I’m 70 and an ironwoman – how can I look natural but less saggy and gaunt?

Good morning Dr Irwin I just turned 70. I am very fit (iron woman) still competing. Due to my size 79 lbs, my face has become quite hollow. I would need to fill the cheeks area. I have very few wrinkles, but a saggy face due to the loss of volume in the face and cheek area. I have received only a couple of belotero around the corners of the mounth and under the lower lip. I am not too excited about the wooden effect of Radiesse. What would you suggest for a very natural look . I still work with the public and would love to look fresh and natural. I do hope you answer this Email. I really value your opinion - Thank you Clara

Wow –  that’s great and I’m so impressed that you’re competing at 70 in ironwoman events!!   We are all inspired by that.  If I could only get my swimming speed up over a snail’s pace. 🙂

You’re right, of course, most of my endurance athlete patients at any age, have very low body fat and tend to have sagging problems.  Or sometimes are just gaunt in that lower cheek area (medial buccal fat pad).

In my opinion, you are the perfect person for Voluma.  It’s a hyaluronic acid filler product made by Juvederm.   It’s low maintenance in that it lasts longer than the other HA fillers (usually 9-12 months).  Don’t be taken in by the marketing that says 2 years because who wants their face going from full to zero and back?

Voluma is great for lifting the cheek volume back in to position and can be used, by experts, in some other parts of the face as well.  Just remember though that at 70 you will need more than one syringe.   We usually estimate about 1 syringe per decade for the intial series but then maintenance is much less and usually yearly.  It’s no problem to go slowly and spread the treatments out over time.

Hope this helps,  Dr. I

 

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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