While BOTOX® injections have been commonly used to treat patients with eye spasms and central nervous system disorders for many years, the cosmetic use of BOTOX® in the reduction of facial wrinkles and lines is more recent.

What is BOTOX® and

How Does It Work?

BOTOX® is actually a natural, purified protein from the bacterium Clostridium Botulinum and acts as a muscle-contraction blocking agent. When used cosmetically, BOTOX® eliminates frown lines between the eyebrows, wrinkles around the eyes and horizontal lines on the forehead that are caused by contracted muscles. BOTOX® blocks the chemical signal from the nerve endings that produce the muscle contraction.

When administered by a skilled physician, the final result is natural and pleasing to the majority of patients and the phenomenon of "frozen" facial appearance is avoided. Although experts have observed that BOTOX® injections are most effective in the upper third of the face (eyes and forehead), other areas on the face and neck can be treated as well.

The BOTOX®

Injection Procedure

BOTOX® comes from the manufacturer as a white powder sealed in a vial. Dr. Huynh will add saline solution to the vial just before he treats you. It is important that the BOTOX® be freshly reconstituted to be most effective. The more concentrated the BOTOX® (the less saline added) the stronger it will be and fewer injections will be needed.

With great care and precision, Dr. Huynh will inject the BOTOX® into the facial muscles that are causing your lines and wrinkles. Dr. Huynh prepares the sites for injection by applying a topical anesthetic and then cools the skin with an ice compress. He uses a tiny microneedle, so that a small amount of BOTOX®; is precisely injected into several locations on the face. As the muscles weaken, the skin overlying the muscles also relaxes causing the wrinkles to soften. Pain is minimal and results can be immediate. Many patients compare the sensation to a bug bite.

After BOTOX® Injection Treatment

Patients may experience slight, temporary bruising at the injection site,which can be covered with makeup. BOTOX® injections are recommended every three to five months and often can be done on your lunch hour.

Juvederm™ is a smooth consistency dermal filler made of hyaluronic acid,

a substance that is found naturally in the body. FDA approved, Juvederm is injected into the dermis, adding volume to the face to reduce wrinkles and replenish hydration to the skin.

Juvederm is intended for moderate to severe wrinkles and folds around the nose and mouth, commonly called your ”laugh lines,“ ”smile lines,“ ”parenthesis“ (nasolabial folds), or ”marionette lines.“  Juvederm treatments last from 6 months to 1 year.

Why You Need Juvederm™

The major components that make up the dermis are hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin fibers.  As you age and your skin is exposed to the sun and other environmental pollutants, your cells gradually begin to lose their hyaluronic acid, thus your skin becomes dehydrated, and the collagen and elastin fibers lose their structure.  The result is dry skin and loss of volume, causing folds and wrinkles.  Juvederm temporarily replaces lost hyaluronic acid with its own natural formulation of hyaluronic acid.

The Advantages of Juvederm

Tailored Treatment- Juvederm comes in two formulas, Juvederm Ultra for contouring and adding volume to smooth wrinkles and folds, and Juvederm Ultra Plus, a more robust formulation used to correct deeper wrinkles and folds.  The spa services director will determine which will best suit your needs.

Longer Lasting Results

Juvederm dermal filler provides results that last 6 months or more, even up to a year.  Touch-ups and maintenance may be needed to prolong your desired results.

No Down Time

Juvederm is injected into the dermis using an ultra fine needle causing minimal discomfort.  Results are almost immediate and you’ll be back to your regular routine right away.

Juvederm Treatment Procedure

Before your treatment, you will meet with the spa services director to discuss your desired results.  The wrinkles and folds around your nose and mouth will be examined to determine their depth and which appropriate Juvederm formulation to use, Juvederm Ultra or Juvederm Ultra Plus.  Because Juvederm is made of a substance found naturally in the body there is no need for an allergy test.  Anesthesia is not required for the Juvederm treatment, but may be used to numb the treatment site.  During this initial meeting, you will also be given special instructions regarding medications you may currently be taking.

The treatment process is quick and easy, and you’ll be back to your normal routine with no downtime.  The Juvederm gel is injected under the skin, into the dermis to plump up the skin, reduce wrinkles and folds, as well as help to moisturize the skin tissue, revitalizing the treated areas.  The procedure takes about 15 minutes.

After the Juvederm Treatment Process

After Juvederm treatment there is minimal recovery or downtime.  However, following your Juvederm treatment, avoid strenuous exercise, excessive sun and heat, and consumption of alcoholic beverages to minimize the risk of temporary swelling, redness, and/or itching at the treatment sites.  Side effects are mild to moderate and may include redness, pain, firmness, swelling, and bumps. Side effects will clear up on their own in 7 days or less.  You can apply ice to the treatment site if swelling occurs, and call Dr. Huynh’s office if you have any questions following your Juvederm treatment.

Restylane® is used to restore volume and fullness to your face and lips, smoothing out moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, as it plumps up the skin.

A tiny amount of the gel is injected into the skin by means of a very fine needle. The result is almost instantaneous, producing a long-lasting, natural enhancement, gentle and safe for your skin. The results are sustained for up to six months or even longer - almost twice that of collagen.

Restylane® is the first and only cosmetic dermal filler made of a crystal-clear, non-animal, 100% biodegradable gel based on a natural substance, called "NASHA™" or non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is found in all living animals, including humans where it provides volume and fullness to the skin. However, the hyaluronic acid in NASHA is biosynthetically produced in a laboratory by means of a natural fermentation process.

The Advantages of Restylane

As Restylane is a totally non-animal product, there is no risk of eliciting allergic reactions if you are sensitive to common foods, such as beef, chicken and eggs. Also, there is no risk of an animal-based transmitted disease as can happen with fillers such as collagen made from cow hide and hyaluronic acid made from rooster combs.

Biodegradable over time, the NASHA gel is completely eliminated from the body, leaving absolutely no trace. When Restylane breaks down, water takes its place. When totally absorbed, Restylane turns into water and carbon dioxide and disappears without leaving any trace in your body.

Restylane has a long record of success with many satisfied users. Since 1996, more than 1,500,000 treatments have been successfully carried out all over the world.

Restylane Treatment Procedure

Because Restylane is non-animal based and fully biocompatible, you do not need allergy testing, which means that you can have the treatment immediately.

The procedure is simple and convenient, taking typically less than thirty minutes. The actual time depends somewhat on the correction you want to have performed.

For wrinkle treatments, pain relief is not required by all patients; however it can be easily arranged at your request. Prior to your procedure, a topical anesthetic cream can be applied to the area to be treated. You can also choose to have a local anesthetic injection.

After the Restylane Treatment Procedure

After the Restylane injections, you can expect a slight redness, swelling, tenderness and an itching sensation in the treated area. This is a normal result of the injection. The discomfort is temporary and generally disappears in a few days. If the discomfort continues or if other reactions occur, you should contact Dr. Huynh.

A touch-up treatment within 2-4 weeks after the initial treatment may be necessary to achieve an optimal correction. The treatment can be repeated as often as you like.