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Nicole Ducharme, D0

As an endocrinologist, Nicole Ducharme, DO, has a passion for treating patients with diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome, osteoporosis, thyroid disorders, pituitary and adrenal gland disease.

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Face to Face - Options for Aging Gracefully

It seems like those fine lines in your face appeared overnight. It’s inevitable, as we age, collagen and elastin in our skin breaks down from ultraviolet exposure and cumulative damage, causing the skin to be thinner and less elastic, and allowing the facial muscles to etch fine lines.

Gregory Branham, MD, FACS, Washington University facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon explains, “There are typically three patterns of aging in the face:

Volume loss – the result of bone loss and fat redistribution
Sagging – due to laxity in the supporting tissues and suspensory ligaments in the face
Texture and pigment changes – the consequence of the thinning of the dermis and breakdown of collagen and elastin

Although not always the case, most people will exhibit some combination of these processes.”

Treatment depends on the type of aging patterns.

Volume loss can be treated permanently with facial implants or fat injections, and temporarily with injectable fillers such as Restylane. Injectables work best in the lips where a smaller volume and a softer feel are desired. Implants are the treatment of choice for areas requiring large volume augmentation such as cheeks, chin and jaw line.

Procedures to lift sagging soft tissue back to a more normal, youthful position include facelift, neck lift, and brow or forehead lift.

Texture changes and fine lines are addressed with some type of resurfacing such as a peel or laser. Laser treatments, preferable to repeated injections, stimulate the skin to make its own collagen – which then functions as a natural filler.

Dr. Branham explains, “Our new fractionated CO2 laser both tightens and resurfaces. The fractionation of the laser means that microscopic islands of skin are left intact to greatly improve healing time. This new laser procedure has a downtime of five to seven days – compared to a previous recovery time of several weeks.”

Recognized since 2002 in America’s Top Doctors and “Best Doctors, Inc”, Dr. Branham adds, “There are many options for a youthful and natural looking rejuvenation of the face and neck. Each individual has a unique pattern of aging that must be considered when developing a treatment plan. Only by considering these differences can we successfully achieve the best cosmetic outcome for the face and neck.”

For more information or to make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Branham, please call 314-432-7760.

Patients are seen at:

The Washington University Facial Plastic Surgery Center
605 Old Ballas Road
Suite 100
St. Louis, MO 63141

Gregory Branham, MD, FACS

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Face to Face - Options for Aging Gracefully

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