Do you ever find yourself looking in the mirror and not recognize the face looking back at you? As we age, women may see noticeable changes to the structure of their skin, this is especially true for the face and jowls. Our skin naturally loses elasticity as we age and skin may start to noticeably sag. Let’s not forget that our worry lines and wrinkles may become more prominent too. These changes are unavoidable and can cause many women to lose confidence in their appearance. If you’re tired of trying every face cream or anti-aging product on the market, with little or no results, a liquid facelift may be right for you.

What is a liquid facelift?

A liquid facelift is a procedure performed by a licensed practitioner involving the strategic placement of dermal fillers via injections to problematic areas. This procedure is less invasive than surgical facelifts because there are no incisions necessary to achieve the desired look. Ideally, candidates for a liquid facelift have relatively fewer wrinkles and minimal sagging. Women seeking more dramatic results for excessive skin sagging should consider a surgical facelift to achieve desired results. While the main goal of a liquid facelift is to reduce sagging and wrinkles, it can also be beneficial to:

• Create fuller looking cheeks
• Add plumpness to lips
• Reduce the look of hollowed eyes
• Diminish the appearance of scars
• Tighten the wrinkles surrounding the lips, eyes, and forehead

How does a liquid facelift work?

As we age, the connective tissues in our skin known as collagen and elastin can break down more rapidly. This leads to noticeable wrinkles and lines on the skin. Many see a loss in fat in the face which can cause the face to appear gaunt or hollow. These factors lead many women to appear visibly older and most will search for procedures or products to reverse these effects. Liquid facelifts involve the use of fillers injected into the skin. These injections literally fill in the space between the layers of skin. A liquid facelift will add plumpness to the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin. This procedure is exceptional for any woman who wishes to have a more contoured, fuller looking face.

Target areas for a liquid facelift
While liquid facelifts generally target the face, the fillers can also be used on your hands. Everyone’s procedure is different and depends entirely on the desired results. When focusing on the face

Your dermatologist may target areas such as:

• Jowls
• Cheeks
• Temples
• Eyebrows
• Under eyes
• Folds between the mouth and nose
• scars

What are the risks and side effects involved?

Unlike the more invasive surgical facelifts, a liquid facelift generally has no serious side effects or limitations after the procedure.

Typically there is less bruising than a traditional facelift. However, some light bruising is perfectly fine after receiving the injections. Bruising will typically appear worse if you use blood-thinning medications prior to your procedure or have the injections inserted around the eyes. It is essential you talk to your doctor and discuss all medications you are currently taking, even supplements and vitamins.

After receiving the injections it is not uncommon to experience some pain, swelling, and redness.

Although rare, serious side effects have been reported including:

• Allergic reactions
• Infections caused by bacteria (i.e. staph or strep) entering through the injection site
• Triggering herpes simplex virus (HSV) flare-ups
• Fillers entering blood vessels in the injection sites, which can lead to skin necrosis

It is recommended you always monitor your skin for reactions after injections and report to your doctor if you start to have flu or allergy-like symptoms.

What to expect and how to be prepared for the procedure
Typically a liquid facelift requires very little preparation. Ideally, before arriving the day of the procedure, your skin should be free of:

• Makeup
• Sunburn
• Skin infections or wounds near the injection site

In order to reduce the amount of bruising after the procedure, the following should be avoided at least two days prior to the procedure:

• Alcohol
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen
• Aspirin products

The night before the procedure you’ll need to get plenty of rest. Try to arrive at your appointment early in order to have time to relax and prepare mentally for the procedure. Always consult your doctor to make sure no specific measures need to be taken in order to prepare for your procedure.

Recovery

Typically once your procedure is through you may return to work and normal activities. However, consider taking a day or two off if bruising is worse than anticipated. Some physicians will advise you to ice your face immediately after the procedure to reduce swelling. Your physician may also warn you to avoid strenuous exercise, direct sun exposure, and tanning for at least 24 hours after the procedure. When using fillers such as poly-L-lactic acid, you may be instructed by your doctor to massage the injected areas. Otherwise, avoid touching the injected areas for a minimum of three days after the procedure.

How long does a liquid facelift last?

Results are typically immediate unless your dermatologist used poly-L-lactic acid in which case you’ll see more gradual results over the next couple of weeks. Results will generally last between 6 and 24 months depending on the type of filler used. Repeat procedures are usually recommended to maintain the desired appearance. Discuss with your dermatologist how long your fillers will last and when they recommend you schedule your next procedure.

