Excess fat in the face, especially around the eyes, jaw and neck can cause common problems like bulges, lack of definition and a double chin, which can cause you to look older than you actually are. If you are seeing too much facial fat in a certain area, you may need a combination of procedures that can help improve your problem areas.
Is facial fat making you look older? Too much facial fat can cause:
1. Under-Eye Bags
Larger fat pockets make bulging under-eyes prominent An abundance of fat can negatively affect the area under the eyes. This is not usually related to weight but since an increase of fat under the eyes can cause the fat pockets to bulge, they can appear more prominent. Removal of bulging orbital fat and excess skin from below the eye can improve the aged appearance and "bags" under the eyes.
Dr. Reichel does lower lid blepharoplasty via the transconjunctival approach. During her cosmetic and skin cancer fellowship, Dr. Reichel trained with the leading oculoplastic and facial plastic surgeons to learn this technique. A consultation with Dr. Reichel would be needed to determine if this is the right procedure for you.
2. A Soft Jawline
Increased fat causes a saggy appearance in the jowls Excess fat around the jowls can cause them to appear soft, like they are hanging over the jawline.
3. A Double Chin
Excess fat leads to loss of definition The area under the chin is an area where superficial fat, the layer of fat under the skin, tends to accumulate excessively, giving way to a double chin. Fat under the chin may be hereditary. Some patients even notice a double chin early in life.
4. A Turkey Neck
Fat deposits result in an undefined facial contour. With age, an increase of fat in the neck is actually quite common. When there is too much fat in the neck, it’s normal to see too much fat in the chin also.
For unwanted extra fatty tissue in the chin and neck area, Seattle based, Dr. Jennifer Reichel, will often times recommend jaw-line and neck liposuction. “I always want to see my patients in for an initial cosmetic consultation if they are concerned with their neck or jaw-line. The treatment options vary all the way from needing a surgical face-lift, to liposuction, or even a skin tightening device like the new Ultherapy.” Dr Reichel will tailor each individual patients treatment options based on their concerns and needs.
Dr Reichel lectures nationally on liposuction and body contouring techniques as well as “How To Do the Best Cosmetic Consultation”. She has been performing liposuction for more than 8 years with fabulous results.
Call Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center at 206.859.5777 to schedule your free liposuction consultation!
There is a cream for everything these days. From your under eyes to your feet—no area of the body has been neglected by beauty brands looking to sell you a new way to look your best. But do all these areas actually need their own skin-care regimen? We wanted to know, especially when it comes to the neck—a lesser-known area of the body that can really tattle tale our true age.
Anti-aging creams and serums designed specifically for the neck are popping up everywhere, and it's true that this area and the décolletage are commonly neglected areas of the body when it comes to maintenance and care. "One of the largest mistakes I see women make in their skin-care regimens is neglect of the neck and upper chest," says Dr. Jennifer Reichel of Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center. And it turns out, the neck is just as susceptible to damage and aging as the face. "Over the course of a lifetime, necks and chests are exposed to as much UV light as faces, but don't get the same good consistent skin care routine that most women establish for their faces," she says.
Over time, neglect of the neck leads to mottled red and brown pigmentation with sagging and wrinkling of the skin. But that doesn't mean you have to run out and purchase a cream designed specifically for the skin of the neck if you already have one for your face.
"In general women do not need specific different products for their necks/upper chests, but it is important to remember that this can often be more sensitive skin (thinner with fewer oil glands) that can become irritated more easily by aggressive topical products," says Dr. Reichel.
That means that the best rule of thumb for neck care is to give it the same treatment you give your face. When exfoliating or applying moisturizer, don’t stop at your jawline. Antioxidant protection and sunscreen are of utmost importance as well. "I encourage my patients to think of their neck as an extension of their face to ensure it gets the benefit of daily sunscreen and other skin maintenance products; we are big fans of Skinceuticals A.G.E. Interrupter as well as their vast line of zinc-oxide sunscreens." she says.
