FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

January 1, 2007

ULTRA-FINE needles allow for minimal discomfort during Botox procedures, says Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald.

LOOKING YOUR BEST HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER OR MORE AFFORDABLE

By Laura Eversz

If you're like many of us of a certain age, chances are you've looked in the mirror and lamented, "I look so much older than I feel."

A hope of rejuvenating their face is what brings most patients these days to dermatologist Rebecca Fitzgerald's Larchmont Blvd. office.

"People come in because they think they look tired or haggard," said Dr. Fitzgerald. Most of my patients are people in their 30s, 40s and 50s who don't necessarily want to look younger, they just want to look good for their age."

In the past, turning back the clock meant going under the knife. Not anymore, says Dr. Fitzgerald.

"Last year, 81 percent of the over 11 million cosmetic procedures were non-surgical," she said. "Instead of surgery, you can get a five-minute office procedure that's simple and safe," she added.

One of the most popular wrinkle treatments is Botox, which received FDA approval in 2002 for the temporary treatment of frown lines.

Fitzgerald says there is no other wrinkle treatment like it. During the procedure, a tiny injection relaxes away deep lines and wrinkles that develop as frown lines and furrowed brows.

Botox uses a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium to reduce the contractions of wrinkle-causing muscles like the ones on your forehead or between the eye-brows.

While we've all seen the "frozen face" of someone who's been overdone, Fitzgerald opts to produce a natural result.

"The trick is to make sure your muscles don't get too relaxed," she said.

Fillers, injected below the skin's surface, are also becoming increasingly popular.

"Unlike after surgery, with injectables there's no downtime, and you're not swollen and bruised," said Fitzgerald.

Restylane, a natural dermal filler, restores volume and fullness and corrects facial wrinkles and folds caused by loss of hyaluronic acid. A sugar found naturally in your body that gives support to your skin, hyaluronic acid weakens with time and sun damage, Fitzgerald explained.

Another filler is Cosmoderm/Cosmoplast, made from human collagen. It is used to fill in lines and wrinkles, and also to add definition to the lip border.

Juvederm is the newest among acid gel fillers. It comes in a variety of densities, making it an all-around filler for superficial and deep wrinkles.

In addition, says Fitzgerald, "it is the most malleable, so it's a natural-feeling lip enhancer. And, it lasts longer that some of the older products."

Other popular non-surgical procedures include lasers, which diminish redness, spider veins, brown spots and acne scars. A 30-minute oxygen facial immediately improves the skin's luminosity and texture, Fitzgerald says.

"More and more people are realizing it's never been simpler or safer or easier to look better," she adds.

Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald, 321 N. Larchmont Blvd., Suite 906. 323-464-8046. www.rebeccafitzgeraldmd.com.