As we age, it is common to explore skin rejuvenation procedures that help to maintain a youthful appearance. Neuromodulators (such as Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin) and Dermal Fillers (such as Juvederm, Voluma, Belotero, Restylane Lyft, Restylane Silk, and Radiesse) help to improve volume loss, fine lines and wrinkles. Collagen, Elastin and Volume in the face, neck and hands naturally decrease with age. Injectable treatments treat this natural loss and help to restore a more youthful, balanced look. Patients are often very satisfied with the results, especially in comparison to surgical and invasive options, and continue to receive further treatments to maintain the appearance.
With so many misconceptions regarding Injectables and their effects on the body, it is important to know the facts regarding these procedures to ensure that you choose the best procedure to achieve your goal.
NEUROMODULATORS:
What do Neuromodulators do?
Neuromodulators (including Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin) relax the muscles and reduce fine lines and wrinkles in the face and neck. These treatments combat forehead lines, glabella lines (between the brows), crows feet (around the eyes), smile lines, neck lines, and other wrinkles associated with aging.
What types of Neuromodulators are available?
Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are all Neuromodulators.
What is the difference between each of these Neuromodulators?
Each of these achieve the same result, however some patients respond better to one brand versus the other. If one does not work well in achieving your desired results, then a different brand may be recommended. In unit measurement, Dysport differs from Botox and Xeomin. For every one unit of Botox or Xeomin, it takes three units of Dysport to achieve the same results, therefore you may find that Dysport is often priced cheaper per unit in comparison to Botox and Xeomin yet the total price of treatment will end up being comparable to Botox and Xeomin.
How many units will I need?
The amount of units needed can differ from person to person depending upon your desired outcome, the area of concern to be treated, the strength of the muscles in the area, and whether the treatment is for prevention or to treat existing fine lines and wrinkles and their severity.
What are the average amount of units used per area?
Forehead: 10 to 20 units
Glabella (between brows): 15 to 30 units
Crows Feet (around eyes): 12 units per eye (24 total)
Marionette Lines (lines that start at the corners of your mouth and run down to your chin): 2 units per side
How much are your Neuromodulators per unit?
Botox: $12 per unit
Dypsort: $3 per unit
Xeomin: $11 per unit
When will I see results and how long will the results last?
For most patients, some softening of lines can be seen within 2-4 days, with maximum benefit at 2 weeks. It is a good idea to re-evaluate at 2 weeks to see if there is a need for additional units. Results may vary on muscle strength of the area and metabolism, as our bodies metabolize (or break down) the Neuromodulators over time.
How do I maintain the results?
Treatment to maintain your results are recommend every three months. Using medical grade skin care products at home as part of a daily skin care regime can help to maintain your results and improve the appearance and quality of your skin. Growth Factors (such as SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum and Recovery Complex and Obahi Regenica), Retinols (such as SkinMedica, Obagi and SkinCeuticals), Antioxidants (such as SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, Phlorentin CF, Resveratrol BE), and Sunscreen (such as Obagi and SkinCeuticals) are all products that help to maintain and stimulate collagen during your treatments.
What procedures compliment Neuromodulators?
The following procedures compliment Neuromodulators by helping to stimulate collagen production and thicken the collagen layer of the skin to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles:
- ICON 1540 (fractionated laser)
- Microneedling
- Hydrafacial
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical Peels
Will Neuromodulator Injections hurt?
Many of us are not big fans of shots, especially needles in general. However, Neuromodulator injections can be given after topical anesthetics are applied or lidocaine injections are injected to ease discomfort. Neuromodulators are generally quickly injected with a minimal amount of discomfort.
Will there be any down time?
Following Neuromodulator Injections there can be some pin point redness, swelling, and/or bruising at the injection site(s). Ice, applied in 10-15 minute increments per hour along with Ibuprofen will help with pain and swelling. Arnica, used as a supplement and applied topically, can help with bruising. Arnica should be taken a week prior to and after your injection appointment to help minimize bruising. Mineral makeup, such as Jane Iredale, can help to successfully cover up redness and bruising while delivering soothing and healing skin care quality ingredient into the skin. Jane Iredale makeup is makeup at its finest that not only provides coverage but also soothes and treats the skin with the highest quality skin care ingredients, making it live up to its slogan as ‘the skin care makeup.’
DERMAL FILLERS:
Dermal Fillers help to replace lost volume and fill in deeper set wrinkles. There are several options of Dermal Fillers and most Fillers are specifically made for treating certain areas of the face. The following list gives a breakdown of the Dermal Fillers that are available at Dr. K’s Med Spa and the areas specified for treatment for each:
Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers:
Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring molecule within our bodies that we metabolize and lose over time. The following Dermal Fillers are made from Hyaluronic Acid (HA):
- Juvederm: Used for vertical upper lip lines, smile lines, corner lines, marionette lines and nasolabial folds.
- Voluma: Used for adding volume and lift to the cheeks and improving nasolabial fold appearance.
- Restylane Silk: Used for lip enhancement, vertical upper lip lines, smile lines, corner lines, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds.
