Category: Injectables

It’s not too late to show your love with the gift of a Liquid Facelift. The spring is coming and there is no better feeling than going into a new season with a refreshed feeling and look. The new and rejuvenating experience can catapult confidence and productivity for not only a more youthful appearance, but invigorated feeling.

The Liquid Facelift, also called a Filler Facelift, is a visible, yet subtle rejuvenation involving multiple injection locations and kinds. While it doesn’t have the complete capabilities of an actual Facelift, it does address concerns throughout the facial features to provide a no downtime “refresher” for the face. It smoothes out wrinkles and restores volume to those trouble areas that are unique to each person. These are the benefits:

• Erasing forehead lines with Botox
• Brow lifting by replacing volume with Juvederm
• Revolumizing the eye area with Juvederm to minimize sunken eye sockets, hollowed temples or deepened tear troughs
• Plumping flat cheeks with Juvederm, Radiesse or Sculptra which gently lifts the entire midface, including the effects of volume loss on nasolabial folds
• Smoothing the “parenthesis” lines around the mouth
• Plumping thinned out lips with Juvederm
• Balance the chin definition with Radiesse or Sculptra

The Filler Facelift addresses these issues not in isolation, but within the facial framework and contours. This comprehensive injection session rejuvenates the entire face and not just one feature by utilizing different kinds of injectables. The Liquid Facelift is a great way to hold off the need for a surgical facelift. Results can last a couple of months to a couple of years.

The different kinds of injectables used in different areas of the face all work together for the Liquid Facelift rejuvenation. Here are the typical players we use in our office to give our patients beautiful results:

• Juvederm naturally attract water to the plump up the cells with hyaluronic acid. This sponge like effect, plumps up the cells at the injection site to fill in the creases. Its plumping abilities are fantastic for restoring youthful facial contours and lip fullness.
• Botox inhibits muscle action that stops the movement creating the wrinkles and creases. This stops forehead furrows and frown lines in their tracks.
• Radiesse immediately stimulates your own collagen renewal for your skin to work on replacing volume and firmness.
• Sculptra takes time to reveal the youth enhancing effects, but is well worth the wait. Its scaffolding stimulates the body’s own ability to rebuild collagen with long lasting results that can endure twice as long as hyaluronic fillers.

Experience the refreshing look that a Filler Facelift can offer. Give the gift to yourself or a loved one. To schedule your Liquid Facelift our highly trained injectors, visit www.davinciplastic.com

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Want a new smile in 2018 without any cosmetic or dental surgery? There are many non surgical options to transform your smile, whether it’s whiter or straighter teeth, fuller lips or reducing a “gummy smile.” Here are some solutions to these smile problems:

1. Gummy Smile

One way you can enhance your already beautiful smile is to reduce the amount of your gums that show between your lips and teeth. Using Botox in a very precise and careful placement, the injection is made into the muscle that is near the junction of your nostrils with the cheek, called the levator labii. Also, a very small amount can be injected into where the upper lip’s midline meets the nose at the columella (center column of the nose).

The necessity to use a highly experienced injector is crucial, as placement and the amount of Botox can easily ruin a smile rather than enhance it. Remember, the Botox is weakening the muscle so if too much is injected or its improperly placed, results won’t be as desired. For example, the lip will be completely flat, droopy or produce an uneven, half smile where one side lifts more than the other.

When properly placed, the upper lip still has movement, but won’t retract all the way to reveal the gums when you’re smiling. Botox to the upper lip can also reduce the vertical wrinkles and smokers lines. As with any injection, the results are temporary, which is actually a good thing as it gives you a chance to get used to the new look and decide if you’re more comfortable with your smile as it was naturally or would like to continue.

2. Thin Lips

One of the contributors to discontent with smiles is that the lips are too thin. This can even increase the look of a “gummy smile.” This improvement is an easy one, as Juvederm can provide beautiful, natural looking plumping effect for a full, luscious lipped smile.

