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February 11, 2010

Common Questions about Under Eye Restylane

Filed under: Beverly Hills Restylane, Restylane Injections, Under Eye Restylane, restylane los angeles — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 11:19 pm

When do I need under eye Restylane?

You are a good candidate for under eye Restylane treatment if you have dark circles under your eyes or hollow facial features that make your eyes look tired and aged.  Restylane can restore volume under the eyes to give you a naturally youthful, soft, and alert appearance.

undereye Restylane before and after photo

undereye Restylane before and after photo

How long does under eye Restylane last?

Restylane treatments last for an impressive length of time.  You can expect benefits for a year or more.  Your doctor will discuss follow-up treatments with you after assessing your situation and goals.  The long-lasting effect of Restylane are a great convenience.

How is Restylane better than a permanent or fat filler?

Different fillers work great for different needs.  Restylane is usually the best choice for the under eye area because the skin in this region is very thin.  With so little room to hide a permanent filler, the margin for error here is low.  This is why a flexible, easily adjustable filler is essential.  Restylane is exceptionally appropriate for treating dark circles under the eyes because of its smoothness and flexibility.  If you experience any irregularity in the smoothness of your skin after treatment, Restylane is easily adjusted without surgery.

How much Restylane do I need under my eyes?

The average under eye circle each requires about 1 milliliter of Restylane to resolve the problem.  This quantity of course varies up and down depending on the severity and each recipient’s unique facial anatomy.

How much does Restylane cost?

Quality cosmetic treatments aren’t cheap, and you are unlikely to get good results if you seek out the cheapest procedure and provider.   If you are concerned about financing your individualized treatment program, talk to your doctor at your consultation.  Dr. Steinsapir works with patients to find them the best treatment they can afford, and after a no-risk assessment we can give you a precise quote.  Rather than seek partial treatment because of a tight budget, it’s best to completely resolve the issue.

How long is recovery time?

Healing from an under eye restylane treatment is swift, and you can usually resume normal activities within hours of treatment.  You will likely experience mild swelling for thirty to forty hours of treatment.  Both men and women can hide this slight redness immediately or within a few hours with some cover-up makeup.  Brusiing discussed below can also occur which may increase the recovery time.

Are there side effects?

Some degree of bruising occurs in about 20% of Restylane dark circles treatments.  This can range from a barely detectable micro-bruise to, in a few rare cases, a black eye.  Since a black eye fully resolves itself in just two or three weeks, this isn’t considered a serious side effect or barrier to treatment.  Just be sure not to get your treatment the day before your wedding or other event where you may be photographed, and you have little to worry about.

Some people with exceptionally sensitive skin may experience mild tenderness, discomfort, or itching, which resolves itself within a couple days.  Restylane side effects are uncommon and almost always very mild in nature.  The nature of associated side effects is that they will go away quickly on their own.

How can I prevent bruising?

Certain medicines like aspirin and many herbs thin the blood.  Normally this effect is so small that it doesn’t matter, but when you’re receiving Restylane treatment you should avoid these things for about ten days before treatment.  Your doctor can give you a list of drugs, herbs, wines, and so on to avoid.  If you are on a prescription medication, be sure to bring this up with both your cosmetic physician and the doctor who prescribed the medication.  If it’s important for you to take something everyday, you are probably still an excellent candidate for treatment; just realize that your risk for bruising is a little elevated, and that the bruising will go away.

How soon will I see results?

As soon as you leave the office, you will see that the hollows under your eyes have dramatically improved.

Who should give Restylane injections?

Restylane injections require the hand of a skilled specialist who is both qualified and experienced in providing Restylane treatments.  Those who are qualified to provide Restylane treatments include general plastic surgeons (aka board certified general plastic surgeons), fellowship trained eye plastic surgeons, facial plastic surgeons, and dermatologists.  This doesn’t mean that everyone who can legally treat you is a good choice for what you need.  Restylane is considered a safe, minimally invasive treatment that is very easy on the recipient, but applying Restylane is also the most difficult of under eye treatments, and it demands a highly experienced professional with both skill and an artistic eye.  You need to find a qualified specialist who is comfortable and expert at this type of treatment.

How can I individualize my treatment program?

Our office believes in providing the best boutique care and natural results.  Dr. Steinsapir performs all services himself without relying on assistants.  We believe in approaching each patient as an individual, paying special attention to your health history, your goals and concerns, taking time to listen to your individual concerns with interest and care, and creating an individual plan that will work for you.  Call us today for a no-risk assessment.

January 21, 2010

How often should I get BOTOX and Restylane?

