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.  

Allure Medical Spa is now the largest CoolSculpting center in the world, offering this groundbreaking procedure that is proven to reduce fat without surgery. Allure was the first center in Michigan to perform cryolipolysis (freezing fat to reshape the body) and now 3 more machines have been added because of the overwhelming demand.  The procedure was recently featured on Dr. Oz and The Doctors.  

The results after just one CoolSculpting procedure can be dramatic. See for yourself in the CoolSculpting by Zeltiq gallery on the Allure Medical Spa website by clicking here. 

Dr. Kotlus and Allure Medical Spa hosted a successful book signing last evening.  Thanks to all who attended!  If you were unable to make it to the office in Shelby Township for the event, you may contact the office and we'll make sure you receive a free digital version of the book that can be read on a computer or on a kindle device. 

Aesthetic Medicine News published a story on the top trends for 2011 in aesthetic medicine.  The big topics were body shaping, medical weight loss, skin treatments, and injectable fillers.

In the article (click here), Dr. Mok discusses CoolSculpting by Zeltiq.  It promises to be a growing procedure in 2011 because it effectively reduces fat areas without surgery. Dr. Kotlus also describes the fractional CO2 laser, ActiveFX and DeepFX, for wrinkle reduction.  

The general trends are towards less-invasive, more technology-driven approaches to aesthetic improvement.