Those heavy bags under your eyes would weigh anyone down. Over the years, you’ve tried all sorts of makeup to hide the half-moons or dark circles. Custom-made treatments like cucumbers slices and Preparation H didn’t work, either. To make matters more burdensome, you are not quite ready to jump into surgery.

Now, there’s a procedure that can camouflage the extra baggage stored under your eyes and – what’s more – it does not require anesthesia. For most patients, it just takes a little syringe.

We at the Williams Rejuva Center are finding more and more success by injecting volume rather than filling one wrinkle at a time. It’s a trend that is growing. By injecting hyaluronic acids fillers like Restylane or Belotero we have been able to improve the appearance of bags under the eyes, an area often referred to as the “tear-trough.”

Light Up Your Eyes

The procedure can make you look like you had a good night’s sleep in a matter of 10 minutes. It’s instant gratification that lasts more than a moment. Patients can expect to see results the next day and continued well-rested and fresh-looking eyes for several months.

The Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve hyaluronic acid as a tear-trough filler, but most doctors believe the treatment is safe. However, injecting the eye area is not completely without its risks. Surgeons say side effects of tear-trough treatment can range from puffy eyes to possible bruising. Many doctors will use round-tipped cannulas after an initial needle puncture to compensate for swelling or bruising which, if it happens at all, will subside in a few days.

Rest for the Weary

No one is yet suggesting that you throw away your makeup kits, but there is reason to believe you will no longer look like the hectic schedule you keep. Hyaluronic acid can inject life into that hollow space under your eyes and make you look fresh and natural.

For now, the best remedy is to relax and get a good night’s sleep. The next best idea is to contact the Williams Center for Plastic Surgery Specialists in Albany, N.Y., at (800) 742-2797, to learn more about the benefits and risks of tear-trough fillers and the realistic outcomes you can expect.

More than a few jaws have dropped when first inquiring about the cost of cosmetic surgery. Sometimes the surprise is enough to make patients do an about-face and drop the plans that they had once hoped would correct a look they had grown tired of seeing in the mirror.

Here’s a word to the wise: don’t just accept the first price you hear at face value. Consider your options, then the consequences, both positive and negative, especially when considering Botox® injections.

By the Numbers

According to the latest national averages from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons:

• A single Botox injection by a board-certified surgeon will probably cost around $365
• Treatment of facial areas requiring multiple injections – around the eyes where crow’s feet tend to form – range from $270-$260
• Forehead averages around 300.00

Keeping in mind that men typically require a little bit more medication to relax their muscles as the muscles tend to be stronger hence the fee for treatment could be higher.

Based on the wide disparity among treatment costs, it’s easy to understand how a patient can have the shock of their life from the time they enter a surgeon’s office to once their procedure is completed.

Experience Counts

Higher prices can be a sign that the doctors are highly trained, experienced and up-to-date with multiple procedures. That can be important when a doctor evaluates personal factors and differentiates from one patient’s needs to another.

Over time, those facial expressions – your laugh, your frown, that look when in deep thought – can leave their marks on your face in the form of lines and wrinkles. Botox® injections can ease those lines in your face without making too much of a dent in your pockets.

For information about affordable Botox® procedures for a vibrant and radiant new look, contact the Williams Center Plastic Surgery Specialists in Albany, New York, at (800) 742-2797.

Digital 3D Imaging: Get the Big Picture about Plastic Surgery

Close your eyes and imagine what you’d like to look like.Perhaps you see a more youthful expression that fits your active zest for life. Maybe you visualize some changes made to your facial features around your nose, chin or ears that you’ve wanted to make for years. And, oh, those wrinkles, just think how it would be to wake up each morning and look into the mirror without them.

Fact, not Fiction

Now open your eyes and you can see for yourself. If every picture tells a story, then cosmetic surgeons now have the power to tell a tale about you, a futuristic look at your appearance that is anything but fiction. Thanks to 3D digital imaging, doctors can now show you the possibilities of cosmetic surgery that reflect the true you inside without touching a scalpel or injecting fillers.All this can be accomplished in a matter of minutes during your initial consultation. Simply put, what you see is likely to be what you get. The choice, then, to proceed with further treatment is up to you and your doctor.A younger face, a more refined nose, a lifted brow, contoured eyes and neck – just about any improvement or adjustment to your face can be popped up on a computer screen in the comfort and privacy of your doctor’s office. From there, your cosmetic surgeon can alter images while discussing with you various related treatments.

Odds-On Treatment

There are no surprises. You will be able to see images of yourself now and what can be expected after treatment in real-time. Of course, even the best-laid plans can go astray and computer-imaging cannot guarantee results to the fullest extent. It, however, does dramatically reduce the risk of dissatisfaction and leaves you confident and free of anxiety about your decision once you exit your consultation.

