What
is Botox® Cosmetic?
Botox® has been used for over 15 years to treat
a variety of medical conditions. It is a purified protein
that is administered via a few tiny injections into the
muscles that cause those stubborn crow's feet, forehead
lines, and "mad" lines between the eyebrows.
How
soon will I see a difference?
A person typically see results within 4 to 7 days.
By one month, 90% of patients in a clinical study judged
their wrinkles to show signifcant improvement.
How
long do Botox® treatments last?
Botox® treatments generally last 3 to 6 months.
Just 2 to 3 treatments a year will help a person to maintain
a more youthful, fresh, and well-rested appearance. With
reapplication results tend to last longer.
I'm
in my twenties, is this too young for Botox?
Nearly 2.3 million people have had Botox, 14% are
between the ages of 19 and 34 years old according to the
American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. Some individuals
in their twenties are incredibly expressive and have already
developed deep frown or "mad" lines that can be
softened or lessened with Botox® injections.
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What
is Restylane®?
It is a safe, natural cosmetic filler that is made
of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is
a naturally occuring substance present in body that provides
volume and fullness to the skin.
Is
Restylane® safe?
Restylane® has been used by physicians worldwide
since 1996 and was FDA approved in 2003. Restylane®
is completely biocompatible and therefore allergy testing
is not required; allergy testing is necessary for collagen
injections. After your treatment you might have mild redness
and swelling, lasting no more than 5 to 7 days.
How
long does Restylane® last?
Restylane® has proven to deliver long-lasting
results, ranging from 6 to 8 months. Having a touch-up treatment
before the area has fully dissipated may enhance the duration
of Restylane® administered areas.
How
is Restylane® different from Botox® Cosmetic?
Restylane® is a natural, non-animal cosmetic
filler, whereas Botox® is a drug that blocks nerve transmission
and relaxes the underlying muscle. Many patients are very
happy with the combination therapy of Botox® for the
upper facial wrinkles (crow's feet, forehead lines, and
frown/mad lines) and Restylane® to fill in the wrinkles/folds
of the lower face, as well as lip enhancement.
What
is the difference between Restylane® and collagen injections??
Bovine (cow) collagen was the only available filler
for years and required allergy testing 4 weeks prior to
the procedure. Results generally lasted 3 months. In 2003,
the FDA approved human, bioengineered collagen fillers known
as Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast. Test patches were eliminated,
however results still last on average of 2 to 4 months.
Collagen fillers from animal sources are derived from the
hides of cows (specially bred and slaughtered for this purpose)
or obtained from the skin of pigs. Zyderm and Zyplast are
considered bovine-collagen fillers. Once again, results
last 2 to 4 months before reapplication is needed.
Restylane® is a non-animal based,
biosynthetically produced formula of hyaluronic acid which
is found in all living organisms. Results last up to 6 to
8 months. Due to it's safety, effectiveness, and long lasting
results compared to collagen injections, Restylane®
is our preferred dermal filler at White Orchid.
I
would like fuller lips, if I have Restylane® injections
for this, how do I know I won't end up with "fish lips"?
This is a concern for many women, as very few people
want to look like Goldie Hawn's character in the movie,
"First Wives Club." Most women just want to have
the natural fullness of their lips that they had in their
youth. With Restylane®, we can outline the border of
the lips which tends to shrink over the years. Perioral
lines (lipstick lines) are minimized or erased with this
procedure and once again, it's fun to wear lipstick.
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What
body areas can I have treated with Laser Hair Removal?
Just about all areas, with the exception being
near the eyes. Legs, underarms, backs, face, neck, bikini
lines, etc. can all be treated with laser hair removal.
Is
it painful?
Patients describe it as quick and easy with the
sensation of a warm rubberband "snapping" on the
treated area.
How
many sessions will I need?
Most people will see very satisfactory hair clearance
after 3-6 sessions. These are generally spaced 4-6 weeks
apart, or whenever new hair growth is first noticed by the
patient.
What
kind of results can I expect?
Each treatment will result in less hair growing
back, as well as the hair progressively becoming finer and
lighter in color.
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What
are Photofacials?
Photofacials are a revolutionary advance in laser
cosmetics using pulsed-light systems that combine optical
and electrical energies to rejuvenate and beautify the skin.
Am
I a candidate?
If you are bothered with fine lines, superficial
wrinkles, the "the reds and browns of the face,"
referring to age spots, freckles, melasma, rosacea, small
facial veins, redness, flushing, and large pore size; then
Photofacials may be ideal for you. It is the best technology
to date for removing large swaths of discoloration on the
areas of the face, neck, decollete, and hands.
How
many treatments are needed?
A series of 5 treatments is optimal to obtain the
best results, spaced 3-4 weeks apart. Most patients will
begin to see improvement in skin color and tone after the
first 1-2 treatments.
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What
are the benefits of Chemical Peels?
Our chemical peels will help to exfoliate the top
layer of the epidermis (the stratum corneum), which is crucial
in obtaining a more youthful, healthy complexion. The stratum
corneum is the dull, weathered, top-layer of the skin that
continuously sheds as new cells are replaced - of course,
that is while we are young. As we age, the cell turnover
cycle goes from every 28 days to approximately every 50
days ( by the time we have reached our 60's). This is one
of the reasons our skin loses it's freshness with age and
one of the crucial reasons to exfoliate.
