Laser skin resurfacing works by taking the top layer of skin away as well as part of the second layer of skin called the dermis. As the skin heals, collagen is deposited, which smoothes the skin out.

You can use laser skin resurfacing to reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, although the best thing to get rid of this common problem would have to be BOTOX. If you do opt for laser skin resurfacing, it will show an improvement, but not a permanent one; so the lines will come back. A lot of people who do it will continue to get BOTOX afterwards.

Muscle Action Responsible

The skin-smoothing effect you get with laser skin resurfacing is why this method improves fine lines and wrinkles to the area. But the reason that crow’s feet appear is due mainly to the action of the muscles themselves. That’s why if you have deeper crow’s feet you need to stop that action from happening to get rid of them, which is why you would require BOTOX.

Botox has been safely used in medical treatments for more than 20 years and received FDA approval in 2002 to be used cosmetically for certain areas of the face. This non-surgical procedure will smooth the deep, persistent lines between your brows, crow’s feet around your eyes, and wrinkles in your forehead that develop over time.

One short treatment relaxes the muscles that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed for an average of three months. Botox is fast, simple, and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. The results are dramatic and apparent within a few days to a week.

It is more common to do laser skin resurfacing for the lower eyelids, for the fine lines and wrinkles there, than it is to do laser resurfacing for crow’s feet. Although this method does not lift the skin like a facelift would, it can provide significant improvement in the overall quality of your skin by making it look and feel smoother.

Advance Skin Preparation

In order for laser skin resurfacing to work to maximum advantage, you need time to get your skin ready. Prep times can start four to six weeks before the skin is resurfaced.

Also, it is important to keep in mind that after this procedure is carried out, there will be some down time. Treated skin usually takes up to a week to heal, and it can be even longer before you can apply makeup without worrying about the state of your skin.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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It is definitely possible to look younger using a variety of non-surgical skin care methods. The benefits are that there is no downtime, but the disadvantage is that regular repeat treatments will be required to keep up the look.

What non-surgical means is anything that involves BOTOX or one of the many the different fillers for the face or hyaluronic acid fillers. Of course, those can be used in combination with a specific skin care line where a patient uses at home products, such as Obagi products, which are specially formulated for different types of skin and different skin problems. We offer a variety of other products only found in a doctor’s office as well, such as IS Clinical, TNS-SkinMedica, La Roche Posay, and NIA24 product lines.

Non-surgical skin care methods can also include treatment with different types of lasers. For example, at our office we have an IPL, or Intense Pulsed Light, lasers to treat brown spots and veins. It can also be used  for laser skin resurfacing.

Non-Invasive and Invasive

At Ballantyne Plastic Surgery, we do non-invasive procedures as well as surgery. All these non-invasive methods are used by our patients as a way to maintain or improve your appearance without any downtime. They are popular today, and becoming even more popular, because people do not want to have significant downtime waiting to recover from treatment. They want to immediately get up and go.

However, people who choose non-invasive methods should realize that the non-surgical ones usually require more repetitive treatments to keep up the look. BOTOX, for example, smoothes the deep, persistent lines between your brows, crow’s feet around your eyes, and wrinkles in your forehead that develop over time. It is fast, simple and has a minimal recovery period. The downside is that it only lasts about three months.

Dermal Fillers

Our dermal fillers are also a way to keep your skin looking younger and fresher, and are a natural and safe alternative to cosmetic facial surgery. Dermal fillers restore volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial lines, folds, and wrinkles, such as the nasolabial folds or smile lines.

Dermal fillers are also used to add enhance the lip line and add volume to the lips. We offer fillers such as Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm, but they need to be topped up over time, usually within a six-month period, while Radiesse can last up to a year.

As long as people maintain their appearance through repeated procedures they will get good results. But you will have to come back again and again, whereas a facelift will last you eight to ten years before the effect wears off.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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The first reason that visiting a med spa on a regular basis is so beneficial is all about cost savings. The benefits are that the more you go, the less treatment costs there are. The first time you come in, it will be a lot more expensive because you have to do a lot of correction, especially with the injectables. This is especially true if you have never been treated before, because then you have to do a lot. But if you come at regular intervals, you need fewer products. So it’s more of a maintenance issue.

