How long is recovery?
Most patients are ready to go back to work the next day, but it depends on the patient and their lifestyle. Typical downtime is 5-7 days.

What is the recovery like?
The patient is red and can be swollen the next day. On the second, third and fourth day the patient is peeling and can experience a little itchiness typical to a sunburn.

When do you see the results?
Right away! When we are doing the procedure you can immediately see the skin contract and shrink. The patient will really see the benefits by the time the skin is completely peeled and will continue to see results for up to six months with new collagen regeneration that “plumps” up the skin.
 

Who is the best candidate for this procedure?
There are three separate groups the fractional laser applies to, the younger patient with severe acne scars, the middle-aged patient with wrinkles and age spots and the older patient with wrinkles, age spots and pre-cancerous lesions.

How many treatments are needed?
In most cases only one, but for deeper wrinkles and acne scars two or more treatments.
Is it just for the face or can it be used on other areas of the body?
It is most commonly used on the face but can be used on neck, chest, arms and hands.

Is the treatment expensive?
The new technology has actually brought the price down without the compromising the results. This is a non surgical procedure that can give you surgical results.


QUESTIONS ABOUT BOTOX® COSMETIC

How does BOTOX® Cosmetic work?
It works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles; this reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those persistent lines to form.

When will I see results from a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment?
Within days, you may see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows. Lines continue to improve for up to a month, and results can last for up to 4 months.

How long does BOTOX® Cosmetic last?
Results from treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic can last for up to 4 months.

Who should administer BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Any authorized healthcare professional can administer BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Is treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic painful?
Discomfort is usually minimal and brief. Prior to injecting, your physician may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Many people are in and out of the physician’s office without downtime following BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment.

Who should not use BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic should not be used in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation. Patients with neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

Will I experience any side effects?
The most common side effects following injection include temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.

Will my facial expressions continue to look natural?
Although the results are visible, a treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic will not radically change your facial appearance or make you look as if you "had work done." The muscle activity that causes frown lines between the brows is simply reduced, so you can still frown or look surprised without the wrinkles and creases between your brows.
What will happen to the frown lines between my brows if I choose not to continue treatments?
If you do not continue treatments, the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows will gradually look like they did before treatment


QUESTIONS ABOUT DERMAL FILLERS

How do Radiesse dermal filler work?
RADIESSE dermal filler is made of unique, patented, calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a water-based gel carrier.

Once injected, RADIESSE dermal filler starts a process called neo-collagenesis, or the creation of new collagen. It stimulates collagen production in your own body and encourages collagen growth around the injection site. In many cases, results may last up to a year or more.

Upon injection, RADIESSE dermal filler immediately adds volume to facial features. It immediately provides facial volume for a soft, natural look. The transformation is noticeable right away Fibroblasts form new collagen as normal reaction.

Over time, your body will gradually absorb the gel carrier, but the very tiny, smooth microspheres remain. New resident tissue (collagen) surrounds the CaHA microspheres and remains in the dermis.

Are Radiesse dermal fillers safe?
In years of rigorous clinical testing and use by physicians in hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide, dermal fillers has been proven to be safe and effective. These products are biocompatible substances that are identical to what’s naturally found in the body. They do not contain any animal- or human-derived components and it has a minimal risk of allergic reaction.

After injection, the filler will not migrate to other parts of the body. Over time, it degrades naturally and is safely metabolized by the body’s own processes.

Have Radiesse dermal fillers been reviewed by a Notified Body?
Yes. Radiesse dermal filler has US FDA approvals.

How is treatment with dermal filler performed?
The dermal filler is injected into the skin through a simple, safe, quick, and minimally invasive outpatient procedure. Treatment typically takes place in a physician’s office with the use of a local anesthetic.

Will I need a skin test?
Dermal fillers are made of a synthetic, biocompatible substance that’s identical to what’s naturally found in the body. They don’t contain any animal- or human-derived components, there’s virtually no risk of an allergic reaction. That means you do not need to undergo skin allergy testing prior to treatment. However, if you believe you are having an allergic reaction to any dermal filler, seek medical attention immediately.

Does it hurt?
Physicians use a variety of pain management techniques during treatment to ensure patient comfort. Please talk to your physician about which techniques are right for you.

Are there any side effects?
There have been very few side effects reported in clinical trials and actual usage. However, you may experience some common injection-related reactions, such as mild irritation, edema, swelling, itching, discoloration, or tenderness at the injection site. These conditions typically resolve themselves within one to two days.