3. Teeth Discoloration

The over the counter teeth whitenen systems are considered part of the beauty industry and not regulated by the FDA, as would a doctor prescribed system. You should proceed with caution with these. In regards to whitening procedures provided by dentists and technicians, it’s also important to consider the level of experience. Generally, you can be prescribed a custom gel with a tray to be used over night for a number of nights in order to match your desired lightening and contour to your teeth. This can be done in conjunction with certain high powered lights, but educate yourself on the kind of lights used since some can produce sensitivity and even damage the tooth’s inner pulp.

4. Crooked Teeth

Depending on the significance of your alignment or bite correction needed, there are some good options including alternatives to metal braces. Other kinds of permanent fixtures like clear braces and removable “invisible” aligning trays, such as Invisalign or Clear Correct, can be worn over time to adjust the teeth. There are now 5 tray system options for minor alignment issues.

You can have the radiant smile you want in 2018. Let’s discuss your non surgical smile enhancements to address issues such as “gummy smile” and thinning lips. Please visit www.davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Men and women in their 20s and 30s are heading to the plastic surgeons office in abundance like never before. The celebrity culture has removed any embarrassment or negativity regarding people knowing that they’ve had plastic surgery and injectables, like Botox and Juvederm. These treatments and the results are indeed celebrated and shared among peers and social media. The desires and needs of this group are different than other generations, which I’ll discuss below.

POPULAR TRENDS & CELEBRITY TELL ALL

Access to media and open sharing about plastic surgery among celebrities has not only removed any taboo, but created a normalcy and excitement to experience the benefits my industry can provide. The more seasoned actress Patricia Heaton was one of the early adapters to celebrity sharing about surgery. In 2003, she talked openly about her surgeries and how women shouldn’t compare themselves to Hollywood because things aren’t always as they seem. These days, more and more celebrities are talking about surgery, such as actress Kaley Cuoco and singer Iggy Azalea, who are popular among Millennials. Many express that they don’t want to keep secrets from their fans and Iggy even posted a picture of her with her surgeon thanking him for her perky breasts.

For the Millennials, Kylie Jenner has almost single handedly been the greatest influence for lip injections for young people. Her full lipped pout is one of the most requested outcomes for this age group, who happily share before and after photos on Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook (although Facebook is getting the reputation as the main platform for mostly for the “older” Millennials and above). As of 2 years ago, no one was taking selfies in the plastic surgeons’ office, but this is now commonplace.

PREVENTION ORIENTED

Millennials are viewing cosmetic treatments as preventative with hopes of putting off signs of aging. Before wrinkles even occur, men and women in their 20s are asking for Botox. This can be a great opportunity to work with relaxing the muscles before they create rhytids, however expectations need to be managed because there won’t be any drastic immediate results.

Also, it is important to keep in mind that a little bit goes a long way. Overdoing injectables can actually have the opposite affect and make Millennials look older or create distorted facial features. If done incorrectly, Botox to the forehead can result in a heavy brow. Instead, better results could be accomplished by injecting small amounts to the glabella, which is where the frown lines form in between the brows. Immediately noticeable results for someone who doesn’t have very visible wrinkles to reverse, would be a little brow lift that can be accomplished with injections to the outer eye where crow’s feet would form.

PROCEEDING WITH WISDOM

As with anyone considering surgery or cosmetic enhancements, it’s important to realize this isn’t a quick fix mentality. To really have a preventative affect, a one time Juvederm or Botox injection won’t be enough. The goal of wrinkle prevention with Botox involves weakening the muscles so they are smooth. This may take regular injections of small amounts about every 3 months for a year or 2, and then we can slow down.

In addition, the best results also involve protecting the skin from sun damage, using good skin care, eating well and drinking water. We should develop a relationship where there’s open communication and a comprehensive treatment plan. To get started, schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Beyond the face, the neck is one of the most visible of the body’s features that can reveal age. Fortunately, there are some effective treatments to refine and rejuvenate the neck and minimize the “turkey neck” or “double chin.” This is especially important to many people coming into the holiday season where there will be pictures and parties galore. Today I’m going to highlight 2 non surgical treatments for making the neck area look younger and that won’t take you away from your busy schedule leading up to the holidays: Kybella and Botox.

