Cosmetic health tips by Michael Trauner, M.D., board-certified Dermatologist with Sutter Medical Group.

The modern dermatology practice has changed dramatically in the last few years. We are still focused on the health of our patient's skin, but new technologies and new procedures have catapulted our specialty into areas that were previously the domain of the cosmetic surgeon only, and were previously much too expensive for most people to even consider. There are now a wide range of treatment options available for someone looking to improve aging and wrinkled skin.

As we age, our skin changes. Over time, the natural volume of youthful skin begins to diminish as wrinkles and folds form. But now it's possible to look and feel younger. You don't have to just sit back and let it happen! You can restore confidence in your appearance and to live a happier, healthier life.

If you are looking for a procedure that can temporarily smooth those moderate to severe frown lines between your brows with no surgery and no recovery time, you may want to consider Botox. An improvement can be seen within days, lasting for up to 4 months. Botox is the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States for the fourth year in a row (surgical and nonsurgical combined).

Botox — the brand name for botulinum toxin type A — is the purified form of the toxin, which if taken in large amounts by mouth causes the food poisoning botulism. But when injected in small doses into specific muscles, Botox blocks the chemical signals that cause muscles to contract. When the muscles can't tighten, the skin flattens and appears smoother and less wrinkled

Botox is for people who want to minimize the appearance of wrinkles. Treatment areas may include:

• Frown lines between the eyebrows and on the bridge of the nose
• Crow's-feet at the corners of the eyes
• Forehead creases

Botox is often used in conjunction with lasers and fillers to address the signs of skin aging.

Restylane , Juvederm, and Perlane are cosmetic dermal fillers that replace volume and restore youthful contours to the skin to smooth away moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial folds).

These "next-generation" fillers are made from hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to hydrate and add volume. Hyaluronic acid may diminish with age, contributing to the formation of wrinkles and folds. These fillers work to correct this by restoring hyaluronic acid in your skin, helping to smooth wrinkles and folds. Typically, these fillers provide a wrinkle correction for 6 to 12 months.

For more information about Sutter’s cosmetic services, click here.