How much does a liquid facelift cost?

While liquid facelift costs are typically less than a traditional (surgical) facelift, it depends on a few factors including:

• The area your dermatologist or plastic surgeon is located. Prices can vary from city to city.
• The type of filler you decide to go with such as Botox or Juvederm.
• The number of injections expected at the time of treatment.

It’s best to talk with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon in your area for an accurate quote. Unfortunately, since this is an elective cosmetic procedure it is highly unlikely insurance will cover it.

Search for providers in your area today and enjoy a beautiful more youthful-looking complexion with a liquid facelift.

The post Liquid Facelift appeared first on Plastic Surgery Houston | Cosmetic Surgeon & Dermatologist.

How does it work?

Hyper-functional lines result from the contraction of the underlying facial musculature. Clostridium botulinum bacterium has the capacity to produce 7 types of toxins, lettered from A through G, and toxin A is the most familiar to clinicians. Botox® is a neurotoxin produced by bacteria, which is processed to be used in the form of a purified protein. Its mechanism of action is really quite simple: botulinum toxin blocks the transmitters between the nerve and the muscle, weakening the muscle and preventing it from contracting temporarily, but without affecting the sensory feeling in the muscles.

This toxin requires between 24 and 72 hours to act. In many cases, the patient may require up to 7 days to notice the complete effect. On the other hand, the effects of botulinum toxin last 8-12 weeks. Typically, during week 10, patients begin to notice a gradual disappearance of the injection’s effect.

What areas can be treated with Botox?

The most common areas treated with botulinum toxin are the forehead (when there are furrows), the glabella (the region between the eyes), around the corners of the eyes (wrinkles called crow’s feet), around the lips, and wrinkles in the neck.

In which cases can a patient use Botox?

In theory, all facial movements may produce wrinkles. However, ideal patients are those with thin skin and wrinkles that appear with muscle contraction. The patient may perform an easy test: if the wrinkle or line disappears with the pressure of the fingers, they are a good candidate (glabellar spread test).

Likewise, a patient is a good candidate for the procedure if they feel that they appear tired or even angry when they are not, are physically healthy and have realistic expectations, and know that they will look younger but with limitations (which means that the patient should understand that Botox relaxes the wrinkles but does not erase them completely).
Botulinum toxin type A is the safest remedy to remove wrinkles, and it can be combined with other cosmetic anti-aging procedures, including chemical peels, dermal fillers, and others to obtain better results. When these procedures are combined, they can help to prevent the formation of new lines.

The benefits of Botox are unlimited. Each year the use and scope of this injection increases with technology. Generally, patients have shown a high degree of satisfaction with the procedure when performed by an expert.

What are the other uses of Botox?

Besides cosmetic uses, Botox also has important medical uses. Through the years, it has been used for medical purposes. It was initially used to treat strabismus (also called lazy eye), blepharospasm, and cervical dystonia. In 2002, it was approved for aesthetic use, and in 2004 it was approved for another medical condition, hyperhidrosis (commonly called excess sweating). In 2010, Botox was approved to be used as treatment of migraines.

It has also been prescribed to alleviate hemi-facial spasm, spasmodic dysphonia, achalasia, sialorrhea, and urinary incontinence.

In which cases is the use of Botox contraindicated?

Botox shouldn’t be used in patients who have experienced prior cases of allergic reaction to botulinum toxin or albumin, nor should it be used in the case of pregnancy and breastfeeding (since the effects on the baby are unknown), for patients younger than 12 years, or injection into areas with infection, inflammation, or previous surgery. There are relative contraindications like patients with thick skin or deep dermal scarring, preexisting motor neuron disease (e.g., myasthenia gravis, neuropathies, etc.) because underlying weakness can be exacerbated, and local weakness can occur more than expected at injection sites in these patients. Likewise, the coincident administration of aminoglycosides, penicillamine, and quinine, among other drugs, may potentiate the paralysis because they naturally decrease neuromuscular transmission.

How should a patient prepare for a Botox injection?

It is important for the patient to discuss their goals with the doctor, remembering that Botox can improve the appearance, but only in indicated doses. When excessively applied, it can produce health problems and paralysis instead of providing a benefit.

