PLASTIC SURGERY 101
Cheek depression can be fixed
Posted on Tue, Jun. 24, 2008
By DR. CARLOS WOLF
Q: I recently had my 65th birthday. Within a couple of weeks I discovered a gift I did not want -- a sunken area on my left cheek at the lower inside part of my apple. Is this something that could be improved with Thermage? My right cheek is just beginning to show signs of the same problem. However, it is not as deep. Help! Just because I am 65 does not mean I am old.
A: Happy birthday, and no, you are not old! I am not sure what your ''apple'' is but I am going to assume that the problem you are talking about is a depression near your cheek. These depressions may form because of weight loss or just because. I do not believe Thermage would help the problem you are describing. The sunken area can easily be corrected with an injectable filler, which is not permanent, yet can be administered repeatedly.
Fillers available include hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm), calcium containing fillers (Radiesse) and l-polylactic acid fillers (Sculptra). These may last from six to 18 months. Depending on the exact location of your sunken area, you may undergo a surgical implant. Obviously, you should get an evaluation with a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon you feel comfortable with before exploring a surgical intervention.
Dr. Carlos Wolf is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon practicing in Miami. E-mail:
carloswolfmd@aol.com.
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