Filed under: Botox Los Angeles, Cosmetic Facial Fillers, Under Eye Restylane — Tags: , , , — admin @ 9:40 am

BOTOX and Restylane are both great solutions for those who wish to improve their facial appearance without undergoing surgery or invasive procedures.  We know them both to be safe,  comfortable procedures that are effective but not permanent.  If you are thinking about receiving treatment, you are probably wondering how often you’ll need it.  This is a great question that we will address in a moment, but first, please slow down and realize that you don’t have to decide right now how often you’d like to be treated or even definitively opt for any follow-up treatments.  We will give you some general guidelines, but exactly how often you’ll need treatment depends on individual circumstances and personal preferences.

Microdroplet Botox and undereye Restylane before and after photo

Microdroplet Botox and undereye Restylane before and after photo

Restylane, the preferred undereye filler for delicate areas like the undereye hollow, is long-lasting and typically retains great results for one to two years. BOTOX results generally last about four months and some benefits are still apparent after five months.  These are guidelines, not rules; results will vary based on your individual anatomy, treatment plan, and your own perception.

Ultimately, it’s up to you.

Dr. Steinsapir recommends a simple mirror test to his patients.  No, we don’t mean the one you may have heard of that instructs you to smile and look for lines (some lines, as previously discussed, are both natural and desirable).  This test is as follows: if you don’t notice anything issues in the mirror, then you don’t need further BOTOX or Restylane treatments at this time.  But if what you see starts to bother you – maybe you’re brushing your teeth and notice that you’re less satisfied with your appearance – then it’s time for retreatment.  This means that some patients come in to receive BOTOX treatment every two and a half months, because they don’t want to see a single effect wear off, while others come in merely once a year because they only just noticed an appearance they would like to treat again. We encourage you to find your comfort level and what makes sense for your personal goals.

I want precise guidance in scheduling my next treatment.

Perhaps you’re an actor, model, or just a busy mom; perhaps there’s another reason why you want objective advice about when to receive your next treatment.  Your doctor can help you decide how often you should receive treatment.  Objectively, it will probably be about once every four months for BOTOX, and once every year for Restylane.  Your doctor is a great resource for objective advice.  Your friends and loved ones may prefer to compliment you rather than give you honest feedback when you ask how your treatment is holding up.  If how others perceive you is a very important part of your treatment, discuss this with your doctor.

You can always modify your treatment plan later.

So relax!  If you are anxious about your first consultation or treatment because you worry that you might be “getting into more than you bargained for,” remember that you don’t have to sign away your life at a consultation, and a reputable, ethical practitioner won’t pressure you into signing up for some “blue plate special.”  BOTOX and Restylane are low-risk cosmetic treatments not only because of how rare complications are, but also because the results aren’t permanent.  Yes, they are effective, but you have no reason to worry that these services will “make you age faster.”  Few drugs are as well studied as BOTOX and the hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane.  You may want to view your first treatment as a trial; if you like it, as most people do, then you can continue with treatments according to your needs as discussed with your physician.  If you don’t, then leave it at that.

A consultation, not a commitment.

It’s always wise to consult with a trustworthy doctor before committing to any treatment plan.  First, you need to find out if the procedure you have in mind is actually appropriate to your needs.  Then you of course must make sure you feel at ease with your potential cosmetic physician.  The reliable yet flexible nature of BOTOX and Restylane make these ideal products for anyone hesitant to make a permanent change, and they are also great for those seeking long-term treatments they can count on.

Dr. Steinsapir believes in natural Restylane and BOTOX results and in providing caring, honest feedback that is tailored toward your needs.  This means that you will never be pressured into more than you need or want.  At your individualized consultation, Dr. Steinsapir will ask about your goals and other personal circumstances to help you come up with the best course of action.  Remember to keep communication open with whomever you choose as your doctor to ensure that your needs are met at the times that are right for you.  Dr. Steinsapir meets with you personally for your consultation and, when you’re ready, personally performs your service, not a nurse or a technician.

Dr. Steinsapir is a leading practitioner of BOTOX and Restylane treatments.  He trained alongside the inventor of BOTOX and has since been helping Los Angeles BOTOX recipients achieve satisfying results.  He invented Microdroplet BOTOX and Deepfill Restylane methods.  Call us today for a consultation to learn how BOTOX and Restylane treatments can meet your needs through an individualized program.

December 19, 2009

“Can I order BOTOX® and Restylane® on the internet and treat myself?”

Filed under: Botox Los Angeles, Restylane Injections, Under Eye Restylane — Tags: , , , — admin @ 3:42 pm

BOTOX® and Restylane® are both excellent and useful products, as we have discussed in previous posts, but they are not over-the-counter products you can buy at a gas station or convenience store.  Like many medical treatments, they require specialized expertise to determine the best treatment and how to apply that treatment safely and effectively.

The reason you can’t buy BOTOX® and Restylane® yourself is not because these are considered dangerous products – by all standards they have proven themselves to be very safe.  But just as you do not draw your own blood at home for a routine medical checkup and instead go to a safe, clean facility to receive help from experts who have many resources at hand, it is a very bad idea to perform such a delicate procedure on yourself, especially without training, education, and years of experience.

