Erasing Ten Years Really Is Possible!
As the pictures indicate, erasing years really can be done. Quite easily. Here’s what we did: Fine lines and wrinkles:This lady benefited from starting a product that would turn her skin cells over faster, increase collagen production, thicken her skin, and increase the vascularity (nourishment) and health of her skin. We began with a 0.025% Retin-A (tretinoin cream). Retinoids are the only skin treatment that can achieve such a super anti-aging effect. After a tube of that, we moved to the Skin Medica Tri-Retinol Cream followed by the the Skin Medica TNS Ceramide Treatment Cream.
Volume Loss: Even though she’s only 38, she had significant volume loss and muscle distortion. While there has been no significant weight loss or gain, she had previously been a smoker and a sun worshiper. Adding some Perlane and Restylane in appropriate areas (upper cheeks, naso-labial folds, marionette lines) gently added the look of youth and vitality.
Forehead Lines: We used both Botox and Dysport in her forehead and crow’s feet. Both work wonderfully!
For Uneven Skin Tone: We used Intense Pulse Light followed by Laser Genesis (Nd:YAG Laser) to entire face. This is the single best skin treatment for uneven skin tone.
Slight Lip Enhancement: Using 1 syringe of Juvederm Ultra, her lips instantly became a pretty perky pucker.
Get Carded! The best news? After her filler (and bangs), she went to Chili’s and was carded. That apparently had not happened in years and her elation continues today!
From Dr. Bonnie:
I ‘ve discovered three problems almost all my patients share. They are aging you far more than just getting older. I even prepared videos, which have become my “prescriptions”.
I’d love to share them with you, and there is no charge. The first is titled “The Dirty Little Secret of Multi-Tasking”. After watching this short video, you will see your “to do” list in a whole different light.
You will also receive my Beauty Tip of The Week every Friday. It’s also free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I look forward to emailing you these videos. Just give me your first name and a current email address below.
Dr. Bonnie
Wrinkles On the Upper Lip
“I don’t even smoke and I still have these wrinkles on my upper lip!”
I hear this so often, even from ladies in their early 30s. These lines are a result of continued muscle movement that end up looking much like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. When you pucker, your mouth forms those lines. Eventually, they become permanent if you make that face often. One reason that face occurs often is because it’s a pensive face. You make it when you are thinking, and of course, you are thinking while you are sleeping so you are making it much more often than you realize. Just thinking about what you are doing with your face and decreasing the unnecessary animation will help decrease the appearance of these lines.
Skin treatments for this condition have included everything from collagen injections to heavy-duty laser treatments. The latter had the unwanted side effect of creating hypopigmentation (a whitish appearance) to the area treated. Therefore, it isn’t done much today. There still is a great need to find a perfect treatment.
A near-perfect treatment is something that I have named the “Lip Rescue”. With some carefully placed filler, Botox, and a moderate peel, the look can be nearly eliminated. The use of a retinoid or glycolic that will turn your cells over faster and increase normal dermal depth (skin thickness) will help it to continue to be smoother and healthier. The mouth lines will diminish greatly. One caveat: make sure you choose a practitioner who is an expert at placing Botox in this area. Too much can be disastrous and will persist for over a month, though it would seem like a life time.
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
Beauty With Botox, Restylane, Sculptra…
Occasionally my office will receive the “shopping phone call” meaning that the caller is simply calling offices in an attempt to locate the cheapest price for a desired procedure. Notice I did not say “product”, but rather “procedure”, but that is really what one ends up with: a procedure, albeit through using a product.
OK, so what are some average prices for various beauty enhancements? Varied, to say the least. Pick a city, anywhere, and you can vary by hundreds of dollars for the same named procedure. Think Botox: it can vary from $150 to $1,200 depending upon geographic area. These are internet searches, and do not specify things in great deail. It does not tell you how many units you are receiving (the only way to decipher strength of treatment), or how many areas are included. It also does not tell you what else you have to purchase to get the “great price”. Therefore, you can go to Iowa City, Iowa and pay $200, or go to Northern Chicago and pay $1,200. So why would someone pay $150? Remember, if it sounds to good to be true….
