These can be a particular problem if we are very thin, do excessive exercise or if we lose weight very quickly through dieting alone.
Here Muscle Relaxing/Botulinum Toxin Injections, although commonly used, are very ineffective. The only effective way of treating this problem is to replace the volume.
This can be done in a number of ways
- Dermal Fillers, can be used here. They work immediately, although the cost is dependent on the amount of volume that has been lost from the face. Also great care must be taken, particularly with Deep Dermal Fillers to avoid the overfilled look, often called Hamster Cheeks, which we often see on our TV screens. Dr Alan has a particular dislike for this appearance, and is often asked to treat people who have received such treatments in other clinics.
- Sculpta, which at present is our favourite treatment for this problem. It may not remove the lines completely, but gives the face a natural, youthful look, which our patients love. The treatment does take a few months to work, but can last 2-4 years.
- Profhilo, Is a very promising new treatment, which although related to the Dermal fillers, also gives a very gentle softening of these lines, while also stimulating Collagen production.
- Fat Transfer/Micro-Fat, is the treatment of the future. It also gives an immediate effect, which also gets better over the next 6 months. It is at this time that we see whether a second treatment is required. At present we are a little uncertain of how long it will last, but 3-6 years is what we expect.