Wrinkle reduction |
Wrinkle reduction |
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Wrinkles often require a combination of treatments to stimulate collagen synthesis and prevent strong facial expressions. Our facility offers variety of treatments including: hydrafacial, microdermabrasion, microcurrent stimulation of collagen, chemical peels, Botox, Juvederm. |
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| Pigmentation/melasma |
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Intense pulsed light (IPL) removes pigmentation, discoloration, and redness over a series of treatments to even out the complexion. IPL can be combined with peels and other treatments. |
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Melasma is diffuse pigmentation exacerbated by hormones and sun exposure. This is usually harder to treat then sunspots and requires a combination of lightening creams, microdermabrasion, and special Q-switched laser. Variable results can occur with long pulse laser in that occasional rebound hyperpigmentation can occur.
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Botox Injections Wrinkle relaxing injections (Botulinum toxin type A) The Anti-wrinkle treatment used is 'Vistabel' manufactured by Allergan, this is formally and commonly known to you as ‘Botox’. Botox is the most frequently performed cosmetic procedure in the country, over 250,000 treatments are carried out each and every year. This can be combined with the fastest growing Dermal Filler treatment. Either Botox, Dermal Fillers or a combination of the two can help toward achieving the beautifying look you want. What is Botox? Botox is a specially prepared naturally occurring purified protein that originates from bacteria. It is used in simple non-surgical procedure that smooths deep and persistent lines across the forehead, between the eyebrows and crows feet on the side of the eyes. How Does Botox Work? A minute quantity of Botox is injected using a very fine needle concentrating on the forehead muscles and muscles around the eyes. Botox blocks the message from the nerve to the muscle which results in the muscle relaxing, creating a smoother, more relaxed look. The treatment can take as little as 10 minutes to administer and between 2-14 days to achieve maximum results. Are Botox Treatments Safe? Botox has been used safely and widely for over 20 years in the NHS for a variety of muscular problems. It is licensed for treatment of lower spasticity in children as young as two years old. Cosmetically, Botox has been used to treat facial lines and wrinkles for over 15 years. This extensive experience confirms the well established safety profile of treatment with Botox. How Long Do Botox Treatments Last? The effects of Botox lasts about 3-4 months after which repeated treatments, (if you want them) will be necessary to maintain the look you require. Most clients find that after their initial 3 treatments the effects of Botox can be longer lasting and may only require treatments twice a year. Will My Facial Expression Be Affected? Yes, of course it will, your facial expression will become more relaxed, but by no means mask-like. The overall result is very natural. Do Botox Treatments Have Side Effects? There are a few, albeit rare potential side effects to Botox. The most common is a slight headache. In very rare instances a heaviness of the eyebrow or eyelid can occur. Other side effects can include mild bruising and swelling at the injection site, dryness of the eyes and mouth, brief visual disturbance, a small skin rash and itching. Side effects are mostly temporary and will disappear within a few days or up to a couple of weeks, please consult with Karen if you have any concerns. |
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Other Helpful Information About Botox Injections.
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Medical uses:
Researchers discovered in the 1950s that injecting overactive muscles with minute quantities of botulinum toxin type A decreased muscle activity by blocking the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thereby rendering the muscle unable to contract for a period 3 to 4 months. Alan Scott, a San Francisco ophthalmologist, first applied tiny doses of the toxin in a medicinal sense to treat 'crossed eyes' (strabismus) and 'uncontrollable blinking' (blepharospasm), but needed a partner to gain regulatory approval to market his discovery as a drug. Allergan, Inc., a pharmaceutical company that focused on prescription eye therapies and contact lens products, bought the rights to the drug in 1988 and received FDA approval in 1989.[citation needed] Allergan renamed the drug Botox. Cosmetically desirable effects of Botox were first discovered by Vancouver-based cosmetic surgeons Drs. Alastair and Jean Carruthers.[6] The serendipitous discovery occurred when the husband-and-wife team observed the softening of patients' frown lines following treatment for eye muscle disorders, leading to clinical trials and subsequent FDA approval for cosmetic use in April 2002.[citation needed] As of 2007, Botox injection is the most common cosmetic operation, with 4.6 million procedures in the United States, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Besides its cosmetic application, Botox is used in the treatment of: migraine headaches cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis) (a neuromuscular disorder involving the head and neck) blepharospasm (involuntary blinking) severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) Achalasia (failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax) Other uses of botulinum toxin type A that are widely known but not specifically approved by FDA include treatment of: pediatric incontinence, incontinence due to overactive bladder, and incontinence due to neurogenic bladder. anal fissure spastic disorders associated with injury or disease of the central nervous system including trauma, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or cerebral palsy focal dystonias affecting the limbs, face, jaw, or vocal cords TMJ pain disorders diabetic neuropathy wound healing excessive salivation VCD Vocal Cord Dysfunction a spasming of the vocal cords Reduction of the Masseter muscle for decreasing the size of the lower jaw Treatment and prevention of chronic headache and chronic musculoskeletal pain are emerging uses for botulinum toxin type A. In addition, there is evidence that Botox may aid in weight loss by increasing the gastric emptying time. Links to deaths On September 2005, a paper published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology reported from the FDA saying that use of Botox has resulted in 28 deaths between 1989 and 2003, though none were attributed to cosmetic use. On February 8, 2008, the FDA announced that Botox has "been linked in some cases to adverse reactions, including respiratory failure and death, following treatment of a variety of conditions using a wide range of doses," due to its ability to spread to areas distant to the site of the injection. Several cases of death have been linked to the use of fake Botox. Side effects Side effects can be predicted from the mode of action (muscle paralysis) and chemical structure (protein) of the molecule, resulting broadly speaking in two major areas of side effects: paralysis of the wrong muscle group and allergic reaction. Bruising at the site of injection is a side effect not of the toxin, but rather the mode of administration. In cosmetic use, this means that the client will complain of inappropriate facial expression such as drooping eyelid, uneven smile, loss of ability to close the eye. This will wear off in around 6 weeks. Bruising is prevented by the clinician applying pressure to the injection site, but may still occur, and will last around 7 - 10 days. When injecting the masseter muscle of the jaw, loss of muscle function will result in a loss or reduction of power to chew solid foods. All cosmetic treatments are of limited duration, and can be as short a period as six weeks, but usually one reckons with an effective period of between 3 and 8 months. At the extremely low doses used medicinally, botulinum toxin has a very low degree of toxicity. Reported adverse events from cosmetic use includes headaches, focal facial paralysis, muscle weakness, dysphagia, flu-like syndromes, and allergic reactions. There has been a petition by Public Citizen to the FDA requesting regulatory action concerning the possible spread of botulinum toxin (Botox, Myobloc) from the site of injection to other parts of the body (HRG Publication #1834): Public Citizen