Fillers offer less costly alternative to face lifts

If the tighter economy has you rethinking a face lift, consider some less costly options to eliminate wrinkles, facial folds and other signs of aging, UT Southwestern Medical center surgeons suggest.

“Some of our patients are now considering facial fillers and Botox as a temporary alternative,” says Dr. Rod Rohrich, chairman of plastic surgery at UT Southwestern. “These can offer a less costly approach with shorter recovery times, some as quick as a few hours, so you don’t have to miss work.”

Dermal fillers are injected during 10- to 20-minute procedures targeting the specific area of the face needing rejuvenation. Some are designed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines around the eyes, mouth and nose, while others can help produce fuller lips and cheeks.

Costs range from several hundred dollars to just over $1,000, a fraction of the cost for traditional face lifts and with little or no down time. These solutions can last a few months to more than a year, and some longer-term fillers are being tested.

“But make sure you are getting an FDA-approved filler from a plastic surgeon or dermatologist specially trained for that particular filler,” Dr. Rohrich advises. “Fillers are injected differently and different ones are used for different areas of the face.”

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/plasticsurgery to learn more about clinical services in plastic surgery at UT Southwestern.

Media Contact: Russell Rian

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