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Michael Law, M.D.
- Suite 103
10941 Raven Ridge Road
Raleigh, NC 27614 - Tel: Click for phone number
- Fax: 919-256-0902
- Send E-mail
- www.michaellawmd.com
Answered Questions
Q:
Can Botox injections help alleviate blushing (from anxiety)?
I suffer from social phobia and would like to know if Botox injections can help with blushing. I've heard that it is effective and that the injections go into the skin, not the muscles. Is this true and how effective is it? How many injections would be needed?
A:
Botox will not help with blushing. But, there is a treatment that can be helpful. The V-Beam laser is a pulsed dye laser that helps with spider veins of the face and rosacea. often, people with rosacea with experience significant flushing when they experience hot, cold, drinking red wine, or even blushing from embarrassment. Of course, no laser treatment will improve an anxiety disorder, but if blushing contributes to your anxiety, perhaps this this might help.
Q:
Is Restylane really safe in the tear troughs?
Is Restylane use safe in the tear troughs? I have been considering this procedure for some time for chronic dark circles under my eyes but I know it is considered an "off label" use of Restylane. Is it really safe and effective?
A:
I prefer fat grafting to other fillers under they eyes and in the tear trough area. One guiding principle of reconstructive plastic surgery is short and simple: "Replace like with like." Specifically, where tissue is missing, restore the defect with the same tissue whenever possible. If bone is missing, use a bone graft. If muscle is missing, use a muscle flap. So if fat is missing, the ideal solution is obvious. Fat Grafting.
In patients who have developed deep 'tear troughs' at the junction of the lower lid and cheek, adjacent to the side of the nose, the meticulous grafting of fat harvested from the patient's abdomen, hips or thighs can build this area back up and nicely restore a more youthful contour. In some blepharoplasty patients this depression or 'hollow' extends horizontally across the entire junction of the lower lid and cheek, and this must be corrected to obtain the ideal postoperative result.
When selecting a physician, look at many , many before and after photos as part of your decision making process.
Q:
How do I go about finding an excellent plastic surgeon who is experienced in filling the eye trough area?
I would like to have the eye trough area filled and need to know how to go about finding a very experienced board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in this area. I know that the results of this procedure depends a lot on the actual injector. I am a 26 year old female and have eye puffiness/bags that will not go away. They are not attributable to allergies because I went to an allergist and have been on medication for some months now with no significant decrease in the puffiness. Please advise.
A:
In patients who have developed deep 'tear troughs' at the junction of the lower lid and cheek, adjacent to the side of the nose, the meticulous grafting of fat harvested from the patient's abdomen, hips or thighs can build this area back up and nicely restore a more youthful contour. In some blepharoplasty patients this depression or 'hollow' extends horizontally across the entire junction of the lower lid and cheek, and this must be corrected to obtain the ideal postoperative result.
One guiding principle of reconstructive plastic surgery is short and simple: "Replace like with like." Specifically, where tissue is missing, restore the defect with the same tissue whenever possible. If bone is missing, use a bone graft. If muscle is missing, use a muscle flap. So if fat is missing, the ideal solution is obvious.
To select a surgeon to perform a procedure in the delicate tear trough under the eye, take your time, research the surgeons' education, background, experience and expertise. Look at before and after photos - lots of them and speak to patients who have had he procedure you are considering. Restoring smoothness to the tear trough area, when performed with expertise provides a subtle but noticeable and beautiful enhancement.
Q:
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A lot of my friends and family tell me that I look mad/sad all of the time. I attribute this to my sagging forehead. Will a forehead lift correct this; what can I expect from this surgery?
A:
Have a consultation with a Plastic Surgeon where a lot of Botox is also administered. Surgery may be the best option for you, and if that is the case, you certainly don't want to waste your money on Botox, but if you have never tried Botox, or had a consultation for Botox, it might be worth a try. In my practice we always try to consider the least invasive and least expensive treatment that will get the job done. We also want to be sure that people don't spend money on non-surgical treatments when the only real answer is surgery.
M.M. Law, MD
Q:
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How long do the results of an endoscopic brow lift last?
A:
erforming a limited incision lateral browlift that does not require the use of an endoscope. The relatively short incision is hidden behind the temporal hairline, and no incisions are required in the scalp directly above the eyes. The advantage is as follows: this approach allows me to not only redrape the lateral brow (conservatively!) in a higher position, but it also allows me to reposition the skin and soft tissues of the lateral periorbital area in an upward direction, producing a more complete rejuvenation of the periorbital area. Additionally, through this same incision I can perform suspension of the midface (cheek) if that is part of the surgical plan.
Rejuvenation of the brow by means of a lateral browlift will also, in most cases, improve the appearance of the upper eyelids. When the lateral brow is repositioned above the orbital rim, the vertical elevation may eliminate the appearance of wrinkled or 'crepey' upper eyelid skin. If the lateral upper lid skin is 'hooded' over the lateral corner of the eye, this improves as well. While upper blepharoplasty (upper lid skin excision) is often performed in concert with a lateral browlift, for many patients the upward positioning of the brow eliminates the need for skin excision.