The patient should avoid medication like aspirin or ibuprofen several days before the injection, as these drugs can produce a bruise at the site of the needle injection (this is because these medications alter the blood and increase chances of bleeding). The doctor also needs to know if the patient takes muscle relaxants or sleeping aids, or presents allergies to any medication.

Likewise, the patient should inform the doctor if they have received any type of botulinum toxin injections within the past four months or have had prior facial surgical procedures. Physical examination concentrates on the identification of prior facial surgical sites, the examination of skin qualities (such as elasticity) and the areas that need to be treated, locating hyper-functional lines, and determining the capability to smooth them with the spread test.

A glabellar “spread test” is commonly used before the injection. During this test, the patient or plastic surgeon tries to eliminate the glabellar wrinkles just making pressure with the thumb and index fingers. With this test, they may estimate the benefits that Botox can provide in each particular case.

How much do Botox injections cost?

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says that in 2014, the average cost of botulinum toxin injections was $371. However, the cost can widely vary, depending on extra fees and the amount of Botox that will be injected. Surgeons’ fees always vary according to their experience and qualifications.

What is the procedure of the Botox injection?

Using injections of botulinum toxin is considered by many people to be an easy procedure, but it should only be performed by an experienced healthcare professional. There are more than 40 muscles just in the face, each one with a particular movement, so the person who performs botulinum toxin injections should understand and select correct injection spots to optimize the treatment.

All areas that will be injected should be carefully cleansed with a non-alcohol solution (such as Hibiclens or Betadine). Although most people tolerate injection discomfort well, in some cases, the doctor can first inject a numbing medication into the skin; likewise, a prescription cream can be applied 60 to 90 minutes before the procedure and, in some cases, a blast of very cold air is directed at the treated area for about 10 seconds.

Botulinum toxin A (Botox®) must always be stored at a maximum temperature of -4°C. The toxin generally is mixed with 2.5 mL of 0.9% non-preserved sterile saline solution. A special needle should be used to inject small amounts of botulinum toxin into specific muscles. At this point, the surgeon should be careful to inject only the muscles which are producing wrinkles to preserve the natural facial expressions of the patients.

Treatment with botulinum toxin injections in most patients takes 15 minutes, but procedure time can vary. The amount of injections that each patient needs will depend on their facial features and the extent of their wrinkles.

For example, if the patient desires just to treat the crow’s feet, 2 or 3 injections are usually enough, but the furrows above the brow could need five or more. Patients with big muscles also require higher doses of Botox®. Additionally, in some cases, it may be necessary to apply 2 or 3 sessions of Botox in order to to erase deeper wrinkles before obtaining the desired results. Injections of the upper face and periocular region are usually performed with the patient’s face in a vertical position (seated).

– Horizontal forehead lines: These lines are relatively easy to treat, and in most cases, the result is satisfactory. The function of the frontalis muscle is to elevate the eyebrows and move the skin of the forehead. A total paralysis of this muscle should be avoided; if it occurs, the patient will have a brow ptosis and experience loss of forehead expression. In the same way, when the injection is performed near the lateral eyebrow, it may cause lateral eyebrow ptosis.

In the case of these lines, more injections should be used with small amounts of Botox®. Generally, the plastic surgeon uses between 3 and 5 injections on each side of the midline, and the injection sites should be separated between 1 and 2 cm. The first injection is usually performed 1 cm over the eyebrow, and the other injections are performed to form a “V” shape in the eyebrow.

– Crow’s feet (medically termed “lateral canthal lines”): In this case, the plastic surgeon should inject the lateral fibers of the orbicularis oculi muscle, which are distributed in circles. In the case of crow’s feet, the plastic surgeon applies approximately 3 or 4 injections in the border of the orbit. Injections sites may be separated for at least 0.5 to 1 cm.

The complication, in this case, occurs when injections are performed in a wrong place, as then the patient may suffer eyelid ptosis or diplopia.

– Glabellar region: This region is mainly moved by the corrugator supercilii muscle. Each muscle receives an injection. A part of the injection is performed near the muscle’s origin, and the other part is injected in the muscle belly.

– Nasolabial: This area is difficult for the plastic surgeon to treat, and therefore, offers mixed results. A lot of doctors do not use botulinum toxin in this area due to a high risk of upper lip paresis.

– Platysma (neck): Platysmal bands can be treated with the direct injection of botulinum toxin into the band of the muscle affected. When the band is identified, the botulinum toxin should be injected with between 1 and 3 cm of separation along the platysma.

