About Botox® & Dysport®
BOTOX® and DYSPORT® Cosmetic contains tiny amounts of a highly purified botulinum protein refined from the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause fine lines and wrinkles on the face.
BOTOX® DYSPORT® Cosmetic is injected into the appropriate muscles to target one of the underlying causes of fine lines and wrinkles—the repeated muscle contractions from frowning and squinting over the years. After a few days, these injections temporarily reduce muscle activity and you will notice a decrease in the muscle movement and visible smoothing of the lines.
Some patients report that being injected with BOTOX® & DYSPORT® Cosmetic feels like a pinch. If your concerned, we can use ice to help numb the treatment area first.
The face is very vascular, and even though every effort is made to avoid this, there is always a chance of bruising during any type of injection, even BOTOX® Cosmetic. However, there are things you can do several days (7) prior to the appointment to minimize the risk, such as eliminating your intake of various drugs, vitamins, foods and liquids that thin the blood.
Note: Do not stop taking any prescription drugs without consulting your doctor first.
We will discuss your treatment goals and perform a facial analysis to determine the appropriate treatments for you. The actual injection process takes about 10 minutes.
After your treatment, you can resume your day. However, there aftercare instructions you must follow for 4 hours, including: no exercise, no rubbing the injection sites, no laying down and no bending and lifting heavy objects.
You may begin to notice results within 24 to 48 hours for moderate to severe frown lines, but the full effect takes about two weeks and results last 3 to 4 months.
In the clinical studies, three percent of patients experienced eyelid drooping in the frown lines studies and 1% of patients experienced eyelid swelling in the crow’s feet studies. Other possible side effects include: discomfort or pain at the injection site; headache; neck pain; and allergic reactions. These are not all the possible side effects of BOTOX® & DYSPORT® Cosmetic. Please refer to the BOTOX® or DYSPORT® Cosmetic website for more detailed information.
Your cost not only includes the price of the product, but more importantly, Stephanie’s 30 years in the nursing field and her extraordinary technique and expertise as an aesthetic nurse specialist with advanced training and certification in administering injectable cosmetic treatments. Stephanie charges $10.00 per unit and takes the time to understand your treatment goals and develop a treatment plan that is right for you. She believes the last place you should be discounting is treatments on your face. So, be wary of discount products or “cheap” BOTOX® & DYSPORT® Cosmetic—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
In addition, Stephanie participates in the Brilliant Distinctions ®. Stephanie will enter your treatment into Brilliant Distinctions® and, as a member, you will earn points to use on your next visit when you get BOTOX® & DYSPORT® Cosmetic, or any other Allergan injectable service.
About Juvedérm®
JUVÉDERM® collection of fillers adds volume to a different area of the face – without surgery. All JUVÉDERM® fillers are a smooth, crystal-clear gel made from a modified form of hyaluronic acid (HA). HA is a natural substance in the skin that delivers nutrients, helps the skin retain moisture and softness, and adds volume to the face.
Different formulations of JUVÉDERM® are used for different areas of the face, depending on the issue.
JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC and Ultra Plus XC adds fullness and plumps lips as well as soothes and corrects moderate to severe parenthesis around the nose and mouth.
JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™ XC softens moderate to severe parentheses lines and wrinkles by adding subtle volume around the nose and mouth in adults over the age of 21. VOLLURE™ is said to last up to 18 months.
JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC adds volume to the cheek area to correct age-related volume loss in adults over 21. VOLUMA® is said to last up to 2 years.
JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC adds subtle volume to lips and softens the appearance of vertical lip lines.
Savings are just the beginning.
JUVÉDERM® injectable gel is a “next-generation” hyaluronic acid dermal filler that provides volume and is used to treat wrinkles and folds resulting from a loss of volume beneath the surface of the skin. Botox Cosmetic is not a filler. Botox Cosmetic relaxes muscle activity and is used to treat moderate to severe lines caused by facial expressions.
You will see a visible improvement immediately after treatment. You and Stephanie will work together to achieve the most desirable, natural looking results. However, you won’t see the ultimate results for a couple of weeks while your body gets accustom to the new filler. Stephanie’s moto is: “Don’t love it or hate it for two weeks!”
It depends on the type of filler being used, as well as your own metabolism. The range of fillers and based on the area being treated, they will last between 6 months to two years.
Most side effects are mild or moderate in nature, and their duration is typically not long lasting. The most common side effects include, but are not limited to, temporary injections site reactions such as redness, pain/tenderness, firmness, swelling, lumps/bumps, bruising, itching, and discoloration. As with all skin injection procedures there is a risk of infection.
Yes. In fact, JUVÉDERM® injectable gel is the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler that has proven its safety and effectiveness in persons of color. Studies with JUVÉDERM® showed no increased risk of hyperpigmentation or hypertrophic scarring in patients of color.
Avoid taking any blood thinning medications and vitamins, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and omega -3s, for 7 days before your treatment. These medications can increase bleeding or bruising at the injection site. Please be sure to notify Stephanie if you are unable to stop these substances. In the case of cosmetic treatments…the best surprise, is no surprise.
You should avoid the following for at least 24 hours after treatment:
- Strenuous exercise
- Consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Extended exposure to sun or heat
- Exposure to any of the above may cause temporary redness, swelling, and/or itching at the injection sites. If there is swelling, you may need to place an ice pack over the swollen area. Be sure to contact Stephanie if any redness and/or visible swelling lasts more than a few days or any other symptoms that cause you concern. Stephanie welcomes all communication about any concerns you have about your treatments.