You look better if you come in regularly. You are maintaining yourself, you’re maintaining your wrinkles. For example, everybody says if their Botox wears off before they have a top-up treatment that they get lots of comments from well-meaning friends about why they “look so mad.” But if you come in on a regular basis and have regular top-ups, you are not getting that problem.

Every Three Months

We recommend people come in and see us every three months, at the very least. Some of our patients come in every six weeks because they are getting hair removal done, for example, and they come in and get a facial done at the same time.

Skin maintenance is the same. Age doesn’t really matter; what matters is how often you maintain your beauty regimen. One of our older ladies can come in and look much better than our younger ladies because she is coming in so often and working to maintain her look.

I founded Balle Bliss to address the lack of physician involvement in patient care. Since no two people are alike, each patient requires a treatment plan devised specifically for them by their physician. A successful treatment plan requires the input of both the patient and the physician. l firmly believe that each treatment plan is as unique as you are, and that you have the right to make the most of what you have – with our help.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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Medical spa procedures definitely work, especially the injectables. With the fillers, in fact, you can see immediate results as the doctor is actually carrying out the injecting, before you even leave the spa. You can see that there is a beneficial effect, and that it works, virtually instantaneously.

I will inject what I think is appropriate for the patient, then the patient and I will both look. It’s amazing as it works right away. Botox takes up to 72 hours to see results, but people are amazed by the results once they begin to take effect. Our laser procedures also give good results.

Realistic Expectations

Saying all that, we still need to explain to patients what to expect. I cannot turn a 60-year-old into a 30-year-old, but I can make a 60-year-old feel like she’s 30 – and maybe look like she is 50. It’s more about managing expectations, knowing what a procedure is going to do for you, and how it will actually enhance your looks.

Some people have unrealistic expectations. I explain to them that this is not a face lift; this is not surgery where I am taking out excess skin and excess fat. If we do not talk about their expectations beforehand, there is potential for disappointment. But I always try to promise less and then deliver more.

Two-Way Communication

Communication with the patient is key, letting him know this procedure will provide him with this result, and that if he’s expecting something beyond that, then maybe he needs surgical intervention. If you can explain that to a patient and he understands that, they he will be happier with their results.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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In a scurry to be the first to come up with a great new use for Botox, some doctors have been injecting the drug into other problem areas without the proper research or approvals. There has been talk recently about using Botox as an alternative to getting a breast life, or using it to fix an upwards point on the tip of the nose. But as is often the case, when something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Gene Rubinstein M.D. of the Dermatology and Laser Centre of Studio City advises that before getting any Botox procedure you should be aware of the risks, the history of the technique and the experience of the doctor injecting you. A popular request made by many Botox users is to have injections in the bands of their neck to reduce sagging. But because the muscles in the neck are much larger than in the upper face, where Botox is approved for use, not enough research has been done to assure the public that the procedure is safe. Dr. Rubinstein warns that it is just too new and dangerous.

These procedures are so new that if you do decide on getting your crooked smile fixed with Botox, you may have a hard time finding a doctor who will comply with your request.  And if you do find the rare and willing doctor, be sure that he is safe. Before going to any doctor, gather enough information about him that you feel completely confident in his hands, recommends Dr. Rubinstein. This means getting dozens of referrals, researching he education history, finding out what organizations he belongs to and how long he has been successfully doing the procedure in question.

In an effort to stop the use of Botox in unapproved areas, many states have begun to create stricter laws limiting the use. And in April 2009, the FDA announced that it would be placing a black box label warning — the FDA’s strongest — on Botox to alert users of rare but potentially life-threatening complications when the effects of the toxin spread far beyond the injection site.

While no cases of the complications were reported by people who use Botox for cosmetic procedures, it is an attempt by the FDA to open people’s eyes to the dangers of using the product on unapproved and under researched locations.

This doesn’t mean though that in the future the FDA won’t approve other uses for Botox. There are alternative areas to the face to use Botox that have been deemed suitable.  Many have found relief from excessive sweating after having Botox injected under their arms or on their palms and soles. And Botox has also been found to relieve the severity of persistent migraines.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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What Services Does a Medical Spa Offer?

Dermalounge offers advanced products and innovative skincare technologies.