And if you have neglected your neck over the years, it's not too late to reverse the sagging and wrinkling. When treated early, neck wrinkles can be softened with neurotoxin injections, such as Botox, to help release constricting muscles. Slack skin on the neck can also be treated with Ultherapy, this FDA-cleared device used in the procedure utilizes the safe, time-tested energy of ultrasound to stimulate the deep structural support layers of the skin.
If the wrinkling and sagging is really bothering you, Seattle Dermatologist Jennifer Reichel, says you "can tighten the skin using nonsurgical treatments such as Fraxel Dual or Fractional CO2." Call our office to schedule your consultation, and get the results you've always wanted.
When you want to look and feel younger, your face is the front and center battleground of that fight. And while there are a few ways to surgically make the face look years younger (facelift, neck lift, nose job), many women might not be ready for the commitment or cost of a surgical procedure. If not, there are "best practices" for rejuvenating the face without reaching for the scalpel. We went to the experts to find out what they individually believe are the best treatments to get a younger face without surgery.
Seattle, WA, dermatologist Jennifer Reichel, MD, says first and foremost, start with a good skin-care routine. "Routine skin care by trained, experienced aestheticians is invaluable in producing, improving and monitoring the skin. Let's face it—beautiful skin always creates a more youthful look. A comprehensive skin-care program that may include professional products and treatments (like facial peels and photo facials) can minimize sun damage, soften fine lines, reduce acne, rehydrate dry skin and brighten dull, aging skin."
If you want to take it one step further, there are more options available to make the face look younger. Seattle Dermatologist Jennifer Reichel, MD, says before finding the best method for facial rejuvenation, your doctor has to take into account the age demographic of the patient. "When they are younger, we’re getting rid of wrinkles with products like Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane and Juvéderm. For restoring more volume [in older patients] we like Radiesse. If the patient needs more volume, we like to use the patient’s own fat and stem cells as fillers," this is called fat harvesting or fat transfer.
Dr. Reichel also says, noninvasive radio-frequency treatments, on the right patient, can work wonders: "We’re fans of Ultherapy,a new type of non-surgical, non-invasive procedure for the face and body that uses ultrasound and the body’s own natural healing process to lift, tone, and tighten loose skin.. I think you can also count Fractional CO2 in this area. It is an ablative laser, but it’s not as invasive as making incisions. It is a very effective tool in treating fine lines, irregularities and brown spots."
The physicians and skin care specialists at Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center are a dedicated team with expertise in medical dermatology, Mohs skin cancer surgery, and aesthetic surgery. Dr. Reichel and her wonderful staff are committed to excellence in patient care. Call us today to schedule your cosmetic consultation or medical dermatological appointment, 206.859.5777, we look forward to meeting you,
Has your skin started to look dull and dry? The sun and sand can take a real toll on your body during the summer months so now is a great time to evaluate your skincare routine including the products you have been using. We recommend taking a 360-degree approach to your fall prep from cream-based lip balms to body lotions that are enriched with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and Vitamin E. Fall is also one of the best times of year to incorporate an anti-aging regime into your routine. One of the popular lines on the market is Skin Medica TNS Essential Serum – a growth factor based skincare line proven to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and generate smoother skin. Our practice manager, Vicki, loves Skin Medica TNS Essential Serum!
To get rid of that flaky skin that appears this time of year and prevent those pores from clogging you need to exfoliate. In-office treatments, like microdermabrasion, are the most effective way to get rid of dead skin cells but washing with a motorized cleanser brush like the Clarisonic is also a great tool. In you have a smaller budget to work with there are a number of great scrubs you can buy over-the-counter including Clinique Exfoliating Scrub or Olay Skin Smoothing Cream Scrub that can also do the trick.
The fall is also the best time to start assessing what aesthetic treatments you need to freshen up for the holidays. Lasers, Botox and dermal fillers like Radiesse continue to top our client’s lists but make sure you plan ahead as you may need more than one treatment.