Kybella

If your concern with your neck is the double chin or bulge, Kybella could be your answer. It is a non surgical alternative to liposuction since the treatment simply involves a series of injections. They contain a naturally occurring molecule called deoxycholic acid. This natural acid dissolves fat and then the body flushes it out naturally. The extensive clinical trials conducted with Kybella demonstrated a 50% improvement in fat reduction with 2 treatments a month apart.

The injection treatment itself only lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, with a little prep time before and after. These precisely placed injections can be done on any part of the neck and can treat the largest to smallest bulge. Some people have a double chin due to carrying extra weight, yet others may be thin but have a genetic predisposition to a double chin. Also, Kybella can help to slightly tighten the skin, but it cannot remedy loose, hanging skin.

Even though Kybella is considered an “in and out” procedure, it does have mild side effects to which the degree varies for each person. While some people tolerate the injections with only a level 3 of 10 pain ranking, others would consider them more painful. Also, while everyone can return to regular activity immediately, some patients will experience some temporary swelling and redness or some soreness and numbness depending on how much Kybella is being injected in a session. The winter is actually the perfect time to hide any of these issues with a turtleneck sweater or scarf.

Botox

If your concern with your neck is the prominent vertical bands, Botox may be able to help. While it is most known for eliminating frown lines between the eyebrows or forehead, the basic function of Botox is to relax the muscles so it can be used on most any muscle groups that are contracting to create lines, which includes the neck. Over time the neck develops bands in a V shape from the platysma muscle, which can accentuate any neck bulge or waddle. Botox will relax these muscles and so good clients are those who have a prominent platysma muscle along with good skin tone.

There is no need to feel self conscious of your neck even if you want to avoid surgery and don’t have time for recovery. Kybella and Botox could be your answer to get rid of your turkey neck for Thanksgiving and beyond. Schedule a consultation to see if these effective treatments are a good fit for you at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

While you may initially come into my office to address an immediate beauty need, we will take the time in our consultation to talk about your long term beauty goals and to help you with a plan. This plan may start off with some non invasive treatments, such as a Liquid Facelift using a variety of injectables to touch up and rejuvenate some crows feet, furrowed brows or mouth parenthesis creases. Then it might build into a 5 to 10 year plan for a mini facelift to address slightly sagging jowls and neck or Blepharoplasty to open up drooping eyelids for a brighter, more rested looking eye area. Either way, this plan should not only focus on immediate needs, but incorporate treatments for future youth restoration goals and maintenance.

Cosmetic surgery and non invasive treatments can easily be performed all year long, however, there are certain times of year that lend themselves to easily incorporate the rest and recovery that make it more convenient. Also, there are also certain issues you may want to address before a special event (think: high school reunion or holiday party) or time of year (think: bikini season).

Here is a seasonal surgery guide with suggestions for planning your procedure:

Fall

After the activity of summer and before the flurry of winter festivities, the fall season offers a perfect break in the social calendar for most people. This means that recovery time away is easy to schedule. Also, the cooler weather means clothes with more coverage and comfort. After getting any kids and grandkids settled into school, the scheduled routine or empty nest would allow for effortless predictability and rest for scheduling a surgery. It also will allow plenty of healing time for you to approach the holidays recovered and looking great. This is a good time for anything from Liposuction, Blepharoplasty, Facelift to Breast Augmentation. Fall is my first choice for cosmetic procedures.

Winter

This season offers some good opportunities for cosmetic surgeries. Before the new year, the injectables are the best because you can’t afford downtime between Thanksgiving and New Years, but January is the perfect month to kick off the New Year with a big step towards your beauty and healthy body goals. Winter scarves and turtlenecks easily cover the bruising or swelling from Kybella or a Facelift. Also the bulkier clothes will conceal any over night changes to the body from a Tummy Tuck or Liposuction. The Martin Luther King and Presidents Day holidays allow for long weekends and time off work without the usual holiday social schedule.

