Natural Results
Lip injections are an art form just as much as they are a medical procedure. It isn’t just about having bigger lips or looking like a certain celebrity. It is about determining how big the lips should be in relation to the face for an aesthetically pleasing result. This principle known as the ‘golden ratio’ assures patients look more beautiful than just having big lips that look un-natural to their facial anatomy. The ‘golden ratio’ theory developed by world famous artist Leonardo Da Vinci, is 1 to 1.618 (top lip to bottom lip). This is what is found in nature and deemed to be most attractive through many documented studies. Keeping with this ratio also assures avoiding the dreaded ‘duck lip’ look that many patients are fearful of their first time getting lip injections in Rhode Island.

Safety
Since 2003, FDA approved hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are the preferred lip filler in Rhode Island. This is also the safest choice in that HA is a sugar molecule found naturally in our bodies, so pre-injection skin testing is not necessary. Over a time- period of about 6-18 months, the product is fully absorbed by the body. There is also an enzyme available to dissolve the filler if ever needed.

The chance of an adverse event or reaction is extremely rare and side effects are very minimal with a qualified medical doctor. Unfortunately, as popularity increases, there are those out there that know very little about injecting lip fillers in Rhode Island correctly, which could lead to serious complications. Do your research and ask to see before and after photos of actual patients

Precautions
When a new lip injection patient comes to our office they generally have 2 fears. The first one I will address is pain. Some patients have never had their lips done before whereas others have gotten them done elsewhere and it ended up being a very painful experience for them. Dr. Gallo has a specially compounded prescription grade numbing cream along with being trained in an advanced injection technique that make the experience quite tolerable. Each injection spot is also pre-iced to constrict blood vessels, to minimize any bruising. We also have patients refrain from aspirin, alcohol, fish oil, vitamin E and any other blood thinning medications or supplements they may be on for 1 week prior to the procedure. Some patients will swell more than others in the first 24-48 hours but we have post-procedure measures to counteract that as well.

The second fear I will address is lip size. Since we only inject 1 syringe per sitting, it is virtually impossible to make your lips bigger than you desire. Each syringe is 1ml. There are 5mls in one teaspoon. That should put things a little more in perspective. For someone desiring a more defined border or slight plump, 1 syringe is usually enough. For those desiring voluminous lips depicted on Instagram, multiple syringes will be needed. How many depends on the size of your lips to begin with and your desired outcome. Two weeks is the standard mark where all swelling should be subsided revealing the result. We only inject 1 syringe at a time because your natural lips need time to expand and integrate with the product. We recommend adding additional syringes about a month apart. The slow and steady wins the race. Once you get to your desired outcome we recommend topping off with 1 syringe of lip filler every 6-9 months to maintain your result.

Cost
Cost is a definite factor in deciding if Rhode Island lip injections are right for you. The US National average is between $500 to $650 per 1ml syringe. Should you decide to stop getting lip injections at any time, your lips will shrink back to their natural state. Despite what you may hear, you won’t be left with saggy lips.

If you are interest in Rhode Island lip filler, call Kim at 401-458-0825 or check out our website at www.victorymedspa.com. Not only to we offer some of the best pricing in the area, Dr. Gallo is also a master of his skill.

Victory Medical Spa 780 Victory Hwy #3, West Greenwich, RI 02817 (401) 458-0825

Victory Medical Spa explains the benefits of Botox. Botox has been recognized medically since the early 1980’s. It has been successfully used in treating muscle spasms, cross eyes, migraines, excessive sweating or drooling, cervical dystonia and overactive bladder. Also, some preliminary studies have shown promise in the alleviation of depression and TMJ.

The use of Botox cosmetically was discovered by ophthalmologist, Jean Carruthers in 1987. She was injecting near the brow of a patient who suffered from uncontrollable blinking. The patient asked for other areas of her forehead to be injected because it made her wrinkles go away. The next day Dr. Carruthers convinced her receptionist to try what would become the first Botox treatment for frown lines. The results spoke for themselves and the rest is history. If you are wondering, Dr. Carruthers never did get to cash in on her discovery. After consulting an expert patent lawyer, she was told it did not seem like a good idea and she left it at that. The company Allergen then went on to patent the drug and become the multibillion dollar company it is today.

Cosmetically, Botox can help to relax frown lines between the eyes, forehead wrinkles and ‘crowsfeet’ on the sides of the eyes. More advanced techniques involve scrunch lines on the sides of the nose, softening vertical lip lines, turning up the corners of the mouth and smoothing a dimpling chin. Botox is not a dermal filler and it does not fill lines. It works by blocking the synapse connection that occurs between the nerves and the muscles, so the muscle cannot contract. When the muscles are not being used, the skin cannot wrinkle. Younger patients may use it as a preventative for wrinkles occurring the first place. But for those that have deep wrinkles even at rest, the complete resolution of the wrinkles will not happen after the first treatment, although there will be noticeable improvement. This subset of patients must keep up on treatments every 3-4 months and not let the full muscle movement return and eventually the dermis will thicken as collagen naturally fills in the lines. Once this happens, treatment time may be able to be spread out a bit more. In almost all patients, by 6 months all Botox will completely gone.

Botox is a purified protein extracted from ‘clostridium botulinum’. Because it is not a live protein, there is no bacteria that can replicate. Also, because it is injected into the muscle and not directly into the bloodstream, the body slowly metabolizes it over the course of 3-6 months. Even if it could somehow enter the bloodstream, the amount that causes symptoms of botulism is thousands of time higher than is used cosmetically. One could argue that it is safer than aspirin. The side effects from aspirin can be as serious as heart arrhythmia, uncontrollable bleeding, and difficulty breathing. Too much Acetaminophen can cause fatal liver damage and excessive Ibuprofen usage can lead to stomach ulcers. Yet we think nothing of taking these over the counter medications. No deaths or serious systemic effects have ever been reported with cosmetic doses of Botox. It’s safety record is remarkable when you consider how many millions of injections have been done over the last 15 years. When injected by an experienced physician like Dr. Gallo, there are very few side effects and almost all of them are temporary.

Victory Medical Spa
780 Victory Hwy #3,
West Greenwich, RI 02817
(401) 458-0825

Written by: Kim Campbell, Manager of Victory Medical Spa in Rhode Island.

I still remember that day. I was 28 years old and caught a glimpse of myself in the car rear view mirror. I saw something I had never noticed before. There were now these lines around my eyes and a crease between my eyebrows. I had heard about something called Botox that got rid of wrinkles but this was 1997, and I did not know much about it. So I was on my quest to find that miracle skin cream that was going to save me from the aging process.

Fast forward a decade, with staying out of the sun, eating a healthy diet, exercising, drinking lots of water and trying every skin cream imaginable with claims of ‘Botox like’ effects, and my face was no doubt looking older and I did not like it. There I said it…“I do NOT like looking old.” I am not a vain person but when I looked in the mirror I didn’t like what I saw and it was affecting my self-esteem. Still not knowing all that much about Botox, I took the plunge and finally did it.

Fast forward yet another decade, and I have not looked back. I couldn’t be happier with the results and the fact that keeping up with my Botox injections has dramatically slowed down the aging of my face. You see when you can’t move those muscles as much that create those dynamic wrinkles in the first place, the lines don’t get deeper over time as they will in someone who does not use Botox.

Botox has restored my self-confidence in a way that no amount of therapy could ever do. This may sound pathetic to some and I am sure I will catch some negative feedback for writing this but I know many of you know exactly what I am talking about. I envy those who are perfectly content with aging gracefully, but that is not me. For the rest of us, there is no shame in wanting to put your best face forward every day. We dye our hair to hide the grays, wear make-up to look pretty and buy skin creams hoping they can do what Botox does. This is not vanity. This is human nature. If you feel good about yourself on the outside you often feel good on the inside too, which carries over to all aspects of your life. I am not delusional, I know I can never look 25 again but if I can stall or abate the aging process then why the heck not?