What is the post-injection care?

During the procedure, the patient doesn’t need to be under anesthesia, and there is no recovery time for botulinum toxin injections. The patient may resume their normal activities immediately. However, the patient is asked to remain upright for 2 to 3 hours and not to massage the injected areas after the procedure to prevent spreading the toxin to other areas of the face. If this happens, the patient could have temporary facial weakness or drooping.

Which are the side effects and complications of a Botox injection?

This procedure is usually safe when performed by a plastic surgeon. However, among the side effects and complications of botulinum toxin can be included bruising, infection, redness and pain at the treated area, symptoms of flu, headache, and even temporary facial drooping.

Another complication, which occurs especially when the patient isn’t careful during post-injection recovery, is that the toxin spreads beyond the treatment area, causing changes in the shape of the face; likewise, it can cause muscular weakness in other non-injected parts of the body. In these cases, the disease known as botulism appears (disease caused by the unprocessed toxin). Symptoms of this disease may include breathing and swallowing problems, and even muscular weakness in other muscles of the body that were not injected. In serious cases, the patient may present slurred speech, incontinence, and vision problems. In those cases, the patient should seek medical assistance immediately.

Are Botox injection results permanent?

The effect of botulinum toxin injections starts a few days after the procedure, and, according to the treated area and the number of injections, effects may last between 3 and 12 months. To maintain the effect, the patient may need regular follow-up injections. Some patients will require additional procedures to obtain their desired results; likewise, they may use other fillers to completely plump the wrinkles, which are easier to treat now that they are relaxed.

Dr. Amjadi MD, DDS, FACS

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons

915 Gessner Rd #870

Houston, TX 77024

713-465-6198

The post Botox appeared first on Plastic Surgery Houston | Cosmetic Surgeon & Dermatologist.

Dysport received the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a wrinkle treatment in 2009. So nowadays, it is also effective to improve the appearance of severe creases; which are located in the glabellar region (between eyebrows), in patients 65 years or less for temporarily. However, this injection was originally developed in the 90’s to treat neuromuscular disorders, like the abnormal head position and neck pain that happens with cervical dystonia (CD) and spasticity in the arms in adults.

Dysport is similar to Botox; although according to researchers it works better than Botox, at least on certain parts of the face, and may be faster-acting and longer- lasting. Recently, a study was designed to figure out which drug (Botox or Dysport) could be best for smooth out crow’s feet wrinkles that extend from around the eyes. Participants had one side of their face injected with Dysport and the other with Botox.

Dysport proved to be superior in reducing the crow’s feet wrinkles when the patients contracted their facial muscles as much as they could. In addition, two-thirds of the participants preferred the results on the side of the face treated with Dysport. Moreover, another research suggests that Dysport spreads farther from the injection site, allowing treating a bigger area of wrinkles with fewer injections. This can be seen like an advantage, but it can cause serious life-threatening side effect when it spreads to other body areas.

Whenever the face makes a movement (like a smile, squint or frown) the facial muscles contract and the skin over those muscles creases; those creases disappear when the facial movements stop (dynamic wrinkles). While a person gets older, his/her skin loses its elasticity. His/ Her creases can become static or permanent.

In which cases is the use of Dysport contraindicated?

The patient should not undergo Dysport treatment if he/she has presented prior allergies to botulinum toxin products or cow’s milk. Other contraindications are if the patient has an infection, weakness in the muscles, or swelling especially in the parts of the body that will be treated with Dysport.

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-ALS, myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, a breathing disease (like asthma or emphysema), problems with swallowing, weakness in facial muscles (such as ptosis of the upper eyelids, weakness in the forehead, difficult to raise the eyebrows), a seizure disorder, bleeding problems, heart disease, diabetes, has had or is going to have surgeries coming soon (especially facial surgeries), or has had prior injections of any product of botulinum toxin line (especially if those treatments has been made in the lasts 4 months), may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive Dysport.

It is unknown if Dysport can effect a baby if the patient uses this product while she is pregnant or is planning to become pregnant soon, she should inform this condition to the plastic surgeon. And if the patient is breastfeeding they should inform the plastic surgeon because it is unknown whether or not it can be passed on through the milk.

How much do the Dysport injections cost?