We have amazing specials coming this fall including Radiesse Days: buy one, get one half off on Sept 25th and 27th! Call us today at (206) 859-5777 to learn more or book an appointment.
There’s no better way to perk up dull skin than with a chemical peel. A beauty staple since the days of Cleopatra (who was said to bathe in spoiled milk, the basis of lactic acid), the formulations and peeling agents used today may have been adapted to meet modern-day beauty standards but the basic principle of exfoliation for an immaculate complexion remains a steady constant.
Light Peels - alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) and betahydroxy acids
Good for: Lightly refreshing the skin
You’ll notice: Subtly smoother, more evenly toned skin and less blemishes
Medium Peels- trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
Good for: Correcting moderate wrinkles, lines and sun damage
You’ll notice: Significantly smoother skin that’s more even in tone with fewer lines and spots
Deep Peels - phenol acid
Good for: Extreme resurfacing
You’ll notice: Drastically smoother skin sans wrinkles and pigmentation
Understanding the Strengths: Just like how ingredients, such as retinoids and vitamin C, are available in different strengths, so are the peeling agents used in chemical peels.
On the Low End: Each acid ranges in strength—single digits and 10 percent concentrations are on the more gentle side; 20 to 70 rank on the higher end.
Stronger Peels Offer an Advantage: The higher the percentage of the acid used in a chemical peel, the more damage reversal it can do for your skin.
Formulation Counts: “The different percentages are like the difference between using an over-the-counter product versus a prescription-strength version,” says Santa Ana, CA, dermatologist Tony Nakhla, MD. Take, for example, glycolic acid. “It can come in different strengths and pH levels, or combined with other ingredients. These factors help to determine how efficacious the product is, and how deep it can penetrate,” says Boca Raton, FL, aesthetician Cheryl Staurowsky.
Skin Basics: Every 28 days or so our skin sheds—a natural healthy process that is essential. “Stimulating the natural exfoliation cycle purposely removes the outer layer of cells to improve the texture of your skin faster,” says Dr. Nakhla. That’s where exfoliating chemical peels come in. “Superficial peels act as a means of exfoliation, but at a stronger level than what can be achieved with a manual exfoliator or scrub,” says Dr. Nakhla.
How deep a peel can go:
Light peels reach just the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin to lighten discoloration, transform texture and fight breakouts
Medium strength peels work on the middle dermis or the layer of skin between the epidermis and the dermis for more serious resurfacing.
Deep peels get down to the dermis, the lowest layers of the skin, to dramatically soften lines and wrinkles
Question: I have fine lines and loose skin under my eyes. Will Ultherapy help with this?
A: Ultherapy is a relatively new skin tightening device that has FDA approval for tightening and lifting facial skin. It uses ultrasound waves to target the tissues underlying the top surface of the skin to cause small areas of tissue damage that then results in collagen formation, new tissue remodeling and ultimately, tightening and lifting. The company recently added a new hand-piece (called a transducer), that has a depth of only 1.5 mm. Along with the other handpieces, this one can now be used under the eyes to tighten and smooth skin.
Since it is very new, we are really in the early stages of seeing how much true visible changes it makes under the eyes. We know that Ultherapy can be used to lift eyebrows and to tighten the jawline and plump cheeks. We have treated about 30 patients under the eyes over the last 3 months and are awaiting results. I do see where it may be necessary to do more than one treatment (perhaps 4-6 months apart) under the eyes. I suggest, when treating the upper face, that patients go for the full upper face treatment - as that will make the most difference overall. I am excited about this technology and would love to see you for a consultation.
When injectables and fillers were first introduced, they pretty much served one purpose: to fill wrinkles. Over time, and with off-label experimentation, their use has become more widespread as the effects of volume loss are a constant complaint. Today, the "Liquid Lift"—the use of fillers to give a more lifted and youthful look to the face—is gaining popularity as replacing lost volume via injections allows the skin to take on a lifted appearance and redefines the natural contours of the face.