What
can I expect from a Chemical Peel?
The entire process lasts about 50 minutes, with
very little discomfort. Most of the peels are very gentle,
with no "downtime," and can even be scheduled
during a lunch hour. There is minimal redness and mild flaking
will occur 3-4 days after the procedure, depending upon
the amount of sun exposure. These mild peels are based on
natural acids derived from botanical and fruit sources in
aloe-based formulas. Many patients state that even after
just one treatment, there skin is glowing.
A series of peels scheduled 2-3
weeks apart may be recommended if a patient is interested
in:
- lightening hyperpigmented areas
from sun exposure
- improving/smoothing texture of
skin
- helping to clear-up acne prone
skin
- maintaining an overall "glow"
to complexion
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I like to
lay out in the sun for my acne-- it seems to help clear
it up. Is this helping my acne?
No. Your skin may appear to look less broken out
for the first several days after you've been in the sun,
however, you are actually doing more harm than good for
your acne. The reality is that the ultraviolet rays penetrate
the skin's surface and damage the follicles. The damaged
follicles close off, which triggers more acne, 2-4 weeks
after the sun exposure. Needless to say, you are also putting
yourself at risk for skin cancer and premature aging.
Is acne controllable?
Yes, very much so. Acne is believed to result from
the action of hormones on the oil glands, as well as the
accumulation of dead skin cells within the oil ducts and
pores. This unfortunate combination of factors leads to
clogging of pores and oil ducts, thereby creating the breakouts.
Our Acne-Lift chemical peel will regulate and manage the
oil production, loosen and dissolve the bond of the dead
cells to the oil ducts and pores, where the breakouts occur.
What can
I expect after the Acne-Lift chemical peel?
Typically one will have
mild redness and flaking, with a feeling of tightness for
2-3 days. The patient is advised to use sunblock, preferably
with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for maximum UV protection.
Immediately following the procedure, one can return to normal
activities without looking as though you've just spent the
afternoon at the beach with zero sun protection.
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What
conditions are treated?
Our Diamond Peel Medical Microdermabrasion machine
safely improves sun-damaged skin, fine wrinkles, mild acne,
and provides healthy exfoliation. It is safe for all skin
types and polishes away dead skin layers to expose healthier
skin and promote new cell turnover .
Is
there any recovery period?
The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes and
has no recovery period. Patients can return to work immediately
and can even schedule this during their lunch hour .
Are
there any risks?
We do not use any Aluminum-Oxide, Sodium Bicarbonate
or organic crystals that may potentially be inhaled or cause
corneal abrasions. Our Diamond Wand tip is embedded with
natural diamond chips and an adjustable vacuum allows for
a controlled abrasion. Due to the fact there are no crystals
being propelled onto the skin, this allow us to treat areas
closer to the eyes, as well as the fine lines and wrinkles
surrounding the lips.
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What
is Laser Vein Therapy?
Laser treatment is commonly used in conjunction
with Sclerotherapy for the spider veins on legs. Laser therapy
allows us to treat the smaller veins on the legs by delivering
a precise dosage of energy to each vein. During the treatment,
eye protection is provided and light energy is delivered
through a hand piece, targeting each vein in a series of
brief pulses. The blood vessel then absorbs this energy
and the vessel coagulates (clots) and is safely reabsorbed
in the body.
Is
it painful?
Most people describe it as a warm rubber band,
snapping on the treated area. Topical numbing ointment can
be applied 20 minutes prior to the procedure if requested.
How
do I know if I need both Sclerotherapy and Laser Treatments?
During your medical consultation, your veins will
be identified and a treatment plan will be determined. Patients
with small, superficial red veins can often be treated in
a series of 3-4 treatments at 4-6 week intervals. Many factors
contribute to these unsightly veins, these include: weight
gain, hormonal shifts, pregnancy, and heredity. Due to these
contributing factors, occasional touch ups may be required
to keep the new and emerging spider veins at bay.
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Am
I a candidate for Mesotherapy?
Even very fit people may have areas of
fat and/or cellulite that bother them. Areas of the abdomen,
hips, thighs, under eye fat pads, and double chins can be
treated with Mesotherapy. However, this treatment is not
for people with serious chronic illness. A consultation
is necessary to determine whether you are a good candidate
for this treatment.
Are
there any side effects?
Adverse reactions may occur with any injectible
substance, however Mesotherapy has a very low allergic potential
and is not common. It is well tolerated by most people,
having had a very long history of patient use in Europe
and South America. Common side effects are temporary swelling,
bruising, and lumpiness at the injection sites. Any discomfort
is generally relieved with use of anti-inflammatories afterwards.
Have
the medicines in Mesotherapy been FDA approved?
The medicines used in Mesotherapy are FDA approved,
however their use in Mesotherapy is considered as off-label
use. (Botox was used to fight wrinkles years before the
FDA approved it for this purpose in 2002). Mesotherapy has
been used in France for over 50 years. In 1990 the French
Society of Medicine formally recognized Mesotherapy as a
legitimate medical specialty. In the U.S., there are current
studies being conducted to prove it's effectiveness. Amazingly
enough, the French never conducted studies-- they just knew
it worked.
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