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Botox
injections are used to smooth out wrinkles caused by
the activity of the muscles of facial expression. Wrinkles
are caused by both the activity of the muscles of facial
expression and by loose skin. Loosening of the skin
is a consequence of the aging process, sun (and UV light
in tanning beds), and cigarette smoking. As the skin
loosens, muscle contraction causes wrinkles and furrows.
Botox solution, which is injected into specific muscles,
causes a temporary paralysis of these facial muscles
so that they cannot contract and cause the wrinkles.
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Botox treatments are becoming increasingly
more popular for several reasons. The treatment is effective
and lasts about 6 months. It is less costly than surgical
procedures. There is no down time for healing or follow-up
care, such as suture removal. Patients can return to
work or face the public right after treatment. Some
candidates for removal of frown lines may wish to have
a temporary correction with Botox prior to committing
to a permanent improvement with a
forehead/brow lift.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE
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Patients
that have dynamic wrinkles, which are caused by
muscle function. |
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The most commonly
treated areas are frown lines between the eyebrows,
horizontal forehead creases, mild drooping of the
eyebrows, “crow’s feet,” and wrinkles
around the mouth. Muscle bands from the chin to
the neck may also be treated. |
OTHER USES OF BOTOX
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Botox
can also help treat excessive sweating of the hands
and axillae. |
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Botox injections
may also be beneficial for treatment of migraine
headaches. |
PROCEDURE DESCRIPTION
The patient identifies the area to be treated. The patient
contracts the muscle that causes the wrinkling to define
the muscle to be treated. The Botox is injected into
the muscle. The benefits of the treatment become evident
over several days.
INTENDED RESULT
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Before and After
Botox®
(click on any
photo to enlarge) |
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Smooth
out the wrinkles around the mouth, forehead, and
eyes. |
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Less tired or
less angry look in the eyelid and eyebrow region. |
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Immediate resumption
of normal activities. |
OTHER OPTIONS
Rejuvenation of one’s facial skin can improve
the complexion of the skin’s color, texture, and
vascularity as well as tighten it to decrease wrinkling.
Chemical peels and modern laser resurfacing are useful
procedures that do not require surgical incisions. Dr.
Weeter uses several types of lasers or peels for
specific types of improvement. The CO2 laser reduces
wrinkles, tightens the skin, and helps re-establish
a more uniform complexion. It may also remove some sun
damaged, and possibly pre-malignant, skin conditions.
A special laser for vascular conditions can diminish
prominent blood vessels of areas such as the cheeks
and around the nose. Other lasers can treat “sun
spots.”
WHO IS A CANDIDATE
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Patients
whose facial skin has poor texture or dark, irregular
pigmentation due to sun damage or with rough, dry
patches. |
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Facial rejuvenation
patients who have facial wrinkles and loss of skin
elasticity. These wrinkles may be of the dynamic
type caused by muscles, such as around the mouth,
or the static type, such as seen in the cheeks. |
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Laser resurfacing
is particularly effective for the wrinkles above
the lip. Some women refer to these as “lipstick
lines.” |
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Patients who
have acne scarring. |
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Patients with
prominent superficial blood vessels of the skin
that some people call “broken capillaries.” |
INTENDED RESULT
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Before and After
Laser Resurfacing
(click on any
photo to enlarge) |
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Before and After
Laser Resurfacing
(click on any
photo to enlarge) |
|
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More
youthful look. |
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Improved skin
texture and elasticity with more homogeneous pigmentation
and a smoother surface. |
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Improved wrinkles. |
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Restoration of
sun damaged skin changes. |
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Diminished acne
scars. |
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Decreased prominence
of small blood vessels seen just beneath the skin. |
PROCEDURE DESCRIPTION
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Laser
resurfacing is done with a CO2 laser with either
local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.
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Resurfacing may
be done to the entire face or to specific areas
such as the periorbital region (around the eyes)
or the perioral region (around the mouth). |
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A special post-laser
surgical dressing is used for up to a week to minimize
discomfort, absorb drainage, and promote healing. |
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Some lasers may
be used specifically to remove prominent blood vessels
or to diminish darkly pigmented spots. This may
not require anesthesia. |
RECUPERATION AND HEALING
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An occlusive membrane
or dressing will be applied immediately after your
resurfacing procedure that will stay on for several
days. After the membrane or dressing is removed,
you will be given an ointment to be applied twice
daily until the skin heals. |
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The skin is red and weepy for 5 to
7 days, after which it will be red like a sunburn.
The redness will diminish—from sunburn red
to a mild red or chapped look to pink-- over a variable
period of time lasting from one to three months.
After the skin is healed but still red, you may
apply special camouflage makeup, if desired. |
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Initial discomfort subsides rapidly
and can be controlled with oral medication. |
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Sun block will be necessary to protect
your newly resurfaced skin from further sun damage.
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Laser removal of prominent blood
vessels or pigment spots needs no dressing because
the skin surface does not weep. Usually makeup can
be applied soon thereafter. |
There are a number of new products that improve and reshape the face's contours and the skin's wrinkling to help rejuvenate. They
restore volume loss to improve contours or plump up areas that have lost their youthful shape. They can fill in and stretch out wrinkles as well.
Some of the best know include Restylane Radiesse, Captique, and Juvéderm. Doctor Weeter injects them as office procedures to restore
volume loss during the aging process to temporarily include smooth out facial lines and wrinkles. Examples of areas that can be treated include
Frown lines, Smile lines between the cheek and lips, Vertical lip lines, and thee hollowed depression in front of the jowls.
Skin care products compliment the benefit of both the surgical procedures and the non-surgical (non-invasive) to achieve a more
youthful skin. These physician prescribed skin care products were developed to refine and restore the complexion of the skin at the cellular level. They
can help correct sun damaged changes and help prevent further UV damage. Doctor Weeter recommends prescription strength ingredients that are not available
over the counter. Some of the products available include the OBAGI Nu-Derm System, Dermesse, Kinerase, and other fine products. The benefits found are
a more healthy and youthful skin that is smoother with fewer fine lines and wrinkles, less roughness, firmer, and loss of age and sun-related brown spots.
OTHER OPTIONS
| NOTE: The specific risks
and the suitability of this procedure for you may be determined only at
the time of consultation. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. |
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