What if I’m taking medication?
Patients may need to refrain from taking some medications and supplements for a few days prior to treatment. If you’re taking medications or supplements, please tell your physician before receiving treatment.

How soon can I expect results?
You’ll see results immediately after treatment. The filler continues to deliver results over time as it stimulates your body to produce new collagen. Results may last up to a year or more in many patients. It depends of the natural and individual response.

How quickly can I return to my normal activities?
Most patients experience little to no downtime and return to normal activities almost immediately after treatment. Other patients may need more time for recovery. By 24 hours after treatment, most swelling and redness will have subsided.

How long will my results last?
Treatment results last up to a year or more for many patients. Individual results may vary, depending on age, skin type, lifestyle, and metabolic rate, so be sure to discuss your expectations with your doctor.
Will the Radiesse dermal filler become hard or noticeable to the touch?
No. The dermal filler stays soft and will take on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue.

Is the dermal filler permanent?
No. Treatment results last a long time, but they are not permanent.

How many treatments will I need?
Many patients will achieve their desired result after just one treatment. To ensure your satisfaction, your physician may schedule a follow-up visit, where a touchup treatment might be recommended.

How much does the dermal filler cost?
Because treatment is customized for each patient, the cost varies


QUESTIONS ABOUT JUVEDERM®

How is JUVÉDERM® injectable gel different from BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Juvéderm® injectable gel is a “next-generation” hyaluronic acid dermal filler that provides volume and is used to treat wrinkles and folds resulting from a loss of volume beneath the surface of the skin such as perioral lines and nasolabial folds (lines around your mouth and nose). Juvéderm® restores your skin's volume for a smooth, natural look and feel. BOTOX® Cosmetic is not a filler. BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes muscle activity and is used to treat moderate to severe lines caused by the dominant frown muscles between the eyebrows .

What will treatment with JUVÉDERM® injectable gel accomplishes?
Juvéderm® injectable gel will help to smooth moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Most patients need one treatment to achieve optimal wrinkle smoothing. And one treatment could smooth your lines and wrinkles for up to 1 year. Ask your doctor what you should expect from your initial treatment and when they would recommend rescheduling another appointment.

Is treatment with JUVÉDERM® injectable gel painful?
Injections may cause some discomfort during and after the injection. The smooth consistency gel of Juvéderm® allows your doctor to administer it easily and smoothly. And, Juvéderm® is injected directly into the skin using a fine needle to reduce injection discomfort. Your doctor may choose to numb (anesthetize) the treatment area to further minimize discomfort.

How long does treatment usually take?
The injection process takes only about 15 minutes. You'll also need to allow time to consult with your doctor prior to treatment.

Does the correction last forever?
No. Correction is temporary; therefore, touch-up injections as well as repeat injections are usually needed to maintain optimal corrections.

How long do results last?
JUVÉDERM® The result last up to 1 year.

What are the possible side effects of JUVÉDERM® injectable gel?
Most side effects are mild or moderate in nature, and their duration is short lasting (7 days or less). The most common side effects include, but are not limited to, temporary injections site reactions such as redness, pain/tenderness, firmness, swelling, lumps/bumps, bruising, itching, and discoloration. As with all skin injection procedures there is a risk of infection.

Can people with different skin tones/colors be treated with JUVÉDERM®?
Yes. In fact, Juvéderm® injectable gel is the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler that has proven its safety and effectiveness in persons of color. Studies with Juvéderm® showed no increased risk of hyperpigmentation or hypertrophic scarring in patients of color.


QUESTIONS ABOUT SILHOUETTE®

What is the new silhouette Lift?
The Silhouette Lift is a mid face procedure that uses new silhouette suture to lift sagging tissue in the mid face area.

What are Silhouette sutures?
The new silhouette suture is an entirely new suture used for lifting soft tissues in the facial areas. Silhouette sutures are made of a non-absorbable 3-0 polypylene strand, which allows for smaller knots than other sutures. Each strand holds several absorbable hollow cones, therefore crating a much stronger anchoring mechanism.

How do they work?
The Silhouette sutures are inserted in the temporal area using a long needle and are passed through the mid face. When pulled towards the temporal area, the hollow cones anchor on the soft tissue to be lifted. After lifting the tissue to the desired height, the sutures are then fastened into the deep temporal fascia.

How are Silhouette sutures different from the Barb sutures? From conventional sutures?
Silhouette sutures do not have barbs, which can weaken the suture. Barbed suture is created when cuts are made in the shaft of conventional sutures, weakening the inherent strength of the thread itself. Silhouette sutures are made using a 3-0 polypropylene substrate-which allows for much smaller knot tying in the temporal area - and utilize clear, flexible, absorbable cones. Once the cones are completely absorbed, tissue grown around and through the knots will allow for tissue suspension.

