Hi Dr Irwin,
Below is my post to you and your answer, but I didn't mean nasolabial folds or marionette lines. I meant horizontal and vertical lines that are fine lines. The fillers won't work for these lines and I cant use Retin-a or AHA's due to the shiny waxy look I get from using them. My skin is not sagging or lax and I don't have wrinkles. So is there anything that would work for these lines? Thanks in advance!
I am confused about which procedure would work for moderate facial lines. I am a 46 year old caucasian female. I don't have loose, sagging skin or wrinkles. The lines are mostly around my mouth but to the sides not above my lips. I do not smoke. AHA's and retin a cause an unnatural shinny waxy look on my skin so I prefer not to use them. What procedure would work for this issue? Thanks so much.
Since you don't have sagging (laxity) or wrinkles, these lines to the sides of the mouth are usually from the nose to the mouth (nasolabial fold) or the mouth to the chin (mesolabial or marionette), are best treated with a filller like Juvederm or Restylane. Both would work well. On average maintenance for this in your age range would be about twice a year. Dr. I
Okay - I know this is hard to describe sometimes so I'm think you mean on the cheeks themselves - that fine, sometimes crisscrossed wrinkling. You might want to look into the Fraxel laser - the erbium - not the CO2; a series of those would be a cost effective way to help with this. Dr. I