| PUTTING YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD: The Correct Solution for the Problem. By Charles J. Gaudet, MD |
As youngsters, our skin is blessed with a built-in sense of when the outermost layer of cells is no longer viable, no longer moist, and is ready
to be ejected from the surface. This insures that the inner, more youthful, healthier appearing layer will be the one that is visible. This sits on
a supportive layer of elastic and collagen fibers (the dermis). Our skin looks youthful, glowing, and healthy, as well as taut. In our mid to late
twenties, that top layer of skin forgets how to fall off and that is when the aging process begins. The skin becomes a bit thicker, covering
that layer of healthy cells causing one to have a duller appearance. Sun damage can also start to set in causing changes in the dermis. At
first minor lines and wrinkles can be seen, followed later by more major ones. With further aging, there can be some volume changes of the
face as well. It may appear that the cheeks are not as full, or that facial lines have gotten deeper. Day to day muscle tension may pull on the
skin of various parts of the face causing “worry lines.”
We all recognize our own unique aging process. Some changes are hereditary, others are earned. Some are inevitable; many may be
delayed or avoided with proper skin care. It goes without saying that a healthy, active lifestyle, proper hydration, nutrition, and avoidance of
smoking is the basic foundation for healthy skin. Avoidance of prolonged sun exposure and proper use of sunscreen are also mandatory.
Once faced with the need to give ourselves skin care, where does one begin, especially with so many options to choose from? Skin care
specialists can recommend a logical and effective line of skin care products helping exfoliate the top layer of skin and restore a healthy glow
to your skin, tighten the skin pores, and reduce fine lines as well as sun and age spots. Facials and mild skin peels as well as
microdermabrasion can provide a quick boost so the daily skin care systems can work better. For deeper fine lines, a slightly deeper skin
peel or laser may be warranted.
Deeper lines between the eyes can be helped by the judicious use of Botox and filling in the lines with “tissue filler” which can reduce the
lines immediately, providing a more relaxed look. These same fillers can be used to lessen the depth of the nasolabial folds, and those
around the chin area, as well as restore or enhance the fullness of the cheeks.
For those instances where skin care products may not be enough, skin tightening procedures may be the answer. Skin looseness and puffy
eyes causing a constant tired appearance can be addressed through an eyelid tuck, which can restore a natural, well-rested appearance. If
skin laxity of the lower face is the issue, e.g. jowls and fullness or loose skin of the neck, a mini facelift may be the answer to restore the
contour and neckline. Some of these procedures can be done under local anesthesia with minimal downtime. Yet for others with more
advanced facial laxity, a full facelift may be the answer. This would be more involved with a slightly longer recovery, but the use of one
procedure over another would depend on your individual needs. The desired result is one where you look well rested and refreshed, with
improved facial contours—without that “operated upon” look. A discussion with your Plastic Surgeon can help decide which facial
rejuvenation approach is the right one for you.
Charles J. Gaudet, MD F.A.C.S. practices Plastic Surgery at Piscataqua Plastic Surgery and Skin Care in Portsmouth, NH. Dr. Gaudet was
named one of New Hampshire’s ‘Top Doctors’ in 2004 and 2008 by his peers. www.DrGaudet.com 603-431-5488
to be ejected from the surface. This insures that the inner, more youthful, healthier appearing layer will be the one that is visible. This sits on
a supportive layer of elastic and collagen fibers (the dermis). Our skin looks youthful, glowing, and healthy, as well as taut. In our mid to late
twenties, that top layer of skin forgets how to fall off and that is when the aging process begins. The skin becomes a bit thicker, covering
that layer of healthy cells causing one to have a duller appearance. Sun damage can also start to set in causing changes in the dermis. At
first minor lines and wrinkles can be seen, followed later by more major ones. With further aging, there can be some volume changes of the
face as well. It may appear that the cheeks are not as full, or that facial lines have gotten deeper. Day to day muscle tension may pull on the
skin of various parts of the face causing “worry lines.”
We all recognize our own unique aging process. Some changes are hereditary, others are earned. Some are inevitable; many may be
delayed or avoided with proper skin care. It goes without saying that a healthy, active lifestyle, proper hydration, nutrition, and avoidance of
smoking is the basic foundation for healthy skin. Avoidance of prolonged sun exposure and proper use of sunscreen are also mandatory.
Once faced with the need to give ourselves skin care, where does one begin, especially with so many options to choose from? Skin care
specialists can recommend a logical and effective line of skin care products helping exfoliate the top layer of skin and restore a healthy glow
to your skin, tighten the skin pores, and reduce fine lines as well as sun and age spots. Facials and mild skin peels as well as
microdermabrasion can provide a quick boost so the daily skin care systems can work better. For deeper fine lines, a slightly deeper skin
peel or laser may be warranted.
Deeper lines between the eyes can be helped by the judicious use of Botox and filling in the lines with “tissue filler” which can reduce the
lines immediately, providing a more relaxed look. These same fillers can be used to lessen the depth of the nasolabial folds, and those
around the chin area, as well as restore or enhance the fullness of the cheeks.
For those instances where skin care products may not be enough, skin tightening procedures may be the answer. Skin looseness and puffy
eyes causing a constant tired appearance can be addressed through an eyelid tuck, which can restore a natural, well-rested appearance. If
skin laxity of the lower face is the issue, e.g. jowls and fullness or loose skin of the neck, a mini facelift may be the answer to restore the
contour and neckline. Some of these procedures can be done under local anesthesia with minimal downtime. Yet for others with more
advanced facial laxity, a full facelift may be the answer. This would be more involved with a slightly longer recovery, but the use of one
procedure over another would depend on your individual needs. The desired result is one where you look well rested and refreshed, with
improved facial contours—without that “operated upon” look. A discussion with your Plastic Surgeon can help decide which facial
rejuvenation approach is the right one for you.
Charles J. Gaudet, MD F.A.C.S. practices Plastic Surgery at Piscataqua Plastic Surgery and Skin Care in Portsmouth, NH. Dr. Gaudet was
named one of New Hampshire’s ‘Top Doctors’ in 2004 and 2008 by his peers. www.DrGaudet.com 603-431-5488
The Applaud Women publication is dedicated to women in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. It's purpose is to inspire, inform, and
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
The opinions and information provided within the Applaud Women publication or on the Applaud Women website are not necessarily those of Applaud Women, it's officers, staff or
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.
The Applaud Women publication is dedicated to women in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. It's purpose is to inspire, inform, and
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we are
able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such as food
recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate, insurance,
weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide information
relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most comprehensive
listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links, articles and RSS feeds
to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA.
The opinions and information provided within the Applaud Women publication or on the Applaud Women website are not necessarily those of Applaud Women, it's officers, staff or
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.