One of the more advanced digital imaging techniques used today is VECTRA® 3D,a procedure that takes the guess-work out of cosmetic plastic surgery. Certified specialists at the Williams Center have been taking advantage of VECTRA® 3D technology – the only procedure of its kind in upstate New York -- to show patients prospective results from different angles and to make an analysis so both you and your physician are on the same page. It’s as easy as taking a photograph.

After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Cosmetic Surgery Can Make a Star Out of You

Hollywood producers and directors are facing the cold, hard facts. Cosmetic surgery has made it increasingly difficult to fill roles in historical movies.Thanks to plastic surgery, anti-aging skin products, teeth whitening, weight training, healthy eating habits and even hair removal, filmmakers are struggling to find actors and actresses who won’t cast doubt on the credibility of a production.Combine that with a more visually savvy audience – many of whom have their own cosmetic enhancements to applaud – along with high-definition video and it’s no wonder casting directors are busier than ever.

Fast forward to period dramas like “Lincoln” or “Les Miserables,” which were nominated for a handful of Academy Awards this year. These films need to tell stories that portray people who are representative of the times,not actors and actresses who have been to a plastic surgeon, have had skin peels or use moisturizers in ways that help to make aging a thing of the past.All this makes character actors – those who still sport scars and wrinkles – better suited for roles that require the aesthetics of a particular period. That said, the truth is character actors don’t sell movies.

In the past, Hollywood has always been able to resort to makeup, but covering up a tattoo or body piercing or disguising perfect teeth for bad – especially for bit roles – can pump up already enormous budgets that producers want to avoid.So, oddly enough, producers of period dramas want their stars to look more like you while you may very likely be wanting to look more like the stars.

And with cosmetic surgery, you can. Cosmetic surgery allows you to slow down the natural aging process and rejuvenate and improve your overall look. There are a range of surgical procedures to choose from including facelift, eyelid surgery, brow lift, fat transfer, rhinoplasty, neck lift and more. If surgery is not your thing, there are also non-invasive enhancements that can overcome the emergence of wrinkles or fine lines that may not be evident to anyone else but you. Laser treatments, Botox and dermal fillers can resurface the skin, banish wrinkles and smooth the contours of your face.

The good news is that you don’t need to answer a casting call. An experienced physician can consult with you and determine what outcomes you can expect and what options you may need, not necessarily what you may want. To learn about cosmetic surgery, both non-invasive and invasive, contact the Williams Center Plastic Surgery Specialists in Albany, New York, at (800) 742-2797.

Mini Lifts Offer Refreshing Weekend Getaways

Everyone wants to make the most of their weekend. One getaway that’s growing in popularity will return you to work refreshed and – you might say – looking like a new person in just a few days. Best of all, it’s safe, simple and seizes your three days for half the cost.

Maybe you’ve heard of the weekend facelift, which allows you to reverse the signs of ageing without the downtime associated with traditional plastic surgery. Look at the jowls and small amounts of excess skin beginning to develop on your lower face. The weekend facelift – also known as the mini facelift – can restore this area where only moderate work needs to be performed.

A Fresh Start to the Work Week

Weekend lifts are common among people in their ‘30s.40s and ‘50s or celebrities who have begun to see more prominence of the jaw, a minimally sagging appearance at the mid-section of their face or lines from the corners of their mouth to their chin. However, if you are in your ‘60s or ‘70s or maybe as young as 85, you may still be a candidate for weekend lifts. All you need is good health and the desire to start your next week with a fresh, natural look.

Because the surgery is non-invasive with fewer and smaller incisions, there is minimal risk involved compared to complete facelifts. There are no drains and typically very little or no bruises.

The procedure itself – technically referred to as short scar rhytidectomy – takes about an hour under sterile conditions, unlike most facelifts which can consume up to 3 hours of your time. Patients are generally administered a local anesthetic – similar to what a dentist might use. This speeds up the recovery period and eliminates the need for an overnight stay.

Have a Great Weekend

More people are living longer and enjoying active lifestyles. There is no reason not to look the part. That said, it is important to understand that mini facelifts – like the name – can only provide minimal effects or subtle enhancements to your face. Traditional facelifts will always offer more dramatic improvements especially in the area of your neck.

Let a certified plastic surgeon thoroughly review your medical history and discuss procedures and expectations with you.To learn more about weekend facelifts, Contact the Williams Center Plastic Surgery Specialists in Albany, New York, at (800) 742-2797. Your next weekend may be one to remember.