How to Choose a Medical Spa

All services and products offered by the medical spa should be FDA-approved.

What is Care Credit?

Care Credit is a regular credit card, except for the fact that it is designed specifically for healthcare procedures.

The Blending of Medicine and Spa Treatments

Medical spas such as Dermalounge offer clients medically oriented skincare procedures in a spa-like environment.

Technology Behind Skincare

Anyone considering a medical skincare treatment should be familiar with the technology.

Aftercare in Medispa Treatments

One of the most important factors in successful skin health treatments is the care that is intended to follow the procedure.

At-Home Products Available at Medical Spas

Dermalounge provides its own line of at-home products that are used for cleaning, moisturizing, and sun protection.

Benefits of a Skin Analysis

A skin analysis is a valuable tool.

Options to Diminish Wrinkles

If you are tired of looking in the mirror and not being happy with the image staring back at you, it may be time to consider undoing the effects of aging.

Juvederm Removes Wrinkles from Your Face

Juvederm is intended to treat the lines that appear on either side of someone’s mouth, sometimes giving it a parenthetical appearance.

What Does Latisse Do?

There are a number of benefits to choosing Latisse over other methods of enhancing your lashes.

All About Obagi Products

Obagi is an at-home treatment designed to prevent and improve common, visible skin disorders. You can only purchase Obagi from a doctor or licensed skincare professional.

What Does Perlane Do?

If you are searching for a subtle, effective way to reduce the effects of aging, Perlane injections may be your best option.

Benefits of Radiesse

Those in search of a reliable, effective wrinkle treatment should consider Radiesse.

Benefits of Restylane

Those interested in spot fixing wrinkles, or adding a subtle boost to their appearance, should consider a product like Restylane.

Microdermabrasion and Chemical Peels

Chemical peels and microdermabrasion have a few similarities, but they should not be used together because they could have a double-peeling effect.

Skin Firming Treatments Available at Medical Spas

Skin firming is a non-surgical treatment for facial rejuvenation. It is a non-invasive alternative to a traditional plastic surgery method like a face lift.

Laser Hair Removal in a Medical Spa

Hair removal can be an awkward and embarrassing subject, so visiting a medical spa can help ease the discomfort clients may feel.

How a Medical Spa Can Help You Prepare for Your Wedding

The first thing you will want to do is discuss your upcoming nuptials with the clinicians at your chosen medical spa.

The Importance of Sun Protection for Your Skin

If you want to keep your skin as healthy as possible, for as long as possible, it is important to protect your skin every time you go out in the sun.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider. Tags: botox, care credit, chemical peel, juvederm, laser removal, latisse, medical spa, medical spas, medispa, Medspa, microdermabrasion, obagi, perlane, radiesse, restylane, skin firming

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Botulism? Paralyzing? Filling? It’s enough to make anyone a bit apprehensive about having anything injected into their face. Gene Rubinstein, M.D. of the Dermatology and Laser Centre of Studio City assures that in the hands of the right doctor, there is no need to worry.

First off, achieving an obviously fake look would be way too expensive. Most people do not have the income to support a Botox habit that would paralyze so many muscles in the face. And it would take upwards of $7,000 in fillers to make your features so plump it looks as though you’ve had an allergic reaction.

Before it even got to the point of “too much” any respectable doctor would step in. For most physicians, the primary goal is to make the patient happy. Dr. Rubinstein says no doctor should pressure you in to spending too much or getting more treatments than you feel comfortable with.

If you do feel like you are talking more to a salesman than a physician, Dr. Rubinstein suggests leaving the office immediately and looking for a new dermatologist.  It is neither safe nor healthy to agree to a session that you are not 100% comfortable with. Don’t be afraid to trust your instincts.

Anyone with a medical degree is legally able to administer many cosmetic procedures including Botox injections. But if you wouldn’t let your dentist set a broken leg, then why let your gynecologist inject Botox? Before even stepping into their office, conduct a background check on your perspective doctor. The Internet makes it extremely easy to check which schools the person attended and what organizations they are approved by and a part of.

The first place to check on credentials is the American Academy of Dermatology. All licensed dermatologists should be listed with the organization. If you don’t find the name of your doctor, that should raise the first red flag.

