BOTOX® Cosmetic / Injectable Dermal Fillers
BOTOX® Cosmetic Injections
BOTOX® Cosmetic injections refer to a revolutionary cosmetic treatment used to reversing the affects of facial wrinkles. Now crow’s feet, worry lines, and laugh lines can all be a thing of the past. These facial expression lines are referred to as dynamic wrinkle lines and all are treatable with this procedure. As of 2007, it is the most common cosmetic operation, with 4.6 million procedures in the United States alone.
How does Botox Work?
BOTOX Cosmetic (BOTOX Cosmetic injections) is a derivative of the Botulinum toxin. This neurotoxin is a protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In sufficient quantities Botulinum toxin can cause botulism, which is a serious and life-threatening illness in humans and animals. However BOTOX Cosmetic injections are a weaker version of this toxin, which is used for cosmetic reasons by temporarily paralyzing (cosmetic denervation) the facial muscles that are responsible for the dynamic wrinkles of the face.
Before Your Botox Treatment
To better understand your overall health, Dr. Manuel La Rosa will evaluate your medical history and your cosmetic concerns. A complete examination of your face is made on that appointment in order to decide the most effective injection sites. All related issues and concerns will be discussed. He will also discuss the limitations of the BOTOX Cosmetic injections.
The areas that will be treated are marked and digital photographs are taken in order to determine the amount of improvement after surgery.
Day of Your Treatment
BOTOX Cosmetic injections are performed without anesthesia because they are virtually painless. Only a very small sting is felt when the injections are given.
After Your Treatment
You may experience slight bruising around the area that quickly fades. Normal activities can be performed immediately. Possible side effects are temporary weakness of nearby muscles or in rare cases an eyelid may droop. BOTOX Cosmetic effect is not permanent so any side effect is only a temporary condition.
How long does Botox last?
The effects are not permanent and may need to be repeated two-to-three times per year to retain the effects. Research has suggested, however, that long-term use of the injections leads to a longer duration of each treatment’s effect. Patients over the age of 65 may not experience such dramatic results.
BOTOX Cosmetic Injection Limitations
BOTOX Cosmetic is only useful in treating expression lines and cannot be used to repair sagging skin caused by aging.
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INJECTABLE DERMAL/FACIAL FILLERS
If you would like to restore facial contours, reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds (NLFs) and marionette lines or enhance the lip area, injections with soft tissue fillers such as Juvéderm® may be right for you. After a filler procedure, improved appearance is visible almost immediately and the results last from 6-months to several years depending on the type of filler used, the treatment site and individual patient factors.
Lip Enhancement
The majority of people have an intrinsic appreciation for a full, pouty set of lips. It’s an attraction that knows no geographical or societal bounds; beautiful lips area admired by men and women from any background. Lip enhancement procedures, coincidentally, are now being called the best thing to happen for lips since lipstick! Today, there are a number of FDA-approved lip enhancement treatments available, most of which are minimally-invasive and very low-risk.
For patients receiving lip enhancement Dr. Manuel La Rosa recommends an injectable filler with temporary results such as Juvederm. This leading temporary lip enhancement injectable used today contain hyaluronic acid – a naturally occurring substance found in the connective tissues of the body. These injections essentially plump the underlying tissue by promoting skin hydration, for a fuller look and a feel that passes the “kiss test.” The results usually last around eight months before the body metabolizes it naturally. The best thing about facial fillers is that they build upon the natural beauty that people have. They fill in the gaps that age brings upon us. Some facial fillers, such as Juvederm, have been known to actually stimulate collagen growth.
Permanent lip enhancement is more complex and carries more risks and expenses. The most common procedures are implants of skin or fat from your own body or a cadaver into your lips. It is difficult to get natural-looking results with a fat graft, as the body tends to reabsorb some of the tissue. Synthetic materials which aren’t reabsorbed, such as silicone or saline, can also be implanted, but may cause allergic reactions or form hard nodules. Permanent lip implants may also react to cold weather and feel unnatural while kissing or eating. Because of the possible complications, it’s best to consult an experienced and highly medical specialist, and explore all of your options before moving forward with a permanent lip enhancement.
Side Effects
After the procedure, minor pain, swelling and/or bruising may appear at the injection sites. With some fillers, a slightly “over-filled” appearance may be initially present, but these conditions will resolve within a few hours, or at most a few days.
Types of Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in our bodies. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers such as Juvéderm are soft, malleable products that offer a natural look and feel with minimal pain thanks to the addition of lidocaine to the product. Also, there is less bruising and downtime associated with HA fillers. They are well suited to plump thin lips and fill facial creases such as nasolabial folds. They may also be appropriate for some surface wrinkles and concave scars. The results of HA fillers may last 6 months or longer.
Please make sure to call our office to make an appointment with Dr. Manuel La Rosa to consult if injectable dermal fillers are right for you.