Aesthetic Physicians

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BOTOX®
Overview: Botox™ (Botulinum A) is a bacterial product which temporarily paralyses the muscle. Since much of your facial wrinkles (lines) are caused by overworked muscles, weakening these muscles will usually eliminate or reduce these lines. Botox injection works especially well at the frown lines, forehead lines and Crow’s feet. It has also been used to lift or even up the brow line, reduce the nasal scrunch and facial asymmetry as well as the neck lines (platysmal bands).

How fast and how long: You will start to note improvement in about 4 days with the maximum effect between 14-21 days. However you will likely require re-injection in about 3 months depending on how large and how strong your facial muscles have become. It has been observed that its effects tend to get better and last longer with each successive injection and that male usually require more frequent injections. Some patients may require a much higher dose to achieve the desired cosmetic effect and thus it is essential that we get a chance to look at the result after about 24 days and give a booster dose if necessary. Expect that with repeated injections, you will probably need re-injection every 6 months in the following years.

Is it painful: Since the needle used in Botox injection is a very fine one (30-31 gauge), most people will not experience much discomfort from the injections. However for some unusually pain-sensitive individuals, applying an ice pack prior to the injections may be necessary.

What about side effects: The dose of Botox used for cosmetic purpose has not been linked to any significant side effect due to the relative low doses involved. The most common side effect is a transient drooping of the upper eyelid usually from having the Botox injected too close to the eye. This effect is transient . Ironically even though Botox™ is being studied as a treatment for migraine headaches, headaches have been reported on rare occasions after Botox™ injections. . As with any injections, transient bruising may happen but this usually subside in less than a week and may be reduced by applying an ice pack to the site immediately after the injection.

Any contraindications: We can not inject pregnant women or people suffering from a systemic neuromuscular disease such as myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert syndrome, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Effective duration: Botox injections last from 4 weeks to 6 months depending on the individual and frequency of previous injections. Botox's effectiveness tends to lengthen with successive injections. Further Information on Botox® may be found at www.botox.com/splash/index.html.

While these procedures are very safe, your doctor will discuss each treatment option with you in detail so as to understand the risks/benefits of each choice

COLLAGEN AND RESTYLANE®
Overview: Collagen and Restylane® are mostly used for skin creases, wrinkles and for lip enhancement. We use a variety of products to help you create the look you want. With lip enhancement the intention is to give you the fuller lips you desire. For some patients with very thin lips, the goal may be to have a more normal appearance. For other patients, very thick and sexy lips are the goal. Some patients desire a defined edge to the lip or a return to their less aged lip.

Procedure: These procedures area always done in our office sometimes with a local anesthesia block that takes only a few seconds to numb your face for 45 minutes. During your consultation, the doctor will discuss the anesthesia, slight redness at the injection site, possible short term bruising and touch-up in two weeks (should it be necessary).

Recuperation and healing: Postoperative pain is usually minimal. The most common postoperative issue is swelling. This is highly variable and it depends on the technique, how much your lip has been enlarged, and on individual healing characteristics. Swelling could last as long as two weeks. Lip enhancement can be done either alone or in conjunction with most other cosmetic procedures.

Further Information on Collagen Injections may be found at www.inamed.com/products/facial/us/patient/patient.html and information on Restylane at www.restylaneusa.com.

While these procedures are very safe, your doctor will discuss each treatment option with you in detail so as to understand the risks/benefits of each choice.