- Restylane Lyft: Used for adding volume and lift to the cheeks and improving nasolabial fold appearance.
- Belotero: Used for nasolabial folds, smile lines, and to fill in volume under the eyes.
Calcium Based Dermal Filler:
Calcium Based Fillers are made of tiny calcium-based microspheres which are suspended in a natural, water-based gel. These calcium based microspheres are similar to minerals that are found naturally in your body. The following Calcium Based Filler is available at Dr. K’s Med Spa:
- Radiesse: Used for the treatment of moderate to severe wrinkles and to help add volume to hands.
What are the benefits of Dermal Fillers?
- Immediate and long-lasting results
- Improvement of volume, wrinkles and sagging skin
- Non-surgical
- No downtime for recovery
- Highly Effective at improving appearance
- Performed during one visit (20 to 40 minutes in and out)
- No anesthesia is required
- Natural-looking results that don’t affect the ability to make facial expressions
- Results can be reversed or corrected
- Soft compound which can be molded to suit your unique facial features
- Proven safety track record, approved by the FDA
- Corrects the signs of aging, lifting and filling the skin, and smoothing out wrinkles
- Contours the face and jaw line by correcting sagging features and jowls
How are the fillers measured?
Dermal Fillers are measured per syringe.
How many syringes will I need?
This depends on your concerns, the area being treated and what the doctor recommends. At Dr. K’s Med Spa we offer free consultations for you to meet with Dr. Kamajian so he can address your concerns and make recommendations.
How much are your Dermal Fillers?
Juvederm: $550 per syringe
Voluma: $860 per syringe
Restylane Silk: $600 per syringe
Restylane Lyft: $700 per syringe
Belotero: $450 per syringe
Radiesse: $860 per syringe
When will I see results and how long will the results last?
Results for Dermal Fillers are instantaneous and will continue to show improvement in the area treated after injection. It is important to stay hydrated as Hyaluronic Acid Fillers bind to moisture within the skin.
Dermal fillers fade very slowly and gradually, so for the vast majority of patients, results should last between 6 and 9 months. After approximately 6 to 12 months, the effects of the dermal filler gradually weaken, until your skin returns to its natural state. Like Neuromodulators, Dermal Fillers do depend upon how your body metabolizes the product. Some people metabolize the Fillers more quickly than others, especially those who tend to be more active.
What is the average amount of time that the Dermal Fillers last?
Juvederm: 9 months to 12 months
Voluma: 2 years
Restylane Silk: 6 months to 12 months
Restylane Lyft: 12 months to 18 months
Belotero: 6 months
Radiesse: 12 months to 2 years
How do I maintain the results?
Treatment to maintain treatment results will depend on the area treated and the Dermal Filler used to treat that area (see prior question as to how long each filler lasts). However, using medical grade skin care products at home as part of a daily skin care regime can help to maintain your results and improve the appearance and quality of your skin. Growth Factors (such as SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum and Recovery Complex and Obahi Regenica), Retinols (such as SkinMedica, Obagi and SkinCeuticals), Antioxidants (such as SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic, Phlorentin CF, Resveratrol BE), and Sunscreen (such as Obagi and SkinCeuticals) are all products that help to maintain and stimulate collagen during your treatments. A G.R.A.S.S. skin care system is usually recommended to maintain results and improve the tone and texture of your skin:
- G-Growth Factors
- R-Retinols
- A-Antioxidants
- S-Specialty Products (to treat individualized concerns)
- S-Sunscreen
What procedures compliment Dermal Fillers?
The following procedures compliment Dermal Fillers by helping to stimulate collagen production and thicken the collagen layer of the skin to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles:
- ICON 1540 (fractionated laser)
- Microneedling
- Hydrafacial
- Microdermabrasion
- Chemical Peels
Will Dermal Filler injections hurt?
Most Dermal Fillers have anesthetic incorporated within the Dermal Filler to minimize discomfort throughout the injections. A topical anesthetic, injectable lidocaine, and/or a dental block can be used prior to Dermal Fillers to minimize discomfort as well.
Will there be any down time?
Following Dermal Filler Injections there can be some pin point redness, swelling, and/or bruising at the injection site(s). Ice, applied in 10-15 minute increments per hour along with Ibuprofen will help with pain and swelling. Arnica, used as a supplement and applied topically, can help with bruising. Arnica should be taken a week prior to and after injection to help minimize bruising. Mineral makeup, such as Jane Iredale, can help to successfully cover up redness and bruising while delivering soothing and healing skin care quality ingredient into the skin. Jane Iredale makeup is makeup at its finest that not only provides coverage but also soothes and treats the skin with the highest quality skin care ingredients, making it live up to its slogan as ‘the skin care makeup.’
Do I really need to have Neuromodulators or Dermal Fillers injected?
When we look and feel our best we radiate confidence and a higher self-esteem than when we have noticeable flaws that we dwell upon. Yes, beauty is only skin deep and it absolutely does not (or will it ever) define who we are or our successes in life! However, in making corrections to fine lines, wrinkles, and even preventionable injections we are restoring a sense of visible youth and regaining empowerment.