Beauty Without Botox
Every once in a blue moon I get a question in a consultation that goes something like this: “I hate these lines around my eyes but I wouldn’t dream of doing Botox. How can I get rid of them?”
Good question, since Botox or Dysport is a home run. Lines and wrinkles caused by dynamic muscle movement are tough to deal with. Unless you stop moving the muscle, or at least minimize the movement, the lines will continue to form. Plus, as one ages, one loses the hyaluronic acid (a liquid found throughout the body that lubricates and hydrates) that allows the skin to “slip” over the muscle. Eventually the skin starts to adhere to the muscle and takes on the shape of the contracted muscle. This is seen in the forehead, crow’s feet, and especially the chin.
So, in order to see a reduction in the line or wrinkle, one has to change a few things. Using products that will increase skin turn-over is essential. A retinoid such as Retin-A or Tazorac speeds up the skin reproduction and actually will increase the depth of the skin. Common myth: Retin-A thins your skin. Truth: It thickens it. It does thin your epidermis a bit which is actually a good thing. Alpha-hydroxy acids help too. So does good nutrition. Training yourself to make fewer unnecessary movements can reduce wrinkling. Of course you want to be expressive, but many folks overdo it causing excessive over-wrinkling. Also, microdermabrasion may make a subtle difference with several treatments.
Fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane may help, depending upon the area. They are not great for crow’s feet, but will help the verticle lines between the eyes.
Botox and Dysport have a significant place in facial rejuvenation because they work well. Take good care of your skin and you will look beautiful naturally with or without them.
From Dr. Bonnie:
When first meeting, my patients tell me they want to look younger, and we talk about their concerns. For most its a sense of not looking as “fresh” as they used to. As we continue to talk, I find many are under incredible stress, and it’s aging them beyond their real years. They’re aware of the pressure, and maybe even of the toll it’s taking. Unfortunately, its not easy to figure out how to get off this energy draining treadmill that’s sabotaging their chance to look great.
I ‘ve discovered three common problems that almost all of these patients share, and even went so far as to prepare three separate videos, which have become my “prescriptions”. Each deals with a different problem and shows step-by-step how to eliminate them from your life.
I would love to share them with you, and there is no charge. The first is titled “The Dirty Little Secret of Multi-Tasking” and as the title may hint, Multi-Tasking is not helping us save time nor get things done faster.
You will also begin receiving My Beauty Tip of The Week every Friday. In it I discuss things just like in the article above and can answer your questions, should you want to ask. It’s also free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Bonnie
Look Young With Anti Aging Treatment!
Looking young is getting easier and easier with the vast array of anti aging creams and anti aging products. Now that Sanofi Aventis has begun direct-to-consumer marketing for Sculptra Aesthetic, I have patients from age 30 on up calling to find out how to “prevent” the telltale signs of aging. And I have good news…Sculptra is a major warrior in that never-ending battle to boost beauty…naturally.
Worth the Wait
Sculptra’s lactic acid particles spur on the growth of new, healthy, strong collagen that is tighter and fresher than existing collagen. Additionally, in areas where volume has decreased, “filling” that area with your own collagen makes you look like you still have the soft under-the-skin fat of youth. And since it is your own collagen, it lasts much longer than say a hyaluronic acid such as Restylane or Juvederm. The only mild down-side is that it is not immediate, and I do have some patients without patience. It takes 3 to 4 weeks to start to see the resulting growth. Also in many cases (depending upon where you want to be and where you start from) the desired look will take more than one treatment. The great news is that once you are where you want to be, you are there for a good while. Usually the effect lasts for two years or more.
Experience Counts
I have been injecting Sculptra from the time it first came out in 2004 and have performed thousands of treatments. Make sure your practitioner has abundant experience with this as it is not “just another filler”. The results are amazing however when you are in good hands!
From Dr. Bonnie:
When first meeting, my patients tell me they want to look younger, and we talk about their concerns. For most its a sense of not looking as “fresh” as they used to. As we continue to talk, I find many are under incredible stress, and it’s aging them beyond their real years. They’re aware of the pressure, and maybe even of the toll it’s taking. Unfortunately, its not easy to figure out how to get off this energy draining treadmill that’s sabotaging their chance to look great.
I ‘ve discovered three common problems that almost all of these patients share, and even went so far as to prepare three separate videos, which have become my “prescriptions”. Each deals with a different problem and shows step-by-step how to eliminate them from your life.
I would love to share them with you, and there is no charge. The first is titled “The Dirty Little Secret of Multi-Tasking” and as the title may hint, Multi-Tasking is not helping us save time nor get things done faster.