Also, why would anyone pay $1,200? I have no idea. Why would someone charge $1,200? My only two rather experienced guesses would be #1, the office uses very little Botox and wants to make sure the vial pays for itself with only one patient, or #2, the practitioner feels they are the very best and are worth the price. Neither of these are good reasons to pay that price. However, the $150 is equally as scary.
Restylane and Juvederm
One will occasionally see specials within a range from $300 to $700 for a syringe of either of these hyaluronic acids. If a price dips below $300, look at the fine print. It is probably for a half-syringe that won’t do much unless your needs are extremely subtle. The average is $500-$600, but may be a bit more for Perlane of Juvederm Plus (the larger-molecule products). Beware of the highest price, but be even warier of the lowest prices…these folks are most likely needing the business.
Sculptra
The prices for this magical product may have decreased slightly since its introduction in 2004 because the company (Sanofi-Aventis) has ever-so-slightly decreased the still-costly price. Sculptra comes by the vial, and occasionally by the cc. The average price for a vial is $750 to $900. The range is $700 to $1500. The most important consideration with this procedure is the experience of the practitioner. You do not want to be used for practice. In good hands, this treatment is phenomenal, just not immediate.
Radiesse
This is another product that has seen some reductions from the company since its introduction in 2004. This robust calcium based product really is the answer to immediate-effect sculpting. Originally priced around the $900 range, today you may see it advertised for as little as $500, with the top line still hanging around $900 per syringe. A unique difference is that you receive 1.5 cc in the syringe compared with 1cc in Restylane and .8cc of Juvederm.
Whatever you do, don’t shop simply for price. Find out about the practioner, experience, clinic volume (do you really want to visit an office that sees only 6 people per week?), product turnover, and reputation. A good reputation is usually worth a slightly higher price.
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
The Cost of Anti-Aging and Beauty
How far does one have to go to look and feel young and vibrant? How do you know who to trust? With so many charlatans out there vying to take your money, how do you know when you’ve come to the right place?
It can be scary, and if money is tight, you want to get it right the first time. Step one: Assess where you are starting from (age, skin damage, sagging skin, etc.) and envision where you want to be. Then seek out several sources for achieving what you desire. You should be able to get a good idea of what your end result will be after your treatment plan is completed. I say “treatment plan” because it is rare to accomplish all in one visit, unless you have a simple issue like crow’s feet or a line between your eyebrows. If you have bigger issues, and don’t desire surgery, which is becoming more common today, Sculptra may be the answer.
There are also several agencies run by general practitioners. chiropractors, therapists, etc., that offer holistic therapies geared toward keeping you young. Please research, research, and then research these entities. Often they are the most adept at taking your money. Sometimes they are legit. Research!
On Friday we will have a post of average costs of treatments that will help to preserve or revive your youth. Keep in mind, you need to have a few opinions to determine what is best for you. Also, if you seek the bottom dollar, you are unlikely to find what you may really need. You can achieve excellent results with Restylane, Radiesse, Juvederm, Botox, Dysport, even collagen, but your plan has to be just that: Your plan. In addition, many are offering anything from basic supplements to full blown cleansings and “toxic reducing” therapies. Please, again, research. And by the way, you need to go beyond the particular page or site of the therapy. Remember, you aren’t jsut reducing or removng wrinkles, you are eliminating their causes!
Great things are always coming!!!
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
Lips: When to Stop.
Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Today we have the phenomenon of the ever increasing sightings of good lips gone wild and cheeks protruding forward vying for the attention previously reserved only for boobs. What is happening? Where are the mirrors? What’s more…who is it that is performing this type of work?
I will admit that I have patients that need to be told to slow down and take cosmetic enhancement more slowly. Sometimes it is the thrill of the change and when the thrill wears off, they naturally want to experience it all over again. Sometimes we need to be reminded that less, is more. Much more.
Let’s also remember that cheeks really should not protrude forward, they are an oval that extends from behind your eye on the side and ends before reaching the center of one side of the face. Lips, ah lips. Lips should be soft, and the shape could be enhanced, but here’s what we don’t want: Duck bills, Platypus pads, or rubbery, blubbery protrusions representative of a horrible allergic reaction.
Since there are people willing to create these atrocities, you are left to be in charge to describe what it is you want. Then describe, at least twice, what you don’t want.
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