Question:
I gave up smoking as a 45th birthday present for myself. I am feeling fine physically, but my face is still evidence that I was as smoker. What injections or surgeries would be necessary to erase those years of smoking imprinted on my face?
Answer:
Congratulations on quitting smoking. You have no idea what a positive effect the discontinued use of tobacco will have on how you feel and your appearance today and for years going forward. Smoking has some harsh effects on the collagen of your skin. Collagen is the thread that keeps your skin smooth, shapely, and tight. Tobacco use will destroy the collagen quicker than even excessive sun exposure. What I usually see in my patients who present to me with an excessive smoking history is that their skin ages quickly. At 45 years of age, dermal fillers and Botox or Dysport should be sufficient to help with the concerns that you have with your face, however, smokers usually require more aggressive intervention. Surgery such as, facelift, blepharoplasty, and fat injections are quite common in the aging face and smokers generally age quicker than their contemporaries. I would be happy to see you in consultation to discuss what procedures would be right for you.
Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld