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Women in their forties are usually in full
swing, making tough decisions at work and at
home, learning to lead and delegate. While the
forties can bring a sense of well-being and
accomplishment, these years can also bring
unwanted signs of aging. In this article will
address some of these issues and discuss options
that women have available to continue looking
and feeling their best.
SKIN/FACE: Women in their forties will
experience a decrease of collagen production
which will make their skin feel and look less
supple. As the collagen network that supports
the skin weakens, more facial lines will form
and the skin will appear looser.
Wrinkles become more apparent with time and are
especially common in women with light
complexions. The most common sites are around
the mouth and eyes but wrinkles can develop
throughout the face. These lines are made worse
by continued exposure to the sun.
A skin resurfacing procedure known as “laser
skin resurfacing” or “laserbrasion” is a
noninvasive procedure performed to resurface and
tighten the skin. The pulsed CO2 laser uses a
high energy beam of light to vaporize, or "paint
away" scars, lines, wrinkles, and other skin
defects.
Under-eye bags or wrinkled, loose skin over the
eyelids can make a woman appear tired-looking
and older than she really is. A surgical
procedure called "blepharoplasty," or "eye
lift," can greatly improve this problem and give
the face a fresher, younger appearance.
It is also very important to continue a good
skin care regime using products that are
nourishing to the skin. Retin-A and products
containing glycolic acid can help the skin
slough off dead skin cells, leaving the skin
looking renewed while also diminishing fine
wrinkles and sun damage.
BREASTS: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, fluctuations
in weight and even gravity can all have an
adverse affect on a woman's breast shape. Women
in their forties have often experienced many, if
not all of the above mentioned conditions.
To reshape sagging breasts or reduce the size of
the areola (the dark skin surrounding the
nipple), a breast lift (mastopexy) is an option.
This procedure lifts and shapes sagging breasts.
An implant can be inserted at the time of the
breast lift to increase the fullness and contour
of the breast. It is best to have completed
childbearing before undergoing a breast lift,
since pregnancy is likely to stretch breasts
again and offset the results.
BODY CONTOURS: Most women yearn for a flat, trim
stomach. Crunches and sit-ups are great for the
abdominal muscles, but they often aren't enough
to tighten loose muscle and skin. Women often
have a hard time strengthening these muscles
after multiple pregnancies have stretched their
abdomen to the limit. Weight loss can also cause
loose skin in the abdominal area which may be
resistant to toning by exercise.
A surgical procedure known as "abdominoplasty"
or “tummy tuck”, removes excess skin and fat
from the abdomen and tightens muscles of the
abdominal wall, reducing the appearance of a
protruding abdomen. The best candidates for this
procedure are women who are in relatively good
shape, but who have large fat deposits or loose
abdominal skin that have not responded to diet
and exercise.
A tummy tuck is usually accompanied by
liposuction to remove fat deposits and achieve
more dramatic results. These combined procedures
can provide excellent results for women with
weakened abdominal muscles or excess skin. And
in most cases the results are long-lasting if a
balanced diet and exercise regimen are followed.
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Articles by Dr. Gibby
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Diane Gibby, M.D., P.A., F.A.C.S Licensed in Texas, Dr. Diane Gibby is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the founder of The Women's Center for Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery. She is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), American Medical Association (AMA), Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons (TSPS), Dallas County Medical Society (DCMS) and the Board Certified Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeons of Dallas. She is also a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S.). Dr. Gibby's office is located at Medical City Dallas, Building C, Suite 820, (972) 566-6323. Individuals interested in brochures or names of qualified plastic surgeons in their area may call the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons at 1-800-635-0635.
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