BOTOX®
BOTOX® injections are the fastest-growing cosmetic procedures in the industry,
according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).
In 2001, more than 1.6 million people received injections, an increase of
46 percent over the previous year. BOTOX® acts by
temporarily paralyzing
underlying musculature to smooth unwanted wrinkles and provide a more
youthful appearance.
Collagen is part of the natural support structure of the skin. After the age of 30,
collagen decreases at a rate of about 1% per year. However, sun exposure
over one's lifetime dramatically affects collagen and is responsible for
most of the loss of elasticity and fullness of the skin which occurs with
aging. Collagen replacement therapy replenishes the skin's collagen layer, smoothing lines,
wrinkles and scars, and adding definition
to lip borders from the inside
out.
Collagen
replacement therapy can offer excellent immediate results. However, like
your own collagen, your body will eventually absorb this and ongoing
treatment is necessary to maintain results. Treatments generally last 3-4
months, but each individual re-absorbs the collagen at varying rates, so
results can be different. Injections are performed in the office and can
be done on your lunch hour.
Collagen is now
available without test injection for compatibility. For more
information visit inamed.com.
Alloderm is a
prepackaged acellular human dermal matrix that provides natural volume
replacement. Alloderm is purified to remove cells thereby eliminating
concerns for rejection and disease transmission. Once the Alloderm graft
is in place, it gradually becomes a natural part of your body, effectively
replacing lost facial volume. For more information visit lifecell.com.
Sculptra™
Sculptra™
is a polymer of lactic acid that is used for extensive volume replacement
of the face due to subcutaneous fat loss and dermal atrophy. Currently it
is FDA approved for volume replacement in HIV-related fat atrophy, though
given its characteristics, it is likely to fine an ever-growing off-label
use in large scale volume replacement of the aging face. Studies show that
Sculptra™ lasts 2 years.
back to top
Lip augmentation
A variety of
techniques are now available for lip enhancement. Collagen,
Restylane™, and Radiesse™ injections are available as office procedures.
Fat grafting, Alloderm and Lip implantation are also available. Dr.
Slack will address your goals and provide expertise as to the relative
merits of the options.
Fat Injections
Fat grafting fills
facial features with a patient's own fat. The fat used for fat transfer is
extracted from part of your body like the abdomen or thighs and injected
into another area that requires plumping. Since the fat is your own,
a significant portion of the fat becomes permanent, and therefore it
eliminates the need for constant reinjections, as with many other
materials. Fat grafting also
allows a greater volume replacement at a lesser cost than other
potentially permanent injectables.
Restylane™
Restylane™
is an approved temporary facial filler market. It is FDA approved as a facial filler and for laryngeal augmentation. It is also used off-label as a filler to rejuvenate hands. It
is a hyaluronic acid derivative, a substance that is produced in bones, therefore no test injection is required. Restylane™ lasts
approximately 12-15 months, but like collagen there is variability in an
individual’s absorption rate. For more information on Restylane, visit restylane.com.
For
examples Facial Filler before and after images, please click here.
Juvederm™
Juvederm™
is a hydroxyapatite based facial filler similar to Restylane™. It is used in the same applications and lasts approximately 6 months though variability in absorption rate can be seen. For more information on Juvederm, visit www.juvederm.com.
For
examples Facial Filler before and after images, please click here.
Radiesse™
Radiesse™
is an injectable filler that is gaining great appeal in the facial filler
market. It is currently not FDA approved as a facial filler though
its off- label use is growing. It is FDA approved for use in
laryngeal augmentation. It is a hydroxyapatite-based formulation,
which is the material in bones. It lasts 12-24 months. For more information on
Radiesse™ visit bioforminc.com.
For
examples Facial Filler before and after images, please click here.
back to top
