Skin Treatments
Botox® Procedures:
Botox® is a reliable product that has been used for more than 20 years for medical conditions not related to aging. More recently, Botox® has been used safely to minimize evidence of facial aging. This treatment is best used for small lines and wrinkles associated with facial animation, rather than deep permanent skin wrinkling. Facial expression is produced by the muscles under the skin of the face. Over time, our facial expressions gradually create wrinkles that deepen as we age. Botox® paralyzes these facial muscles thereby inhibiting certain facial expressions and reducing wrinkles. Starting Botox® therapy at a younger age will prevent the development of these “animation lines.”
General Procedure:
Botox® is injected most commonly around the eyes, between the brows, and over the forehead. The process is done in the office and takes about 20 minutes to perform. The effects of Botox® can last between 3 to 6 months. Swelling and bruising are rare, but can occur. The resulting reduction in wrinkles takes approximately 5 to 7 days for the patient to notice the difference. Patients are encouraged to come back to the office one week after injection to assess the effectiveness and apply a “touch-up” at no cost to any area that needs it.
Recovery Process:
The recovery with Botox is minimal. Most patients return to work immediately. There are no post-injection limitations. See our Botox® special!
Did you hear the news? There is now a new botulinum toxin product on the market with the same efficacy and duration of action as the original Botox®. It is working very well on our patients and there is now a huge advantage to you for trying it out during your next treatment. Take the Dysport™ Challenge and get $150 back just for trying Dysport™. Follow this link to learn more.
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 Fillers:
Injectable fillers are the most popular and rapidly growing products in the aesthetic business today. People of all age groups are going to their surgeons to have this non-permanent “quick fix” to facial aging performed. Fillers are a great and less expensive way to get that younger and fuller look you desire.
The aging process is exacerbated by the sun’s radiation, stress, gravity, and other factors that cause the skin to loosen and relax over time. Certain areas of the face are more prone to this accelerated aging process and therefore benefit the most from fillers. The most common sites of injection include the deep lines near the nose and mouth, around the corners of the lips, in the marionette lines of the chin, in depressed acne scars, and in other furrows around the eyes and forehead. Fillers can also be used to augment and define the lips.
There are several different types of fillers available today. After discussion with your surgeon, we will decide upon the perfect choice for you. Often, a combination of fillers may be best, especially when facial skin lines are of different depths. The results are noticeable immediately and last between 6-18 months, depending on the type of filler and location of injection.
Reasons to choose fillers:
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Fast, immediate and less expensive than other forms of facial rejuvenation
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Non-permanent fix to facial aging
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Look younger quickly in a competitive job market
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Performed in the office with no downtime
General Procedure:
Fillers are injected in the office with the patient sitting back comfortably on the procedure table. A topical anesthetic is applied to the face 45 minutes before the procedure begins, this helps to numb the face and reduce discomfort. At TruYou plastic surgery, injections are always performed by the surgeon himself. This treatment generally takes about one hour.
It is important to stop (if allowed by your primary doctor) the use of Aspirin, Coumadin, or other blood thinning products one week prior to treatment with fillers to decrease the possibility of excess bruising. Advise your doctor if you have any allergies to milk, eggs, or lidocaine (numbing medicine).
Recovery Process:
After the injection of fillers, there is minimal recovery time. Ice packs are applied to the areas treated. Bandages are not necessary after this procedure. Swelling and bruising are generally minimal. Patients are instructed to keep their head elevated for 24 hours during the initial recovery period. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by following the post-surgical instructions given by the surgeon.
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Laser Treatments:
Lasers are the newest and fastest growing products in the medical market. They are tremendously useful in the field of plastic surgery and in many other medical specialties. They work by amplifying light radiation energy to specific wavelengths in order to best select for specific defects within the skin. The desired outcome is similar to that of chemical peeling; to remove the superficial damage layer of skin and allow new “healthy” skin to replace it. Unlike peels, different lasers may be used to selectively target various lesions of the face. Some lasers are used for smoothing wrinkles, others for destroying vascular lesions or pigmented spots, and still others for hair and tattoo removal.
Reasons for choosing a laser treatment:
- Reduce facial wrinkles and remove fine lines (skin resurfacing)
- Remove sun-damaged skin
- Correct pigmentation problems
- Lighten acne scars or surgical scars
- Treatment of actinic keratosis (pre-cancerous) skin lesions
- Remove unwanted hair
- Remove tattoos
- Remove “spider veins” and vascular lesions
General Procedure:
During a laser treatment, the patient is lying comfortably on a procedure table and the target area is usually prepared ahead of time with specialized anesthetic or numbing cream. The surgeon then uses the laser’s handpiece to treat the desired area. Today’s lasers are extremely precise and the depth of penetration is carefully selected allowing for total control and ensuring the desired results.
Recovery:
Redness and mild swelling are expected after laser treatments. Sometimes oral pain medications are prescribed. Feel free to discuss the need for pain medication with your surgeon. Also, patients are given thick restorative creams to apply to the face several times daily. After a few days, the skin may begin to crust and flake away. Facial creams and moisturizers are continued until healing is complete. Usually, makeup can be applied after 7-10 days. Patients who have recently used Accutane are prohibited from undergoing most facial procedures. Alert your doctor if you have used this medication within the prior 6 months.
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Chemical Peels:
A chemical peel is an aesthetic procedure performed to achieve better skin tone, reduce signs of sun damage, even out skin discoloration and remove fine wrinkles. The chemical solution removes the outer layer of skin that may have pigmentation problems, acne scars, sun damage, wrinkles and other signs of aging. Removing this outer skin layer prompts the body to generate a new layer of healthy skin cells. Chemical peels may not be appropriate for darker skin complexions.
Reasons for choosing a chemical peel:
- Reduce facial wrinkles and remove fine lines
- Remove sun-damaged skin
- Correct pigmentation problems
- Lighten acne scars
- Treatment of pre-cancerous skin lesions
General Procedure
Chemical peels are usually performed in the office with the patient lying comfortably. Sometimes, oral anti-anxiety medication is given first to help with relaxation. The solution is then applied by the physician to the areas of concern.
Recovery:
Redness and mild swelling are expected after chemical peeling. Patients are given thick restorative creams to apply to the face several times daily. After a few days, the skin will begin to flake and “peel” away. Facial creams and moisturizers are continued until healing is complete. Patients who have recently used Accutane are prohibited from undergoing most facial procedures. Alert your doctor if you have used this medication within the prior 6 months.
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Skin Care Products:
At TruYou plastic surgery we carry several lines of skin clarifying, moisturizing and restorative facial products. Please ask about these products next time you visit us. Also see Spa Treatments.
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 Latisse™:
Latisse™ is now available in our office. Click here for special pricing. For thicker, longer, and darker eyelashes try Latisse today.
Download Latisse brochure in PDF format here.
Find out more at http://www.latisse.com
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