Botox® Cosmetic

Botox® is a protein derived from botulism toxin that is injected underneath skin in order to minimize or smooth out lines and wrinkles on the face. When low doses of Botox® are used, it actually paralyzes or relaxes facial muscles, giving the recipient a clean, smooth facial appearance. Botox® is produced by Allergan Pharmaceuticals.

Botox® has gained in popularity over the years for several reasons. It’s less invasive than a face lift and the results are immediate. When one receives a facelift, she can expect to have bandages on her face for several days along with bruising, swelling and stitches. It might be a couple of months before she’s able to look in the mirror without seeing the effects of her plastic surgery.

With Botox®, the swelling goes down within a day or two, and while a prick from the needle is visible immediately after having the Botox® administered, most of the evidence is gone within twenty four hours.

Of course, there are risks. It’s rare, but one can have an allergic reaction to Botox®. Also, because it numbs the muscles, it can cause the appearance of surprise or make it look like the recipient has a permanent frown. Since Botox® is temporary, these inconveniences don’t last long.

Those taking antibiotics are at risk for an adverse reaction, however. Anyone who is taking an antibiotic is advised to make her doctor aware of this before being injected with Botox®. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to postpone Botox® injections until their little ones are no longer dependent upon them for nutrition.

Cosmetic injectables, or dermal fillers, are injected just under the surface of the skin to achieve natural looking results. We invite you to our offices serving Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. for an individualized solution.

Captique™

In recent years, many exciting new products have been introduced for use in cosmetic dermatology. Captique™is a new wrinkle filler made of non-animal hyaluronic acid.

Captique™ provides outstanding aesthetic enhancement by filling facial wrinkles and smoothing skin, and it has a lower incidence of adverse side effects than animal-based hyaluronic acid fillers, which may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Even when minor redness or swelling around the injection site of a Captique™ wrinkle treatment does occur, in most cases it dissipates in a matter of hours.

Fat Transfer

Fat Transfer, is one of the safest wrinkle treatment methods available because it uses the patients own fat.

In the procedure, the doctor draws a small amount of fat from the thigh or buttocks with low-power liposuction. The doctor then injects the fat into the targeted facial areas.

The procedure can provide very long-lasting results.

While a large amount of the fat may be reabsorbed by the body within several months of the procedure, as much as a third of the total injected volume can remain in the body for years.

Juvedérm®

Hyaluronic acid has become accepted—and even preferred—for use in wrinkle treatment. However, some people have allergic reactions to hyaluronic acid products synthesized from bovine or avian tissue.

Juvéderm® is made of biosynthesized, non-animal hyaluronic acid, so it is free of allergens that may cause adverse reactions in some patients.

Juvéderm® offers the same cosmetic benefits provided by animal-based hyaluronic acid skin fillers, but without the risk of allergic reaction.

Juvéderm® comes in several concentrations for treatment of different types of wrinkles and creases.

Radiesse™

Radiesse™ is an injectable skin filler that contains microspheres comprised mainly of calcium and phosphate ions, which occur naturally in the human body.

After Radiesse™ is injected, thin tissue forms around the microspheres, filling wrinkles and creating a semi-permanent support structure for the skin.

Results may last up to two years or more, though touchup procedures may be needed.