Ahhh! The dreaded bruise! Yes! There is always a potential for bruising. It’s just part of the risk we take when we place a needle into the skin. If you bruise during the treatment, Stephanie will apply an ice pack immediately and instruct you about the after care. Also, you can use Arnica Montana, a natural supplement that aids in healing bruising and swelling. It comes in tablet form and can be taken before and after treatment, as well as creams and gels, which can be applied directly onto the bruise. Fresh pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which is also useful in healing bruising. You can eat pineapple before and after treatment or take it in tablet form you can purchase at various health food stores.
Other Considerations:
- Patients who are using substances that can prolong bleeding, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, as with any injection, may experience increased bruising or bleeding in the injection area. Please make sure you inform Stephanie before treatment if you are using these types of substances.
- If you are considering any laser treatment, chemical peeling, or other procedure which causes an active dermal response after a filler treatment, there is a possible risk of an inflammatory reaction at the treatment site. It is highly recommended that you wait at least 4 weeks before having any of these treatments done after a filler treatment.
- JUVÉDERM® should be used with caution in patients on immunosuppressive therapy, or therapy used to decrease the body’s immune response, as there may be an increased risk of infection. Please consult with your Primary Care Provider first. Stephanie may request a Release be provided by your provider before she will consent to treating you.
- Women who are pregnant or nursing should not be treated with JUVÉDERM®.
About Kybella®
The active ingredient in KYBELLA® is synthetic deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the fat beneath the chin, KYBELLA® destroys fat cells, resulting in a noticeable reduction in fullness under the chin. Once destroyed, these cells can no longer store or accumulate fat, so further treatment is not expected once you reach your desired aesthetic goal.
Before starting treatment, Stephanie will examine the area under and around your chin to determine if KYBELLA® is right for you. Then, she will tailor your treatment to the amount of fat under the chin and your aesthetic goals.
Treatment can only be administered by a KYBELLA®-trained healthcare specialist. At each treatment, you will receive multiple small injections under your chin, and the injection process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. The exact number of injections will depend on the amount of fat you have under your chin and your desired profile.
Since everyone’s chin profile is different, the number of treatments varies from patient to patient. Stephanie will help determine how many treatment sessions you need based on the amount and distribution of your submental fat and your personal treatment goals. Each KYBELLA® treatment session is given at least 1 month apart, and you should not receive more than 6 treatments. In clinical studies, 59% of patients received 6 treatments.
After KYBELLA® treatment, you will likely have some swelling, bruising, or numbness under your chin. Be sure to inform Stephanie if you develop an uneven smile, facial muscle weakness, or difficulty swallowing.
KYBELLA® can cause serious side effects, including nerve injury in the jaw that can temporarily cause an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness (experienced by 4 out of 100 people in clinical studies) and trouble swallowing (experienced by 2 out of 100 people in clinical studies). In clinical studies, nerve injury in the jaw resolved on its own in a median of 44 days (range of 1 to 298 days), and trouble swallowing resolved on its own in a median of 3 days (range of 1 to 81 days).
THE MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OCCUR IN THE TREATMENT AREA AND INCLUDE:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain
- Numbness
- Redness
- Areas of hardness
Before receiving KYBELLA®, make sure you tell Stephanie about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- Have had or plan to have surgery on your face, neck, or chin
- Have had cosmetic treatments on your face, neck, or chin
- Have had or have medical conditions in or near the neck area
- Have had or have trouble swallowing
- Have bleeding problems
- Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if KYBELLA® will harm your unborn baby)
- Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if KYBELLA® passes into your breast milk; talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you
- receive KYBELLA®)
- Are taking any medications, especially blood thinners.
About Micro-Needling
Micro-needling, also known as Percutaneous Collagen Induction Therapy (PCIT), is a skin-rejuvenating procedure using a device with 12 to 36 micro needles that glides across the skin and punctures tiny channels in the dermal & epidermal junction. This process stimulates growth factors inducing new collagen and elastin resulting in smoother more radiant skin.
Micro-needling can safely treat all skin types to address a variety of concerns. Most areas of the body can be treated, unless you have any conditions which would make it contraindicated
Some conditions micro-needling is known to improve include: mild to moderate acne scarring, fine lines and wrinkles, overall skin texture and pore size, and stretch marks, as well as melasma & hyperpigmentation.
Typically, the initial series would include 3-6 treatments, depending on your area and concern. Stephanie will determine the best treatment schedule for you, based on your unique needs and desires. Treatments are usually scheduled 4 weeks apart.
Stephanie will clean your skin and place a numbing cream on the area being treated. This will stay on for at least 30 minutes. After the numbing, your skin will be cleaned again, and a hyaluronic acid serum will be applied. The micro-needling devise will be gently applied over the area at the speed and depth needed to achieve the desired results. The area may need more than one pass. Depending on the number of areas, the treatment usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. Afterwards, your skin will be cleaned and another layer of hyaluronic acid and sunscreen will be applied to the treated areas. You will be given post care instructions prior to leaving the office.
After the treatment, your skin will be mildly to moderately red and feel tight. It feels similar to a sunburn. It’s possible you will experience some swelling, as well. These symptoms can last 48 to 72 hours, at which time, your skin may begin to peel. The peeling can last up to 4 days. Your normal cleansing and make-up routine usually resumes after day 5, depending on how aggressive the treatment.
You will start seeing fresh new radiant skin after the peeling; around day 5. However, collagen regrowth takes place over several months, so your skin will continue to improve for up to 3 months. ENJOY!