Spring

These are the months to rejuvenate and refresh yourself along with the start of a new season, and to prepare for the summer season. Body image procedures such as Liposuction, Brazilian Butt Lift, and Breast Augmentation are popular this time of year. Also, by this time, some of the results from New Years resolutions for weight loss have a chance to kick in and become a habit so that body contouring can have optimal results.

Summer

Surgery can be a success in the summer, but it’s crucial to stay out of the sun. The heat and sweat can be irritating during recovery. It’s always a great time for injectables like Botox, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra since these injectables are in and out so you’re on your way to looking fabulous for your vacation. Another fabulous non invasive, body contouring rpocedure to trim away small puches of stubborn fat is SculpSure. Popular summer break surgical procedures are Rhinoplasty and Otoplasty between the school years.

Let me help you make your procedure plan for your ideal image by scheduling a consultation today at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

When you’re going for any injectable treatment, the skill of the injector makes a tremendous difference in the results. When it comes to your face, this is definitely not something you want to be bargain hunting or wheeling and dealing. A bad injector can make you look older or even distort your natural appearance.

Here are some clues you’re going to get a bad injection, and what to look for instead:

Options

There are a good variety of injectables and some are a better fit for different facial structures, skin age and rejuvenation goals. If the office doesn’t represent this beauty of choice and tries to fit everyone in the box of a one size fits all injection, then you know something is wrong. Each person’s unique needs should be addressed regarding the placement of injections and what kind of injectables are used.

Cleanliness

Infections happen easily and so it is important to be very picky about the cleanliness of the facility. Don’t just breeze in the office and get your injection. Look at it with a critical eye and especially important to assess the cleanliness of the injection room. A sterile needle and fresh vial of injectable should be shown to the patient before treatment.

Quality of Care

You can trust your face to the quality of care that can only be provided by an injector with experience, certification, specialization, consultation and confidence.

• Experience: An injector should have a lot of experience with a variety of injectables and specialize in the art of injectables. This gives the injector a true “feel” for the unique needs of each patient.
• Certification: There’s actually an industry standard that is applied to the best practitioners, qualifying them as Expert Injectors. This extra certification and licensure ensures that the injector you choose has had the training and experience to give you the best chances for the results your desiring.
• Specialization: With injections being offered at home and almost every medi spa across the country, it’s important to recognize that doctors and nurse practitioners, such as our own PA Nora, with specialization this field have an intimate knowledge of facial structure and can provide the best results.
• Consultation: While injectables generally provide a “quick fix” for addressing aging concerns, the injector should take the time discuss your desires and long term goals. This might include a treatment plan to include other anti aging procedures.
• Confidence: The training, experience and specialization required for a job well done in this field provides a confidence that the practitioner has and one that you can have also. If your injector seems shaky or unsure in the least bit, walk away.

As an expert injector with experience of working on hundreds of faces with the highest levels of satisfaction, standards and level of artistry in facial rejuvenation, you can trust your face in Nora’s hands. To schedule an appointment for your injectables consultation, visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

There are some things that are just “tried and true”… like mom’s apple pie, fall leaves changing color in DC and the Breast Augmentation. This surgery has been perfected for decades and is the most performed cosmetic surgery for many reasons. These are some of them:

More harmony of proportion, balance and symmetry
Some women feel their small chest size stands out as an awkward feature because it isn’t in proportion to the rest of their body. It is also common for women to have two different breast sizes and want them to be balanced and equal. The ideal Breast Augmentation enhances the size, shape & projection of your breasts so they are harmonious with your entire body. They should look natural, smooth and proportionate.

Improved self-esteem & confidence
While a healthy person wouldn’t have their happiness and self esteem completely dependent on a Breast Augmentation, it can give an amazing confidence boost and satisfaction with body image. The feeling of inadequacy can be crippling to the confidence and full expression of your personality; if a Breast Augmentation can help you feel more “you” then more power to you.

