The FACTS About Fillers

There are 3 facts about fillers that are really important.  Everything else is subjectivity and marketing - the latter is often misleading as companies fight for your dollar.

1. Where on the face is each best used?
Forehead: Botox, Dysport and Xeomin (conversely, because these make the muscles flat and weak so they are not typically used below the forehead);
Depression/Shadows under the eyes: Restylane (because it is the least likely to lump);
Smile Lines & Marionette Lines: Take your pick - Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, Radiesse, and Artefill;
Lips: Restylane or Juvederm;
Cheek Hollows/Depressions: Sculptra or Radiesse;
Contouring Of Bone (nose or chin): Radiesse or Artefill.

2. How long does it last?
No matter what the marketing says it is as follows: Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, and Boletero: 4-6 months everywhere EXCEPT for under the eyes ( 2-3 years typically for Restylane under the eyes only); Radiesse - 12-18 months.

3. Cost.
This increases with duration of the filler; yet over the longer term the longer the duration the less expensive it is per unit time.

Contact our office on (818) 884-7150 to schedule your free Cosmetic Consultation or Schedule an Appointment.

Body makeovers gaining popularity

Dermatologic surgeons are seeing unprecedented interest in non-surgical body contouring and skin tightening, particularly from women. This major focus on the body – not just the face – is here to stay, affecting not just 20-somethings but also those in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and older. Many women have been pro-active about taking good care of their faces now they are thinking; the face is looking pretty good, now let me take care of my body. The first step generally is removing pockets of fat, via either ultrasound or cryolipolysis. The non-invasive procedures involve little to no recovery time and result in permanent fat removal and impressive results, she said. Zeltiq Aesthetics created the CoolSculpting brand of cryolipolysis and has been inventing new applicators and hand pieces to treat more areas of the body. Skin tightening follows fat removal. Devices use radiofrequency or high-intensity focused ultrasound to deliver heat that stimulates collagen production to tighten and smooth skin. The treatments are safe and, as with reducing fat, require minimal or no recovery time. Patients can be treated using ultrasound therapy. In addition to tightening skin in the abdomen – which is a prime area of interest for most women and especially new mothers – the ultrasound therapy also can be used on the neck and under the chin. This new cultural shift into focusing on the body as well looks like it here to stay with all these new procedures.

Original Article:  http://blog.asds.net/beyond-faces-body-makeovers-gaining-popularity/

How to Prepare: Chemical Peel

To protect your health and find out what results you want, a dermatologist always offers a consultation before performing a chemical peel. To help you get the most benefit from this consultation, dermatologists recommends that you:

• Ask questions.
• Gather important information before your consultation.

This page tells you what to ask and what information to gather.

Questions to ask before getting a chemical peel 

You should ask the following questions before getting a chemical peel:

• Will a board-certified dermatologist perform the chemical peel?
• What will I need to do before and after the peel to get the best results?
• What results can I expect?
• What are the potential side effects?
• Do I have a higher risk for any complications?
• Will I have downtime?
• May I see before-and-after photos or speak with patients you treated with a chemical peel?
• How much will the treatment cost?

During the consultation, your dermatologist also can tell you whether another treatment would be a better option for you. You may find that your dermatologist recommends using more than one treatment. Results from many research studies show that combining treatments can lead to better, longer-lasting results. 

Information to tell your dermatologist before getting a chemical peel

Before you get a chemical peel, be sure to tell your dermatologist the following information:

• If you are taking or have ever taken isotretinoin, a medicine prescribed for severe acne. 
• All other medicines you take. Be sure your dermatologist knows about antibiotics, acne medicines, and over the counter medicine.  
• If you frequently get cold sores or have had cold sores in the past.
• If your skin scars easily.
• All surgeries and cosmetic treatments you have had.

Don’t omit anything — even if it seems unimportant.

For more information visit. http://bit.ly/1wdYD1Q

Eczema: Tips to help your child feel better

Juvederm Voluma is here.

Cosmetic treatments not just for women

While the majority of cosmetic patients are women, it has also been found that more men are becoming increasingly interested in aesthetics treatments as well. The reason men are now seeking treatment is because they now can find exactly what they are looking for: non-surgical, no-downtime, procedures with gradual results and little or no pain.

The treatment that men seek do not differ much from the treatment that women seek. There are several treatment options that men prefer when they decide to have some aesthetic treatment.

One of the most popular treatments for men as well as women is injectables. Age, sun exposure and lifestyle can all take a toll on our skin, but luckily we can turn to neuromodulators and fillers for an easy fix. Neuromodulators work to relax the muscles that cause wrinkles, while fillers – such as Juvederm, Juvederm Voluma, Radiesse, Restylane and Sculptra – help reduce the appearance of wrinkles, folds and volume loss. All injectable treatments are quick and easy with very subtle results.  

There is also the options of skin tightening and body contouring. Various non-invasive procedures can help. For skin tightening, ultrasound therapy and laser resurfacing can tighten tone and lift loose skin on most parts of the body including the jowls, neck, eyebrows, abdomen, arms and thighs.

Men typically have more sun damage than women because of their carefree nature when it comes to sun protection. Skin resurfacing devices such as lasers treat texture, discoloration, brown spots, fine lines, redness and pores, leaving patients with a smoother, more rejuvenated complexion.

Women and men both can agree that shaving is not a task that we all look forward to. One of the most practical luxuries for men is laser hair removal, which not only helps to reduce excessive body hair but also eliminates painful ingrown hair.

We offer most of these treatments in our office. Contact us and schedule your free consultation.

Find the full article:American Academy of Dermatology

Illegal fillers on the rise.

A simple Google search for “cheap cosmetic fillers” will show you results of many pages advertising fillers for half the price of any trusted certified professional.  The pages advertise cosmetic fillers that are sent to you and easy to use. Behind the “cheap” fillers is a dangerous lie that is costing more than expected.

The San Francisco Gate reported a story of a woman who bought inexpensive cosmetic fillers from the Internet and asked a friend to inject them. When the delivery arrived the box was post marked from Brazil. As soon as the woman was injected she felt a burning sensation in her cheeks. It took the women four months to repair the damage that the fillers had done and left her permanent scars from the draining of the supposed fillers.

The women story is not unique; there are several stories of women becoming blind after a non-physician injected the patients in an artery. There are also several reports of women having severe allergic reaction to injections. Many women don’t realize that when they are purchasing unapproved fillers from the Internet from foreign countries they are doing so illegally.

A visit to a licensed dermatologist to perform procedures like Restylane may cost from about $600 to $700 per syringe. Doctors will use multiple syringes sending a visiting to $1,200 or more.

Doctor recommends not purchasing any filler online.

For more information visit SF Gate.