Wrinkle Reduction
The appearance of wrinkles and fine lines is inevitable as our skin loses elasticity over time. You can help delay signs of wrinkles by avoiding the sun and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but at some point wrinkles will surface. Fortunately, there are effective options to reduce their appearance with little or no downtime for you.
Botox® and Dysport® Treatment
Over time, repeated movement of powerful muscles on the face can cause the skin to fold or furrow, resulting in stubborn lines (dynamic lines). Botox and Dysport are prescription medications that are injected in very low doses into facial muscles in an effort to relax muscle motion, resulting in less furrowing of the skin and diminishment of these dynamic lines.
Most people experience no side effects. However, the most common possible side effects are nose and throat irritation, headache and injection site skin reactions, including localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising. Rare side effects include upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus inflammation and nausea. A few cases of serious side effects, including swallowing or breathing problems, have been reported.
For additional information, visit the Allergan and Galderma product websites.
Results
You can expect to see results within days after your treatment, and the areas treated may continue to improve for up to two weeks. Visible results have been shown to last up to four months. After that, many patients are ready to return for a follow-up treatment. In addition to decreasing crows-feet, areas that can benefit include the space between the eyebrows and the forehead. The effects are very localized, and when administered by an experienced physician, do not affect your ability to smile, laugh or otherwise show expression.
As Botox and Dysport are dissolved over time, your skin will begin to gradually look like it did before the treatments. Periodic maintenance injections will help you retain the corrected look.
Dermal Fillers
Types of Dermal Fillers
Brinton Lake Dermatology offers a vast selection of today’s most effective dermal fillers, including Bellafill®, Belotero®, Juvéderm Ultra®, Juvéderm Volbella®, Juvéderm Vollure ™ XC, Juvéderm Voluma® XC, Radiesse®, Restylane®, Restylane Defyne®, Restylane Lyft®, Restylane Silk®, Sculptra® Aesthetic. These injectable substances are used to restore volume and fullness to the skin and to correct moderate-to-severe facial folds and wrinkles, such as the creases that extend from your nose to the corner of your mouth.
Composition
Made out of biocompatible (compatible with living systems) and biodegradable (dissolves in the body) materials, these injectable fillers are synthetic materials that mimic natural components of the skin that function to provide volume, elasticity and hydration. Some fillers attract and hold water within skin tissues, resulting in a secondary filling effect that happens gradually over the course of three to four weeks after the injection as the filler attracts water and expands the tissue further. Other fillers stimulate new production of natural collagen within the injected tissues.
Length of Treatment
Your doctor will estimate the number of treatment sessions and the amount of filler you will need at each treatment session. Generally, significant changes may be achieved with the first treatment, but touch-ups are likely needed to achieve optimal results. In clinical studies, the average volume of filler needed to achieve full correction was two to three mL (two to three syringes) per patient. As fillers are dissolved over time, your skin will begin to gradually look like it did before treatments. Periodic maintenance injections will help you retain the corrected look.
Possible Side Effects
The most common side effects with dermal fillers are redness, bruising or swelling, but these last for a short time and are mild in nature. As with all procedures that involve an injection through the skin, there is a slight risk of infection. Other side effects may include itching, pain, skin discoloration and granulomas (bumps). Most patients feel comfortable going back to their normal activities immediately after treatment with a filler. You may be able to feel the area where the filler was injected for some period afterwards. Over time, the injected area will soften.
Bellafill Before and After
for Nasolabial Lines
Juvéderm Vollure
Juvéderm Voluma® XC
Radiesse
Sculptra® Aesthetic
Restylane® Silk
Fraxel® Laser Treatment
Fraxel laser treatment targets aging and sun-damaged skin with microscopic laser columns that penetrate deep into your skin to expedite your body’s remodeling of collagen. The laser treatment resurfaces your skin by replacing damaged tissue with younger, smoother, healthier skin. And since the laser treats only a fraction of tissue at a time, it leaves the surrounding tissue intact, which promotes very rapid healing.
Benefits include:
- Smoother, fresher, younger-looking looking skin with improved tone and texture
- Erasing of unwanted brown spots
- Reduced fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes
- Improved appearance of acne scars and surgical scars
Treatments
On average, an effective treatment regimen is three to five sessions spaced about three to four weeks apart. Results are immediate and progressive, with optimal improvement usually visible in two to three months. This time frame and treatment structure allow for complete healing and the production of new collagen and elastin to replace damaged tissue.
Swelling and redness are the most common side effects from Fraxel treatment. Any redness and swelling is typically minimal and subsides within a few days. Other temporary side effects may include minor itching, dry skin, peeling or flaking, and a bronzed skin appearance. There is a limited risk of infection, hyperpigmentation or scarring.
For additional information, you may visit the Fraxel website.
