Injectables
The use of injectable materials has enhanced the field of facial aesthetics. It has a broad array of available materials; botox, collagen or fat. Treat the specific area of concern. Botox is a neurolytic agent which paralyzes the muscles in the forehead to reduce the wrinkles in-between the brows and minimize forehead lines. This is a painless office procedure, but temporary condition and requires annual visits. Fillers such as collagen or fat will fill in defects such as depressed acne scars or lines on the face to reduce the depth giving a more youthful appearance. Full lips can be achieved by injectable fillers or placement of graft materials.
Botox
Clostridia boulina bacteria produce a class of chemical compounds known as “toxins”. The Botulina Type A Toxin (Botox) is processed and produce a sterile product suitable for specific therapeutic uses. Once the diluted toxin is injected, it produces a temporary paralysis (chemodenervation) of muscle by preventing transmission of nerve impulses to muscle. The duration of muscle paralysis generally lasts for approximately three to four months.
Botox has been approved to treat certain conditions involving crossed eyes (strabismus), eyelid spasm (blepharospasm), cervical dystonia (spastic muscle disorder with the neck) and motor disorders of the facial nerve (VII cranial nerve). As of April 2002, it has been PDA approved for the cosmetic treatment of forehead wrinkles caused by specific muscle groups. Other areas of the face and body such as crows feet wrinkles headaches, colorectal disorders, excessive perspiration disorders of the armpit and hands, and musculoskeletel pain disorders.
BOTOX injections are customized for every patient, depending on his or her particular needs. Theese can be performed in areas involving the eyelid region, forehead, and neck. BOTOX cannot stop the process of aging. It can however, temporarily diminish the look of wrinkles caused by muscle groups. Botox injections may be performed as a singular procedure or as an adjunct to a surgical procedure.
Alternative forms of management include not treating the skin wrinkles by any means. Improvement of skin wrinkles may be accomplished by other treatments or alternative types of surgery such as a blepharoplasty, face or brow lift when indicated. Other forms of eyelid surgery may be needed should you have intrinsic disorders affecting the function of the eyelid such as drooping eyelids from muscle problems (eyelid ptosis) or looseness between the eyelid and eyeball (ectropion). Minor skin wrinkling may be improved through chemical skin-peels, lasers, injection of filling material, or other skin treatments. Risks and potential complications are associated with alternative forms of medical or surgical treatment.
Restylane
Restylane is a stabilized hyaluronic acid used to smooth moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds around the nose and mouth or shape facial contours. Restylane had been FDA approved for the cosmetic treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and soft tissue depressions.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occuring substance that is found within all mammals. It is a material that is contained in various soft tissues. Hyaluronic acid can be synthetically produced from a process of bacterial fermentation, chemically stabilzed, and purified for use as an injectable soft tissue filler (non-animal, stabilized hyaluronic acid, Medicis Aesthetics). The hyaluronic acid in Restylane is biocompatible and is a totally non-animal product; there is little risk of amimal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction.
Restylane injections are customized for every patient, depending on his or her particular needs. These can be performed in areas involving the face and eyelid region, forehead, and lips. Restylane cannot stop the process of aging. It can however, temporarily diminish the look of wrinkles and soft tissue depressions. Restylane injections may be performed as a singular procedure, im combination with other treatments such as BOTOX, or as an adjunct to a surgical procedure. Restylane injections require regional nerve blocks or local anesthetic injections to diminish discomfort. Soft tissue fillers, including Restylane, produce temporary swelling, redness, and needle marks, which resolve after a few days time.
Continuing treatments are necessary in order to maintain the effect of Restylane over time. Restylane once injected will be slowly absorbed by the body. The length of effect for Restylane injections is variable.
Alternative forms of management include not treating the skin wrinkles or soft tissue depressions by any means. Improvement of skin wrinkles and soft tissue depressions may be accomplished by other treatments: laser treatments, chemical skin-peels, dermabrasion, or other skin procedures, alternative types of tissue fillers, or surgery such as blepharoplasty, face or brow lift when indicated. Risks and potential complications are associated with alternative forms of medical or surgical treatment. Take skin care to another level at Aesthetically Yours for a Chevy Chase face lift with Botox or Restylane, also serving patients in Annandale and Reston.
Advisories/Consent Forms
Laser Resurfacing Procedures of Skin
Prolite Vascular and Pigment Consent
Disclaimer
This information is only intended as an introduction to the various procedures. It should not be used to determine whether you will have the procedure performed nor to guarantee the result. The best method of determining your options would be to see a board-certified plastic surgeon for a thorough history and physical examination. Only at this time could your candidacy for any procedure be determined. The information provided is not intended to serve as medical advice.