Botox, along with a healthy lifestyle has made me less intimidated and scared of the aging process. I still can’t believe I will be 47 soon and often get mistaken for being younger. But I am no longer ashamed when people ask me what my secret is. I tell them straight out, “I get Botox” Which they often reply with “But you don’t need Botox”. “That’s the point” I smile and say.

Victory Medical Spa 780 Victory Hwy #3, West Greenwich, RI 02817 (401) 458-0825

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Xeomin has been battling its way for part of the market share in neurotoxins since its FDA approval in 2011. Bringing any product into an already established market quite a challenge. Botox competition is fierce as their branding efforts have reached the highest levels achievable. Much like ‘Kleenex’ is used to refer to just about every brand of tissue on the market, Botox has also become a household name.

But does better branding necessarily yield a better product? The game changing conclusion is in. A recent head to head blind study of 250 patients, sponsored by Merz, showed non-inferiority between the two. Both Xeomin & Botox started working within 3 days. In 7 days, all patients were satisfied and results compared the same at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 4 months.

Patients that are new to neurotoxins have the same question in mind. So if both work equally the same, which one should I use?

Cost is a primary deciding factor for many in these economically challenging times. Xeomin costs a little less to purchase than Botox because is does not need to be frozen or refrigerated. The physician may choose to pass this savings onto his patients.

Xeomin also contains no bounding albumin protein which keeps its molecules pure, reducing the risk of an allergic reaction. There is also less of a risk of antibody formation which in theory makes patients less likely to develop a resistance, as can happen with Botox.

The bottom line is BOTH are safe and effective for aesthetic use. Here at Victory Medical Spa, we offer all three of the FDA approved neurotoxin (Botox, Dysport & Xeomin) to meet patient needs and demands. There will always be variations with people, but all three work well in the hands of a highly trained and skilled injector, such as Dr. Gallo.

If you would like to try Xeomin for yourself, we are currently offering a $9 per unit special while supplies last. Please call Kim @401-458-0825 to schedule your appointment. For more information you can check out our website @ www.victorymedspa.com

Victory Medical Spa 780 Victory Hwy #3, West Greenwich, RI 02817 (401) 458-0825
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Because the results from Botox are temporary, many people think of it only as a quick fix for a special event or simply not worth the money. But did you know that long term use of Botox can prevent your wrinkles from getting worse as you age? When you keep up on your treatments, you are reducing the muscle movement that causes the wrinkles to get deeper over time.

You make facial expressions all day. Whether it be smiling, frowning, squinting or raising your brow. Making these expressions causes temporary lines to show up on your face. When you are younger and your skin has more collagen, these lines go away at rest. As your skin ages and you lose collagen, making these expressions day in and day out causes the lines to worsen and eventually become permanently etched, even at rest.

The average price range for Botox treatments in the US is anywhere from $200 to $400 per area. The 3 standard areas being crows-feet (lines on the sides of the eyes), forehead lines and the 11’s between the eyes known as the glabellar muscle. However, many practices will give discounts when treating multiple areas at one appointment, bringing down your cost.

There are many factors that determine the cost of Botox treatments. Prices will vary depending on who is doing the injections (ie. physican or nurse ), amount of units needed for optimal results (an older person typically needs more units than an younger person), business overhead ect.

A more expensive doctor does not necessarily mean a better outcome but be sure to choose a reputable, well trained and skilled physician. Be cautious about businesses offering online coupons and groupons offering treatments at prices too good to be true. If the Botox is over diluted or you don’t get the optimal amount injected into the right muscles, the treatment will not last very long. Or worse, you could have a ‘botched’ result.

If you get the proper amount of Botox for your individual needs into the correct muscles, the optimal result can last 3-4 months in many people. Those who keep up with treatments may be able to go a little longer between appointments as the muscles get conditioned not to move so much.

Let’s say your Botox treatment costs $400 and last 4 months. This means that if you want to maintain optimal results, you will need 3 appointments per year, costing a total of $1200. That is a lot of money for many people but if you can set aside $25 per week or $100 per month, it doesn’t seem so bad. Even if you only went every 6 months, there would still be some long term benefit.

