When age catches up with us, one of the first noticeable signs of aging is on the face; a drawn-out, gaunt look with hollowed-out features can appear. As a result of facial volume loss, light reflecting on the face creates shadows and highlights that age us. Facelift surgery in Los Angeles can take care of the problem, but many have reservations and fear of going under the scalpel. Below we will discuss what contributes to facial aging and how to address these concerns without undergoing a surgical procedure.

Loss of Facial Volume With Aging

The loss of facial volume is thought to be the main reason for the signs of aging. Many factors can contribute to aging, such as genetics, your environment and lifestyle, diet, gravity, and other factors.

 

Fillers can restore natural volume and contour, and is now preferred more often by many patients. Well placed facial fillers smooth the natural transition areas of the face, minimizing the harsh shadow/highlight contrast of aging, restoring natural, pleasant, and youthful facial curves.  There will always be a place for surgery, but many aging faces can now avoid the risks of anesthesia and operation and appear refreshed without being cut.

Woman receiving facial filler injection

 

What Non-invasive Treatments Are Available?

The current demand by patients for non-invasive, non-surgical treatments to rejuvenate their face has resulted in treatments that are addressing their wishes. Though Dr. Michael Persky and Dr. Ari Hyman offer world-class traditional facial plastic surgery procedures, such as rhinoplasty (nose surgery), rhytidectomy (facelifting), and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), they pride themselves on being at the forefront of what’s hot in the popular non-surgical treatment world.

 

Sculptra® Aesthetic, JUVÉDERM®, VOLUMA®, Restylane®, RADIESSE®, and neuromodulators, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport®, and JEUVEAU®, are used to strategically recreate the oval, heart-shaped, ogee curved facial appearance of natural youth. The ogee curve is the pleasant, soft S-shaped contour when the area from the lateral brow, eye, and cheek to the corner of the mouth is viewed from an oblique (¾’s) angle.

 

The successful use of non-invasive therapy combines methods that treat both the external skin as well as the underlying facial and neck muscles. Our philosophy is to maximize the quality of your skin with the best scientifically proven effective skincare treatments and products including SkinMedica®, O2 Intraceuticals, and PURIGENEX™ facial collagen masks, along with personalized skincare regimens recommended by our talented, licensed aesthetician.

What Is JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC?

Some individuals wish to have a filler treatment that is long-lasting (1 ½ to 2 years) without substantial downtime and being away from work for an extended period. For them, treatment with JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC in Los Angeles is the best solution.

What to Expect After VOLUMA® Injections

VOLUMA® is an injectable filler designed to add volume to the face, resulting in a plumped, younger appearance. The injection is given deep to facial muscles over bones, and should only be conducted by a facial plastic surgeon with in-depth knowledge of the facial anatomy and a sense of natural artistic vision.

 

VOLUMA® injections take about ten minutes to significantly rejuvenate the face. One treatment session restores natural beauty by lifting the cheeks, decreasing under eye hollowness, lifting nasolabial folds (laugh lines) and the corners of the mouth, improving the jawline, as well as lifting jowls. VOLUMA® is the longest lasting of non-permanent facial fillers. Patients love the natural look achieved, and will often return before special events, occasions, or holidays for a “pick-me-up.”  Like the saying goes for Jello, “There’s always room for a little more VOLUMA®!”

VOLUMA® Post-Treatment

Patients may experience mild swelling and minimal if any bruising after VOLUMA® treatment. In extremely rare cases, bumps or lumps can develop. Your post-care instructions typically advise avoiding rubbing the injection locations and exposure to direct sunlight for the first 24 to 48 hours.

What Is Ulthera®?

A panel of expert Ulthera® users, including Hema Sundarum, MD, Julius Few, MD, FACS, Andrew Campbell, MD, FACS, and Brian Biesman, MD, shared their overwhelmingly positive clinical experience with Ulthera® over the past two years.

 

Ultherapy® by Ulthera® uses ultrasound technology to visualize the anatomy of the face, neck, and periorbital area around the eyes and brows to target ultrasound energy at both muscle lining and skin to tighten and lift the previously mentioned areas. Once the outer covering of the face and skin has been firmed up and buffed, it is then ideally primed and ready for the replacement of lost facial volume with facial fillers.

 

Thanks to the dedicated work and artistic vision of pioneers, such as Val Lambros, MD, FACS,  Joel Pessa, MD, FACS, Rod Rorhich, MD, FACS, Danny Vlleggar, MD, Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD, and others, thoughts about facial aging, beauty, and facial rejuvenation have drastically changed recently.