Call Dr. Jennifer Reichel today for your cosmetic consultation and see if a "Liquid Lift" is right for you.
Posted Monday, July 02, 2012 by Anjelle Ruppe, Contributing Writer
Sure, you know that sugar isn’t exactly the best ingredient to consume on a daily basis, after all, it's bad for your figure and can also cause wrinkles.
That's because sugar molecules in your system attach to fats and proteins in a process called glycation, which leads to advanced glycation end products, commonly called AGEs, that cause protein fibers to become stiff and malformed.
Unfortunately, the proteins in your skin that are most prone to glycation happen to be the same ones that make a youthful complexion plump: collagen and elastin. During the process, they become discolored, weak and less supple, which then shows up on the skin as wrinkles, sagginess and a loss of radiance.
What's worse, these external signs start to show up around the age of 30 to 35, when sun damage, environmental oxidative stress, hormonal changes and the development of AGEs begins to result in fine lines.
It’s important to note that refined sugar is not the only culprit. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables also turn to glucose when digested, although there is less damage and these foods are necessary for our health. So, we shouldn’t completely eliminate all types of sugar from our diets. Thankfully, there are some options to fight off the unwanted results of glycation.
With regards to your diet, stay away from white sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, which studies have found increase the rate of glycation by 10 times, along with simple carbs. You can also take supplemental carnosine, an amino acid that has been shown to protect against AGE buildup.
Skin care is also important to slow glycation. Products that contain viable AGE fighters began to appear five years ago. Now that glycation is widely known as a major cause of aging, there are plenty of anti-aging creams containing AGE fighters, too. Green tea has been proven to significantly interfere with the glycation process, while it also stimulates collagen synthesis. So, use a product that contains this antioxidant-rich ingredient, or drink it regularly, to protect your skin from glycation.
“Anything that stimulates the fibroblasts to build new collagen is going to help eradicate damage,” says New York dermatologist Fredric Brandt, MD, who also notes that retinoids and some dermal fillers fall into this category as well.
You may not realize it, but a little plumpness is a good thing. Especially when we're talking about the face, as you can see in actress Elizabeth McGovern's photos, the image on the left taken in September 2001 and the one on the right last week.
Fat naturally adds the volume and support to the face that keeps wrinkles at bay and our skin looking youthful. However, we start to lose facial fat as early as our 20s, and it's a downhill slide, literally, from there.
Facial fat deteriorates naturally with age, but weight loss and hormonal changes can speed up the process. When this happens, we start to see less definition around the face, including sunken temples, forehead and brow wrinkles, the corners of the mouth turned down, hallowing around the eyes, flatter cheeks and slack skin around the jaw.
There are ways to restore facial volume and achieve smoother skin. Here's how:
Fat transfer: This is good option if you'd like long-term results, but can endure some downtime (up to two weeks). You will first undergo a mini-liposuction procedure to remove fat from another area of your body, then it will be prepared to be injected into your face. It's also a good option if you are wary of injecting other types of fillers into your skin. The fat is your own, so your body will not reject it. We are able to store your fat in our medical-grade freezer for up to two years so it's easy to come in when you need another injection.
Fillers: Fullness can be restored through a variety of fillers including temporary (like Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane), or longer-term (like Radiesse). Injecting fillers is a non-invasive option that gives an immediate result. The cheeks, temples, chin and jawline are the areas best suited for fillers, and Restylane was recently given FDA approval for use in the lips. Some of the non-permanent fillers can last up to two years, but most need additional treatments.
Seek an experienced and board-certified physician to determine the right option that will give you the results you're after. Call our office to schedule your consultation with one of our skilled physicians, 206.859.5777, at Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center we have years of experience with facial fillers.
Credit: Thinkstock
