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NORMA LUGAR
Holding Back The Sand in the Hourglass: NonInvasive Sandblockers
As a young woman I read a press release that convinced me it was as important for people to maintain their appearance as it was for them to maintain upkeep on their car or their home,” says Norma Lugar.
At age 70 Lugar believes just as strongly in upkeep as in her younger years – especially when it comes to her looks.
Lugar considered having cosmetic surgery but then decided first to try less invasive options with Dr. Greg Alouf, of Alouf Aesthetics. During their initial meeting Lugar expressed the desire to look younger and refreshed. She was worried about her face, with the lower part being her main area of concern. She was also worried about looking angry and severe due to lines beside her mouth and in between her eyebrows.
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Pre-Procedure. Norma Lugar had concerns about lines and texture on her face.
photo by andrea clark |
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Results. The neck line has been improved with less sagging and the jaw line at the lower sides of mouth show improvement.
illustration by austin clark |
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Softer but still sassy. Fuller lips and and an improved jaw line give Lugar a smoother, younger look.
photo by douglas miller |
Alouf prescribed Obagi skin products to jumpstart the process of refreshing Lugar’s skin. These prescription-strength products were to help improve the texture, tone and color of her skin. Alouf then gave Lugar two treatments of microderm abrasion and skin peels to further improve her the skin refreshing-process. Lugar’s face showed definite signs of improvement just with the Obaji products and the peels.
“I think the texture is a lot better and the pores are finer,” says Lugar.
To further attack the lines that bothered Lugar, Alouf administered Botox injections between her eyebrows and Restylane in the lines next to her mouth (smile lines/nasolabial folds).
The two products vary in purpose and application. Botox paralyzes the muscles, which in this case allow Lugar to crease the skin between her eyes when she frowns. The skin that was being crinkled on a daily basis will remain still after the Botox injections and smooth out over time.
“By softening the lines between her eyes I knew it would give her a more rested look,” says Alouf.
Restylane is a filler used in the same fashion as collagen. It is used to fill lines and to plump up lips. Alouf used Restylane both in the lines next to Lugar’s mouth and in her lips plumping them up and defining them at the same time.
“As women age they lose a lot of ture and volume in their cells so its like a grape turning into a raisin. We’re turning the raisin back into a grape with Restylane,” says Alouf.
Alouf’s use of the Restylane made for a subtle and conservative enhancement to Lugar’s mouth.
“Nobody is going to say you look like Angelina Jolie but it’s enough of a change that looks nice without being drastic,” says Lugar.
Another pleasant effect of the Restylane treatment was the lessening of the severity of the pucker lines around her mouth that came from smoking, which she quit six years ago after 50 years with the habit.
The coup de grace of the Alouf’s entire facial rejuvenation plan was a new treatment known as a curl lift. While much less invasive than a facelift, this procedure does involve a few stitches and more numbing than the aforementioned procedures.
The curl lift is a process by which a portion of the patient’s face is lifted by running a hollow needle (trocar) under the skin with polypropylene thread. The thread is then looped around subcutaneous tissue forming a curl (sling) with the thread being anchored to the tighter and less visible skin of the scalp. The end result is an instant lift of the treated area. In Lugar’s case it was the jaw line that was immediately refined and lifted.
Another benefit to the curl lift is the lack of time spent in recovery.
“It can be done in the office and the patient can go home,” says Alouf. “There is little to no downtime with little discomfort.”
Furthermore, a curl lift is reversible and is less expensive. The cost of a facelift can range between $12,000 and $20,000 whereas the curl lift is about $4,500.
The change was instant and readily apparent the day of the procedure even before the healing began.
“The nicest thing about it is that its something they can sit up from the table look in the mirror and see a change,” says Alouf.
“Everyone keeps saying I look good,” says Lugar. “I see an overall improvement in my skin texture, the lines in my face and around the chin area.”
The ultimate result of all of the treatments was a naturally younger-looking face without anything looking so drastic that it was obvious Lugar had any cosmetic procedures.
“It’s not anything that’s going to make anyone stop and ask what I’ve had done and yet there’s a freshness to my skin and more softness in the lines of my face and that’s all to the good,” says Lugar.
This was the goal all along for Alouf.
“I don’t believe in totally changing a person’s appearance,” says Alouf. “I like to give back to someone something they once had or enhancing something they want touched up.”
Lugar plans to continue her self-maintenance including trying a new product much like Restylane called Perlane once it is approved by the FDA. Despite hopes for even better products in the future, Lugar remains realistic about the battle with Father Time.
“Nothing is going to turn back the clock but if you can make small improvements over time you can maintain your upkeep,” says Lugar.
Which is to say Lugar doesn’t buy into the whole growing old gracefully theory. She plans on going kicking and screaming.
Approximate cost of this package – $6,500.
Contact: Dr. Greg Alouf, Alouf Aesthetics – 375-9070.
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