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Anti-Aging Skin Treatments
If you’ve noticed that your face is showing those dreaded signs of aging, and you’re not quite ready for a surgical modification, you may want to consider anti-wrinkle injectables to help restore and maintain your youthful appearance. Botox and fillers have become an increasingly popular outpatient procedure for the treatment of facial aging in adults.
What are Botox and Fillers?
Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) improves the appearance of facial lines of expression. It’s most commonly used to treat moderate to severe frown lines on the forehead, crow’s feet around the eyes, and the vertical lines (aka 11’s) that form between the eyebrows. Botox blocks the signals between your nerves and muscles in the areas where it’s injected, freezing the muscles and preventing them from contracting.
The results are temporary and become apparent within a couple of days post-treatment. The full effect is reached in 7-10 days and lasts 3-4 months. Individual results may vary. When Botox wears off, your muscles return to their original appearance.
Hyaluronic fillers (Fillers) are most commonly used to temporarily improve signs of facial aging. They are highly effective in filling deeper facial lines and wrinkles on the resting face, including nasolabial folds (smile/laugh lines) that form from the edge of the nose to the outer corners of the mouth, and marionette lines that form and run down the corners of the mouth. Hyaluronic fillers are also sufficient for restoring and adding volume to the midface, cheeks and thinning, uneven lips. In addition, Hyaluronic acid fillers may be injected into the nose to temporarily correct unevenness, lumps and bumps (referred to as “liquid rhinoplasty.”).
Dermal fillers are used for facial contouring. They fill in and volumize deeper creases and folds in the face that exist while the facial muscles are resting. There are a variety of fillers available to treat different areas of the face and yield distinct results.
Botox Treatments
There are currently five FDA-approved brands of botulinum toxins products used in cosmetic treatments to treat the same aesthetic concerns, all of which share the same primary active ingredient which are:
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Botox (Allergan): Manufactured by American brand Allergan, Allergan is the most well-known and time-tested botulinum toxin type A product. With its FDA approval in 2002 for the treatment of moderate to severe glabellar lines (forehead lines), it has become the go-to choice for many patients seeking a temporary aesthetic treatment for facial wrinkles.
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Dysport (Galderma): Manufactured by Galderma, Dysport is another popular brand of botulinum toxin type A, by the French manufacturer Ipsen Pharma. It was initially approved in Europe before receiving FDA approval in 2009 for the treatment moderate to severe frown lines.
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Xeomin (Merz): Developed by Merz Pharmaceuticals, Xeomin is a uniquely purified form of botulinum toxin type A. Unlike Botox and Dysport, Xeomin does not contain any accessory protective proteins, which may reduce the risk of developing resistance or adverse reaction.
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Jeuveau (Evolus): Manufactured by Evolus, Jeuvau is a relatively new addition to the botulinum toxin type A market. It was approved by the FDA in 2019 for the treatment of moderate to severe frown lines, and was approved exclusively for cosmetic use. Jeuveau has been marketed as a more affordable alternative to Botox and other established brands.
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Daxxify (Revance): Daxxify is the latest addition to the market. While it is not as well-known as the other brands, Daxxify offers an alternative choice for those seeking to reduce wrinkles and achieve a more youthful appearance. In studies, Daxxify posed a slightly higher risk of drooping eyelids, but may also be one of the longer lasting injectable treatments for treatment of wrinkles.
Filler Treatments
Dermal fillers can help if you want to add volume to your cheeks, cheekbones, nose, lips or change the contours of your face. It’s also possible to fill in acne scars and deep scars with fillers, making them almost invisible. Here are the top 5 dermal fillers on the market that our clinic can provide:
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Restylane: Restylane is a safe filler based on hyaluronic acid, which is actively used in contour plastics to smooth wrinkles, correct facial asymmetry and increase lip volume. The result of the correction is visible almost immediately, but the maximum result you’ll see in a week. Wrinkles are reduced or disappear altogether and the lips acquire the desired shape. The effect of Restylane injections lasts up to 12 months.
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Juvederm: Juvederm is a line of intradermal fillers based on hyaluronic acid. It can be used for filling deep and fine wrinkles, increasing lip volume, adding volume to the cheekbones and cheeks, elimination of crow's feet in the corners of the eyes and face contour adjustments. The procedure lasts no more than 30 minutes. The duration of the effect depends on the type of skin, the technique used and the individual characteristics of the patient's skin.
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Radiesse: Radiesse injections provide filling, volumetric lifting and skin rejuvenation. The dermal filler is aimed at face lifting as well as reducing wrinkles. Radiesse injections correct visual signs of skin aging and stimulate collagen production. The effect lasts for 12-15 months or more. Over time, the filler is completely eliminated naturally from the body. Radiesse injections can help if you have lowered face, sagging skin, nasolabial folds, wrinkles, unclear facial contours, loss of volume in the cheekbones and cheeks, dehydrated arm skin and wrinkles on the arms.
