Helping patients feel better about themselves

When she’s not helping patients with orbital tumors, blocked tear ducts, and other painful eye problems, Julie Ann Woodward, MD, chief of Duke’s Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgery Service, finds artistic satisfaction in helping patients feel better about themselves through minimally invasive aesthetic procedures.

“I use my creativity in helping bring back the look of youth for my patients in a way that looks natural and not overdone. It’s very important for me to have my patients look natural,” she says.

Some of the most effective tools at her disposal are facial fillers, such as Juvéderm, Restylane, and Perlane. “Fillers are really the most important thing to create youth in the face, even more so than a face-lift,” says Woodward.

“After the late 20s, the human face loses almost a teaspoon of volume every year. That is what produces wrinkles and sagging.” Newer options offered at Duke include Radiesse, a longer-lasting filler for deeper areas of the face.

Woodward has specialized training in laser surgery, including laser resurfacing, which uses an intense beam of light to refinish damaged areas and shrink fine wrinkles. She also offers fractional CO2 laser resurfacing, which allows for a more rapid healing process and less redness after the procedure. Other offerings include vascular laser treatment of rosacea and broken capillaries on the face, nose, chest, and chin.

It’s important to have such procedures performed by a surgeon specially trained in laser surgery, according to Woodward.

“The learning curve is so great. Each patient heals a little bit differently. It takes experience to get the patient a good result without complications,” says Woodward, who has performed laser procedures for 13 years.

New aesthetic options on the horizon at the Eye Center include skin care products as well as a procedure called Ulthera, which is akin to a nonsurgical face-lift. It uses ultrasound to tighten the skin and soft tissue. “Ulthera provides a minimally invasive way of lifting the jowls and neck without using any incisions,” says Woodward.