Botox, Juvederm, Kybella, and Dermal Fillers - Merrick, New York

Botox

What is Botox? Botox® is an FDA-approved injectable that temporarily reduces the appearance of crow’s feet and frown lines. Botox is created from the bacteria that causes botulism. However, it contains only a minimal, purified amount.

When Botox is administered into the skin, it blocks the nerve activity in the targeted muscles, causing a temporary reduction in muscle activity and motion. When the muscle can no longer contract, the crease or line above it relaxes and softens due to lack of use.

Is Botox safe? At least 78 countries offer cosmetic treatments involving Botox. Botox was first approved by the FDA in the 1980s for treating specific ailments, such as uncontrolled blinking and lazy eye.

After an extensive scientific study, the FDA approved Botox in April 2002 for cosmetic treatment of frown lines between the eyebrows. Botox is also commonly used for treating other areas of the face, and millions of Americans receive the treatments annually.

What should I expect during a Botox treatment? A Botox injection takes a short amount of time and requires no anesthesia. Expert injector Mena inserts a fine needle into the target area and injects the Botox. There is a slight pinch, but usually little pain or discomfort. You may use an ice pack for a few minutes on the treatment area after the injection to reduce any possible swelling or discomfort.

Does Botox treatment require any downtime? You don’t have to take any time off work or school following a Botox session. You can even schedule the injections at your lunch hour and go about your daily activities right afterward.

You may have light bruising or redness at the injections sights, but these side effects fade within a day or two.

How long do the effects of Botox injections last? Results from Botox varies from 3-4 months for fine lines and wrinkles. As muscle action gradually returns, the lines and wrinkles begin to reappear. However, fine lines and wrinkles often appear less severe when they return. You can maintain your new, softer look with regular retreatments.

Juvederm

How do Juvederm injectables work? The Juvederm products contain hyaluronic acid (HA). This natural substance that your body produces a lot of in your youth provides your skin with nutrients while helping the treated area retain moisture and suppleness. As you get older, your production of hyaluronic acid reduces -- leaving you with visible wrinkles, lines, sagging skin, and hollow contours. Juvederm provides hyaluronic acid in a gel form for application to areas of your face that need rejuvenation, plumping, and wrinkle reduction.

Which areas can I have treated? Juvederm works to lift and smooth your cheeks or the areas around your mouth. You can also use Juvederm to plump your lips. Juvederm may also address parentheses lines and smile lines, as well as crow’s feet and forehead lines.

Are the injections painful? Most formularies of Juvederm are made with lidocaine. This numbing agent minimizes any pain and discomfort you may feel. But you might have some initial stinging from the needle. If you’re worried about the slight stinging, Mena or a member of the team can apply a topical cream to numb the area ahead of time. You can also apply ice to the treatment area to further numb your skin. This can also minimize your chances of feeling anything during your treatment.

When will I see results and how long do they last? Juvederm gives you instant results -- you’ll see an improvement as soon as you look in the mirror. Give yourself 1-2 days to heal from the injections to allow any swelling to go down. Once the swelling subsides, you will feel rejuvenated. Most patients prefer to get fillers 2-3 times per year for more lasting results. After the effects gradually disappear, you can receive additional treatments in the same areas.

Kybella

What is Kybella? Kybella is a prescription injectable that reduces excess fat or fullness under the chin. It contains the active ingredient deoxycholic acid, which is a naturally occurring molecule that aids in the breakdown of dietary fat.

When injected underneath the chin, the medication destroys fat cells permanently, and they’re naturally evacuated from your body using your waste removal systems.

Who is a candidate for Kybella? Kybella reduces excess fat in the chin area. You might be a good candidate if:

• You feel excess fat under your chin makes you look heavier or older than you actually are
• You’re self-conscious or embarrassed by fat under your chin
• You don’t want to have surgery to correct the fullness
• Kybella is a good choice if you have tried but can’t reduce submental fullness despite exercise and dieting efforts.

Mena applies several small injections under your chin. The procedure lasts about 15-20 minutes and is well-tolerated by most people. Exactly how many injections you receive depends on the amount of fat under your chin and your desired aesthetic goals.

How many Kybella treatments will I need to notably reduce chin fat? Mena customizes a treatment plan for you, depending on your desired profile and how your body responds. In general, however, most people receive between three and six treatments, each spaced about one month apart.

What recovery time is associated with Kybella? Recovery from Kybella treatments is minimal and requires no prescribed downtime. Expect to experience mild swelling, bruising, or temporary numbness under your chin for a week or two following treatment. Compared to alternative chin-reduction treatments, such as liposuction, the downtime is easy.

How long do the effects of Kybella last? The chin-reducing effects of Kybella are permanent. The fat cells are destroyed and eliminated from the body, so they cannot re-plump or regenerate. If you gain a notable amount of weight, however, other fat cells in the area may swell, so maintain a healthy lifestyle following Kybella treatment.

Dermal Fillers and Radiesse

What are dermal fillers? Dermal fillers are a noninvasive therapy that restores fullness and volume to the face. Dermal fillers are also a great choice to diminish facial lines that occur because of aging. As you age, your skin loses a lot of subcutaneous fat, meaning that your facial muscles are closer to the surface of the skin. This allows certain lines to show through, making you look older and perhaps decrease your self-esteem.

Who can use dermal fillers? Dermal fillers are a good way for people with thinner lips, shallow contours, facial wrinkles, recessed scars, and creases like crow's feet and smiles lines to improve their appearance. They can even be used as a tool to improve sunken jawlines, cheeks, temples, and hands.

Generally, patients who are in their 30s-50s will see the best results.

What are the different types of dermal fillers? One of the most popular natural fillers is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a compound your skin produces to attract water to cells and to boost plumpness and hydration in the skin. As you get older, your production of hyaluronic acid diminishes. Dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid replace what’s lost to improve your look.

Some of the most popular brand names of this type of injection that are offered at Boost Your Beauty Medispa include Juvederm®, Juvederm Voluma®, and Juvederm Vollure™ -- each works best at a specific treatment site. Expert injector Mena can help determine exactly which filler is best for your goals. Generally, natural fillers are not permanent, and their results last from about six months to a couple of years. However, it’s simple to get follow-up injections to refresh your results.

You may also take advantage of the dermal filler Radiesse®. You see immediate results as the filler contains calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres to add volume and smooth wrinkles. Radiesse also stimulates collagen production, which helps you maintain a fuller, fresher look even after the microspheres are metabolized.

What happens during a dermal filler procedure? During your dermal filler procedure, Mena and the team first evaluate your skin tone and facial appearance in order to clearly mark the treatment areas. She then injects the filler into your skin. The whole process takes anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour, depending on how many areas you’re treating.

Afterward, you can easily head back to your daily routine without issue. The only side effects you might experience are slight swelling and discomfort, both of which can be alleviated with an ice pack.