A number of organizations have the most experienced and well-practiced dermatologists as members. By asking your doctor directly or browsing his personal website, determine if he is a member of any or all of the following: The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery Inc. (ASLMS); American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery; American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS).

Most importantly, it is your money and your body. The best thing you can do for yourself is be an educated consumer. While nobody is perfect and your doctor may not be able to please every patient he or she has, read reviews about them in online forums. If an overwhelming number of prior patients warn and plead for you not to trust a particular doctor, chances are they may be onto something.

Once in the office, your doctor should go over the entire procedure and all your options before the session starts, especially if you are a new patient. This is your time to ask any questions. Don’t know why the doctor is suggesting a particular dosage? Ask. Worried that you may have a reaction? Tell him about it.

In the end, one procedure won’t take you from looking fabulous to looking freaky. If you have done your homework and feel confident in your decision, then you shouldn’t be fearful.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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It used to be enough for a man to have an established career, to look a little rough around the edges and accept gray hairs and fine lines as they popped up. Within recent years, however, society has become a bit more critical. Men are more aware then ever about how much they sweat, the patches of rough skin on their hands, unwanted hair and sagging skin.

Gene Rubinstein M.D of the Dermatology and Laser Centre of Studio City says the point that most men stress before having any type of work done is that the results must look natural. For them going to the dermatologist is more about discovering new ways to look well rested as opposed to achieving a whole new look. The last thing they want is to look frozen or fake.

Surprisingly when it comes to getting the results they want, it is men who are willing spend the most money. Dr. Rubinstein attributes this to the fact that men don’t seem to second guess themselves. Once they have their minds made up on what will help them, they stick to their guns and don’t shop around for the best prices or alternatives the way a woman might.

While some may still be a bit apprehensive about going straight for Botox, Dr. Rubinstein suggests more subtle ways to rejuvenate a man’s look.

Photofacials: By using a combination of topical medications and lasers, a Photofacial is a great way to treat multiple symptoms of aging skin on your entire face. In just one treatment, you can expect to start eliminating fine lines, red blemishes, broken blood vessels, pigment discoloration such as freckles and age spots, enlarged pores, coarse or rough skin, loss of skin tone and elasticity, and general sun damage. While most people opt to treat their faces, Photofacials are also great at treating damage to the hands, neck and chest as well.

Laser Hair Removal: Because about 40% of laser hair removal clients are men, dermatologists are more than capable of catering directly to the areas of the body that are most troublesome. What may appeal to you most about this type of treatment is that the lasers are powerful and can treat large spots at once, meaning more results in a short amount of time. Additionally, laser treatments eliminate the hassles of shaving, especially in hard to reach areas like the back.

For the more daring types who are still not too keen on the idea of opting for surgery, treatments specifically pinpoint areas of aging on the face:

Botox: Most men experience lines forming between the eyes, making them look relentlessly stressed or stern. By injecting Botox into the muscles in that area, not only do the lines disappear but the muscle group that creates the lines is paralyzed, resulting in a smoother complexion. Another popular use for Botox is to stop excessive sweating. Even if prescription deodorant has not helped relieve sweating issues in the past, injecting Botox twice a year will reduce the sweating of underarms, palms and soles.

Fillers: By adding volume into wrinkles and folds, fillers instantly add a natural, youthful look to the face without the downtime of surgery. As men age, it is more common to start to see lines forming from the nose downward to the outside of the mouth and bags under the eyes. Fillers are a great and effective way to reduce both, giving a fuller, more youthful look while rejuvenating your whole appearance.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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Distributed by the makers of Restylane, a popular cosmetic filler, Dysport was originally created to treat neuromuscular disorders, involuntary muscle spasms and migraine headaches. However, as treatments with patients progressed doctors began to notice that in addition to the expected effects of the drug, their wrinkles started to disappear as well.

How does it work? Wrinkles in the face are created when the nerve cells within the muscles underneath the skin release a chemical called acetylcholine. This happens virtually every time you smile, frown or squint. This release of acetylocholine triggers a muscle contraction that results in the development of wrinkles. When Dysport is injected, it attaches itself to the muscle’s nerve endings, preventing the release of the acetylcholine. So in effect it is temporarily inhibiting the movement of the muscles used to frown, smoothing out wrinkles and restoring a youthful look to your face.

