OUR LATEST NEWS:
Wrinkle Reduction/ Botox/Fillers
BOTOX
Crow's feet, forehead furrows, and frown lines can frequently be treated without surgery using botulinum toxin injections (Botox). Our facial muscles are in constant use- to eat, talk, and create expressions. The continual contraction of muscles, over time, produces wrinkles and furrows that can be accentuated when smiling, squinting, or frowning. These lines produce an aged appearance.
Botox is a purified protein that can be used in a controlled manner to relax muscles that produce wrinkles. By injecting a miniscule amount of the chemical directly into specific muscles, the muscles contract less forcefully and create less folding of the overlying skin. Botox has been used safely for more than 10 years to treat medical conditions that include overactive muscles, and it has now been used safely to produce a more youthful, relaxed, and friendly facial appearance.
The effect of Botox is temporary, lasting from 3 to 6 months. Repeated treatments are needed to continue the effect, but treatments may be stopped at any time. Because the injections are given with very small needles, the discomfort of treatment is minimized.
Wrinkle Reduction
Restylane and Juvederm are facial fillers used to help reduce the signs of aging without surgery. These substances are made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body. Restylane and Juvederm are two different brands of hyaluronic acid designed for injection under the skin. They help fill hollows in the face which result from aging, such as lines under the eyes (also known as tear trough deformity), smile lines and marionette lines. An excellent tool to understand how facial fillers can improve your appearance can be found on the Juvederm website. The effects of treatment fade slowly over time, with most patients requesting retreatment about every six months. One of the most requested uses of Restylane and Juvederm is to provide a more full, plump appearance to lips. This type of treatment usually lasts about three months.
Injection of facial fillers is performed by plastic surgeons and dermatologists. There is an increasing trend whereby non-physicians perform injections under"physician supervision". Physician supervision is in quotation marks, because the supervising physician may not even be in the same building. Before you have an injection, make sure the person treating you is fully qualified to perform the procedure and manage any potential complications. There are many"weekend" courses which teach people to do these injections. Obviously, no weekend course can teach an understanding of complex issues in facial aesthetics acquired through years of formal training in plastic surgery or dermatology. Dr. Kapadia personally performs all Restylane and Juvederm treatments in his practice.
As mentioned previously, Restylane and Juvederm are made of hyaluronic acid, a substance which is found naturally in the human body. Allergic reactions to these medications are rare. While these products have only been FDA approved for a few years, there are already more than one million procedures performed in the United States each year. The most common adverse effect of these treatments is redness and swelling around the injection sites. Skin usually returns to a normal appearance within a few days. A consultation with Dr. Kapadia can help determine if these treatments are right for you. Juvederm and Restylane treatments start at $600.