Unfortunately, a few poorly-administered BOTOX® cases have undermined many people’s trust in a procedure that can help them cosmetically and medically, and these cases are usually the result of either an unusually inexperienced person like a technician or assistant administering the procedure instead of a doctor or someone shopping around until they find a doctor willing to do whatever they ask even when they want procedures that are not right for them.

But Don’t I Know My Body Best?

You are probably familiar with your own body and its uniqueness in ways no one living outside your body can feel without experiencing it themselves.  You also probably have a vision of what you would like to change.  These are not obstacles and do not contradict the role of your plastic surgeon.  Doctors study the latest technology, research, and treatments for many years in a highly competitive environment and they learn not only about anatomy and healing, but also what to do in rare instances of complications, and how to individually approach each case in ways that may not be obvious to the layperson.  Beyond this they complete residencies, fellowships, research projects, and professorships.  Add to this years of practical experience in the field working with actual patients, and they have now obtained a wide body of knowledge that is impossible to learn by reading an article (or even several articles!) online.

When doctors emphasize the importance of working with a qualified professional instead of relying on self-diagnoses and home remedies, they mean that it’s optimal to bring your concerns to a doctor who will listen to you and consider all that you have to say so that doctor can provide honest feedback about technical and clinical aspects of what you need, sometimes advising a solution that you may not even have been aware of as an option, or sometimes admonishing you against a procedure for health concerns of which you might not have been aware.  There are subtle differences in treatment approaches that require a physical examination along with a consultation, and this kind of insight cannot be gleaned from the internet, a numbered list of instructions, or even by looking in the mirror.

Sometimes one problem can look a lot like another that requires a different treatment – it’s vital that a physician help you distinguish these from one another.  Your doctor is not there to take control of your wishes, but to communicate with you so you both learn from each other in different ways and come to agree on the best course of action.  Your doctor will then act with the precision and knowledge that can only be derived from education, experience, and skill.

How Will My Doctor Understand Exactly What I Want?

By being careful to keep communication open, complete, and honest, you can get exactly what you need.  Keep in mind that it is your responsibility as much as your doctor’s to thoroughly discuss your needs, concerns, and medical history.  He or she will have a variety of approaches ranging from examining you to asking questions to discussing how you feel about different photos.  This way your doctor can get an accurate knowledge of your goals, and you can ask for your doctor’s advice and explain your concerns directly.  Your doctor also has the advantage of being able to spot patient requests that, based on experience, will likely lead to disappointment.  If you insist that an unadvised procedure be performed, you may be able to find someone who will do what you say, but you will likely regret this in the end and are better off talking to the doctor in more detail about your reservations and learning why he thinks one solution will work better than another.

Why Can’t I Create Perfect Results by Myself?

No doctor learns to administer a delicate procedure like BOTOX® and Restylane® injections by reading a simplified list of instructions or watching a five-minute video on a web page.  Bodies are more complex than that, as are the variations between individual bodies.  What lies under the facial skin is more complex than most imagine, with different kinds of tissues and many diverse muscles there, and it’s crucial to have a thorough knowledge of not only where these anatomical parts lie and how to work with or around them, but also how the thousands of components interact with each other.

You cannot simply eye your face and plunge in a syringe here and there until you think it looks good.  This is a great way to set yourself up for asymmetrical results and become one of those rare people who experience complications, like lumping, “frozen” features, or excessive bruising and swelling.  You could even end up giving yourself a complication completely unassociated with these products; for example if you don’t have training about stringent sanitation, you could cause an infection.  Further, it’s important to realize that, even though benefits can be immediate, the final results will not be seen right away because there will always be a certain amount of healing time.  Only a doctor who has closely observed and helped many people heal will understand how the results will change over the next few days and weeks will recognize the face’s optimal response during treatment.

What If I Can’t Afford It?

Usually when something sounds too good to be true it unfortunately is, especially in reference to intricate valuables carrying unbelievably low prices.  BOTOX® and Restylane® treatments are expensive.  The service of an expert cosmetic surgeon is not free and then the products are expensive.  It may be tempting to order Chinese Botulinum toxin or Restylane from a Canadian pharmacy.  The price may be enticing.  However, it is generally illegal to ship these products into the United States.  They may be confiscated and you may be subject to violating Federal import laws.  If your product does not get confiscated you may not get what you paid for.  Many of these products are counterfeit and contain adulterants rather than the medication they claim to be.  This is truly a buyer beware situation.   No ethical doctor will treat you will a syringe of products you bring into the office yourself.  The bottom line is that if you can’t afford treatment, you are better off not doing anything at all.  In fact, you will be much more likely to encounter larger expenses when you need your at-home experiment corrected by a specialized professional.

