Piedmont Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology is proud to offer several non-invasive cosmetic procedures like injectables, laser, or fillers that can rejuvenate your appearance without a long recovery period. There are several options for patients searching for a facial refresh, including Botox, Kybella, Sculptra, Juvederm, Xeomin, and Restylane. Learn more about these procedures below, or contact our office for more information!
Xeomin is an injectable medicine that has been clinically proven to improve the look of “frown lines” between the eyebrows. A patient will receive the amount of injections that correspond with the correct dose, as determined by the doctor. Potential common side effects include dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, muscle weakness, vision and eye problems.
Sculptra is an injectable that helps replace lost collagen to improve the signs of facial aging such as wrinkles and fine lines. A patient will typically receive three injections over the course of three to four months. Results will appear gradually and can last up to two years. Common side effects include redness, swelling, tenderness, injection site pain, bruising, bleeding, itching and lumps.
Kybella is a prescription medicine made with synthetic deoxycholic acid. It is used to destroy fat cells under the chin (commonly known as “double chin”) and improve your profile. A patient will receive multiple injections under the chin at each treatment. Patients may need up to six treatments, which should be scheduled at least one month apart.
The most common side effects of Kybella include swelling, bruising, pain, numbess, redness and areas of hardness. Rare side effects include a nerve injury in the jaw that can temporarily cause uneven smile/facial muscle weakness and trouble swallowing.
Hyaluronic Fillers can plump lips, enhance shallow contours, soften facial creases and wrinkles, or improve the appearance of recessed scars. Ask your provider which filler is suitable to you.
Juvéderm™ injectable gel is a smooth consistency gel dermal filler that helps to instantly restore your skin’s volume and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds like your “smile lines” or “parentheses” (nasolabial folds—the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth).
What is Juvederm?
Juvederm is a filler comprised of hylauronic acid which typically lasts 6-12 months. It may be used to instantly smooth out wrinkles and folds to improve facial symmetry.
Who is a candidate for Juvederm?
Men and women who are looking to improve wrinkles, folds, or those seeking a correction in volume deficiencies for a more attractive and balanced facial appearance are good candidates for Juvederm.
Where is the Juvederm procedure performed?
The Juvederm injection is performed at Piedmont Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology Center by Dr. Spencer and our Physician Assistants.
Is anesthesia used for the Juvederm procedure?
A topical numbing cream can be used to optimize comfort but is not normally needed. Juvederm contains a numbing agent that eliminates most pain.
How is the Juvederm procedure performed?
The Juvederm is injected directly into the skin using a small needle.
How long is the procedure time for Juvederm?
Juvederm takes just a few minutes to inject.
How long do the results of Juvederm last?
Juvederm results last an average of six to twelve months.
When will I be able to return to work after the Juvederm procedure?
Patients are able to return to work and other normal activities immediately after treatment. However, some prefer to wait until the redness and swelling have subsided.
Is the cost of the Juvederm procedure covered by insurance?
Juvederm injections are not filed to insurance and must be paid for in full at the appointment time.
Restylane- Restylane is an FDA approved long-lasting gel which adds volume to your lips, facial wrinkles, scars and folds. Restylane® contains hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance already present in the human body. Restylane treatment time is just a few minutes.
What Is Restylane?
Restylane is are safe and natural dermal fillers that restore volume and fullness to the skin and correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds.
What is Restylane made of?
Restylane is composed of non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that already exists in the human body and is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin.
Can Restylane be used anywhere on the face?
Restylane is been used to correct a variety of wrinkles. They are mainly used in moderation to correct severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.
How long does Restylane last, and what is the difference?
The effects of Restylane generally lasts 4 – 6 months, and the effects of Perlane generally last 6 – 9 months. Perlane is simply a larger molecule /gel particle used to treat deeper folds.
How is Restylane different from Botox®?
Botox is a drug that blocks nerve transmission and relaxes the underlying muscles. Restylane and Perlane are natural cosmetic fillers. Many patients have been very pleased after receiving treatment with both products.
What is laser?
Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Laser energy creates wavelengths in the visible light and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The specific wavelength that is created by a laser is important for the type of problem being treated. For example, the Light Sheer Diode laser emits a wavelength of 800nm. At this wavelength, melanin, the pigment target in hair, is best targeted.
