Aesthetic Adjuncts and Fillers

Botox Injections

In scientific terms, Botox is a purified protein toxin that is produced by the clostridium botulinum bacteria. In the simplest of terms, Botox is a drug that causes a temporary weakness of a muscle. Botox is safe and has been used in Opthalmology and wrinkle therapy for over ten years.

Many wrinkles are actually creases that have been worn into the skin by making certain facial expressions thousands of times. These lines are due to the contraction of the muscle under the skin and not actual sagging or aging of the skin. When injected into the muscle causing the contraction, Botox relaxes the muscle which results in the overlying skin being softened and smoothing out the lines. The results of the injections normally last 3 to 6 months.
Botox is most commonly used on the frown lines between the eyebrows, on the horizontal lines across the forehead and on the crow’s feet. The injection takes just a few minutes and patient’s normally experience only minimal discomfort, often described as a stinging, for a few seconds. Botox does not affect nerves of sensation, so there is no numbness in the treated area. The effect of Botox is only in the immediate area of the injection. The other muscles used for expressions are unaffected.

Collagen Injections

Collagen is used to treat depressions of the skin caused by acne scarring, scars due to trauma or surgery, or the fine wrinkles that occur with the aging process. The collagen that is injected into the superficial layers of the skin to fill in depressions is a highly purified protein from the skin of cattle. Since a smaller number of patients are allergic to collagen, a skin test is performed and the patient must then wait one month for the results of that test. If there is no allergic reaction, we can proceed with the treatment.

The material, which does contain local anesthesia, is injected into the skin depressions being treated. The evening after the treatment, the patient may have some slight redness in the injected area, but the day after surgery the patient may resume normal avtivities. In unusual cases, the patient may have persistent swelling for several days.

One caution: the correction achieved is not permanent. Touch-up injections are needed every three to six months to maintain the ideal result because some of the material is absorbed by the skin over a period of time. The amount of collagen used to restore full correction is considerably less than used in the original treatment. This is very straightforward procedure with minimal convalescence.

RADIESSE

RADIESSE is safe; FDA approved dermal filler that restores a natural, youthful look. This convenient treatment fills and corrects smile lines, nasolabial folds and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. RADIESSE is made of unique calcium-based microspheres suspended in a natural gel that is injected into the skin through a simple, safe and natural minimally invasive procedure.

Radiesse is injected into the skin with the use of a local anesthetic. RADIESSE treatments have little to no downtime, with most patients returnining to normal activities soon after treatment. Tiny calcium-based microspheres form a “scaffold” to support and stimulate the growth of your own collagen. Over time, the calcium-based microspheres gradually break down and are safely and naturally absorbed by your body. RADIESSE does more than just temporarily fill-in-facial folds and wrinkles- it rebuilds your skin’s foundation and restores your youthful look, without the risks associated with a permanent implant.

The results are immediate. RADIESSE typically lasts a year or more, saving you time and money. Since results may vary, be sure to discuss your expectations with the doctor.

Before and After Photos

See the following link for before and after photos of patients who have had this procedure: Aesthetic Adjunct and Filler Photos

Cosmetic Procedures

Aesthetic Adjuncts and Fillers