Where the Future of Medicine Lives

Removing facial wrinkles

Procedures are quick, safe, less costly

Forehead wrinkles, such as those shown at top, can be relaxed through a procedure done by Young Min, M.D., of the Clinic's Minocqua Center. Below, the same forehead after Botox treatment.

If the smile lines around your eyes make you frown, a specialist at Marshfield Clinic Minocqua Center can smooth those wrinkles. Otolaryngologist Young Min, M.D., offers several procedures that are quick, relatively painless and far less expensive than surgery.

Two procedures involve injecting small amounts of either Botox or Restylane. Botox temporarily relaxes muscles and smoothes wrinkles caused by frowning, squinting or concentrating. Restylane, a cosmetic filler, restores skin fullness and volume, correcting facial wrinkles and folds.

Botox was introduced more than 10 years ago for eye and nerve disorders. When treating patients for facial muscle spasms, specialists noticed that wrinkling decreased. “Botox is especially useful for reducing the prominence of wrinkles around the forehead, between eyebrows and around the eyes,” Dr. Min said. Botox injections are a temporary solution, lasting three or more months.

Restylane is used for wrinkles caused by depressions or grooves in skin, particularly around the mouth and either side of the nose, and for scars from injury or acne. Restylane lasts about six months.

Determining which procedure will be most effective is based on what caused the wrinkles, Dr. Min said. Sometimes called “lunch time” procedures, a patient can resume normal activities immediately. “These treatments make small improvements but are not as expensive and do not have significant risks, side effects or recovery time as more aggressive treatments, which offer more dramatic improvement. Because all of these procedures are considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance, they are much more affordable for most people than surgery,” Dr. Min said. Botox injections are the fastest-growing cosmetic procedure, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

For patients who want more dramatic, longer-lasting results, laser resurfacing or facelift surgery may be options. Patients who want to correct sagging skin or bags under eyes can discuss endoscopic brow (forehead) lift or blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) with Dr. Min. She also performs microdermabrasion and chemical peels to improve overall skin quality and minimize sun damage, age spots and uneven skin tone.

Cosmetic services, including Botox and Restylane injections, are available throughout the Marshfield Clinic system. Please call 866-590-3300 for more information or request an appointment.