NON-INVASIVE PROCEDURES


BOTOX

Can Botox cause Botulism?

The therapeutic dose of Botox used to improve the animation lines of the forehead and regions around the eyes is markedly lower than the potential toxic doses that could cause Botulism. In general, it is a very safe product with very few side effects.

If I use it repeatedly, will I require less Botox each time and can I go longer without requiring re-treatment?

Interestingly, it appears that after repeated use, the muscles of animation that are treated with Botox are weakened and if used regularly, will result in a longer time interval between treatments with lower dosing required to produce the desired result.

CHEMICAL PEELS

Will a chemical peel cause my skin to appear whiter than the rest of my face?

Chemical peels treat the superficial layers of the skin and cause the skin to reorganize the collagen to a more youthful state. This in turn can cause many of the fine lines to soften and flatten out. The deeper the peel the more effective it is to improve the lines. But, the deeper the peel the more likely the face will stay red like a sunburn. The longer it stays red the more likely it will get whiter too when it is completely healed. This has been the result with many of the deeper peels like Phenol. Intermediate peels using Trichloracetic acid (TCA) are not as effective with line treatment for each individual treatment but can be repeated several times to get the desired effect without causing the skin to become hypopigmented (or white).

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COLLAGEN

Are people still using collagen now that other products that last longer are available?

Collagen is a reliable facial filler. It has been time tested. Many patients are happy with the consistent results and the relative cost to other products available. So, yes, it is still being used very frequently.

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FAT INJECTIONS

Where do you get the fat for injection?

The fat used for injection is harvested from the patient directly. This can be obtained from the abdomen, flank, or thigh; almost anywhere on the body that has subcutaneous fat present.

Will it last forever after being injected?

Fat injection "take" in the face is an imperfect science, and often requires multiple treatments to get the desired effect. Once the fat "takes" it can last forever.

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RESTYLANE/HYLAFORM/JUVEDERM

What are these products and how long do they last?

Restylane, Hylaform,and Juvederm are injectable forms of hyaluronic acid, a natural product found in the body. They do not require skin testing prior to use and usually last between 6-12 months depending upon the product used. They are used on nasolabial folds, lips, and areas around the mouth and chin.

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SCULPTRA

What is Sculptra?

This is one of the newer products in the U.S. market that is currently only approved as a facial filler for lipoatrophy or fat loss secondary to HIV drug therapy. However, some physicians are using this "off-label" to treat fat wasting of the face that comes with natural aging. In Europe, this has been used for the past several years. It requires 2-4 treatments over a few months and is supposed to last for several years.

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