Did your job recently go from in-person to online? Now that your colleagues only see you through the lens of your laptop, fine lines, thinning lips, and other similar issues are in the spotlight. If you're not happy with the image reflected on the screen, take a look at what you need to know about easy aesthetic options that can refresh your facial features.
How Can You Smooth Crow's Feet and Eye Lines?
The bright glow of your computer's screen highlights the fine lines around your eyes. Also, repeated facial movements and the loss of skin elasticity can cause shallow wrinkles around the eye area. This means the more you squint at your computer screen, the more likely it is you'll see dynamic (movement-created) lines.
Between increased screen time during your work-from-home days and the magnification video calls can cause, you need a way to decrease the appearance of crow's feet and similar eye area issues. Botulinum toxin therapy is a popular way to combat fine eye lines.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2019 botulinum toxin type A (commonly called Botox) injections were the most common minimally invasive procedure - with more than 7.6 million procedures performed in one year.
While botulinum toxin type A won't permanently remove fine lines and can't repair wrinkles, it can smooth crow's feet for three to four months. With almost-immediate results, you'll have a rejuvenated look for your next video conference call.
How Can You Add to Lip and Lower Face Aesthetics?
Do your lips look thin? Can you see folds and fine lines around your mouth on your video call screen? The magnification of a laptop, tablet, or smartphone camera can make these common issues more obvious. But this doesn't mean you have to hide your entire lower face behind your hand or an over-sized cup of coffee.
Injectable dermal fillers can decrease the signs of aging, reduce fine lines, and fill thinning lips. Soft tissue fillers are the second most popular cosmetic minimally invasive procedure (following botulinum toxin type A), according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' 2019 statistics. Dermal fillers can smooth lines around the mouth and nose, reduce the look of vertical lines, smooth creases in the chin, and plump lips.
There are several different dermal filler options and brands. The specific type you choose depends on your cosmetic goals, the area you want to enhance, physical needs, and the doctor's recommendation. During the pre-procedure consultation, your doctor can explain the filler options and which one is the best choice to improve the look of lower face lines or enhance your thinning lips.
Like botulinum toxin, most injectable dermal fillers won't last forever. The amount of time the filler lasts depends on what it is made from. The shortest acting fillers are hyaluronic acid. This type of dermal filler may last anywhere from 6 to 18 months, according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. A synthetic filler will typically last longer.
How Should You Choose the Right Rejuvenating Option?
Is botulinum toxin type A, a hyaluronic acid filler, a synthetic filler, or another option right for you? With plenty of choices available to most patients, you need to carefully select the best injectable with your doctor. A board-certified physician or surgeon can help you to weigh the pros and cons of each choice.
Before your initial consultation, take a good look at what you see reflected back in your computer or smartphone screen. Note the specific areas that bother you and what you'd like to change. Discuss these concerns with your doctor and ask how each option can change your face, the downtime, and the need for future procedures.
Are you ready to refresh your face? Contact the office of
Ronald C. Barry, MD, for more information.
