By Yvette MooreSpecial to CSMS MagazineEven after a face-lift, many women and men continue to “look their age” because of the telltale wrinkles and lines below the face, on the face. (Face-lifts don’t always lift enough skin.) Recently, though, plastic surgeons and dermatologists have had success improving the appearance of wrinkling skin on the neck by giving their clients injections of Botox, a toxin made by the bacteria that cause botulism, of all things.     It works by temporarily paralyzing certain muscles that cause wrinkles, in the case, platysma muscles of the neck. Dermatologists and plastic surgeon say that safety is not a problem when a well-versed and experienced physician does the treatment. (The doctor should be board-certified and have performed at least 50 of these procedures prior to yours.)For information or referrals, check with:The American Society of Plastic Surgeons at888-475-2784 or www.plasticsurgery.orgThe American Society for Dermatologic Surgery at        800-441-2737 or www.asds-net.orgThe American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at 703-299-9291 or www.facial-plastic-surgery.org

New, Safer “Laser Lift”

 Through most of the 1980s and 1990s, laser face-lifts were regarded by traditional plastic surgeons as unproven, temporary, hype-laden solutions to problems of sagging skin. Finally in the late 1990s, advances in laser technology led certain surgeons and dermatologists to speak more highly of the potential of new, Co2 laser surgery to smooth the skin and minimize wrinkles. The doctors stopped short, however, of deeming it equal to a surgical face-lift.     Surgeons have been praising the effects of a newer treatment, using the element erbium in place of Co2 for “laser resurfacing” to minimize the effects of aging. Because the skin absorbs the erbium laser more rapidly than other lasers, there may be less pain and reddening after the procedure and less anesthesia used during the procedure. Plus, instead of two to four weeks of recovery typical after other laser resurfacings, erbium laser patients may recover in as little as one to two weeks.    Costs for full-face treatments may drop, once scores of doctors order the equipment and after thousands of case histories are collected.    For more information, contact the American Society of Plastic Surgeons at 888-475-2784 or www.plasticsurgery.orgNote: Yvette Moore is a dermatologist who lives in Willington, Florida. She wrote this piece exclusively for CSMS Magazine. Also see Learning about what’s good or bad for your skin