Botox & Dermal Fillers….So What is the difference??

Are you bothered by wrinkles staring you back in the mirror? Does pulling your face back make it look less saggy? Quite often patients think of Botox as a “fix-all.” But depending on the area of concern, dermal fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane are the appropriate choice. It is important for patients to understand the difference between them.

What Can BOTOX Do ?
Botox can be injected into certain muscle groups to help lift, reposition and soften dynamic wrinkles. Dynamic wrinkles are the wrinkles caused by facial expression which become deeper and more etched as we age. Crowsfeet (those pesky lines on the sides of the eyes), forehead wrinkles and the scowl between the eyes known as the 11’s are all examples of dynamic wrinkles that Botox can treat. Usually these lines are caused by frequent fine motor movements of the face, repeated over many years. The continuous repetition of the above actions causes minor lines and wrinkles to transform into permanent wrinkles over time. This is why many younger patients use Botox preventatively so the wrinkles don’t form in the first place.

Botox will last anywhere between 3-6 months in most patients and has an impeccable safety record. For those that may be nervous about trying Botox, there has never been even one death reported when used cosmetically. Where as over the counter aspirin products report thousands of deaths each year. Just a little something to keep in mind.

dermal fillersWhat Can Demal Fillers Do?
Do you feel your face is melting like a candle or deflating much like a slow leak in a tire? By the age of 35 most of us have lost about 10% of the fat in our face and will continue to lose an additional 10% every 5 to 10 years ! Some of us have lost up to 40% of the fat in our face by the time we are 50. This volume loss is usually quite apparent in the temples and underneath the cheekbones. For thin patients, this can make you have an almost skeletal appearance. For others it can appear that their face has just fallen.

With hyaluronic acid dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane, we can plump up the face and put back what the aging process has taken from us. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in your body. The gel like substance helps to bring back a more youthful facial structure. It also brings water to the surface of skin to keep it looking fresh and supple. The result is a natural and more youthful appearance. Cheeks can be lifted, hollow temples can be filled, lips can be plumped, and nasolabial folds & marionette lines can be softened.

Longevity of Juvederm & Restylane products can range from 6 months to 18 months depending on the facial area treated. It also depends on the individual and how well they take care of themselves. Neither dermal fillers nor Botox will last as long as they should in someone who smokes, drinks alcohol in excess, sun worships or has otherwise poor nutrition habits.

Making the Decision
Always do your research and choose a highly trained & certified physician for any type of injections. Ask for before and after photos of their actual patients. Also make sure you are given a thorough consultation and are clear on any recommendations before proceeding.

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

The MicroCannula Revolutionizes Dermal Filler Treatments in RI

Have you had Restylane or Juvederm in RI?

For those who have had Restylane or Juvederm injections in the past know what I am talking about. Hypodermic sharp needles can only cover a very small area of the face, so several injections are often needed to achieve your desired result. Not only does this increase discomfort and pain for the patient during dermal filler injections, but the greater potential to damage nerves and blood vessels beneath the skin can cause more bruising, swelling or possible other complications.

Enter the revolutionary blunt tipped microcannula. I hesitate to call it new, as I have been using it exclusively at Victory Medical Spa for most of my patients since it’s inception over 3 years ago. Only one or two entry points are usually needed for a particular area of the face. Once inserted under the skin, the flexible non-sharp medical device is able to move around blood vessels and facial nerves, so very little to no damage is caused. I am able to easily manuvere deep under the skin and place dermal filler exactly where it needs to be to restore volume loss. Radiesse in the cheeks, Restylane in the lips & tear troughs and Juvederm in the nasolabial folds & marionette lines are easily filled achieving what many feel is a more natural look.

There is no doubt in my mind that the microcannula will become the future standard of care for injectables such as Juvederm, Restylane and Radiesse. If you could offer your patients dermal filler treatments with less swelling, less risk of bruising, and less risk of complications, why would you not? Making the decision to offer this option to my patients was a no-brainer for me and it still baffles me why many others in the medical profession have not done the same.

The microcannulas do cost a little bit more than the sharp needles but this is a small investment I absorb on my end to be able to offer a safer and better outcome for my patients. I suspect in the near future, there will be a day when physicians will look back and talk about the old days when they used a sharp needles and wonder why they didn’t make the switch sooner.

Want to see what other reputable physicans around the country that also use the microcannula for dermal fillers are saying?? http://www.realself.com/question/fillers-injected-microcannula

At Victory Medical Spa in RI we are proud to be able to offer the most advanced injectable techniques, all performed by James A. Gallo, MD, at the most competitive prices in RI. Call Kim at 401-458-0825 if you have any further questions or would like to schedule an appointment.

Click Here to learn more about Juvederm (as well as other ways to get rid of wrinkles) at Victory Medical Spa.

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

Is Juvederm the right dermal filler for you?

Get Rid of Wrinkles – Juvederm in Rhode Island

With so many different types of dermal fillers on the market, it is easy to be confused over which one may be the better choice. Juvederm is a popular brand most people have heard of because of the millions spent in marketing the product. However, you do have other choices. There are many FDA approved, safe and effective fillers on the market that may be a better option depending on your area of concern and budget.

The most important decision you will make when choosing to have dermal fillers injected is the physician or nurse you choose. The field of ‘medical aesthetics’ is constantly evolving resulting in better outcomes and higher patient satisfaction. Always make sure the injector you choose is up to date on the latest advancements and techniques. For example, many Juvederm, Restylane and Radiesse injections to restore volume can and should be done with a blunt tipped micro-cannula to lessen downtime and risk to the patient. This is rapidly becoming the new standard of care. More info can be found at this link. https://victorymedspa.com/procedures/needle-free-injections/

The next important decision is determining which dermal filler to use. We all want a cost effective product providing natural results and longevity. Certain types of filler are more suited for different areas of the face. It also tends to last longer in areas of the face with less movement. For example, Juvederm or Restylane injected deep with a blunt tipped micro-cannula under the eye to fill out hollows or soften bags can last up to a year or more in many patients. While injections done with a sharp needle typically do not last as long (no doctor or nurse should be injecting with a sharp needle near the eye anyway). But the same filler used for the upper lip lines or around the mouth may not last as long. Radiesse is often a great choice for cheeks and mid-face volume loss because it can last over a year or longer. It is also is the only injectable filler that causes your body to create new collagen in the area the product was placed, which is a big plus for most people.

All procedures at Victory Medical Spa are done by James A. Gallo, MD. If you are interested in Juvederm or determining the best dermal filler treatment plan for your concerns, please call Kim at 401-458-0825 to set up your appointment.

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