A Complex Treatment

BOTOX® and Restylane® treatments are not the same as giving oneself a “shot.”  If it were so easy, there would not be entire practices specializing in their optimal administration and so much research devoted to improving every detail of their use.  For example, Dr. Steinsapir invented the Microdroplet™ BOTOX® method which consistently yields remarkable results, and this is not something you can “pick up” online.  This minimally invasive procedure requires specialized skills.  Save yourself a potential disaster by ignoring anyone who claims you can do your own BOTOX® and Restylane® treatments.

Improvement through Individualized, Experienced, Professional Care

Dr. Steinsapir is a world leader in BOTOX® and Restylane® treatments, specializing in procedures that improve the face to restore a rejuvenated, natural look as non-invasively as possible.  He has pioneered inventions like Microdroplet™ BOTOX® and Deepfill™ Restylane®.  Call us today to learn more about Dr. Steinsapir’s Restylane and BOTOX® specializations.

December 15, 2009

Should I Get Perlane® or Restylane®?

Filed under: Cosmetic Surgery, Eyelid Surgery, Restylane Injections, Under Eye Restylane — Tags: , , , — admin @ 3:37 pm

Restylane® and Perlane® from Medicis, Inc. are both hyaluronic acid fillers made of sugar gels. It is common to ask which product is better.   The reality is that these are similar products with important differences.  Restylane® is a softer product that provides excellent volume, tends to stay where it is injected, but can be shaped well once placed in the tissue.  Perlane® is also a soft product that provided slight better volumizing, tends to stay where it is injected, and resists shaping more than Restylane®.

Each product has a somewhat different role in facial volumizing.  The right choice for you very much depends on your issues.  This is best determined by an individual consultation with a highly qualified cosmetic surgeon.  Here are some general guidelines and common usages that can give you an idea of when each filler tends to be appropriate, but individualized treatment never takes a one-size-fits-all approach and diagnosis and treatment planning must be done in person.

Before and After: Restylane, Botox and Perlane by Dr. Steinsapir

Before and After: Restylane, Botox and Perlane by Dr. Steinsapir

What’s the Difference between Perlane® and Restylane®?

Both Perlane® and Restylane® are fillers that work especially well when volumizing the face to give it a softer, more youthful look and restore hollow and deflated areas.  Perlane® is a thicker material than Restylane® and it usually lasts a few months longer.  This is an amazing length of time as Restylane can be effective for a year or more.  Restylane® usually works better for the sensitive area under the eye where the skin is thin and there is little fat.  The ability of the Restylane to be readily shaped once it is placed in the tissue means that many potential irregularities can be resolved as the material is placed.  For the same reason, Restylane is also excellent at the lip edge.  Elsewhere in the face, there is much better tissue coverage for the placement of the slightly thicker Perlane®.

Perlane® has a larger molecular structure that Restylane and as a results it is a somewhat better volumizer than Restylane®.  It is preferred in areas like the cheeks, eyebrow, chin, and the tissues around the mouth called the perioral area. Why does it work best in these areas?  Because these areas have more fat to work with than the lower eyelid dark circle.  Perlane®’s thickness necessitates that it be placed deeper than Restylane®, while Restylane® works very well near the surface of the skin and in areas where little fat is present.  Perlane® is wonderful for adding volume to places with more fat under which a doctor can place this filler.  It is less ideal for the lip edge and under eye area where the Restylane serves as a better choice.

Because of both their similarities and differences, Restylane® and Perlane® can be used together to improve the facial aesthetics by eliminating unsightly angles, sunken features, and haggard looks.  For example, Perlane® can be placed in the top of the cheek at the time that Restylane® is used to treat the dark circles in the lower eyelid hollows.  Both of these actions are beneficial in themselves, and when used together they amplify the improvements even more.

What If I’m Unhappy with My Results?

These services are the fastest growing cosmetic services because of how happy people are with the results.  Yet service is not a magic wand and it is sometimes necessary for a treatment to be adjusted.  First make certain that your doctor is aware of your concerns.  If you are having an issue, don’t simply wait until your next visit.  It is a good idea to contact your doctor and let them know what is going on.  There is often a great deal of value in being seen early if there is some issue.  By consulting with your doctor after a procedure, these issues can be readily addressed.

Unlike other fillers, hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane® and Perlane® can be adjusted after treatment to resolve any surface irregularities that might be present after treatment.   In fact, it is possible to modify these treatments even if it has been quite some time since you were treated.  Over time, these products are absorbed by the body and eventually disappear over a year or two.

Seeking the Right Doctor

Dr. Steinsapir specializes in improving the face in both aesthetic and medically necessary situations.  As a specialist he has some of the highest levels of experience in addressing concerns about the face, including how to best apply fillers like Perlane®.  In fact, Dr. Steinsapir has served as a physician consultant to Medicis, Inc., who distributes both Perlane® and Restylane®, and he is considered among the top 3% users of these products.  He is thought to have the largest under eye filler practice in the World.  Call for a consultation to find out if you are a good candidate for Perlane®, including whether it will improve upon another procedure or could be combined with Restylane® treatment.  Dr. Steinsapir approaches everyone as an individual, customizing treatment to each person’s needs.  Contact us today to find out how he can customize treatment for you.

December 11, 2009

Restylane: The Preferred Minimally-Invasive, Non-Surgical Facial Filler

Filed under: Dr. Steinsapir, Eyelid Surgery, Restylane Injections, Under Eye Restylane — Tags: , , , , , , — admin @ 5:00 pm

Dr. Steinsapir regularly uses Restylane in his Los Angeles practice to correct dark circles under the eyes because it has demonstrated time and time again to be more reliable and produce better results than other fillers in most cases.  Restylane is usually a better choice than permanent under-eye filler because the skin and eyelid are very thin in this region.

Under Eye Circles Before and After

Under Eye Circles Before and After

Restylane is easily adjusted after treatment should an adjustment become necessary and it can be done in a non-invasive manner without surgery.  In the rare case that Restylane does not settle right, it can be easily adjusted with just a tiny injection of hyaluronidase, a safe enzyme that breaks down and softens Restylane.

It is unlikely there will be a complication because Restylane’s thickness keeps it from forming lumps the way other fillers sometimes do in the most sensitive areas.  If irregularities do occur, they can be adjusted using the hyaluronidase.  The thickness of Restylane keeps the filler in place in the lower eyelid and upper cheek regions so your results will be long lasting and remain natural looking.  After treatment, Restylane is very effective and usually lasts one to two years.  Because the procedure only requires office based injections and can yields ideal results, many people choose to have periodic Restylane treatments rather than surgery.  What’s best for you will depend on your particular needs based on an evaluation by an experienced doctor.

Bruising

Most people, about 80%, do not experience bruising after a Restylane treatment; the other 20% experience some degree of bruising.  Most of them have mild bruising, but a very few (one or two in a hundred) will form a black eye.  The black eye takes two to three weeks to completely resolve, and this is a cosmetic concern without health dangers.  Considering that Restylane will last over a year, the recovery process is very mild and comfortable even for these few.  The few Restylane recipients who experience bruising usually feel that the short-lived bruise was worth the long-term results.  It’s a good idea to obtain treatment at least three weeks before big events like vacations and weddings just to be completely certain that your pictures will turn out great.

To minimize your risk of bruising, your doctor will ask you to stop taking certain medications that thin the blood, such as aspirin.  If you are taking anything prescribed by a doctor, we strongly advise that you consult with the physician who prescribed it before discontinuing the medication.  If your doctor suggests that you continue the medication, this does not mean that you aren’t a good Restylane candidate.  If you are willing to be at a slightly elevated risk for bruising, Restylane can fill in the hollows under your eyes very effectively.  Your regular doctor and your cosmetic specialist can help you decide the best route to take.

What If I’m Pregnant or Breastfeeding?

There is no foreseeable complication that could be caused by Restylane, a naturally occurring sugar gel.  It has proven itself to be very safe.  The problem with using it to treat pregnant and nursing women is simply that we have no clinical information regarding the safety of this product in pregnancy and during lactation.  Could Restylane cause a problem for your baby?  This is unlikely.  The sugar gel in Restylane occurs naturally in the body.  Many medications and treatments are not advised for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers simply because they have not been tested, and probably will never be – this does not mean that they’re not safe.  It simply means that ethical practitioners recommend that you don’t take any chances when it comes to untested situations.  We recommend you wait until you wean your baby before undergoing cosmetic procedures.   Fortunately, babies do not nurse forever, so you won’t have to wait too long for the long-lasting benefits of Restylane.

My Eyes Are Sensitive.  Can I Still Benefit from Restylane?

This may sound paradoxical, but depending on the sensitivity you may be especially qualified for Restylane.  If you have allergies, the likelihood of a reaction is extremely small but not quite zero (there is always some risk of a reaction to any medical procedure that introduces something new into the body) and can best be assessed by an oculoplastic surgeon.  If your eyes are sensitive to things like hay fever, for example, and they become irritated or red easily, this aggravation may accentuate the hollows under your eyes.  If you know you are prone to this appearance, a filler like Restylane will be very helpful, because during times of sensitivity, your eyes will look much better with treatment than without it.

Recovery Time

Many of Dr. Steinsapir’s patients resume their normal activities just after leaving the office.  If you don’t bruise, there will be about thirty to forty hours during which you experience minimal swelling.  Many patients, both men and women, can hide this swelling right away with a camouflage makeup that matches their skin color.  If your lower eyelid skin quality is poor and you often collect a small bag of puffiness under the eye, the doctor may counsel you regarding the need to consider a procedure like a chemical peel or surgery prior to getting regular filler treatments so that you don’t experience prolonged recovery after each filler service.  This can be discussed when you have your initial consultation.

Can I Combine Restylane with Another Procedure?

Yes.  Restylane can be safely combined with many procedures.  Discuss your concerns with your physician.  He or she will advise you about which procedures compliment Restylane treatments.  Your doctor may advise you to come in on another day for certain procedures that are especially sensitive to changes in the treatment area, but there are many cases when Restylane can be appropriately combined with another procedure at once.  Restylane is a simple outpatient service that can be done while you’re fully awake in the office after numbing cream has been applied to the treatment area.

Consult with a Doctor Who Cares

Dr. Steinsapir invented and published the Deepfill™ method for placing Restylane®. Deepfill™  method is used by thousands of doctors around the world to inject Restylane® safely in the under eye area.  This method adds precision and certainty to the placement filler in this location making this minimally invasive method a true alternative to lower eyelid surgery for many people.  Dr. Steinsapir is one of very few cosmetic surgeons who dedicate a major focus of his practice to treating dark circles and under eye hollows, making him particularly experienced and qualified as a specialist.

Contact us today for a personalized consultation with a caring physician who individualizes each treatment based on your specific concerns.

October 20, 2009

Facial Fillers: A Solution to Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatment

Filed under: Cosmetic Surgery, Restylane Injections, Under Eye Restylane — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — admin @ 8:45 pm

Twenty years ago, the only solution for removing the classic signs of aging like wrinkles, sagging skin, under eye hollows, and thin lips was going under the knife or hardcore chemical peels and laser. But today, a range of facial fillers can be injected to smooth out those facial lines, enhance lips, treat nasolabial folds, and remove furrows between the brows, taking years off the face to bring back that youthful look. What makes injecting facial fillers so attractive? Facial Fillers also known as “dermal fillers” or “injectables” offer a cosmetic treatment that is minimally invasive with little or no recovery time. Injecting fillers has become the most popular way to solve anti-aging problems in a non-surgical manner. With so many types of dermal fillers available today, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. The following sections provide useful information about some of the most widely used fillers.

What are the Main Ingredients That Constitute These Facial Fillers?
Most of the commonly used fillers are derived from Collagen or Hyaluronic acid. Collagen is a naturally occurring protein in mammals that is used to create injectable fillers that are either bovine-derived, porcine or human-derived. Bovine-derived collagen is extracted from the tissue of cows that have been raised in consistently monitored, disease-free environment. The Allergan, Inc. Zyderm® and Zyplast® product is produced from highly purified collagen collected from a closed herd of cattle. As there is a 3-8 percent chance of an allergic reaction to bovine collagen, an allergy test is required prior to undergoing treatment with this filler. The source of human-derived collagen products varies. However, the most popular of these products, Cosmoplast® and Cosmoderm® from Allergan, Inc., is sources from cultured human fibroblast cells that have been maintain in tissue culture for 10 years. These cells are the source of other human derived products used to treated burn victims and have an excellent safety record. A pre-treatment allergy test is not necessary with the human derived collagen products. Evolence® is the latest collagen product produced from porcine collagen with a useful life in the face of about a year. The longevity of collagen injections depend on patient’s lifestyle, physical characteristics, and the part of the body treated. Collagen is observed to disappear faster in areas that are directly affected by muscle movement. Only a professional doctor can help you to determine the right period required for retreatment to maintain the results.

Hyaluronic acid is a type of polysaccharide called a glycosaminoglycan. Also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate, hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the human body and is central to regulating cell growth and renewal. Hyaluronic acid is non-immunogenic, which means the body doesn’t consider it as a foreign substance, thus minimizing the chance of an allergic reaction. While allergies to these products do occur, allergy testing is not recommended do the low incidence of allergies to these products. Dermal fillers that contain hyaluronic acid offer a soft natural look and also have great longevity. Hyaluronic acid fillers have an added advantage in that they can be manipulated even long after a treatment using the enzyme hyaluronidase. The results are like have surgery but the magic wand was an office procedure and a treatment comfortably placed with tiny injections.

The Most Popular Facial Fillers
Restylane ®
Known as one of the most effective and popular fillers, Restylane dermal gel composed of hyaluronic acid. The non-animal biodegradable filler adds volume to the skin treating under eye hollow and dark circles. It smooths facial folds and wrinkles in areas surrounding the eyes and mouth. The effects of this filler easily last for a year or more depending on factors like age and skin type, and the initial treatment volume.

Juvederm ™
This injectable gel is the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler which restores your skin’s volume and addresses moderate to severe the facial folds, like “smile lines” or nasolabial folds. This filler is made up of cross-linked hyaluronic acid and effects last for an average of 6 months. Other hyaluronic acid fillers are granular in nature, but the smooth consistency of Juvederm ™ allows the injection to be administered with relative ease. Due to the enhanced ability of this product to flow in the face, it is best to discuss with your treating physician where this product will work best.

Perlane®
Another hyaluronic acid based filler – Perlane, with larger molecules and large concentration of hyaluronic acid, making it more effective to treat deeper wrinkles and larger folds. Though it is only FDA approved to last up to 12 months, it has found to be longer-lasting than Restylane ®. This product is the best of the hyaluronic volumizers for deeper lines or more active points of facial movement.

Botox ®
This facial injectable is made from Botulinum Toxin Type A and designed to eliminate facial wrinkles. It commonly treats areas like frown lines between the eyebrows, “crow’s feet,” and creases on the forehead. It primarily addresses the periocular region and its effects last up to 6 months. While Botox is not a filler, it is often used in combination with fillers to achieve results that previously could only be accomplished with surgery.

Zyplast® and Zyderm®
The first collagen based fillers approved by the FDA are made of purified bovine-derived collagen and are used to enhance facial contour and reduce fine lines and deep wrinkles. Zyderm® subtly smooths crow’s feet or fine lines around the lips. Zyplast® is used to treat deeper folds such as brow wrinkles or frown lines, and provides volume and contouring to your face. The longevity of this product is limited compared to the new hyaluronic acid fillers. The product contains local anesthetic making quite comfortable for lip edge treatment. Prior testing is needed to screen for potential allergies before actual treatment.


Radiesse ®
Formerly known as Radiance, Radiesse is made of calcium-based microspheres, the same component of bones and teeth. The filler stimulates the body to produce new collagen around the microspheres, which makes it last longer. It is utilized to correct moderate to severe wrinkles and contour the facial features. Radiesse® filler is the first FDA-approved one-year dermal filler that restores and corrects the signs of facial lipoatrophy in patients with HIV. Initially the manufacture claimed longevity of 5 to 8 years, however, clinical experience suggests that this product lasts 12-18 months when used as a facial filler.

ArteFill®
ArteFill® which is known as Artecoll® outside of United States is a dermal filler that offers longer lasting results than other cosmetic filler injections. It is made of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres that are suspended in bovine collagen and is mainly used to treat static facial lines, enlarge lips, fill in facial imperfections, and diminish nasolabial folds. It not only acts as a dermal filler, but its microspheres also stimulate the body to produce its own collagen. As the injected collagen slowly degrades naturally, the newly produced collagen replaces it. This leads to long-lasting, almost permanent results. Due to a tendency to form lumps, the product is not recommended for lip or lower eyelid treatment.

Silicone oil
Silicone oil has only one FDA approved indication for use in the repair of complex retinal detachments. This material finds its way into off label use as a medical grade facial filler. However, silicone oil has a number of side effects. Consequently it is not advisable to use liquid silicone for facial filler. Silicone oil is occasionally used by non-medical injectors for illegally black market treatment. Often the silicone oil used is not medical grade but rather industrial silicone oil, which was never intended for the human body. There have been deaths from these types of illegal treatments.

Benefits and Risks Involved in Injecting Facial Fillers
The biggest advantage of these fillers is that they do not require any invasive surgery and require little recovery time. While the results of fillers do not last forever, their longevity is sufficient to offer a practical alternative to surgery. In many case, the result of filler service can be better than what can be accomplished with actual surgery. Periodic top off allows the effects of service to be maintained. Side effects like bruising, swelling, lumpy firmness, and tenderness are seen in 5% of treatments. The incidence of allergic reaction varies with the products used and should be discussed with the treating physician.
Before undergoing an anti-aging treatment, it is important to consult a well-qualified and a board certified cosmetic surgeon, to help you to understand which FDA-approved filler is the best for you.

September 19, 2009

Restylane®: Your Answer to Minimally Invasive Treatment

Filed under: Dr. Steinsapir, Restylane Injections, Under Eye Restylane — Tags: , , , — admin @ 5:15 pm

Restylane®, a hyaluronic acid filler, has paved the way for non-surgical cosmetic treatment of the face and eyes. This injectable dermal gel has revolutionized the cosmetic procedures involved in smoothening facial lines, enhancing lips, treating nasolabial folds and glabellar lines, and addresses one of the most sought-after anti-aging treatment today – improving dark circles and under eye hollows. This effective filler manufactured by the leading pharmaceutical company – Medicis, Inc. – has the power to produce the desired effect and revive a youthful look, results that previously could only be accomplished with surgery.

The ability of Restylane® to improve sunken-in eyes, dark circles and bagginess under the eyes explains why this has rapidly emerged as the most desired of treatments. Dr. Steinsapir, the premier cosmetic surgeon in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills is renowned for his expertise in deploying Restylane® for under eye treatment. According to Dr. Steinsapir, the power of fillers like Restylane®, Perlane®, and Juvederm® from Allergan, Inc., the maker of BOTOX®, is in the versatility of the treatment. “Almost any facial issue can be improved by these fillers,” reports Dr. Steinsapir. These treatments are further distinguished from all other classes of fillers, such as Radiesse®, Sculptra®, silicone oil, fat grafts and fat pearls, because the treatment can easily be adjusted at any time after the initial service using a second product called hyaluronidase.

Dr. Steinsapir notes “it’s like having an eraser to adjust a treatment when needed.” He strongly believes that many people are far better off choosing Restylane® as an alternative to lower eyelid surgery. “Restylane® delivers natural results that are as good as and in many cases better than surgery.” Dr. Steinsapir developed the Deepfill™ Method of Restylane®, which is widely acclaimed among Hollywood A-listers and entertainment insiders in Beverly Hills.

Dr. Steinsapirs’s Deepfill™ Restylane® – Truly effective help for the lower eyelids without surgery.

Dr. Steinsapir is an internationally recognized midface surgeon having pioneered new surgeries for correcting midface and under eye issues. However, not everyone has the time or interest in having surgery. This inspired him to develop the innovative DeepfillTM method for lower eyelid treatment with Restylane® to fill the under eye hollows and relieve dark circles. This non-permanent treatment adds volume to the under eye skin, enhancing the appearance. Treatment is very comfortable and service can be performed at the time of initial consultation if you choose. Dr. Steinsapir does not believe in having nurses or physician extenders perform aesthetic services. “These treatments require much more than surgical dexterity. They require the eye and hands of an artist.” Schedule your initial consultation and learn what Dr. Steinsapir can do for you.

September 16, 2009

MicrodropletTM BOTOX® and Dysport®: A Revolution in Treatment

Filed under: Botox Los Angeles, Dr. Steinsapir, Under Eye Restylane — Tags: , , , — admin @ 6:44 pm

Let’s be honest, you’ve tried BOTOX® and perhaps the new Dysport® but the results are disappointing.  Even the models and actress with access with to best doctors have some strange results.  You know the bat face and the Vulcan forehead: strange foreheads that are frozen in time.  Perhaps you have decided to swear off treatment?  Well, Dr. Steinsapir, the premier cosmetic surgeon in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills has announced his breakthrough method called the MicrodropletTM forehead lift.  This patent pending method revolutionizes what can be accomplished with BOTOX® and Dysport®.

Why Doctor Steinsapir’s MicrodropletTM forehead lift is different.

Ever wonder why doctors inject BOTOX® and Dysport where they do? Before Dr. Steinsapir, doctors never thought about how to control the spread of these agents.  Uncontrolled, these agents drift.  This means that using standard injections, there is no way to selectively treat the muscles that pull the eyebrows down and avoid treating the muscle that helps elevate the eyebrow.  Perhaps you have experienced these types of results yourself or have seen them in your favorite actresses: The forehead can’t move and the eyebrows drop like stones.  Think about it.  What looks good is a gently lifted eyebrow, no crows feet lines or brow pinch, and a forehead with reduced lines that is still able to move.  Imagine a BOTOX® treatment that allows you to have natural expressions! This is exactly what the MicrodropletTM forehead lift does.

MicrodropletTM means control.

Dr. Steinsapir has been treating with BOTOX® since 1988.  He has performed cosmetic BOTOX® treatments since 1992.  He developed the Microdroplet forehead lift by carefully listening to his patients.  The key break though came when he learn how to precisely target the muscles that pull the eyebrows down.  He accomplished this by using microliter injections of BOTOX® and Dysport® that are placed in such a way that the treatment can’t spread.  This means that the most important muscles that cause the unwanted pinching at the brow and crows feet, and pull the eyebrows down can now be treated with BOTOX® and Dysport®.  Before Dr. Steinsapir’s revolutionary break through method, it was not possible to treat these muscles without the risk of side effects.  Dr. Steinsapir can now safely perform a Microdroplet forehead lift without these concerns.  You will look years younger, refreshed, and relaxed without any evidence that you have had a service.

Schedule Now!

As you can imagine, Dr. Steinsapir is immensely popular.  He is widely known not only for his patent pending MicrodropletTM forehead lift, but also his much sought after DeepfillTM under eye Restylane® treatment to correct under eye hollows and dark circles.  He was recently quoted in Harper’s Bazaar regarding these innovative non-surgical methods.  According to Dr. Steinsapir “The ZoneliftTM combines the MicrodropletTM forehead lift with DeepfillTM Restylane® for the undereyes and gives results that are better than what can be accomplished with surgery.” Only Dr. Steinsapir performs these services.  If you have been frustrated with treatments that never seem quite right, you owe it to yourself to learn first hand what Dr. Steinsapir can accomplish for you.  For a limited time, enjoy a complimentary initial consultation.  If you choose, have treatment at the time of your visit.

Contact us today, and begin enjoy the results you have been dreaming about!

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