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Many people are not ready for surgical intervention for wrinkle treatment and prefer to have small treatments over time that allow them to return to work without anyone noticing they have had anything done. Botox has gotten a lot of press over the last few years for its effects and how quickly its benefits can be achieved. It's primary use in cosmetic surgery is to decrease wrinkles in the skin.
Botox is a naturally occurring protein that is purified in the laboratory. It binds to nerve endings preventing them from stimulating muscle contraction. Certain muscles in the face are responsible for wrinkles that many find unattractive. Typical treatment areas include the forehead, the frown lines at the root of the nose and the so called "laugh lines" around the eyes. When the muscles responsible for these lines cannot contract, the wrinkles in the skin disappear. Over time (3-4 months in most individuals), Botox wears off and the wrinkles return. With continued use however, the muscles become weaker from prolonged inactivity and the lines are less noticeable when the Botox wears off.
Treatment consists of applying a topical anesthetic cream to the skin for 10 minutes followed by small injections of Botox using the smallest available needle. Drs. Richards and Jabs expertly place the precise amount of Botox needed to treat the muscles, thus removing the wrinkles from the skin. The treated area is may be slightly pink for one to two hours after injection. This typically settles down quickly with the light application of ice. Massage of the area is restricted for 24 hours. Noticeable improvement begins in 7 to 10 days and usually lasts 3 to 4 months.
Commensurate with our philosophy of personalized care, all Botox treatments are performed by Dr. Jabs or Dr. Richards. We believe you deserve the care of a seasoned professional surgeon for even minor procedures such as this. We look forward to meeting you and discussing if Botox is right for you.
The quest for a safe, reliable, long lasting soft tissue filler has resulted in various substances being tried with differing results. The goal is to have an injectable substance that is virtually the same as the body’s natural soft tissue. It should be non allergenic, non colored, and not cause lumpiness when properly placed. In addition, it should last a long time between needing to be injected again.
Over the years various substances have been tried with various amounts of success. We are closer today than we have ever been in finding the "perfect" filler. For some locations (fat depressions, lips) your own fat, harvested from any area where you have some extra works well. This does require “harvesting” the fat (a small procedure done under local anesthesia) and not being able to predict accurately how much of the fat will remain over time. The big plus is you are using your own, natural soft tissue filler.
For most people who want to keep it simple, Juvederm and Juvederm Ultra www.juvedermusa.com are the best choices. These compounds are made up of the same molecules (hyaluronic acid) found in your skin that provide the "plumpness" that is associated with youth. They are crystal clear and can be injected with minimal discomfort using topical anesthetics. They last up to one year and give excellent results in reducing moderate to severe wrinkles and folds found on the face. Give our office a call (301.493.4334 or 703.506.0683) to learn more about the latest in fillers.
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