In general, all lasers work in a similar fashion. Light waves are excited and amplified by a power input (electricity). This occurs within a rectangular “box” that contains a substance, a “hole” and a partially reflective mirror at one end and a fully reflective mirror at the other end. The substance that is excited may be a crystal (ruby or alexandrite lasers), a liquid (pulsed dye lasers), or gas (carbon dioxide lasers). The excited light wave packages (called photons) are reflected back and forth between the mirrors at each end of the box. This beam of light is then directed to a delivery system which is directed at the skin.
Tissue targets, called chromophores, maximally absorb particular wavelengths of light. Three chromophores most commonly targeted for cosmetic procedures are cellular water (10,600nm – carbon dioxide lasers), hemoglobin (585nm – pulsed dye lasers), and melanin (755 and 800nm – alexandrite and diode lasers, respectively).
What skin conditions can lasers be used for?
Lasers can be used for a variety of skin conditions that include the following:
Are there side effects to laser treatment?
Side effects for laser treatment depend on the type of laser being used.
Vascular birthmarks and facial blood vessels (telangiectasias) are treated with the Versa Pulse laser. This laser uses a sapphire water cooled tip at the end of the hand piece that allows for cooling of the upper layers of the skin as well as makes the laser more comfortable. Side effects may include mild pain, redness, and temporary swelling. Birthmarks may require 3 – 5 treatments or more.
Tattoos and other pigmented lesions are treated with the Versa Pulse Q Switched laser. Amateur tattoos can usually be removed more easily than professional ones. It may take up to ten treatments or more for professional tattoos to clear due to the very sophisticated and stable organic dyes mixed with metallic elements that are used. Red, orange, purple, blue, and black tattoos respond better than yellow or green which may not totally clear. Side effects may include mild pain, crusting, and mild bleeding.
Unwanted facial hair is treated with the Light Sheer Diode Laser. Several treatments are needed to achieve permanent hair reduction. Side effects include mild pain, redness, temporary swelling, and slight crusting around the hair follicle.
Facial wrinkles are treated with the Ultrapulse CO2 laser. This laser produces a controlled burn that penetrates to the second layer of skin thereby reducing wrinkles, sun damage, and acne scars. Treatment with a CO2 laser is aggressive and has the greatest amount of “down time”. Side effects include redness, crusting, and oozing. Because this laser is not tolerated without anesthesia, local numbing, nerve blocks, and tumescent solution are utilized depending on the treatment site.
The sciton laser is a band light ideal for sun spots, blood vessels, and microlaserpeels. The laser has the capacity to use laser light (a single, collimated beam to treat a specific target) and a broad band light (a range of wavelengths to treat more than one target). This laser is ideal for mild-moderate wrinkles and sunspots. It can also be used to treat blood vessels as well. A fractionated head may be used for deeper peels(similar to the fraxel laser).
The DEKA DOT Fractional Co2 laser is our most successful way of resurfacing the skin of the face and neck. This laser allows patients to heal quicker and with less downtime.
What is Botox?
Botox cosmetic is made from botulinum toxin, a bacterial product that temporarily paralyzes the muscles of the face. In small quantities, Botox is a simple, non-surgical procedure that soothes wrinkles of the forehead, between the eyebrows and around the eyes. It can also be used in small amounts around the mouth to soften wrinkles in this area. Finally, Botox can be used to treat hyperhidrosis, a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating of the underarms, hands, or feet.
How long does Botox last?
Botox treatments on the face typically last 3 – 4 months and can last up to 6 months. Treatments in the underarms, palms, or soles usually last 7 months and can remain up to 12 months.
Will I be able to express emotion after Botox treatment?
Yes. While treated wrinkles will be lessened, “facial freezing” is not normal. Most people report looking more natural and relaxed.
What can I expect?
Botox treatments take 5-10 minutes to complete. A few injections with a very fine needle are placed into the area to be treated. The patient is asked to use the muscles of facial expression after the treatment to help with the uptake of Botox. After the initial treatment, results can take up to 7-10 days. Subsequent injections take effect within 1-2 days.
What are the side effects of Botox injections?
While most people experience little or no difficulty with Botox injections, it is possible to experience one or more of the following:
Rare side effects include: