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.

Click Here to visit our website.

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

Restylane or Radiesse? – RI Restylane Doctor Informs You

The RI Restylane Doctor want you to know which dermal filler is right for you.

It wasn’t much more than a decade ago that the only way to turn back the clock on the facial aging process was invasive plastic surgery. Today we are fortunate that there are many minimally invasive options that can smooth out wrinkles, restore lost volume and resurface our skin, all resulting in a more youthful appearance. Even better is that many of these procedures can be done in less than an hour, with little or no downtime.

Restylane-in-Rhode-IslandUsing dermal fillers, such as Restylane and Radiesse, can dramatically slow the signs of aging for decades helping to delay or avoid the need for plastic surgery. Women and men of all ages are increasingly turning to these procedures to help preserve or restore a more youthful appearance.

Restylane has been used world-wide by millions since 1996. This hyaluronic acid (HA) based dermal filler has an excellent safety record. HA is also a naturally occurring substance in our bodies. Since HA is hydrophilic, once Restylane is injected, it binds to the skin’s natural stores of water. This results in a plumping of the skin and a smoother more youthful appearance in the treated area. Tear troughs, nasolabial folds, and lips are the most common areas that HA fillers are used. Results can last from 6-9 months.

Radiesse is another popular dermal filler used to smooth out wrinkles. It is unique in that it is the only calcium-based filler on the market. It also stimulates your own natural collagen to grow in the areas that are treated. Because it is thicker substance, it should not be used in the lips or tear troughs. Radiesse is a great option to restore lost volume in large areas such as the cheeks and the jawline. It is also great for patients that have deeper wrinkles and folds. Many patients prefer using Radiesse because results can last over a year.

Looking for Radiesse or Restylane in RI ?

James A. Gallo, MD is the only physician in the state to use the revolutionary DermaSculpt™ Micro-Cannula to administer Restylane and Radiesse. Results are beautiful and natural looking. The experience is virtually pain-free with less risk and down-time as compared to traditional needle injections. For those that have had dermal fillers in the past using needles, you will be amazed at the difference.

Please visit our website for more information. https://victorymedspa.com

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

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What is Restylane?

What is Restylane?

Dr. Gallo from Victory Medical Spa wants you to learn about Restylane. It is a dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid, which is a substance present in the human body. Its highest concentrations can be found in eye fluid and joints. Used as an injectable in medical aesthetics, it enables skin to retain its shape and volume. Hyaluronic acid is a hydrophilic, meaning it attracts water. Once injected into the skin, Restylane binds to the body’s natural stores of water, plumping up the skin and giving it a smoother, more youthful appearance.

restylane in RI

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