Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ) About Facial Wasting
What is Facial Wasting?
Facial wasting is one symptom of a syndrome called lipoatrophy,
which describes the loss of the soft layer of fat that sits just
beneath the skin (subcutaneous fat). When a person has lipoatrophy, it
is most noticeable in the legs, buttocks, arms and face. There is no
single identified cause for lipoatrophy. The evidence collected so far
shows that both HIV itself and the drugs used to treat it can lead to
this kind of fat loss. Fat loss from the face is one of the
components of lipodystrophy, the name used to describe a syndrome of
body fat changes that are seen in people taking anti-HIV drugs. Facial
wasting is marked by:
- Loss of underlying fat and support to the face, especially along and
under the cheekbones
- Malnourished appearance or emaciated appearance
- Sunken temples
- Loose hanging skin especially in the middle part of the face
- Deep laugh lines on either side of a raised prominent fold
- Sunken cheek pads
- Noticeable and prominent outlines to the facial muscles and bones
What are My Facial Wasting Treatment Options?
Click here to review detailed information regarding facial wasting
treatments
Facial Implants
Fat Grafting
Perlane (cosmetic facial filler)
Radiesse (formerly knows as Radiance, cosmetic facial filler))
Restalyne (cosmetic facial filler)
SCULPTRA™ (also known in Europe as New-Fill)
What are the Causes of Facial Wasting?
It’s not known exactly what causes facial wasting in people who take
anti-HIV drugs. At first it was thought that protease inhibitors were
the cause of facial wasting, but now many doctors believe that it
is caused by nucleoside analogues, particularly d4T and to a lesser
extent AZT. Because of the link with d4T many HIV associations no
longer recommend the use of d4T if there are other treatment options
available.
Other factors have also been suggested as a possible cause of fat
wasting from the face. These include severe immune system damage
before anti-HIV treatments were started, low body weight, age over 50
years, and being male.
Where Will my Facial Wasting Treatment Take Place?
Your facial wasting treatment is a relatively simple nonsurgical
procedure. It can be performed in
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Douglas M. Senderoff, MD's beautiful,
modern Westchester or Manhattan, New York offices. Dr. Senderoff has
successfully treated hundreds of facial wasting patients.
What's the recovery time?
Treatment with facial fillers can be performed quickly and easily.
Patients are able to leave the office immediately after the
procedure. Some swelling, bruising, or discoloration may be evident
at the injection site.
In What Parts of the Face Does Facial Wasting Occur?
Fat wastes away from the fat pad in the cheek, below the cheekbone
and beside the nose. This can make a person look very hollow-cheeked,
gaunt, or ill. Fat is also often lost from the small fat deposits in
the temples.
What Will I Look Like After Board
Certified Plastic Surgeon, Douglas M. Senderoff, MD Treats My Facial
Wasting?
Your appearance after facial wasting treatments depends on several
factors including:
- the type of filler used
- the
amount of filler used
- the frequency
of filler used
- the severity of the
underlying facial wasting
- texture
and quality of the skin
- laxity of
the skin
The goal in treating facial wasting is to restore facial volume to
the pre-wasted appearance and to eliminate the stigmata of HIV
infection. Dr. Senderoff strives to produce results that are
both natural and pleasing.
If you have any additional questions about
facial wasting please feel free to contact Board Certified Plastic
Surgeon, Douglas M. Senderoff, MD at his Manhattan or Westchester, New York office.
