You’re sick of seeing those wrinkles staring back at you in the mirror, and you’re ready to do something about it—but what treatment is best? People who want to eliminate signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines often find themselves choosing between BOTOX® and dermal fillers. Both cosmetic treatments are injected into the skin and contain ingredients that smooth or fill out fine lines, thereby giving your skin a younger appearance—but there are some major differences in how they work. Get the need-to-know info on both BOTOX® and Dermal Fillers to make the right choice for you:

BOTOX®

BOTOX® is a temporary cosmetic procedure that involves injecting a special formula into problem areas where wrinkles occur on the face, like the corners of the eyes and forehead. The chemicals in BOTOX® work to disable the tiny muscles under the skin that are causing the skin’s surface to wrinkle—so for the three to six months it lasts, your wrinkles will disappear.

Dermal Fillers

There are many different dermal fillers available on the market today, like JUVEDERM®, Restylane®, and Artefill, but they all work in basically the same way. The substance is injected just under the skin in the area where the wrinkle appears, ‘filling’ out the area by increasing the volume underneath the wrinkle. Dermal Fillers work well for deeper wrinkles, like the ‘marionette lines’ extending from the corners of the mouth to the nose, but depending on the formula can treat smaller wrinkles as well. The results can last from three months to over a year, depending on the brand and product used



Since every cosmetic procedure has its own pros and cons, always talk to your skin care specialist and consider having skin tests done before deciding which treatment is the best option for you. To make an appointment with a skin care expert in your local area today, click here!

DermaNetwork.org is proud to congratulate Dr. Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD of Crutchfield Dermatology, after having been selected for the 2011 Best of St. Paul Award in the Skin Treatments category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA). Dr. Crutchfield is a medical director for DermaNetwork.org.



In response to this award Dr. Crutchfield said "Crutchfield Dermatology is honored to be the first four-year recipient of this prestigious award that recognizes the best in dermatology and excellence dermatology clinics. Our staff is dedicated to providing the best skin care possible. We specialize in the treatment of acne, psoriasis, eczema, ethnic skin care. We are also recognized as one of the providers of the best treatments for aging skin with cosmetic dermatology excellence in areas that include Selphyl, Botox, Dysport, Restylane, Juvederm, Latisse, CoolSculpting by Zeltiq, and skin laser treatment. Awards like this recognize and reinforce our dedication and mission."



The U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community, and the "Best of Local Business" Award Program was designed to acknowledge outstanding local businesses throughout the country. USCA annually identifies companies and small businesses that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success and service in their local community and industry.

Contact Dr. Crutchfield for more information or to schedule an appointment by clicking here. To learn about top skin care specialists in your area, visit DermaNetwork.org.

VANCOUVER, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ - According to a new report by iData Research, the leading global authority in medical device and pharmaceutical market research, the market for cosmetic surgery, facial aesthetics and medical lasers is expected to almost double in size, exceeding $3 billion by 2017. The market for aesthetic Botulinum toxin-A drugs such as BOTOX(R) will grow to an estimated $543 million by 2017, while the aesthetic laser and light therapy markets for skin resurfacing, hair removal and laser lipolysis are the fastest growing segments.

"Allergan has had a monopoly on Botulinum toxin A drugs since 2002, but now faces competition from Dysport(R) by Medicis as well as other new competitors expected to enter the market," says Dr. Kamran Zamanian, CEO of iData. "Allergan and Medicis have been fierce rivals, as their JUVEDERM(R) and Restylane(R) facial dermal fillers compete in the lucrative dermal filler market."

The report states that the U.S. market for aesthetic facial injectable products is valued at almost $860 million in 2010. Competition will intensify with the expected entry of PurTox(R) by Mentor Corporation, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Use of Botulinum toxin is also expected to increase due to a growing number of therapeutic possibilities, such as upper limb spasms, neck malpositioning due to spastic musculature and certain types of eye muscle disorders.

"A growing number of doctors are looking at the therapeutic potential of Botulinum-A. There are more cosmetic procedures performed using Botulinum-A than therapeutic, however therapeutic procedures use higher doses of the drug, therefore these two markets are similar in value," says Dr. Zamanian.

iData's Global 3-report series, the "Markets for Cosmetic Surgery, Facial Aesthetics and Medical Laser Devices 2011" includes the latest data, market analyses and competitor profiles for: Botulinum toxin, dermal filler, augmentation implants, liposuction aspirators, laser/light devices and microderm abrasion.

To learn more about Dermal Fillers, Botulinum Toxin products, or other anti-aging treatments, visit DermaNetwork.org.

Have you had it with wrinkles? Maybe you've decided that you're ready to take some action against the signs of aging. Dermal filler injections are a great option for smoothing lines and creases in a minimally invasive way. Results aren't drastic, and recovery time minimal--you'll just look refreshed and younger.



The problem? Deciding which brand to use. With so many choices out there, many people feel overwhelmed when it comes to making the best decision for them. Consulting your skin care specialist is important, but informing yourself about your options is a great step toward making an informed decision.



A great introduction to dermal fillers is available on The Dermal Fillers Page at DermaNetwork. This page provides a breakdown of the top dermal fillers available, comparing them in a concise, user-friendly grid. Popular fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, and Sculptra are compared side-by-side so you know what you're getting. Additional educational information, as well as Before and After pictures are also available. Check it out now and get the info you need to decide which product will help you get the youthful results you're looking for.