While these treatments are certainly not a necessity, if you can set aside a little money each month, it is certainly worth it to many people. No face cream, even the most expensive ones, can come close to what Botox can do.
Consistent use of Botox over the long term helps keep wrinkles at bay. So if you have found a skilled injector and love the results, and you’ve got some money to spare, then yes, Botox IS worth it.

For more information on Botox please visit our website – https://victorymedspa.com/procedures/botox-in-ri/.

Victory Medical Spa 780 Victory Hwy #3, West Greenwich, RI 02817 (401) 458-0825

Botox and Dysport in Rhode Island

There are many assumptions by people towards those who may choose to use Botox or Dysport to refresh their appearance. Most of these judgments could not be further from the truth. This is why many people, at least in Rhode Island, do not want anyone to know they are receiving the injections.

Maybe you know someone who just never seems to age? Are they one of the few lucky ones who have awesome genetics? Probably not. Chances are they may be using Botox or Dysport and you don’t even know it. The injections are not just for rich housewives and Hollywood stars. When done correctly, the result is very natural without that frozen or plastic look that many still associate with the treatment.

Choosing to use Botox or Dysport is a personal decision, though millions of men and women from all walks of life are having the treatment done to keep up their appearance. Some of our very own patients at Victory Medical Spa in Rhode Island include, bus drivers, stay at home moms, retirees, school teachers, hair dressers and lawyers.

There are many people who are not bothered by wrinkles or the progressive aging process but for the rest of us, there is nothing wrong with wanting to put your best face forward every day. When you feel good about yourself, your personal and professional life only improves. Women don’t think anything of wearing makeup, coloring their hair or exercising to keep their body fit, so why should Botox or Dysport treatments be viewed any differently?

Billions of dollars each year are spent on anti- aging creams, some very expensive, promising to do what Botox and Dysport does. I hate to break the news to you, but there is no topical solution that can even come close to relaxing those crows feet, forehead lines or the scowl between your eyes. These are dynamic wrinkles, which are caused by repeated muscle movement when we make certain facial expressions. Dynamic wrinkles will worsen over time. Deciding to have the treatment will relax the facial muscles and make the wrinkles less prominent. Keeping up on the treatment, between every 4-6 months, will also help them from getting worse. The choice is yours.

At Victory Medical Spa, all injections are done by James A. Gallo, MD a licensed and board certified physician. Each patient is evaluated individually and we specialize in devising the most cost effective treatment plan to address your concerns. Call Kim at 401-458-0825 to schedule your appointment.

Victory Medical Spa 780 Victory Hwy #3, West Greenwich, RI 02817 (401) 458-0825

RI Medical Spa Now Offering Voluma

When choosing a dermal filler, we all want the safest and longest lasting product for our money. A long awaited FDA approval has finally come. Voluma, by the makers of Juvederm, is now the longest lasting hyuralonic acid dermal filler on the market. Clinical studies show the product can last up to 24 months. It has also been safely and effectively used in other countries.

Voluma is Juvederms thickest formulation to date and is used to restore mid-face volume loss or fill deep wrinkles. As with most dermal fillers on the market, it comes in 1ml vials. How many vials needed varies per individual. Most patients will need at least 2 vials to start, 1 vial per each side, to see that lift in the cheeks they are seeking. Older patients may need more, depending on the results they desire.

Voluma may also be used to fill deep nasolabial folds, those dreaded nose to mouth lines. Due to its thicker consistency, the product is not meant for use under the eyes or for lip enhancement. Juvederm has other formulations that are better suited for these areas.

James A. Gallo, MD performs all the procedures at Victory Medical Spa and is the only physician in the area that has been using the micro-cannula injection technique for dermal fillers since its inception over 3 years ago. Since the longevity of any dermal filler is dependent on how deep the product is injected, needle injections can’t even compare. Other benefits of the micro-cannula over a needle are reduced pain, much lower risk of complications and no bruising in most patients.

