Face Contouring

Non-Surgical Face Contouring in Washington, D.C. — The West Institute

Over time, both genetics, and environmental-factors contribute to facial skin appearing significantly older, showing jowls, wrinkles, hollowing and more. The West Institute‘s non-surgical contouring procedures can help you achieve a fresher and younger look from head to toe.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tina West is a leading expert in non-invasive and minimally-invasive facial contouring procedures, which we’ve outlined below. You can see a summary of each procedure here or follow the links for more in-depth information on facial contouring and enhancement procedures.  

To restore lost volume and revitalize your appearance with facial contouring, contact The West Institute at 301-986-9378 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation today.

Fillers

Facelift in a Syringe™

In one minimally invasive treatment session, Dr. West’s trademarked non-surgical volumizing and lifting procedure contours and lifts the entire face by replacing volume that is lost with aging. Contrary to popular belief, loss of bone, muscle, fat and collagen (not gravity) leads to jowls and an overall tired, saggy look over time. Facelift In A Syringe™ is recommended as an annual maintenance procedure to keep you looking the same over the years, not different, all WITHOUT surgery. Dr. West’s expert training and years of experience result in our patients reporting that nobody knows they’ve had anything done, just that they look refreshed and feel confident.

Read More About Non-Surgical Facelift in Washington, D.C.»

Dermal Fillers

Restylane®/Restylane® Refyne™/Restylane® Defyne™/Juvederm® XC™/Belotero® Balance™/RHA are injectable dermal fillers that were developed with natural results in mind. These hyaluronic acid (sugar)- based products help restore a more youthful and natural looking appearance, while maintaining your natural expressions.

Restylane® Lyft™ /Juvéderm® Voluma XC™/RHA are FDA-approved dermal fillers used to enhance and restore youthful facial contours by correcting age-related volume loss in the midface and cheeks.  Because volume loss is one of the main causes of sagging skin and jowls, reflating areas of volume loss can lift the face, resulting in a thinner and more youthful contour. Contrary to popular belief, expert placement of dermal fillers will result in a lifted, softer overall appearance, not widen the face or cause a puffy look.  Volume loss associated with aging causes the face to become more square shaped over time, and gradually replacing lost fat, bone, muscle and collagen will restore an oval or heart shaped appearance which is associated with youth.

Radiesse is an injectable biostimulator which stimulates your body to produce more collagen for enhancing/lifting the cheeks, contouring the jawline, and replenishing overall volume loss in the face and hands.  Radiesse can also be used to soften and smooth fine lines and crepiness that often begin to appear on the chest and above the knees over time.

Sculptra® Aesthetic is an injectable product (poly-L-lactic acid) that acts as a scaffold and stimulates your skin’s own natural collagen production to increase overall facial volume, effectively reflating areas of hollowing and drooping.  Sculptra has also been shown to improve skin quality.

Neuromodulators

Botox®/ Dysport®/ Jeuveau®/ Xeomin® are FDA-approved neuromodulators that are used for targeting the underlying causes of “frown” lines, horizontal forehead lines and crow’s feet—the repeated muscle contractions from frowning and squinting over the years. Facial contouring with neuromodulators involves in-depth knowledge of how the muscles work together with the rest of the facial anatomy to provide the most subtle, natural enhancement.  Dr. West not only trained with the best in the field throughout and following her dermatology fellowship and residency but was also involved in pioneering some of the most advanced products and techniques that are currently considered the most effective and sought after, resulting in the most natural-looking results that create an enhanced but untouched appearance.

Read More About Neuromodulators in Washington, D.C.»

Skin Tightening

Ultherapy®

Ultherapy® is a non-surgical alternative to a facelift and/or brow lift and is the only non-invasive procedure FDA-approved to lift skin on the neck, chin, and brow, and improve lines and wrinkles on the décolletage (chest). The Ulthera® device utilizes ultrasound energy to tighten and stimulate the production of new collagen in the same deep layers of skin that have traditionally been addressed surgically with a facelift or brow lift.

Lutronic® Genius™ Radiofrequency Microneedling

Genius™ Radiofrequency Microneedling is a no-downtime radiofrequency treatment that uses tiny needles to deliver energy that tightens skin on the face, under eye area, neck, and anywhere on the body, and improves fine lines. This device is also one of the newest gold standard treatments for acne scars and is preferred over laser treatment by busy patients who don’t have downtime as well as those with a more pigmented complexion that is more prone to side effects from laser treatments.

Ready to Enjoy Your Non-Surgical Facial Contouring Results?

To learn how face contouring with Dr. Tina West can have you looking and feeling your absolute best, we invite you to schedule a consultation today. Dr. West spends at least 30 minutes in each consultation, ensuring her patients’ concerns and goals are fully communicated. Each patient is given an individualized treatment plan, along with education on how to maintain their results, and confidence, over time.

The West Institute is located in Chevy Chase, MD, and proudly serves patients from Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Bethesda, MD, Potomac, MD, and the surrounding communities. To get started, contact us by calling The West Institute at 301-986-9378 or fill out our online form. We look forward to meeting you soon!

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Dr. Tina West is a board-certified dermatologist and leading expert in cosmetic dermatology, laser surgery, and body contouring procedures. For over 20 years, Dr. West has dedicated her practice to providing natural-looking results and full patient satisfaction. Dr. West invites you to visit The West Institute for a friendly and informative consultation.

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Washington D.C. Facial Contouring FAQs

Non-surgical facial contouring treatments are a convenient and minimally invasive way to reverse volume loss and minimize wrinkles without anesthesia, sutures, or recovery time. A combination of dermal fillers and neuromodulators smooth wrinkles and enhance your natural features. Ultherapy® and Lutronic® Genius radiofrequency microneedling rejuvenate your skin’s overall appearance while tightening and firming any sagging. 

Patients choose this customizable procedure because it easily fits into a busy schedule. Immediately after your appointment, you can enjoy nearly instant results and resume your usual daily routine without taking time off work.

Non-surgical facial contouring with Dr. West can solve various problems related to facial aging, such as volume loss, fine to severe lines and wrinkles, textural issues, and mild skin sagging around the jowls and cheeks. Fillers can soften facial lines and wrinkles, eliminate depression lines, and enhance your cheek and jawline contours. Dr. West can also use them to plump your lips to a youthful fullness and shape. Neuromodulators treat the underlying causes of frown lines, horizontal forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Non-surgical skin tightening with Ultherapy and radiofrequency microneedling stimulate collagen production to tighten and refine your appearance without the downtime associated with a traditional facelift.

The results of non-surgical facial contouring can last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the type of injectables used and how fast your body metabolizes them. Most dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm®, Voluma®, Restylane®, and Radiesse®, give immediate results that can last for up to 12 months. Neuromodulators will stay in effect for three to six months before you need to return for touch-up injections. Skin tightening treatments have long-lasting results because they trigger your body’s natural collagen production.

Dr. West performs non-surgical facial contouring procedures by strategically injecting dermal fillers and neuromodulators into multiple target areas to replenish lost volume and reduce the muscles’ ability to contract. It is an outpatient procedure that requires anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to complete. Most patients find the treatment to be tolerable with or without a topical anesthetic. 

After your appointment, you can expect mild bruising, swelling, and irritation around the injection sites, which will resolve within a week. You don’t have to take time away from your professional or personal responsibilities; however, we encourage our patients to refrain from strenuous activities and alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after their procedure.

Non-surgical facial contouring is a good alternative to a facelift for patients with a mild degree of aging who want to achieve a more natural and youthful appearance without surgery. It does not require general anesthesia, stitches, scarring, or a hospital stay. 

 

Additionally, non-surgical facial contouring lets you “test-drive” a cosmetic procedure without committing to permanent results. You can get surgery down the road if you like your results and want to keep them.

A good candidate for non-surgical facial contouring has mild to moderate lost facial volume or would like to enhance their natural features. You may notice new wrinkles and mild sagging that causes a gaunt appearance. Through non-surgical facial contouring, Dr. West can eliminate some of these concerns and restore a more youthful, rested, and radiant appearance. At the same time, you will reinvigorate your self-esteem and confidence.

Restylane® is a well-known, FDA-approved hyaluronic acid filler brand that reduces wrinkles for a smoother, vibrant appearance. Restylane® can create an instant lift around your eyes, lips, cheeks, and brows, with results lasting up to 12 months.

Hyaluronic acid is also the active ingredient in Juvéderm®. It comes in different consistencies that are ideal for treating different concerns, depending on the targeted location and severity of your wrinkles, creases, and volume loss.

Radiesse® dermal fillers use calcium-based microspheres to restore lost volume and minimize wrinkles by stimulating collagen. Radiesse® can smooth moderate to severe wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds and scowl lines between the eyebrows.

Sculptra® consists of poly-L-lactic acid. It differs from hyaluronic acid fillers because it accelerates collagen production for up to two years. It is excellent for addressing facial hollowing and drooping, especially around the cheeks and jawline.

The specific difference between these popular and effective neuromodulators is their formulation. 

  • Botox® uses onabotulinumtoxinA. 
  • Dysport® uses abobotulinumtoxinA. 
  • Xeomin® uses incobotulinumtoxinA and is the only neuromodulator that doesn’t include any additives.
  • Jeuveau® uses botulinum toxin type A. 

All four of these formulations are responsible for blocking neurological signals to the muscles, but they provide subtly different results. Your choice is less about which one is “superior” and more about what Dr. West suggests.