Laser device being held

Ultherapy® vs. Fraxel®

Fraxel® Dual and Fraxel® Repair fractionated laser treatments are used to buff the skin to improving crepey neck and facial skin, revealing a smoother, more even complexion.

 

Ultherapy® uses an ultrasound energy source to tighten and lift while also improving the tone, color, and texture of the skin.

What Is CoolSculpting®?

For those who wish to rid themselves of that troublesome bulge of fat that refuses to budge with diet and exercise, there is CoolSculpting®. CoolSculpting® ingeniously freezes unwanted fat bulges of the abdomen, love handles, back, and inner thighs, decreasing the fat layer by 20 to 25 percent per treatment session.

 

Lastly, we have heard of trials with promising cellulite treatment, Cellulaze™, which combines two laser wavelengths with contoured rollers and vacuum suction to get a 97 percent patient satisfaction rate after one year, according to Barry DiBernardo, MD, FACS.

What is Emsculpt®?

Emsculpt® builds muscle and reduces fat, using electromagnetic energy stimulate muscle contraction supra-maximally. Treatment results in a 16-19% increase of muscle mass and a 19% decrease of fat after a series of four 30-minute treatments over two weeks.  Emsculpt® is used on the arms, legs, abdominals, and buttocks. Emsculpt® and CoolSculpting® are often used in conjunction to get our patients’ beach body ready.

Choosing Your Treatment

Dr. Michael Persky is located in Encino, California, servicing all of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, including Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, and more locations.

 

Next time you consider facelift surgery in Los Angeles, consult Dr. Persky to see if non-surgical facial rejuvenation can turn the clock back in time to help you achieve the elusive ogee curve. View our video gallery to see some options to accomplish your desired results.

Young, pretty woman smiling

 

 

Contact our office by calling 818-918-9252 or by filling out our contact form.

At Some Point in Every Woman’s Life She Must Choose Between Her Face or Fanny”

Catherine Deneuve

The most revolutionary concept in facial plastic surgery over the past 10 years is the appreciation that replacing volume in the face is rejuvenating. The most exciting fillers that we are using to sculpt and restore natural facial volume are Voluma and Sculptra. In December 2013 Voluma was FDA approved for restoring volume of the cheeks, lasting up to 2 years. For the past 4 years we have loved using Sculptra to restore volume and the heart shaped face of youth. Once full facial correction is reached with Sculptra, the effects last up to 2 to 4 years until maintenance is needed.

 

Patients are now asking, “What’s better Voluma or Sculptra?” Fortunately, they are both great. In the past few months since Voluma was introduced to the US market, we have been combining it with Sculptra. Voluma is excellent for immediately restoring cheek volume. By lifting the cheeks naturally, it is amazing how the lower eye tear tough hollow, the nasolabial folds, lower cheek lines, and even the jowls are improved. Voluma injections are relatively easy, quick, and comfortable. There is local anesthesia mixed in the Voluma syringe, and we use ice to distract the brain from sensing the injections. Patients wash their face with anti-bacterial soap prior to treatment. One to two syringes are most commonly used at the first visit. Immediate results are seen. There can be swelling for 1 to 3 days, and a minority of patients may have bruising for a few days. We see our patients about 10 to 14 days after their treatment for a face check, post-photos, and possible additional treatment.

Voluma can be used “off label” in other areas of the face but we prefer to use Sculptra in the rest of the face (Sculptra’s only on label use is for treatment of the naso-labial folds.) The amount of volume added with Sculptra is directly related to the number of injection sessions. Sculptra results are gradual over time, maintaining a natural appearance for our patients. Most patients receive 2

6 Months After Multiple Sculptra Sessions by Dr. Persky

6 Months After Multiple Sculptra Sessions by Dr. Persky

vials of Sculptra at their first treatment. They are then seen 6 weeks later for photos and further treatment if needed. Once the patient reaches complete correction they are advised to return for maintenance Sculptra whenever they desire, usually between 1 to 4 years.

