvesting. The solution provides comfort as well as decreases most blood loss during harvesting of the fat. The fat is then processed to get the healthiest fat cells and then transferred into small syringes.
A very small blunt tipped canulla is then used to meticulously place the fat in the face in the locations that have been discussed preoperatively, and marked prior to fat harvesting. Some swelling, bruising, and redness can occur in both the donor and recipient areas after the fat injection treatment. While these side effects tend to clear up within about two days, some swelling can remain in the recipient site for several weeks particularly if large areas are treated.
Pain or discomfort tends to be minimal. Activity levels following fat injections will be determined based on the amount of fat injected, the size of the donor site, and what other procedures you may have had in conjunction with your fat injections.
Restylane is an innovative dermal filler. It was among the first facial fillers to be created from Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a natural component of healthy human tissues. An important structural building block in the skin, HA is responsible for increasing the production of collagen. As HA rebuilds the collagen stores, it also draws in water from the body, providing both immediate improvements and long-term benefits. Restylane’s smooth, consistently sized particles of HA make it an excellent choice for plumping facial tissues and restoring a healthy, youthful appearance.
Additionally, the injectable can also improve the look of scars that result from acne or injury. The Restylane family of dermal fillers includes Restylane, Restylane Silk, and Restylane Lyft; each designed to treat specific needs and areas of the face.
No downtime is necessary after Restylane injections. Patients are back to their usual activities the same afternoon. It is important, however, that patients do not rub the treatment area for the first 72 hours following injections, as the Restylane can migrate to the surrounding tissues. The results from Restylane will last for up to nine months, after which time a repeat treatment is all that is needed to maintain the youthful benefits.
Restylane will:
Juvederm is a dermal filler comprised of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), known for binding with the body’s existing collagen stores for lasting results. It is best used to treat static wrinkles, facial folds, and volume loss along the cheekbones. Juvederm will smooth the tissues, improve facial symmetry, and restore volume under the eyes, cheeks, and jawline. The smooth gel formula of Juvederm ensures natural looking results. Several formulations of the filler are available, including Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus XC, and Juvederm Voluma XC. Each product is unique in its thickness and consistency, ready to meet a variety of needs.
Premixed with Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, Juvederm injections are not painful. The benefits from Juvederm injections can be seen immediately. Then, over the next two to three weeks as any swelling and redness resolves, the benefits Juvederm will continue to improve. The results from Juvederm can last from six to twelve months, depending on the treatment area and the type of Juvederm used. Best of all, patients are back to school or work immediately after the quick Juvederm treatment.
Juvederm Can Benefit:
Restylane Lyft and Juvederm Voluma are excellent choices in the treatment of moderate to deep facial lines. Composed of the naturally occurring Hyaluronic Acid (HA), these two fillers ramps are used to create volume to a fat depleted face and to fill in deeper lines of the face. Their particle size is slightly larger than the HA particle size in Restylane and Juvederm and are ideally suited to provide volume, structure, and support to the aging face.
A Restylane Lyft and Juvederm Voluma treatment session takes only minutes. The use of a local or topical anesthetic is always an option at Renu by Dr. Schoenfeld, although most patients do not consider their injections to be painful and these products contain lidocaine for increased patient comfort. The benefit of these HA dermal fillers is that the results are immediate, and will last between nine and twelve months for Restylane Lyft and up to 18 months or longer for Juvederm Voluma. As an additional benefit to the injection of these larger particle HA products is that the body will naturally increase collagen production, and current studies have shown that there are long term benefits due to increase production of collagen on the volume and subsequently the appearance of the face and skin. While it is not uncommon for the treatment area to have mild bruising, redness, and swelling, these quickly resolve. Patients are back to their routine immediately after their treatment.
The treatment with Restylane Lyft and Voluma dermal fillers will:
As a highly experienced double board certified plastic surgeon, I have dedicated my career to providing my patients with the best possible outcomes. I’ve specialized in facial plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery in Washington DC and Maryland since 1998. My training and experience have given me a deep understanding of the anatomy of the face and body, and I use this knowledge to develop customized treatment plans for each of my patients.
I am committed to staying up to date with the latest advances in plastic surgery, and I use state-of-the-art technology and techniques to deliver the best results. I take a personalized approach to care, taking the time to understand each patient’s individual needs and goals.
When you choose me as your plastic surgeon, you can trust that you will receive the highest quality care and attention. I am dedicated to helping my patients achieve their desired results, and I will work with you every step of the way to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Here is what separates Dr. Schoenfeld from other surgeons in the DMV area:
