June Newsletter
Tag Archives: Facial Fillers
Radiesse
Radiesse
Ask the Experts –
Dr. Toscano and Dr. Teleszky answer your questions about . . .
Radiesse
Q: What is Radiesse?
A: Radiesse is a Facial Filler that is particularly good at restoring lost volume and bringing back a full youthful look to your face. As we age, our own natural collagen breaks down and looses elasticity. This causes sagging, wrinkles, hollows, jowls and other visible signs of aging. Radiesse fills in hollow areas and gives your skin a tighter and suppler look.
Q: What is it made of and how does it work?
A: Radiesse is composed of tiny microspheres of Calcium Hydroxylapatite, a compound very similar to our body’s own natural structural matrix. Radiesse creates a lattice or scaffolding where surrounding cells can grow and new collagen can attach. This new collagen is supple and elastic and gives the filled area a very natural appearance
Q: How is it different from Restylane and Juvederm?
A: Restylane and Juvaderm are made of a different substance that fills but does not promote the growth of new collagen. They are ideal for areas that need a very precise fill like lips or superficial wrinkles. Radiesse, on the other hand, plumps a bit after it is placed making it ideal for volume replacement but not a good choice for lips.
Q: Where can Radiesse be used?
A: Radiesse produces superb results over the cheek bones or the temples where it pulls the skin upwards and reduces the hollows of the cheeks and the loose skin under the eyes. When placed along the jaw line it erases jowls caused by laxity. It also works well to fill the lines from the edge of the nose to the lips and the depressed areas between the lips and the chin.
Q: Any other areas?
A: Yes, the back of the hands are areas that can really show aging and volume loss, the tops of the feet, too. We’ve gotten excellent results injecting Radiesse into these areas. Even the earlobes, deflated by years of heavy earrings, can be plumped with Radiesse.
Q: How long does Radiesse last?
A: Usually Radiesse will last up to 18 months but since it promotes the formation of new collagen, some of the increase in volume and elasticity may last much longer.
Q: Is it painful?
A: Not at all. Radiesse has received approval from the FDA to be mixed with a local anesthetic agent. Most patients find the injections to be quite comfortable.
Q: What about bruising or swelling?
A: We use a very slow and careful injection technique that usually produces no bruising at all. There may be some minimal swelling afterward but this goes away quite rapidly.
Q: How quickly will I see results?
A: You will notice an immediate enhancement in the texture, elasticity and shape of your skin. Because, over time, new cells begin to grow and collagen begins to form on the microsphere matrix, you can expect the effect to continue to improve for weeks.
Q: It sounds great. How much does it cost and how many will I need?
A: Radiesse is priced competitively with other fillers. The best way to answer this question is to come in for a complimentary consultation. Tell us what areas concern you and we will be happy to give you advice about which fillers will give you the results you want.
Hydrelle
Hydrelle
Ask the Experts –
Dr. Toscano and Dr. Teleszky answer your questions about . . .
Hydrelle, the new facial filler
Q: I’ve never heard of it. What is Hydrelle and what does it do?
A: Hydrelle is a new facial filler by Coapt Systems that you may have seen advertized in magazines or featured on hit TV show, The Doctors (WFLA-TV8). We’ve been using it now for several months and we are very excited about the excellent results our patients have experienced.
Q: What is it made of and where in the face can it be used?
A: Like Restylane or Juvederm, Hydrelle is made of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance that we all have in our own facial support tissues. Hydrelle is particularly effective at softening the deep lines that extend from the wings of the nose to the outer corners of the lips (the nasolabial folds) and down to the jaw line (the marionette lines). It is also excellent at reducing superficial lines and wrinkles that commonly occur on the cheeks, the chin and elsewhere on the face.
Q: How is Hydrelle different than other HA fillers?
A: Hydrelle is different is several important ways. First Hydrelle has a higher concentration of Hyaluronic Acid than any other HA filler (28% verses 24%) and the structure of the molecule is larger. The higher concentration and larger structure causes more water to be pulled into the area so Hydrelle tends to “plump-up” more than other HA fillers so we can use less volume of the product to achieve the same effect. In addition, the Hydrelle syringe contains more of the product than some other HA syringes. Commonly a single Hydrelle syringe can produce about the same results as two syringes of other HA fillers. This results in a significant savings to you.
Q: Any there other differences?
A: Yes. Hydrelle is the first facial filler to come premixed with lidocaine, a numbing medication. Previously, we’ve used dental blocks to numb the face before injecting fillers. With Hydrelle, the injections are so comfortable that a dental block is unnecessary. We will still offer a dental block to any patient who prefers one but most patients find that the injections are not particularly painful.
Also, Hydrelle is not as viscous or thick as some of the other HA products. Because it is easier to inject, we are able have greater control over the effects we are trying to create.
Q: It sounds great. You can use less of it, it comes in a larger syringe and you don’t need a dental block. Are there any downsides?
A: Because Hydrelle plumps up more than other HA fillers, it is very effective for most areas of the face. But along thin the borders of the lips, we believe that other HA products allow us more precise control over the subtle enhancement that most women want.
Q: What about the price? It must cost a lot more.
A: Presently we are able to offer a syringe of Hydrelle to our patients for even LESS than the cost of other fillers. In addition, for a limited time, if you purchase a syringe of ANY filler including Hydrelle, we will offer you a substantial discount on the second or third syringe of any filler – the fillers do not have to be the same product. You can enhance your lips with Juvederm, soften wrinkles with Hydrelle, and replace volume in the cheeks with Radiesse.
We can help you choose the right fillers to use to obtain that youthful refreshed look in time for the holidays.
Facial Fillers
Facial Fillers
Ask the Experts –
Dr. Toscano and Dr. Teleszky answer your questions about . . .
Facial Fillers
Q: What are Facial Fillers and what are they used for?
A: Facial Fillers are used for several reasons. We all have lines which start at the outside edges of the nose and continue downward to the corners of our lips and sometimes even further down to the jaw line. As we age, these lines deepen and become more noticeable. These lines point like an arrow toward the nose and direct attention away from our most attractive features – our eyes and lips. Filling in and softening these lines is one of the major uses of Facial Fillers.
Also, as we age, we tend to lose volume in certain areas like the lips and the cheeks. Facial Fillers can help plump these areas and make them look more youthful.
Q: I don’t want it to be obvious that I’ve had my lips done. Can you achieve a result that is subtle but still effective?
A: Absolutely, subtlety is very important, especially around the lips. You have surely seen women whose lips were plumped up too much or were asymmetrical. The effect is neither subtle nor attractive.
The Physicians of REDBAMBOO Medi•Spa I have been trained by nationally-recognized expert, Dr. Sharon McQuillan in the use of Facial Fillers. We begin by placing the tiniest bead of filler along the vermillion border between the lips and the skin. This softens the little lines that cross the border and makes the lips more noticeable and well-defined. Commonly, then we might add a little bead of filler to the areas underneath the peaks of the upper lip and the middle of the lower lip to achieve a subtle pout and a youthful, luscious look.
Q: What are Facial Fillers made of?
A: There are many types of Facial Fillers made from various different substances but most patients who get Facial Fillers for the first time receive Restylane or Juvederm. Both of these products are made of a substance called hyaluronic acid which we all naturally produce in our own bodies. Restylane and Juvederm are actually excellent choices for your first experience with Facial Fillers. The effect wears off after about 9 to 12 months so, at that time, you can decide if you would rather use a longer lasting product for your next treatment.
There are many other fillers made of various different substances and they last for different periods of time. Your aesthetic physician can help you choose which filler is right for you.
Q: Does it hurt?
A: The lips are a very sensitive area so we, at REDBAMBOO Medi•Spa, use topical anesthetic as well as mixing the fliers with a local anesthetic. If our patients prefer, we can also use a dental block to completely numb the area before injecting fillers. Our patients’ comfort is very important to us and we never charge extra for anesthetic or a dental block.
Q: Will I be sore, swollen or bruised afterward?
A: The lips are a very vascular area and some minimal swelling is to be expected and occasionally some very minor bruising as well. This usually resolves after a day or so. Ice is very helpful for reducing bruising and swelling and so our patients are all given a small ice pack. Soreness is usually not a problem.
Q: Will it look like I’ve had something done?
A: Again, our goal is for the change to be subtle but effective. Someone looking at you should subconsciously have their attention directed away from your nose and toward your lips and eyes. You should look refreshed and more youthful.
A New Year – A New You
This article appeared in Prestige Magazine (04) – December 2008
A New Year – A New You
By Raye Toscano
Now that the Holiday rush is over and the New Year is upon up, it’s time for us ladies to think about giving ourselves a little present – a new face for the new year. I’m not talking about a surgical facelift with all that trauma and downtime and expense. I’m talking about the subtle and artistic use of Botox and Fillers known as “The Liquid Facelift.”
Botox is used to relax overactive facial muscles and soften wrinkles. The frown lines between the eyebrows and the smile lines around the eyes can be significantly diminished with careful use of Botox. Physicians trained in advanced Botox techniques can also produce a gentle arch of the eyebrows and a pleasing up-turn to the corners of the mouth. The result is a youthful, rested and pleasant appearance.
True pharmaceutical Botox Cosmetic® by Allergan has been studied for decades and is extremely safe. There have been absolutely no reported allergic reactions to it. The most common complications are minor and temporary. Inadequately trained injectors can sometimes cause discomfort and slight bruising. This absolutely should not occur with proper technique. Slight facial asymmetry may occasionally occur and is usually easily corrected with a touchup.
Those deep lines on either side of the nose running down to the jaw line require a different approach. Facial Fillers like Restylane and Juvaderm can be used to fill in these lines and reduce the shadows that add years to our looks. Also, as we age, we lose tissue volume in our lips. Careful and artistic use of Fillers can outline our lips and make them oh so kissable. The effect should be subtle – not obvious.
The most important point is to insure that the person performing the injection is properly trained in facial anatomy and advanced injection techniques. We at REDBAMBOO Medi•Spa in Northwood Plaza in Clearwater believe that these injections should not be performed by a nurse practitioner, physician assistant or aesthetician. Our Physicians have been trained by Dr. Sharon McQuillan, considered to be one of the premiere aesthetic physicians in the country. Call us at 727-726-6100 for an appointment for a complimentary consultation.