Dysports are commonly comparable to Botox and in some cases it can be slightly lower. Exact price points are not available. This is because the use of Dysport was recently approved in the U.S.A; however some experts say that Dysport cost $6 per unit, without including the extra costs (like medical fees).

What is the procedure of Dysport injection?

Dysport is injected directly into the muscles that cause the facial wrinkles, immobilizing them temporarily. This product is used specifically in the glabellar muscles. The injection is performed to one to three centimeters of the site to be treated because it tends to diffuse a bit farther from the injection point (the Botox spreads one centimeter).

This means that fewer injections are needed, but also it means that the plastic surgeon must be skilled to ensure that the drug does not spread to nearby muscles and cause and/or eye drooping or other unwanted side effects

Usually, only three to five injections are needed to treat glabellar lines. Most people find the injections almost painless, so a local anesthetic is not usually needed; however, the patient can request an anesthetic or numbing cream prior to treatment. It is a quick procedure; the treatment session typically lasts less than 15 minutes.

Are Dysport injections results permanent?

The results or the full effect of treatment begins to appear within one to seven days after the injection (three days in average), as the muscles gradually relax. Dysport injection contains less protein than Botox, so the body tends to break it down more slowly; nevertheless, specialists say the results lasts longer than Botox. A large clinical trial reported that the effects lasted more than 13 months in some people, compared with Botox results, which can last up to four months. It is important to know that the patient should not be treated with Dysport with less frequency than 90 days; if the patient switches his/her plastic surgeon, then he/she should inform the new plastic surgeon when the last botoulinum toxin injection was.

Which are the side effects and complications of Dysport injection?

The effect of Dysport can extend to other areas of the body where it was not injected; which can cause serious adverse reactions, even life-threatening. This makes it extremely important to follow all surgeon recommendations and be completely honest about his/her medical records.The patient must call his/her doctor if he/she has severe side effects like hives, breathing difficulty and feeling like he/she might pass out, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Likewise, the patient can present trouble talking, or swallowing, changes in the voice, ptosis in the upper eyelids, problems with vision, important weakness in the muscles, incontinence, severe generalized rash, irregularities in the heartbeats, pain in the chest that may extend to the arm or shoulder in the same side, general discomfort, and less severe symptoms as discomfort, pain, swelling, and redness in the site where the injection was performed, even several weeks after having it.

Dysport is made from human plasma (part of the blood) and may contain viruses and other infectious agents. Although the donated plasma is tested and treated to reduce the risk of containing infectious agents, there is still a small possibility it could transmit disease.

Dr. Amjadi MD, DDS, FACS

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons

915 Gessner Rd #870

Houston, TX 77024

713-465-6198

The post Dysport appeared first on Plastic Surgery Houston | Cosmetic Surgeon & Dermatologist.

Why Get a Forehead Lift?

A forehead lift can be compared to an artist putting the final touches on a work of art. The true art is in the detail. Many people strive to achieve the optimum look for themselves and a forehead lift adds a finishing touch that makes a great difference. By surgically removing excess skin and fat in these areas, a person can obtain amazing results. It is for those seeking to improve self-esteem and confidence and who desire to achieve a more symmetrical and evenly shaped face. A forehead lift is also for those seeking to exude a look of rejuvenation and youth. By eliminating forehead wrinkles and sagging eyebrows, the face will achieve a more uplifted look that will in turn provide a youthful and tighter look.

Consultation

As with any cosmetic procedure, the process starts by first finding a surgeon that meets your requirements and expectations. Once you have picked a surgeon, the next step is to set up a time to sit and talk about the procedure and what results you hope to achieve through the surgery. Your surgeon will explain the procedure in detail as well as any associated risks. It is also at this time that your surgeon will schedule you for your procedure if you are deemed to be a good candidate for the procedure.

Procedure

The procedure refers to the actual surgery that will take place. The process begins by reducing pain and maximizing comfort through the use of general or local anesthesia. Once the sedation process is complete, the surgeon will proceed to make all needed incisions. In terms of a forehead lift, the incisions will most likely be made in the forehead and eyebrow areas. The surgeon may remove excess skin or fat in these areas in order to achieve the specified look. Once all incisions and adjustments have been made, the surgeon will suture the area.

Recovery

Recovery time refers to the time that it takes for a person to heal from the procedure. This time, frame will vary from person to person but it may range from a few days to a few weeks. During this time, you may experience pain, swelling or discomfort of the operated areas. It may also take a few days after the surgery for any actual results to be apparent. It is important to inform your surgeon of any unexpected or erratic symptoms at this time. Prolonged swelling or bruising could be an indication of infection and should be brought to your surgeons’ attention. Bleeding sutures should also be mentioned. Your surgeon may also schedule several follow-up appointments to check on the progress of your recovery. It is important to disclose any concerns you may have to your surgeon at this time including if you achieved your desired results.

Risks

As with all cosmetic procedures, it is important to discuss all associated risks in order to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks. Although the forehead lift procedure is considered to be low risk, there are still some factors to consider. Anesthesia is a common concern for many people considering surgery. It is important to communicate to your surgeon any past complications that you have had with anesthetics. It is also prudent to correlate with your primary care physician to obtain your medical history. Risks of anesthesia include but are not limited to; heart failure, low blood pressure, and allergic reactions. Another concern is the incisions themselves. The risks associated with the actual incisions are; pain, swelling, infection, fever, and bruising. It is important to assess all these risks and make an educated decision before proceeding with any procedure.

Benefits

Now that the risks have been examined, we can begin to delve into the benefits of a forehead lift procedure. To begin the procedure is designed to provide a tighter and more youthful look by removing excess skin and fat. The procedure also helps lift the eye brow area removing the saggy look that is exhibited through age. This procedure allows you to obtain the result you desire for your face without having to constantly be buying expensive creams and lotions. The procedure is also beneficial for those suffering from extreme wrinkles and lines in the forehead and who have not had results from conventional methods. This procedure is considered to be a fairly low risk in comparison to other cosmetic procedures.

Conclusion

In the end, it really comes down to how you desire your overall facial region to be. For many the forehead is not a pressing concern when compared to the nose or the cheeks. For others, however, the forehead is a central focal point of the face. Age and environmental factors can cause wrinkles and lines that are not easy to be rid of with creams and lotions. The forehead lift procedure focuses on specifically tightening the forehead and brow areas in order to tighten the skin all while removing excess and flabby skin that may be undesirable. If conventional methods have failed, then you may stand to gain from this procedure. The results will be a tighter and younger looking forehead that will help boost your confidence and self-esteem.

Dr. Amjadi MD, DDS, FACS

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons

915 Gessner Rd #870

Houston, TX 77024

713-465-6198

The post Forehead Lift appeared first on Plastic Surgery Houston | Cosmetic Surgeon & Dermatologist.

Juvederm is a product developed using the Hylacross technology; which allows to obtain a smoother consistency gel against other hyaluronic gel products, which have granular consistency. The Hylacross technology refers to the manufacturing process; unlike the use by Restylane and Perlane it does not break up the crosslinked hyaluronic acid into various sizes. It is a bacterial fermentation process that produces a final product with blended particle sizes.

Hyaluronic acid is a normal substance found in the body. It holds the water at the injection site and acts as a cushioning agent, which adds temporary volume and a smoother appearance to the skin. The family of Juvederm products was approved in June 2006 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

What are the benefits of Juvederm?

With the Hylacross technology, Juvederm contains the highest concentration of HA on the market (24mg/mL), which means that the effects of Juvederm will last longer. It has a higher degree of cross-linking (90%), which has a direct impact on how long the product lasts in the skin. The more cross-linking a filler has, the longer the product will last in the skin.

The smoother consistency of Juvederm helps it flow easily for a smooth injection, allowing the plastic surgeon to be more precise with the injections, without needing to use a lot of pressure to push the gel out. Some Juvederm products like Juvederm XC, Juvederm Ultra XC, and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC, also contain anesthetic lidocaine to help further improve the comfort of the injections both during and after the treatment.

When is the use of Juvederm recommended?

In patients who want to soften deep folds and reduce wrinkles in the face for more time, (up to one year) it is a great option. This product temporarily adds volume to the skin around the nose and mouth; for this reason, its most popular use is removing nasolabial folds, or “smile lines”.

The patient should understand that hyaluronic acid treatments will help to improve his/her appearance temporarily, but it is not a permanent solution and it won’t stop the aging process.

The family of Juvederm products offers a lot of treatment options, so the patient should discuss with his/her plastic surgeon which one is recommended for his/her particular case.
Juvederm XC is a non-surgical filler, and it is typically used to instantly smooth out moderate to severe lines along the sides of the nose and mouth; providing natural-looking results that may last up to one year with optimal treatment. Meanwhile, Juvederm Voluma XC is the first injectable gel approved by the FDA to correct age-related volume loss in the cheek area (for people over 21). This product can add volume, creating contour and lift for up to two years with optimal treatment.

Regarding Juvederm ultra, the product is thin and less viscous, thus making it appropriate for being an intradermal injection to address fine wrinkles and scars. Some experts recommend Juvederm Ultra plus for volume filling of the lips and reshaping the face, since it provides more dramatic results and lasts much longer.

How does Juvederm work?

Juvederm offers appropriate cosmetic and plastic surgery results because Hyaluronic’s acid can absorb up to 1,000 times its own weight in water; this allows it to add new volume under the surface of sagging skin. Likewise, hyaluronic acid combines with collagen and the elastin, allowing movement of more basic nutrients into the skin, and faces that look old can take a more youthful aspect.

How much does Restylane cost?

The cost of Juvederm can vary according to several factors. These factors include the medical fees, the extension of the treatment, and the type of product among others. However, the average cost of Juvederm is relatively reasonable. Juvederm syringes come in different sizes to treat different areas of the face; smaller areas would require less product.

For example, to treat smile lines around the lips, the plastic surgeon may require one or two syringes of Juvederm, this costs approximately $450 to $600 per syringe ($1200 in total). But, the finer lines may be treated with smaller (and less expensive) syringes.

What is the preparation for a Juvederm injection?

In the first consultation with the plastic surgeon, the patient should express his/her desired results. The surgeon will evaluate his/her facial appearance and skin tone to discuss  all the areas of the face that can be treated with Juvederm.

It is advised to stop taking anti-inflammatory medications or aspirin one to three days prior to a Juvederm treatment. The patient should not wear any make-up the day of Juvederm treatment.

There is no pre-treatment allergy test required, except for patients with a history of severe allergies, the treatment may not be considered appropriate.

What is the procedure of Juvederm injection?

Juvederm® treatment is quite simple and is similar to other dermal fillers/wrinkle reducers. It is injected into the area of the wrinkles and creases with minimal discomfort. The typical treatment session is about thirty minutes long.

Juvederm® is packed in a sterile, ready-to-use syringe. Because of the smooth gel consistency of Juvederm®, it is more comfortable for the patient than other dermal fillers (thinner needles are used and less pressure is applied during injection). However in sensitive patients, the plastic surgeon will numb the area of the face to be treated with a topical anesthetic cream to minimize the chance of discomfort.

What are the Juvederm post-injection cares?

After Juvederm® treatment, the experts say that it is best not to unnecessarily touch or massage the treated area for a few days. However, normal make-up and skin care routines can still be performed (maybe depending on your case). It is also advised to avoid unnecessary exposure to heat, cold, and sun for up to two weeks following the injections. It is important that the patient wears sunscreen and avoids the use of any products that contain alcohol on the face.

Most patients need one treatment to achieve optimal results, just in some cases (rarely) the patients may need a follow-up treatment to fill in any lines or wrinkles that were missed during the first treatment.

Which are the side effects and complications of Juvederm injection?

Juvederm injectable gel should not be used in patients who have severe allergies marked by a history of anaphylaxis or multiple severe allergies. Likewise, it should not be used in patients with a history of allergies to Gram-positive bacterial proteins. In the specific case of Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC, they should not be used in patients with a history of allergies to lidocaine.

The most common Juvederm side effects are mild in nature and short-lived, usually resolving in 7 days or less. The side effects can range from redness, pain/tenderness, firmness, swelling, lumps/bumps, bruising, itching, discoloration, and to a risk of infection.

Are Restylane injections results permanent?

Its effects are immediate and long-lasting. Because of its cross-linked composition and viscous gel consistency, Juvederm® integrates into the body at a markedly slower rate than other dermal fillers. Thus, the average patients enjoy the results for six to nine months, though some patients have had results lasting for as long as a year.
Some patients may wish to combine Juvederm® filler with BOTOX® Cosmetic for an even more dramatic effect.

Dr. Amjadi MD, DDS, FACS

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons

915 Gessner Rd #870

Houston, TX 77024

713-465-6198

The post Juvederm appeared first on Plastic Surgery Houston | Cosmetic Surgeon & Dermatologist.