At Victory Medical Spa we are offering Voluma at $600 for 1 vial or $1100 for 2 vials. Other formulations of Juvederm are $500 per vial For more information check out our website at www.victorymedspa.com or call Kim at 401-458-0825 for any questions you may have or to schedule an appointment.

Victory Medical Spa 780 Victory Hwy #3, West Greenwich, RI 02817 (401) 458-0825

As more people search for that fountain of youth to help erase some of the ravages of time from their faces, Botox treatments have become main stream in many areas of the country.  Much like coloring your hair every month to cover the grays, millions of women and men in the US receive Botox treatments every 3-4 months to keep up a more youthful appearance. So how do you know if you are paying a fair price for your treatments?

At Victory Medical Spa in RI, we see many new patients for Botox who were getting treatment elsewhere. Surprisingly, most do not actually know how much they received previously. They just know how much they paid.

Facial anatomy, depth of wrinkles and other important factors will vary among each of us, so we all do not need the same amount of Botox. For a basic example, a younger person on average would need less and a male would usually need more than a female due to stronger facial muscles. It is for this reason we charge per unit.  Since each of us is unique, we believe it is only fair to charge a patient for how much they actually need to produce the desired result.

For those that are familiar with paying by the unit and know how much you pay, in RI a fair price would range between $10 – $12 per unit.  But some medical spas in Rhode Island charge by the area ranging anywhere between $300 to $400 per each area.

If you are paying by the area and are curious to see if paying by the unit is a more affordable option, the below calculations are based on Victory Medical Spa’s regular Botox price of $10 per unit.

Area One: The frown lines or 11′s which is that scowl between the eyes that can make us look stressed or angry usually costs between $150 -$300 meaning the average person needs anywhere from 15-30 units to get an effective result.  Most females can get a great result with 20 units or less, while males usually need more.

Area Two: The forehead wrinkles cost runs between $100 – $200, which means 10 – 20 units of Botox to relax those horizontal lines

Area Three: Crows feet eye wrinkles cost runs between $120 -$240 , which means 12 to 24 units depending on the severity of the crows feet.

James A. Gallo, MD, a board certified and licensed medical doctor performs all the injections.  You can check out our website at www.victorymedspa.com for more info or Call Kim at 401-458-0825 with any questions you may have or to make your appointment.  Come find out for yourself why we are the best at what we do with the most affordable pricing around.

Victory Medical Spa 780 Victory Hwy #3, West Greenwich, RI 02817 (401) 458-0825

Can Botox in Rhode Island help with Depression?

It was Darwin himself who theorized that “you feel the way you look” just as much as “you look the way you feel”. If he were alive today, I am quite sure he would be very excited about the discovery of Botox to test out his facial feedback hypothesis. His theory states that facial expression can influence how we feel emotionally. Simply put, if you continually force yourself to smile you may find yourself feeling a bit happier. So does that mean if we lessen or lose the inability to frown and scowl our mood could improve as well?

There have been several small studies over the past couple of years by various physicians regarding Botox and depression. And the findings suggest an interesting mind-body connection that may shed light on future ways to relieve depressive symptoms.

The first random controlled study was published in the May 2012 Journal of Psychiatric Research. This was done on 30 patients with long standing major depression that had not been helped by antidepressants. The study was conducted over a 16 week period and patients received a single dose in the glabellar region (ie.frown lines) between these eyes. During the course of the study the group treated with Botox had a 47% decrease in depressive symptoms whereas the placebo group only reported a 9% reduction.

Since more research and larger studies will need to be conducted, it is too soon to say if Botox might be the next big thing in helping those that suffer from depression. Since Botox is most often used in the facials muscles associated with negative emotions such as stress, anger and worry, it makes sense the treatments may help some depressed individuals.

I can say from my experience as a physician that Botox on an aesthetic level can make people feel better about the way they look. My patients are able to face every day with a renewed self-esteem and self-confidence about their appearance.


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Victory Medical Spa 780 Victory Hwy #3, West Greenwich, RI 02817 (401) 458-0825