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Common Myths About Botox, part 2

MYTH #6 Botox is Permanent

Some people actually wish Botox was permanent, but it isn’t. Your muscles, that have been relaxed by Botox, will eventually regain movement after about 3 months. Fortunately, the benefits of Botox can last for 6 to 12 while the muscle memory gradually returns.

MYTH #7 You are never too young or old for Botox

There’s not an age where Botox magically stops working, and not everyone’s skin ages the same, so there isn’t an exact age on when to start or stop Botox. As a matter of fact, some plastic surgeons report success with Botox patients more than 65 years old. Botox will always work to relax the muscles, but in older patients, it may not be enough or it may throw off facial harmony – if other treatments are not done in other areas of the face. On the other side of the timeline, I’d say there definitely is a lower limit on the age. I’d advise teenagers against it. There certainly is value to preventative Botox in the 20s, but until then, there really isn’t enough constant muscle movement to warrant this treatment for cosmetic reasons.

MYTH #8 The best time for Botox is when the lines appear

As stated in the previous question, there is surging interest in using Botox for wrinkle prevention starting in the 20s. Getting started early, rather than waiting until the wrinkles get deeper and more noticeable, can help you in the long run. Getting Botox early can also help make you conscious of the facial expressions that cause those wrinkles – and can raise your awareness to avoid or limit them. To not frequently furrow your brows or frown is a good habit anyway!

MYTH #9 You can become addicted to Botox
It’s true that you’ll probably love the results from Botox so much you will want to keep coming back. You’ll feel great about looking fabulous and won’t want to stop, but Botox has nothing in it that would make you physically addicted. There’s no “withdrawal” or negative side effects from stopping Botox. You’ll just return to your usual “wrinkling pattern” as before you started getting Botox treatments.

MYTH #10 If you stop getting Botox, your wrinkles will be worse

In contrast to how smooth your skin will be while getting Botox, it might seem like it’s gotten worse once you stop, but really, it’s just resumed the same muscle position as prior to receiving treatment. Once you start Botox, it will relax the muscles so the wrinkles seem to disappear. Even though they don’t actually disappear and normal development of wrinkles, with muscle movement will resume… they won’t be any worse.

I hope this has helped clear up any Botox “myths.” You can schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com if you’re ready to stop those wrinkles in their tracks and smooth out those lines with Botox. We can take care of you during a normal lunch break.
Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Myths About Botox, part 1

MYTH #1 Botox will make you look like you’ve had work done
Fortunately, Botox doesn’t have to result in a paralyzed face stuck on one emotion like Batman’s nemesis, the Joker. It’s muscle relaxing abilities can result in subtle, smooth skin that can still express emotions. It’s especially great for targeting the moderate to severe lines around your eyes and between your brows. If you’re trusting your face to an experienced, knowledgeable Plastic Surgeon like myself or my Physician’s Assistant, then you don’t have to worry about looking “worked” on.
MYTH#2 Botox and Dermal Fillers do the same thing
While they both lessen the appearance of wrinkles and restore youthful appearance, Botox and Dermal Fillers don’t work the same way. Botox addresses the muscles that create wrinkles and relaxes them. Dermal Fillers restore a youthful, plump look by adding volume to facial tissue. They both have their unique areas of the face that they are meant to address. For example, Botox is not approved for use in lips, but the hyaluronic filler Juvederm is. Dermal Fillers aren’t the best at treating crow’s feet or forehead frown line, but Botox is.

MYTH #3 Botox is only for women
While men may enjoy the distinguished look of maturity that comes with aging, there are certain features that as they age, they give the face a tired or angry appearance. This doesn’t communicate well in a personal or professional setting. As a result, there is much more acceptance of cosmetic procedures for men, especially as part of a health regimen. The nickname “Brotox” was coined for a reason: current statistics on Botox customers show that 1 in 10 are men!

MYTH #4 Botox injections are toxic to the body
Botox is one of the most widely studied and researched medical aesthetic products available today. Botox is designed to have a very localized effect of about a centimeter diameter and doesn’t spread to other areas of the body. It is completely safe when used in correct doses and in the hands of a trained, experienced injector. It is made from compounds found in nature, and not a synthetic, dangerous material as some people think. In 2002, it was the first FDA approved product for frown lines and in 2013, it became the first and only FDA approved product for crow’s feet.

MYTH #5 Botox Injections are Painful
Botox is known as the “lunchtime injection” for a reason. Treatment takes about 10 minutes and it has very little to no downtime, which is great because it can work with busy schedules. There could be minor redness or swelling at the injection site, but that quickly subsides so that you can experience the youth restoring benefits within the time span of a lunch break.

So did any of these answers bust any Botox myths you previously believed? If you’re ready turn turn back time with Botox, you can schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com. Or if you’re interested in Botox, but have some more myths or questions you’d like answered, stay tuned for next week’s blog: Common Myths about Botox, part 2.
Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

RESTORING LUSCIOUS, YOUTHFUL LIPS

The lips lend a sensual attraction to the face. This cannot be denied about certain celebrity beauties. From the classics like Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe to modern marvels like Scarlett Johanssen and Angelina Jolie, their memorable moniker is due in part to their sexy lips.

Luscious lips communicate more than sex appeal; they can communicate age. Lips usually get thinner with deeper creases as the years go on. In addition to age, the environment and lifestyle, affect the fullness of our lips. By plumping them up, you can restore youthfulness to your lips.

Here are some of those pesky – pout aging lifestyle choices:
– Regular lip puckering and pursing actions, such as smoking or sipping a cup coffee. This repeated action, along with loss of collagen and elastin, contributes to lip lines along with loss of shape and lip color.
– Forgetting to protect your pucker from wind or sun damage can contribute to deflating lip fullness.
– Not drinking enough water or drinking mostly dehydrating liquids, such as alcohol, also deplete the lips from sufficient full hydration.
– Skin care of the entire face is important as well since it is entirely one organ. There are even special skin care products designed to replenish the lips.

Lip volume loss can easily be restored with hyaluronic acid injectables. They work like a sponge, attracting water to the desired area to plump up lips. One of the leading hyaluronic acid injectables that I recommend is Juvederm. It’s a smooth gel that corrects deflated, sagging lips and provides a soft, natural feel that is long lasting… about 6 months or more.

Benefits of Juvederm:
1. Since it is a smooth gel, you won’t have to worry about the lumps and bumps that are a possibility with permanent silicone implants.
2. Corrections are easy to make.
3. Stimulates your bodies own collagen making again (long term benefits)
4. FDA approved for the lips.

This leads me to remind you of the importance of only using those specially trained to perform injectable filler treatments.  My Physicians Assistant and I understand the complexity of facial anatomy. It is critical to understand the balance between the upper and lower lip, as well as the role of the surrounding muscles in order to get injections right!

We know the artistry of facial balance and have the technical experience of using the injectables to accomplish that. Aesthetic balance to the face can be thrown off by lips that are too thin or too thick or lopsided. We’ve all heard the jokes about “duck lips”, which is a result of too much filler in the philtrum. We’ve also seen over filled lumpy lips that look like sausages. No one wants this, so put your lips in the hands of experts like us.

Here are some tips we use to help create full, sexy and natural looking lips:
– There should be a slightly more full center part with a well curved Cupid’s bow.
– To achieve nice proportions, the lower lip should be about twice the size of the upper lip, not the same size.
– Lips should be filled in a way that doesn’t impede natural movement so that they are soft and supple rather than lumpy or stiff.
To schedule your consultation to discuss how we can help you get your desired youthful, luscious lips, visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Holidays are coming….let’s get you “Holiday Ready”
Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fat Grafting…Provides Youthful, Natural Contours

Most people are in a battle against fat, but fat can be your friend. I find that it is one of the best fillers for plumping areas that are sunken, hollow or flat. Using the body’s own fat by taking it from a place where it’s unwanted and putting it somewhere that needs it reaps a double benefit.

Fat as We Age… Isn’t it ironic that as we age, we often lose fat in the wrong places and gain it in unwanted areas. As a child, we have that “baby face” that includes round full cheeks, but as early as mid to late 20s the fat in the cheeks that keeps it full and firm already starts to degrade even though the narrowing of the face usually doesn’t appear until the 30s. In the 40s, fat loss usually shows itself as drooping in the midface that causes nasolabial folds and jowls. The face shape continues to change in the 50s and beyond as fat is affected by gravity and age.

Fat Vs. Other Fillers… Fat grafting is a very effective way to retain a youthful face by restoring facial contour and fullness. Compared to other fillers, fat produces longer lasting results. Additionally, it’s completely natural since it’s using your own excess body fat – that is refined, purified and relocated. This means that there isn’t the risk of an adverse reaction or allergy as with other injectables.

What Can Fat Grafting Do? Although one of the most common areas to treat with fat grafting are the creased, sunken parts of the face, it can be used to contour many areas of the body. It can enhance areas such as hands, breasts and buttocks. One of the more popular procedures recently is the Brazillian Butt Lift. I actually prefer to use fat grafting for this rather than implants, as long as there’s enough fat to take from another area of the body. I’ve also used it to successfully revise and minimize the appearance of scars, or other bodily depressions.

How Does It Work? Fat grafting involves the transfer of fat from areas that have some to spare, such as the outer thighs (saddle bags), refining it, and then injecting it into areas that need volume. It is very safe and provides long lasting results. It has minimal downtime and recovery, similar to other injectable treatments.

In Good Hands… Working with fat for grafting requires a lot of skill to extract and reinject it without lumps or sagging. I offer this safe procedure to many people every year…with great results. I know how to work with this natural filling component to create a lasting, natural look and feel. To schedule your consultation, visit www.davinciplastic.com.
Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Schedule Your Consultation With Dr. Davison

The initial consultation with your surgeon is critical! It should always be face to face with your surgeon during which time he/she listens closely to your concerns. Dr. Davison believes this time spent with you is critical to both you and to him. It is during the consultation that he comes to fully understand your concerns, evaluates them correctly and is then able to make the recommendations and develop the treatment plan thats right for you. Dr. Davison invests the time to sit down and talk to you face-to-face.

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3301 New Mexico Ave. Suite 236

Washington D.C.

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