They have been called the windows to the soul, but are your eyes looking as bright as you'd like them to? Making eye-contact is a great way to instill confidence in people and build relationships, both socially and professionally. But the eye area can often be a billboard for the signs of aging, as wrinkles and sun exposure take their toll. Here are three popular cosmetic treatments to help your peepers be as eye-catching as possible.

1. BOTOX. Wrinkles frequently develop around the eyes, as the facial muscles near the eyes move when we want to express ourselves. Frown lines, crows feet, and bunny lines can show themselves in 'dynamic' wrinkles when we are feeling angry, smile, or squint. When kids express themselves, their skin springs back to a smooth state once their expression becomes neutral. But for older adults, these 'dynamic' wrinkles become 'static'--and remain visible all the time. BOTOX injectable uses botulinum toxin to temporarily immobilize the muscles that cause the skin to wrinkle, helping those 'crows feet' to fly away.


2. LATISSE. Women young and old are always seeking new ways to enhance their beauty. There are a multitude of synthetic products designed to enhance one's eyelashes--mascara, false lashes, eyeliner--but with Latisse, a new prescription cosmetic treatment, you can grow your own, natural eyelashes longer and darker. When applied regularly to the base of the lash line, Latisse will extend the hair's natural growth cycle, helping your lashes to grow longer than ever before. What a fabulous way to frame the windows to your soul!


3. JUVEDERM. As we age, under eye hollowness becomes an issue for many of us. It develops as the amount of fat in facial areas is reduced during the aging process. But dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane can be used to help reduce the appearance of hollowness in the tear trough and under the eyes. When carefully injected under the skin, the dermal filler gently lifts and fills the targeted area to give a fuller, more youthful appearance. These products can also be used to correct wrinkles and facial folds in other areas, like the nasolabial folds and lips.

For more information about these treatments, contact a skin care specialist in your area today. Put that twinkle back in your eyes when you gaze into the mirror. Learn more today!

DermaNetwork.org gets thousands of visitors every month--people just like you looking for information about cosmetic treatments, conditions, and specialists who can help them.



What's the buzz about this month? Our Top 5 popular cosmetic treatments are:

1. FotoFacial IPL. Photo rejuvenation is a non-ablative (does not damage the skin) skin rejuvenation technique that is delivered through a series of applications of intense pulsed light. The intense, luminescent light is delivered deep within the skin, targeting problems like rosacea and sun damage without damaging the skin's surface.


2. SmartLipo. SmartLipo uses the high-intensity energy of a laser to dissolve and remove fat deposits and tighten the surrounding skin.Unlike traditional liposuction, with SmartLipo patients aren't 'put under' with general anesthetic, which means they get to start enjoying their body contouring results faster than ever!
   
   


3. Fraxel. Reaching deep into the tissue of the skin, Fraxel lasers target problem areas and stimulate the production of new collagen. This process of controlled skin damage in small areas allows for minimal healing time and highly effective rejuvenation of the skin.


4. Chemical Peels. A chemical peel is a cosmetic procedure that rejuvenates the surface of the skin and treats various skin issues like fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, and mild scarring. There are a multitude of chemical peels to choose from, so your treatment can be customized to your individual needs.


5. Restylane. Restylane is an injectable dermal filling gel that is used to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles, nasolabial folds (the folds from the nose to the corners of the mouth) and for sculpting lips. Patients love that Restylane is a natural cosmetic dermal filler that is made of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid--meaning that it poses fewer risks than many other dermal filler options, but provides fantastic results.

Got you thinking about one (or more!) of these popular treatments? Click on the links to learn more about the treatments, and then let us help you find an experienced local specialist who can tell you more.

June is the most popular month for weddings, and who doesn't want to look their best on their wedding day? With all eyes on the bride, there's a lot of pressure to maintain that 'bridal glow' from the bachelorette party to Mr. and Mrs.



There are a multitude of things brides can do to perfect their look on their big day. Here are some of the top cosmetic procedures:



1) Weight loss treatments. Enrolling in bridal boot-camp? Enhance your weight-loss results by incorporating a cosmetic procedure to address your problem areas. Wedding preparations in 2008 included $274 million spent on weight-loss services, according to Wedding Report Inc., which monitors the industry. Procedures like SmartLipo and other laser liposuction treatments specialize in contouring specific body areas with minimal invasion and recovery time required. Fitting into your dream dress has never been easier!



2) Dermal Filler Injections. Wrinkles and crow's feet aren't on the guest list! Blushing brides can avoid fine lines and wrinkles by choosing popular dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, or Radiesse. It's a good idea to start having injections a few months before the wedding to be sure you are happy with the results--and this way, you'll look amazing for your bridal shower and bachelorette party, too!



3) Sunless tanning. A great tan will make that white dress stand out even more! But even the June bride might need a little help when it comes to achieving an even, deep glow (without tan lines!). Don't risk you skin's health in an effort to look good, though--there are a ton of sunless tanning options available to help you achieve the look you want without the risks and side effects. Lotions, sunscreens, and even specially-formulated moisturizers can contain bronzing agents, and there's always the spray-tan option--include your bridesmaid's and throw a tanning party the week before the wedding!