This patient (who graciously allowed us to post her before and after photos) may be advanced in age but she is young at heart, and she wanted to express that to everyone around her. She had 2 simple non-surgical treatments to help her acheive that goal: Botox and filler.  These are injectable treatments that are performed in the office at Allure Medical Spa, with minimal to no downtime and dramatic results. 

Botox is used to relax the muscles that cause frown lines.  When used between the brows and around the crow's line wrinkles, the eyebrows are lifted and the wrinkles are softened at the same time.  This effect will last for 3-6 months after the treatment.  

Dermal filler (Juvederm Ultra Plus in this case) is a soft, biocompatible gel was injected underneath the eyebrows, in the grooves under the eyes, and in the sunken cheeks to lift and rejuvenate these areas.  Juvederm Ultra can last many months in these areas.

If you are looking to express your inner age with cosmetic treatments such as Botox or Juvederm, visit our main website or schedule a free consultation appointment at one of our Michigan locations, Shelby Township or Livonia. 

An FDA advisory panel recommends Restylane, an injectable filler, for approval for lip enhancement. In 2003, the FDA approved Restylane for nasolabial wrinkles, the lines that form along the sides of the nose. 

Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medicis, Restylane’s maker, said in a statement that the panel’s recommendation reflects its “confidence in the robust clinical data provided by Medicis.” FDA approval would make Restylane the first hyaluronic acid dermal filler in the U.S. indicated for use in the lips.

Currently, many physicians already use Restylane in the lips and other "off-label" areas, so the FDA approval would be unlikely to significantly change treatment habits among cosmetic providers.  Restylane tends to last between 3-6 months with a single treatment.  It consists of a gel called hyaluronic acid, which is natural broken down by the body in the same way as sugar. Overdone lips are often the result of too much filler; natural-appearing lips can result from a well performed treatment. 

Dermal fillers have been growing in popularity in recent years because they effectively soften wrinkles and replace volume lost from aging in a safe and reliable manner. The most popular fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the skin.  Once a treatment is administered, the filler is gradually broken down by enzymes in the body, over a period of months.  How many months?  This can vary depending on the specific filler used.  The most widespread hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers include Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm.  Each has its own special qualities.  

Dr. Kotlus recently presented his research on filler longevity at national medical meetings.  He used the the Vectra 3-D imaging system (also used for cosmetic surgery simulations) and he monitored the volume of filler (Perlane) in the months after administration.   Perlane was still creating a volume effect 10 months after the initial treatment.  But during this time, the filler was being broken down in a linear fashion:

So Perlane, which can restore youthfulness by creating fullness, can last for 10 months.  Repeat treatment before the filler is gone, possibly at 6-8 months after the initial treatment, can help to sustain the effects for much longer.