Since we last chatted with Dr. Ricardo Izquierdo in March of this year, he’s been giving a lot of thought to the variety of choices available to patients seeking that rested, fresh-faced appeal that makes looking in the mirror a joy rather than a task.
Dr. Izquierdo is always looking at the interplay between fillers, like Juvéderm, Botox to soften your lines, and surgical procedures like an eye-lift and mini face-lift. “Many times, patients will come in with expectations of an eye-lift, but they might be better treated with Botox for their crow’s feet and a filler to fill the creases,” he explains.
Choosing the correct procedure is dependent upon a patient’s age, but is also largely determined by genetics.
The skin has many layers, and while we tend to focus on the visible layer, highly skilled plastic surgeons like Dr. Izquierdo are trained to understand the underlying structures for a complete appreciation of the individual characteristics and the results that are achievable. Dr. Izquierdo gives an example: “For someone with thin loose skin, fillers will work far less well than they will for someone with thicker skin. This patient may be best served with a mini face-lift or a neck-lift, which will provide tightening along with wrinkle reduction.”
In between fillers and surgery there is a third choice: lasers. “Lasers may improve the skin’s tone and texture, and they may also produce a small amount of skin tightening. However, those patients showing marked improvement with laser options are not the majority.” Gravity, genetics, and sun damage ultimately affect our skin and guide our decisions.
As Dr. Izquierdo says, “Most procedures or treatments will achieve their stated goal, however not all patients will respond similarly. The surgeon’s role is determining how each modality can be used, alone or in combination, to produce a pleasing yet subtle result.” In his words: “We want you to look natural. We want to make sure that results are apparent, but that others won’t be able to tell how or what has been done.”
Dr. Izquierdo’s calm demeanor and honest interest in his patients are reassuring in what can certainly be a moment of vulnerability. He is committed to listening to each patient and discerning the reasons motivating each person to call the office for a consultation. His extensive experience and devotion to maintaining his knowledge on new developments in techniques allow each consultation to become a true learning experience for the prospective patient. He is wonderful at advising on how to keep skin looking its best through good daily care and the occasional use of chemical peels and dermaplaning. When it comes to skin care, he believes in keeping things simple. Moisturizer and sunblock are his two recommended products.
With more than 80 percent of his patients coming into the office by referral, it is obvious that not only are his patients thrilled with the results Dr. Izquierdo achieves, they’re also willing to share their secret with friends and family.
Face and Body Plastic Surgery has offices in Oak Brook and Naperville. For more information, visit faceandbodychicago.com, or call 630-794-0700.