For patients who wish the ultimate in non-invasive, non-surgical facial and neck rejuvenation, we combine the use of Ultherapy, the only FDA approved for lifting and tightening the face, eyebrows, and neck (a micro-focused ultra-sound technology) with Voluma and/or Sculptra. In summary, it is wonderful to add a new revolutionary injectable product (Voluma) to the tried and true, safe and effective injectables we have used over the years.

voluma-before-and-after-2The most important aspect of any facial aesthetic treatment is choosing your physician most carefully based on their artistic vision, skill, and experience to insure your best natural cosmetic results in the safest manner. Please feel free to contact us with any aesthestic questions that you or your friends and family may have. We look forward to the privilege of helping you achieve and maintain your facial aesthetic goals. Be well.

Dr. Persky treating patient

Dr. Persky treating patient

image001Dr. Michael Persky and Dr. Sarmela Sunder are located in Encino, California and Beverly Hills, California but service all of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Including, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, La Canada, Pasadena, and more. Please subscribe to our blog by clicking the link above, right, and “Like” us on Facebook. Thank you! + Michael Persky

Recently in a spinning class, the instructor said, over Cher’s (It’s a Woman’s World) song, “…and if you like spinning in the dark, come to my 5 am class. We keep the lights low…everyone looks as if they are 10 years younger!” This was not at a Soul Cycle, where I hear the the lights are always low.

The “looking 10 years younger in the dark” comment reminded me of one of our tongue in cheek sayings at Persky Sunder Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Sunder and Dr. Persky believe that you should, “Look Good Even With the Lights On!”

Our practice’s goal is that you look your best and most beautiful always. “Your best” is looking naturally better than you did in the past. You should look like yourself…just a more rested, healtier, fresher, and youthful “self” (in any kind of lighting). We are proud of our skin care, spa aesthetician services, aesthetic procedures from the slightest cosmetic injection to non-invasive aesthetic treatments, to the most elegant rhinoplasty or facelift surgery.

We also believe that it is only right to give credit where credit is due. “Look Good Even With the Lights On at Persky Sunder Facial Plastic Surgery!” originated many years ago, in a dimly lit, early morning Barry’s Boot Camp class, when one of our most beautiful, intelligent, and outright funny and entertaining patient (you all know who you are) commented that after her recent visit to our practice that she “looks really good…even with the lights on.” We are grateful for the privilege of helping our patients achieve and maintain your facial aesthetic goals and health for many years to come. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have regarding beauty and facial aesthetics. Be well!

image001Dr. Michael Persky and Dr. Sarmela Sunder are located in Encino, California and Beverly Hills, California but service all of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Including, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, La Canada, Pasadena, and more. Please subscribe to our blog by clicking the link above, right, and “Like” us on Facebook. Thank you! + Michael Persky

Mark it on your calendar. In a bold and somewhat Fifty Shades of Gray type of promise, a medical device company has announced their new “revolutionary” ad campaign. When I received the email blast today, the title caught my eye as well!

Get an exclusive first look at our new marketing campaign, which helps reduce women’s fears about the cost, downtime, and side effects associated with skin rejuvenation treatments!” reads the ad. “Subablative is breaking down inhibitions at ADD (The American Academy of Dermatology meeting)”

Subablative treatment uses radiofrequency to heat the skin in hopes of stimulating collagen production. Syneron’s “inhibition losing device” is e-Matrix, a radio frequency device that has been on the market since 2009. Perhaps there has been a modification to the device to have “women lose their inhibitions!”

Dr. Persky will be attending “State of the Art of Facial Aesthetics 2013” in Atlanta, GA as a featured speaker, giving 8 fifteen minute presentations including, “Is There a Role for Non-Invasive Lifting in a Surgical Practice and What is That Role?” and “How to Evaluate New Non-Invasive Technologies, To Buy or Not to Buy, That is the Question“. Dr. Persky enjoys attending meetings, not only to share knowledge and teach as a lecturer, but most importantly to learn what is new, safe, effective, and best for our patients. One of the tools we use to determine whether to consider new technologies for our patients is the aesthetic consumer Q and A and review website RealSelf.com The current “Was it Worth It?” rating for e-Matirx is 57% satisfaction. Based on that, I would not lose your inhibitions so fast, stick with “Fifty Shades of Gray” for now, at least until Dr. Persky returns from Atlanta with the news of what’s new in facial plastic surgery. Be well!

Dr. Michael Persky and Dr. Sarmela Sunder are located in Encino, California and Beverly Hills, California (The Lasky Clinic) but service all of Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Including, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Hancock Park, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Tarzana, Westlake, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, La Canada, Pasadena, and more. Please subscribe to our blog by clicking the link above, right, and “Like” us on Facebook. Thank you!
+ Michael Persky