You will also begin receiving My Beauty Tip of The Week every Friday. In it I discuss things just like in the article above and can answer your questions, should you want to ask. It’s also free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Bonnie
Differences Between Botox and Fillers
That may seem like a simple question, but it’s one I am asked almost daily. In this brief video, I will try to explain how neuro-muscular relaxant’s such as Botox or Dysport, work with some of the popular fillers such as Restylane, Evolence, Radesse, Perlane, Juvederm, and Sculptura.
From Dr. Bonnie:
When first meeting, my patients tell me they want to look younger, and we talk about their concerns. For most its a sense of not looking as “fresh” as they used to. As we continue to talk, I find many are under incredible stress, and it’s aging them beyond their real years. They’re aware of the pressure, and maybe even of the toll it’s taking. Unfortunately, its not easy to figure out how to get off this energy draining treadmill that’s sabotaging their chance to look great.
I ‘ve discovered three common problems that almost all of these patients share, and even went so far as to prepare three separate videos, which have become my “prescriptions”. Each deals with a different problem and shows step-by-step how to eliminate them from your life.
I would love to share them with you, and there is no charge. The first is titled “The Dirty Little Secret of Multi-Tasking” and as the title may hint, Multi-Tasking is not helping us save time nor get things done faster.
You will also begin receiving My Beauty Tip of The Week every Friday. In it I discuss things just like in the article above and can answer your questions, should you want to ask. It’s also free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Bonnie
Fillers, Wrinkles and Collagen
Take a look at the two videos below, in the first, I answer a question about looking younger. In it I try to explain some of the signs of aging we are all seeing and why, then talk about what we can do about it. In the second video, I go into the specific facts about collagen. Just bBelow the videos, I write about how it all comes together. Let me know what you think of these videos and if it doesn’t specifically answer the question you have, just let me know in the comment box below.
Is Collagen A Filler?
Well, yes and no. The words collagen and fillers are used frequently when we talk about getting years erased by eliminating wrinkles. Fillers can be collagen, but don’t necessarily have to be. For now, lets discuss collagen and in another article we will talk about some of the new fillers such as Restylane®, Perlane®, and the Juvederm®,products.
We Are Born With Collagen In Our Skin
It makes up the majority of the dermis, just under the skin’s surface. When we say our skin is “aging”, not only are we seeing wrinkles, but we are seeing collagen deterioration. As collagen deteriorates, we get these wrinkles, lines, and general sagging in the skin. There have been a variety of attempts and products to replace collagen. Most were based more on selling something than results. I remember the collagen facial of the 80′s (still used today). It sounds great until you realize the results just aren’t there.
Adding Collagen
When you need more body, or volume, in your skin, collagen must be injected. Unfortunately, when injectable collagen first came out , it sometimes only lasted days before the body absorbed the injection. There have been many advances since then in collagen products and hybrids. New collagen injectables can now last from about six months to perhaps as much as 12. Also, injection techniques and equipment have improved. Instead of injecting it deeply into the skin layer, now advanced injectors know to inject in a more superficial plane so it will bind to what you already have. Keep in mind, collagen is not an injection that flows into our system like a vaccination in our arm. It remains in the specific injected area binding to our existing collegen until absorbed into our system.
Most collagen injections are used either to fill in lines or enhance facial features. As you and your practitioner look into what may be best for you, please remember that the skill of the practitioner as an injector is the single most important part of the equation. An improperly placed filler will show a bulge or line, or even exacerbate the very thing it was supposed to correct. And it will not go away over the weekend, but must wait for the body’s natural absorption process.
From Dr. Bonnie:
When first meeting, my patients tell me they want to look younger, and we talk about their concerns. For most its a sense of not looking as “fresh” as they used to. As we continue to talk, I find many are under incredible stress, and it’s aging them beyond their real years. They’re aware of the pressure, and maybe even of the toll it’s taking. Unfortunately, its not easy to figure out how to get off this energy draining treadmill that’s sabotaging their chance to look great.
I ‘ve discovered three common problems that almost all of these patients share, and even went so far as to prepare three separate videos, which have become my “prescriptions”. Each deals with a different problem and shows step-by-step how to eliminate them from your life.
I would love to share them with you, and there is no charge. The first is titled “The Dirty Little Secret of Multi-Tasking” and as the title may hint, Multi-Tasking is not helping us save time nor get things done faster.
You will also begin receiving My Beauty Tip of The Week every Friday. In it I discuss things just like in the article above and can answer your questions, should you want to ask. It’s also free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Dr. Bonnie