Fraxel is the current leader in fractionated laser technology for cosmetic purposes. The technology behind this revolutionary laser, fractional photothermolysis, delivers laser energy in microscopic pulses which treat the skin deeply but in a more gentle fashion than other lasers. Fraxel comes in three forms: Re:Fine, Re:Store, and Re:Pair.
The Fraxel Re:Fine laser is an “erbium” laser and is the least aggressive of the three Fraxel lasers. It is manufactured for use in medical spas, and treatments can be administered by a trained aesthetician or nurse. The Fraxel Re:Store laser is a more aggressive version of the Re:Fine laser, and is intended to be used in physician offices. Both lasers will improve the texture and tone of skin through the process of collagen remodeling. In addition, the color of skin will be improved by removing age spots and uneven skin color. There is little recovery time with either of these lasers, but improvement in wrinkles is not as significant as some patients desire. Continue reading ‘Fraxel: Repair your skin and remove those wrinkles’
Some of my patients have recently asked about the safety of Botox Cosmetic, in light of recent negative news reports involving “Botox.” No need to worry! It is widely known that Botox Cosmetic is derived from botulinum toxin. The recent news reports refer to adverse patient complications involving a different type of botulinum toxin than Botox Cosmetic. The “Botox” referred to in the recent news reports is instead a much more concentrated version of botulinum toxin, and it was being used to treat severe neuromuscular conditions in certain pediatric patients. These types of patients receive doses of the botulinum toxin at much higher levels than the normal cosmetic patient. In the cases recently reported in the news, a few children suffered serious complications because they received even more excessive doses of the botulinum toxin. Continue reading ‘Patients Ask: Is Botox Cosmetic Safe?’
For many, full lips convey a sense of youth and vitality. As people age, they tend to lose volume in their face, which begins to look shallow and hollow. One particular area that demonstrates this loss in the early years of aging is the lips, which begin to lose their volume in the person’s late 40’s or early 50’s. Lip augmentation is a relatively simple procedure which can restore much needed volume in the aging face, or in anyone who has naturally thin lips.
Lip augmentation can be achieved with a wide variety of natural or synthetic products. Some examples would be a patient’s own fat or fascia, alloderm, silicone implants, or injectable fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm. Most doctors will have a preference on which method works best for them and their patients. Continue reading ‘The Basics of Lip Augmentation’
