Eye Didn't Know!

Dermal Fillers for Facial Sculpting

Did you know? Many patients are familiar with the use of dermal fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Prevelle, to fill nasolabial folds to give a more youthful appearance. That is just the beginning! Before deciding what treatment is best, it is necessary to use a mirror and evaluate the entire face. Even more common than a prominent nasolabial fold is volume loss of the upper cheek. A youthful face is shaped much like a heart, while an aging face tends to have a hollowed look in the mid and upper cheek. Filling this area with volume can work wonders for restoring a youthful appearance. The lips, as well, flatten with age. Adding a touch of volume and definition to the lips can take years off of a woman's face.

Did you also know? Similarly, Botox is not reserved for the upper face. I frequently use a very small amount of Botox to smooth the skin around the lips and even to raise the corners of a downturned smile!

Prevelle

Did you know? There is a new dermal filler available called Prevelle, made by the Mentor corporation.

Prevelle has a number of advantages. Compared to other dermal fillers, Prevelle is more comfortable, and it is less expensive. It is made of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in skin, similar to Juvederm Ultra and Restylane. It is designed, however, to last approximately as long as Botox treatments last, which is approximately three to six months.

So far, my patients love it! They report that it is much more comfortable being injected (it contains an anesthetic in the filler), and it is very smooth. Time will tell how long it lasts.

I see it as the ideal introductory filler. Since the cost is about half of the longer lasting fillers, it is not such a large initial investment. If you like the results, you can continue using it, or perhaps opt for a longer lasting filler, if desired. If you don't like the results (that's never happened in my practice!) it will wear off. Also, for those patients who think other products are uncomfortable being injected, this product causes much less discomfort.

Did you also know? Mentor also makes Puragen, a thicker product (like Juvederm Ultra Plus) but is not yet available in the United States.

BOTOX®: No Sweat!

Did you know? BOTOX® is well-known for its ability to decrease wrinkles and give a more relaxed appearance to the face. Few people know that BOTOX® is used for dozens of medical conditions, as well. BOTOX® works by decreasing the release of a substance called acetylcholine from nerves. This substance causes muscles to contract, which is why treatment with BOTOX® relaxes the muscles which are responsible for some wrinkles.

Acetylcholine is also responsible for sweat gland activity. There are some patients who are disabled by severe underarm sweating. For this condition, called hyperhidrosis, treatment with BOTOX® in the armpit can markedly improve symptoms. There is a society for those with severe sweating, whose website is located here.

Did you also know? Some insurance companies will pay for treatment of hyperhidrosis.

Custom BOTOX®, Not Cookbook BOTOX©

Did you know? As the holiday season gets into full swing, I am performing more and more BOTOX© Cosmetic procedures, as patients wish to look their best. My patients are pleased that I customize their BOTOX© treatments to their individual faces. I give each patient a mirror, and we talk about areas that can be treated. Sometimes I point out areas to avoid or treat only lightly to avoid side effects like a droopy eyebrow. I then customize the treatment to their unique needs. Rarely do two faces receive the same treatment.

Most patients are aware that BOTOX© can treat frown lines, forehead wrinkles and crow's feet. Few are aware, however, that an experienced physician can use BOTOX© to give a non–surgical eyebrow lift, soften "bunny–lines" in the nose, smooth out fine lines around the lips, smooth a dimpled chin, raise a downturned smile, and soften neck bands.

Did you also know? BOTOX© was originally used by ophthalmologists to treat spasms around the eyes and crossed eyes. It was soon noted that it could relax wrinkles, and a new industry was born!

I started using BOTOX© over ten years ago to treat spasms around the eyes. My staff asked me to treat their wrinkles, told my patients of their results, and soon I found myself performing BOTOX© cosmetic treatments. I find it to be very gratifying.

BOTOX®

Did you know? BOTOX®, known by many as a cosmetic wrinkle-reducer, has dozens of medical applications? BOTOX® works by relaxing muscles, decreasing the release of a substance called acetylcholine. It is used therapeutically in virtually every condition which involves overactive muscles, ranging from muscle-spasm in stroke patients, cerebral palsy, neck pain and TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint disorder). It is used for straightening lazy eyes (strabismus), and relaxing the muscles around the eyes in blepharospasm, a disabling condition which causes uncontrolled squeezing-shut of the eyelids. It is also used for excessive sweating, inability to swallow (dysphagia), and writer's cramp.

Did you also know? For ten years, I have diagnosed and treated many patients with blepharospasm, none of whom knew there was any treatment available. Early on, my staff encouraged me to use BOTOX® cosmetically as well. I quickly discovered how gratified patients are to receive its cosmetic benefit. Expect BOTOX® to give a relaxed appearance, not to completely eliminate lines or expression. As well as relaxing the muscles between the brows, it can relax the forehead, crow's feet, fine lines under the eyes, and even fine lines around the lips.