Individuals in Wilmington, Delaware eager to find relief from dynamic wrinkles may find relief through BOTOX®, an injection treatment that's already helped people around the world overcome wrinkles. It is performed in a doctor's office of clinic setting, and is minimally-invasive so patients may return to work and other normal activities immediately after receiving treatment. Patients should speak with a professional in the Wilmington area who is familiar with the procedure to determine if the treatment is right for them.

Dynamic wrinkles differ from static wrinkles in that they appear when a facial expression is made whereas static wrinkles appear when the face is at rest. Common dynamic wrinkles include crow's feet, glabellar lines, and worry lines on the forehead. When certain muscles in the face contract—depending on which facial expression is made—the wrinkles form. Patients who have static wrinkles should seek other forms of treatment such as the many dermal fillers available.

BOTOX® works by blocking nerve impulses telling these muscles to contract so they do not. The injection blocks the release of acetylcholine, which is the chemical causing the muscle to contract. Each treatment session takes about 10 minutes to perform, and patients do not have to go through a recovery period. The needle used to perform the procedure is very small to reduce any discomfort, and many do not require a local anesthetic.

A few days are required for the treatment to paralyze the facial muscles, and about two to four weeks after the treatment the effects should peak at optimal levels. Results from the procedure last anywhere from three to six months, and then the effects of the procedure start to wear off meaning that subsequent treatments are required to maintain the effect of BOTOX®. Over time, though, the muscles become less responsive in what's called chemical denervation. 

As with just about any medical procedure, there is the possibility of certain side effects of which patients should be aware. These include headache, respiratory infection, temporary eyelid droop, nausea, and flu-like syndrome. Other potential side effects include pain in the face, redness at the injection site, and muscle weakness. Patients who have certain neuromuscular disorders may be at a higher risk of clinically significant systemic effects of BOTOX®, while those with infection at the injection site and those with a hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in the formula should not seek treatment.

Learn more about BOTOX® in Wilmington, Delaware.

Individuals in the Nashville, Tennessee community who are experiencing various cosmetic concerns such as wrinkles, discoloration, or acne may find relief through a minimally-invasive treatment called photodynamic therapy. The procedure was used to treat skin cancers, and was later used to treat other types of cancer such as lung cancer, colon cancer. It's even been used as a treatment for certain types of blindness. Now it has been used for various cosmetic purposes, and has been successful in helping patients reach certain goals.

The procedure works by applying a drug called a photosensitizer, which is absorbed by certain cells, and later exposing the treatment area to a special light sourced. This creates a reaction that destroys the cells targeted in the treatment. The result can be improvement in age spots, wrinkles, and visible veins. The cells, oil glands, and other structures of the skin will absorb the photosensitizer and once the light source is applied to the area the reaction destroys these structures to help achieve certain goals.

The photosensitizer will be left on for a certain amount of time, and is removed after the light source is applied to the skin. Some patients may feel transient burning, stinging, swelling, and redness in the treatment area. The side effects present may vary depending on the structures or conditions that are treated, as well as the length of time the photosensitizer is left on the skin. The type of light source used to create the reaction with the photosensitizer will also determine the possible side effects of treatment. Long-term side effects are not yet fully understood, as there have been no long-term studies to determine the effects.

The procedure is not as destructive as certain deep peels or laser treatments, and the recovery time is relatively short. However, the relative youth of the procedure for cosmetic purposes means that long-term side effects are not fully known. The long-term benefits are also not understood because of the lack of long-term studies that have been conducted. 

Make sure you speak with a Nashville cosmetic specialist to learn more about the procedure, and to determine whether it is a viable option for accomplishing your goals or if another treatment may be better for you. Each session of treatment may range in price from $550 to $800 depending on one's geographic area, extent of treatment, and the clinic that they choose.

Learn more about photodynamic therapy in Nashville, Tennessee.

Those in the Cherry Hill, New Jersey community or other areas of the nation have probably heard of liposuction and many have a general idea of how it typically works. However, many are not yet aware of the use of lasers to provide relief from unwanted pockets of body fat that are hard to get rid of through diet and exercise. Smart Lipo is a procedure that uses laser energy to break up and dissolve fat tissue that is underneath the skin. The procedure is minimally invasive, and instead of requiring a general anesthetic as is required with many liposuction procedures, this process requires only a local anesthetic to provide patient comfort during the procedure.

Patients should first make sure they are a good candidate for treatment with Smart Lipo. Patients should be in good overall health and have pockets of body fat that do not respond to diet and exercise. Individuals should lead a healthy lifestyle, as this will help to ensure that the results are maintained following treatment. Patients should not practice unhealthy eating habits, and should not be overweight. Those with diabetes, liver and kidney problems, heart conditions, blood disorders, or autoimmune disorders may not be considered candidates for treatment. Before undergoing treatment, patients should reveal their medical history and any medications they are currently taking to the specialist performing the procedure.

Smart Lipo may be used to treat areas all around the body such as the belly, buttocks, facial area, back of the neck, pubic mound, thighs, waist, hips, flanks, chin, and the upper arms. If you're unsure of whether you're a candidate for treatment or if your unwanted body fat may be removed trough this procedure, consult a Cherry Hill cosmetic specialist to learn more and for guidance.