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Sculptra: Sculptra is a long-acting filler that helps rejuvenate the skin and shape facial features, eliminate facial wrinkles, scars and lack of volume. It is used to correct the cheeks, cheekbones, nasolabial folds, chin and temples. Besides, Sculptra injections stimulate collagen synthesis in the skin. The effects of the procedure last up to 25 months.
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Revanesse: Revanesse is a new generation of safe injectable dermal fillers that make it possible to correct facial wrinkles and folds, increase the volume and change the contour of the lips and volumetric facial modeling. Moreover, Revanesse injections are used for non-surgical rhinoplasty and correction of other body parts: earlobes correction, decollete rejuvenation, rejuvenation of the hands and elbows. The effect is quick and lasts up to 18 months.
What is Microneedling?
Microneedling, also known as collagen induction therapy, is a minimally invasive skin treatment that involves using a device with fine needles to create controlled micro-injuries on the skin's surface. This process triggers the body's natural healing response, which leads to the production of new collagen and elastin fibers, resulting in improved skin texture, reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and a more even skin tone.
Here's how microneedling works:
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Device: A microneedling device, either a roller or a pen, is used. These devices have a cylindrical cartridge with tiny needles, typically ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 mm in length.
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Micro-injuries: The needles create microscopic punctures or channels in the skin's surface, which are not visible to the naked eye. These micro-injuries are not deep enough to cause scarring but are sufficient to stimulate the body's natural healing process.
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Collagen production: The controlled micro-injuries trigger the release of growth factors and cytokines, which initiate the production of new collagen and elastin fibers. Collagen and elastin are the proteins responsible for skin's firmness, elasticity, and overall youthful appearance.
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Skin renewal: Over time, the increased collagen and elastin levels lead to improved skin texture, reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, minimized pores, and a more even skin tone. The skin's overall appearance looks brighter and rejuvenated.
Microneedling can be performed on various areas of the body, including the face, neck, décolletage, and even the scalp for hair loss treatment. It is commonly used to address concerns such as fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin texture.
What is Laser Skin Resurfacing and Rejuvenation?
If aging, acne, or too much time in the sun has left your face with blotches, scars, wrinkles, or lines, laser skin resurfacing and rejuvenation may help your skin look younger and healthier. Laser skin resurfacing and rejuvenation also known as laser peel, laser vaporization or lasabrasion, removes skin layer by layer with precision. The new skin cells that form during healing give the skin a tighter, younger looking surface. The procedure can be done alone or with other cosmetic surgeries on the face.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Laser Skin Resurfacing and Rejuvenation?
If you have fine lines or wrinkles around your eyes or mouth or on your forehead, shallow scars from acne, or non-responsive skin after a facelift, then you may be a good candidate for laser skin resurfacing and rejuvenation. You may also be a good candidate if you have:
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Warts
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Age spots or liver spots
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Skin scars from birthmarks
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Sun-damaged skin
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Enlarged oil glands on your nose
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Birthmarks such as linear epidermal nevi
You may not be a candidate for laser resurfacing if you have:
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Excessive or sagging skin
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Deep wrinkles
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Active acne
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Pregnant or breastfeeding
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Weakened immune system
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Deeper skin tone
What Is a Polydioxanone (PDO) Thread Lift?
Polydioxanone (PDO) is a strong, synthetic monofilament thread that is biodegradable. PDO threads are very similar to dissolvable sutures that have been used safely by surgeons as cutaneous and subcutaneous surgical sutures for over 30 years. Today, PDO threads are being used on the face and body to provide contour, volume, and improvement of skin texture. The process involves the insertion of fine, absorbable threads into the subcutaneous layer of the skin. Over a period of time, the threads dissolve and are replaced with new collagen and elastin.
PDO Thread Lift
PDO threads can also create a lifting effect, depending on the type of thread that is used. Certain threads can be used in your cheek region and jawline to give a slight lift that will help to minimize your nasolabial folds and marionette lines. A PDO thread lift can help address concerns such as jowls, fine lines/wrinkles, and defined nasolabial folds. The goal of the lift is to reposition facial tissue to restore a more youthful appearance to the face.
What to Expect
Before deciding if PDO threads are the best treatment for you, we’ll schedule a consultation to discuss your medical history and goals and determine if you are a good candidate. On the day of the treatment, you will be cleaned and numbed. The threads will be inserted using small flexible needles. The threads are left in the skin to initiate the formation of an optimal amount of new collagen and elastin. After some time, wrinkles will start to smooth, facial color can improve, pores can narrow, and skin becomes more elastic. Your skin tissue will improve monthly due to collagen formation around the dissolvable threads.
PDO Thread Lift Effectiveness
The best candidate for PDO threads is someone who wants to rebuild collagen where they have lost it, someone who wants to correct uneven pigmentation, lines, wrinkles, or minimal to moderate skin laxity of the face. This is not an alternative to a surgical facelift. After your initial session, return in 6-9 months to see if you need a follow-up session. After that, the final results can last around 12 months to 2 years, depending on your age and health.