I've read a lot about Contour Threads and Thread Lifts, how is this different?
Contour thread and Thread Lifts are procedures that use traditional barbed sutures. The actual procedures are done in the same fashion as the Silhouette Lift. However, the key difference is that the Silhouette Lift uses an innovative new suture called the Silhouette suture. This new suture does not have the sharp barbs present in barbed sutures. Instead it has absorbable hollow cones that will allow completely absorb in time.

Does this fall under the category of these "lunch time face lifts" I've heard about?
Yes, The Silhouette lift is done under local anesthetic and takes approximately one hour - much like going to a dentist. There will be slight swelling after the procedure but the patient can go back to work the following day.

Why not continue using Barb sutures?
Having worked extensively with Barb sutures over the past four years, we have encountered several complications such as thread breaking, migration, prickling sensations, and some barbs folding back and not providing a proper lift. It is for these reasons that we spent the past few years researching, developing and testing what we feel is a superior suture - the Silhouette suture.

If Barb sutures present so many problems, how can I assured that Silhouette sutures won't pose similar or new problems?
Extensive studies have been done testing barbed sutures versus Silhouette sutures in animal tissue. Test has confirmed that there is no migration should a Silhouette suture break. Test have also confirmed much stronger anchoring with the new Silhouette suture. Furthermore, test have shown that when a barbed suture is pulled out of the tissue, the barbs fold back and may peel off the main strand, leaving them in the tissue, or eve breaking the suture.

How is Silhouette Lift different from a Contour Lift, Thread Lift or Featherlift?
Contour Lift, Featherlift and Thread Lift are all the same procedure as Silhouette Lift, however they use Barb sutures instead of Silhouette sutures.

How are these different from traditional face lifts?
Lifting soft tissues in the facial area with any form of suture is a non surgical approach, performed under local anesthesia, to reposition these areas. Traditional facelifts are performed under general anesthesia and are very traumatic with a long recovery time. They also are very expensive and are not reversible.

Will Silhouette Lift last longer than a Contour Lift, Thread Lift or Featherlift?
The Silhouette Lift is performed using the new Silhouette suture, which offers much stronger anchoring than Barbed sutures, and mo prickling discomfort. The new sutures provide for a longer lasting and better result.

What is the advantage of having a Silhouette Lift over other methods?
The new Silhouette sutures offer much stronger anchoring in soft tissue due to its unique hollow cone design. Since there are no sharp barbs cut into the suture, there is less chance of the new suture breaking and then migrating. The 3 - 0 polypropylene used also allows for smaller knot tying in the temporal area, casing no palpation.

How can I be sure a Silhouette Lift won't present similar complications down the line?
The Silhouette suture is totally different device. The round hollow cones of the Silhouette suture allow for stronger anchoring. The barbs on the conventional barbed suture can fold back or peel off, therefore not creating the required lift. The round hollow cones of the Silhouette suture also avoid the prickling sensation that sometimes occurs with the barbed sutures.

Who is the best candidate for a Silhouette Lift?
The best candidates for this procedure are patients between 40 and 70 years old, with an obvious drooping of the soft tissues in the facial area.

Does the procedure work for women and men?
Yes.

What areas of the body can a Silhouette Lift are used for?
The new Silhouette sutures are presently being used to lift soft tissues in the facial areas. Smaller and larger versions of the new suture to be used for different areas of the human body are pending FDA approval, including brow, waistlines Buttocks, and Breasts.

How long does the procedure take?
The entire procedure takes approximately one hour.

How long is the recovery time following the treatment?
Patients can go back to work the following day, although it takes approximately three weeks for the swelling to go down completely.

Is anesthesia required during the treatment?
The Silhouette lift is performed under local anesthesia.

What are the side effects and possible complications of the procedure?
There are no side effects. While all surgical procedures carry some risk of complications, to date, we have not seen any, although there is some risk of hematoma.

How many treatments?
The Silhouette Lift is performed one time and no further treatment is needed.

How long will it last?
Based on our studies, results, should last approximately three years.

What can be done to maintain results?
Patients can return after approximately three years to have tissue lifted again if needed.

Does this replace the need for a traditional face lift?
Ultimately, no, but this presents a safe and viable alternative.

How many doctors are using Silhouette Lifts?
As of today, there are more than 300 doctors performing Silhouette Lifts.

Is this FDA approved?
Yes.

What have the results been?
Patients have been very satisfied with the results.