So how does the procedure actually work?

Before treatment, the specialist will mark the treatment area and will use a local anesthetic to numb the area. A small, handheld device is then used to direct the laser energy to the fat cells that are being treated. The laser energy breaks up the fat cells, and liquefies them. The treated fat cells will be drained through the natural processes of the body. What's more, the laser energy works to promote new collagen growth. This helps to tighten the skin for better results. It also helps to seal any small blood vessels to help reduce post-treatment bleeding.

Patients may feel some level of discomfort in the first day after the procedure. Any pain may be managed using over-the-counter medicine, although patients should make sure that it is safe to take a specific medicine by speaking with doctor before doing so. The discomfort may go away in a few days. A compression garment may be prescribed to be worn to aid in the healing process. Patients may begin to see results after the initial swelling goes down, and the results should get better and better in the first couple of months. 

Learn more about Smart Lipo in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

There is a variety of conditions that may lead individuals in the Roseville, California area to feel embarrassed or self-conscious. These might include wrinkles, fine lines, acne scarring, chicken pox scars, and pigmentation problems. Some even feel embarrassed by an old tattoo they now regret. Through dermabrasion, patients have found relief from all of these conditions and more. It is a minimally-invasive procedure that works to resurface the skin by removing the top layers so that new skin may grow in its place. The result is smoother skin with fewer indentations or less-defined indentations, and a more youthful appearance for some.

Those who are in good overall health and do not have a recent sunburn, radiation treatment or chemical peel may be considered an ideal candidate for this procedure. Individuals should be free of acne (although acne scarring is one of the conditions that dermabrasion may treat) and other skin conditions. Patients should be able to avoid sun exposure after the procedure, and should consider the complexion of their skin because those with lighter tones usually have better results. 

Patients with a history of cold sores or herpes, or who are not in good health may be encouraged to consider other treatment options. Those who have taken Accutane in the past year and a half may not be considered candidates, either. Of course, like any procedure, it is important to discuss candidacy for the treatment with a Roseville medical professional beforehand.

The procedure is typically performed in an outpatient setting such as a dermatologist's office or a cosmetic medical spa. Patients may be sedated during treatment, under a local anesthetic, or may be provided general anesthesia before the treatment. Speak with the specialist before your treatment to discuss the pros and cons of each to decide which you'd prefer during your procedure.

Once the skin is prepare using an antiseptic, a Freon spray is used to freeze the skin. A hand-held rotary tool with an abrasive brush will be used to resurface the skin by removing the top layers. The material on the brush, or wheel, may be sandpaper, sanding wheel, or even small wires. With the top layers of skin removed, the underlying skin is exposed to give the patient a smoother appearance and a more even skin tone. 

Patients will likely feel like their skin has been abraded for the first several days after treatment. The initial days may come with some swelling and scabbing at the treatment area, but these should go away after a few more days. Some may prescribe patients with an antibiotic during this period to avoid infection, while some are also provided pain medication to relieve any discomfort and pain. There may be a pinkish appearance to the skin for about a month or two as the skin regains its color. Patients should avoid sun exposure during this time, and any strenuous activities should be avoided for the first couple of weeks. Shaving should also be avoided during this period.

Learn more about dermabrasion in Roseville, California. 

Wrinkles can be troubling for patients in the Miami, Florida community, as they are often some of the first things to make us feel aged. Finding a way to reduce or get rid of wrinkles is often a goal of many who notice them starting to appear on the face. Through dermal fillers, many patients have achieved that goal. There are several types of dermal fillers available, and it's important that patients discuss all of their treatment options with a professional in their area to ensure they receive the proper care and service. 

Dermal fillers are used to treat static wrinkles. These are wrinkles that appear when the face is at rest. Wrinkles that appear due to the contraction of muscles when a facial expression is made are called dynamic wrinkles. These are treated by other procedures such as Dysport and BOTOX ®, which work to paralyze the underlying muscle that causes the wrinkle to form. If you're unsure whether you have static wrinkles or dynamic wrinkles, ask a Miami cosmetic specialist for assistance and inquire as to the treatment options available to you.

Dermal fillers may be made of various substances such as hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Perlane, JUVEDERM ®) and collagen (Evolence, Artefill, Cosmoplast, Cosmoderm). Evolence is made of pig collagen, Artefill of cow collagen, and Cosmoplast and Cosmoderm of human collagen. Other materials used include poly lactic acid (Sculptra) and calcium hydroxyl apatite (Radiesse). Skin testing may be required in certain fillers such as Artefill, which requires testing to see if there is a hypersensitivity to the collagen used. Just because skin testing is not a requirement, though, does not mean that hypersensitivity is not possible. Ask your physician about possible hypersensitivity to various dermal fillers.

One of the other common concerns with dermal fillers is the price. The cost of treatment is often related to the longevity of the results from each session. For instance, Sculptra may last for two to four years, but is among the most expensive options. The same goes for Artefill, which may last for more than five years. With results lasting between two and six months, Cosmoplast and Cosmoderm are among the cheaper options on the market. Weigh this when selecting your treatment, and remember to consider any potential long-term savings by going with a more expensive option.  Speak with a Miami cosmetic specialist for further information.

Learn more about dermal fillers in Miami, Florida.