What will happen when you get in your doctor’s chair? Tiny injections of muscle-relaxing medication are injected to treat specifically targeted regions of wrinkles in the face.  Dysport injections take only minutes to complete and are pain-free, with little to no recovery time. So expect to resume normal daily activities immediately after your visit. Results are usually visible within a week of treatment and are comparable to Botox. Most patients describe an 85% to 100% visible improvement of lines and wrinkles.

What will it cost? As an added bonus to the quick results and painless treatments you get from Dysport, the price is affordable as well. Because it has only been on the market a short time, Dysport’s cost in most dermatologists’ offices is lower than the cost of being treated with Botox. Introductory treatments will cost you around $220 an area compared to Botox’s cost of $250.

The Bottom Line: As much as you would like to wish it wasn’t true, aging is inevitable. Eventually the signs of smiling, laughing, frowning and squinting will make their way to the skin’s surface resulting in unwanted wrinkles and lines in your face.  As medicine and techniques advance, you’re presented with more options that have proven to be safe and effective ways of eliminating flaw. While Botox once dominated the market, you now have choice. And that choice is Dysport.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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Botox: Essentially Botox is the trade name for Botulinum Type A, a purified toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which when distributed in massive doses causes a form of paralysis called Botulism. While it may sound scary and risky at first, rest assured that years of testing has gone into the procedure to make the small doses that dermatologists inject into your muscles completely safe.

Besides undergoing surgery, Botox is an effective way to halt the formation of wrinkles that are caused by muscle movements in the face. Every time you smile, frown or grimace, muscles contract and relax in the face. And overtime, that can cause unwanted wrinkles and creases. But Botox, when injected into the targeted muscle, paralyzes only that specific muscle preventing the effects that the movement causes.

Botox treatments last only minutes and cost around $250 an area. The injections target mainly the upper face and what dermatologists refer to as “dynamic lines.” The three most popular muscle areas that are treated are the horizontal lines in the forehead, the “11 lines” which form between the eyes, and smile lines in the forehead and around the eyes caused by years of smiling and frowning.

Fillers: The name filler pretty much describes its’ basic use—to fill in wrinkles and depressions in the face caused by acne and age. During each session, the filler is injected into the skin in small amounts with a fine needle. Once injected, the gel produces volume under the wrinkle, lifting and smoothing the skin. Results from fillers can be seem almost immediately and last for months to years depending on the type of filler being used.

While Botox targets the upper face, fillers help increase the volume in the lower face and neck such as in the corners of the mouth and around the nose. The price of fillers will depend on the amount of volume used at the time of treatment, but a typical session costs around $500 and upwards.

Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic Therapy, often referred to as PDT, is one of the newest ways to help those who suffer from acne scars find long lasting results. By using a combination of topical medications and laser lights, it produces smoother skin. Initially, an agent called Levulan Kerastick is absorbed into acne glands as well as other abnormal skin tissue areas to make the cells more sensitive to light. Laser lights are then used to activate the Levulan Kerastick. Depending on the condition that is being treated, different lasers may be used in treatment. Discuss options with your doctor in advance.

Following PDT treatment, you’ll have to avoid the sun for 40 hours to allow for healing and some common side effects include peeling, redness and dryness but most patients only suffer from these effects for about a week before seeing results. You will need to see your dermatologist for three to five more treatments (depending on your severity) scheduled about a month apart.

PhotoFacial: Anything with the word facial seems to lend itself to a relaxing, soothing experience with a glowing complexion as the final result. And while your dermatologist’s office may not provide sounds of nature or scented candles during the experience, a PhotoFacial will leave you with the clear skin you desire.

Photofacial is a noninvasive procedure that uses lasers to rejuvenate the skin by erasing the signs of aging from the face, hands, neck and chest. While most procedures only target one problem, Photofacial can eliminate many imperfections at once such as broken blood vessels, wrinkles, freckles, age spots and discoloration.

What draws so many people to Photofacial is that each session (there are usually six sessions) lasts about 20 minutes and you can expect to return to your normal activities immediately with virtually no downtime after you leave the office. The cost for Photofacial usually runs around $500.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.

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