DERMAL FILLERS:
As we age, the tissues and structures of our face begin to lose their volume beneath the skin. Fillers restore volume to our facial structures so we regain the contours of youth that plump the lips, unfurrow brows, smooth deep lines and erase fine lines and wrinkles through a non-surgical means. Results can last from 4-12 months depending on the product and the area treated. 1.1 million fillers were performed in 2007 (35% increase from 2006)
JUVEDERM® are examples of a dermal filler. They are a bio-degradable non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid. They are used in lips, deep lines and wrinkles, scars, cheeks and deep depressions lasting up to a year.
Juvéderm® Ultra and Juvéderm® Ultra Plus are new smooth consistency gels. Their active ingredient, hyaluronic acid, is a natural substance already present in your body that provides volume, hydration, and fullness to the skin. Juvéderm® is unique to other dermal fillers in that it has the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid available and is the first hyaluronic acid filler available in a smooth gel formulation.
Is Juvéderm® FDA approved?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Juvéderm® for the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, the lines between the nose and mouth. Two formulations of Juvéderm®were approved by the FDA, Juvéderm Ultra® and Juvéderm Ultra Plus®, allowing for greater customization and flexibility in the treatment of each patient.
How does Juvéderm® work?
The ability of cells to produce hyaluronic acid diminishes with age, resulting in the formation of wrinkles and folds as the skin loses volume. Juvéderm® gel is injected into the skin in tiny amounts to replace lost volume, lifting up and smoothing out unwanted wrinkles.
Is an allergy test required?
No pre-test is needed. Juvéderm® is a natural, biodegradable substance of non-animal origin.
Which areas of the face can be treated with Juvéderm®?
Juvéderm®can be used for smoothing out folds and wrinkles. The most common areas are the nasolabial folds (from the root of the nose to the angle of the mouth) and marionette lines. Ask Dr. Chopra which treatment areas are appropriate for you.
What can I expect after the Juvéderm® treatment?
Immediately after the treatment, you can expect slight redness, swelling, tenderness or an itching sensation in the treated area. This is a normal result of the Juvéderm® injection. The discomfort is temporary and generally disappears in a few days. After a lip treatment, the lips may become swollen. This can persist for a few days (up to one week).
What precautions will I need to take after my treatment with Juvéderm?
During the first 48 hours after your Juvéderm treatment, do not massage or rub the treated area. If you have had a lip enhancement, avoid puckering your lips for the first two days after the treatment. Until the initial swelling and redness have resolved, do not expose the treated area to intense heat (e.g. in a solarium or by sunbathing) or extreme cold.
Are there any side-effects associated with Juvéderm?
Injection-related reactions such as swelling, redness and tenderness might occur. Other types of reactions are very rare, but about 1 in 2000 treated patients have experienced localized reactions thought to be of a hypersensitive nature. These have usually consisted of swelling or redness at the injection site, sometimes affecting the surrounding tissues.
How long do the results of Juvéderm injection last?
It has been shown in clinical trials that Juvéderm is effective for up to one year, but individual results may vary.
BOTOX ®
Approved by the FDA, Botox® as a safe and effective treatment for wrinkles and frown lines. It reverses the signs of aging caused by repetitive muscle movements that create the wrinkle, soothing the skin and virtually eliminating vertical lines between the brows, horizontal lines across the forehead and laugh lines around the eyes. With a few tiny injections, the lines will fade quickly and results usually last up to 4 to 6 months. You can expect to look younger and less tired. There is minimal discomfort and no recovery time necessary. Botox® has been in use for over 18 years with no major side effects. It is the most widely researched medication in the world with over 6 million injections in 2007 alone! It is also the most popular cosmetic procedure over any including surgery in the entire U.S. for 4 years running now. It is reasonable priced making it affordable and safe.
What is Botox®?
Botox® Cosmetic, is a refreshingly simple and safe non-surgical treatment, which provides dramatic results.
Used for over 20 years, Botox® is an excellent non-surgical form of facial rejuvenation and is capable of producing improvement in your appearance. By far the most highly requested and performed facial rejuvenation technique, Botox® is considered the elixir of facial youth. Unlike injectable fillers such as collagen and fat transfers that fill in wrinkles or depressions, Botox® Cosmetic works by relaxing the muscles of facial expression so that the facial skin is smooth, relaxed, and natural looking.
The specific risks and the suitability of Botox® injections for you can be determined only at the time of your consultation with Dr. Chopra. At our office, Dr. Chopra meticulously performs the procedures himself, using advanced techniques he perfected while at Harvard Medical School.
Common Reasons for Considering Botox Treatment (FDA approved on-label treatment):
•Vertical “frown lines” between your eyebrows
•Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) of the underarm
General Procedure
First, an anesthetic cream or ice can be applied on your skin prior to treatment. Next, a highly concentrated solution of Botox® is injected into the areas of wrinkling. The result is the underlying facial muscles relax and the skin begins to smooth out. After being injected with Botox®, it can take two to seven days for it to take effect and the wrinkles will lessen over a six to twelve week period. The effects of a Botox® treatment will last approximately three to four months after which the patient may choose to repeat the procedure, if they want to maintain the aesthetic benefits achieved.
If you have deep creases in the skin, due to excessive muscle pull, sun damage, or from aging, Botox® may not completely eradicate these types of wrinkles. During your consultation, the areas amenable to improvement with Botox® will be pointed out to you.
Recovery Process
Upon completion of the procedure, an ice pack may be placed on the area treated. Patients generally return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure. Patients should avoid engaging in heavy physical exercise, applying cosmetics, or laying down flat for a minimum of four hours after the injections. It is also advisable to avoid rubbing or massaging the injected area for at least 24 hours.