Overall satisfaction with body image and fashion choices
While certain clothes compliment different body types, you shouldn’t have to feel disappointed that most tops don’t fit right because you cant fill them out. If you’d like to dress your best, a Breast Augmentation can help you feel satisfied with your body image and how you look in those fashionable clothes and bathing suits.
Getting the breasts you’ve lost over time or from having children and/or breastfeeding
Time and gravity certainly has its affects on the breasts. Breast Augmentation can restore you chest to its more youthful years. Weight loss and childbearing also can leave the breasts deflated and sagging compared to their prior glory years. There’s no shame in wanting to restore your breasts to what they once were. Losing weigh is a great accomplishment and childbearing is a beautiful, worthwhile sacrifice; you shouldn’t feel less satisfied with your breasts because of these wonderful life changes.

Feeling “whole again” and normal after mastectomy
While the wounds from a mastectomy are more than skin deep, a Breast Augmentation can greatly help to restore the feeling of normalcy and wholeness that losing one or both breasts can rob from you. So much of a woman’s feeling of femininity comes from her beautiful curves, and a Breast Augmentation can help in the process of restoring what was lost and creating a confident new life. It is possible to do more than just “survive” cancer, but to “thrive” after cancer.

These are just a few of the most common reasons why a Breast Augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery. In the coming weeks we will look at this procedure in more detail. If you are ready to talk about your hopes for a Breast Augmentation – visit www.Davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation today.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

If you’re going to make the investment in getting a Facelift, you want it to last as long as possible. Even though a Facelift can take up to 10 years off your appearance, your skin will continue to age. This means that gravity will have its affect as your skin loses elasticity and collagen – over the years following your surgery. You can’t stop the aging process, but you can help keep the age reversal affects as long as possible by implementing the habits and tricks suggested in this blog.

Buying Time with Injectables
You will love your more youthful appearance with a Facelift and subsequently you’ll want to help the youthful effects to stay in the most effective way. Injectables, such as Voluma, are crucial to add back lost volume, as well as Botox to stop muscles from recreating those deep wrinkles. They may seem like subtle youthful enhancements at the time, but they will help the facelift last longer. These are perfect options to push back or prevent the need for touch up surgery.

Luscious Lips Look Younger
An issue that the Facelift doesn’t address is the lips. Just as volume decreases in the rest of the face, age related volume loss affects the lips. You’ll want to maintain facial harmony and balance -throughout your face with youthful lips. Using a hyaluronic filler, such as Juvederm, to plump your lips will help enhance and maintain a youthful appearance after a Facelift.

Daily Care and Special Treatments for Skin
The cumulative affect of taking good care of your skin on a daily basis… really does pay off in the end. I suggest using clinically proven skin care, such as SkinMedica to help prolong the youthful effects of cosmetic procedures. On a regular basis it is also important to get special treatments for your skin. For example, chemical peels stimulate new skin growth to enhance skin clarity and smoothness. A chemical peel can wreak havoc on the skin and actually cause aging if done incorrectly, so please be sure to come to my office even for serious treatments such as this.
Stay Away from the Sun and Pollution
These are the outside factors that cause the most skin damage and can reverse the benefits of a facelift real quick. Protect yourself from environmental pollution and the sun, which can damage the skin’s cellular integrity. This can show up as blotchy, uneven skin that is dehydrated and leathery.

Lifestyle Contributes to Aging
You should be concerned about what you eat not just for the calories or weight management, but to promote overall healthy cellular integrity. You skin is your biggest organ and reveals much about the overall healthy or unhealthy lifestyle choices you make.

Here are some tips to feel and look younger:
There are actually foods that boost collagen production, such as celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, dark green and colorful vegetables, fish, avocados, berries, white tea, garlic, fresh citrus fruits, oysters, and proteins like eggs, nuts and lean meats.
Instead of drinking dehydrating beverages, such as coffee, tea or alcohol, drink lots of water.
Sweeten with raw honey since it is a vitamin and mineral rich alternative to sugar, which causes inflammation and other unhealthy body responses.
Maintain healthy weight instead of extreme gaining and losing.
Avoid smoking.
Smile more than you frown. You’ll use fewer wrinkle causing muscles and studies show that a positive, cheerful disposition can help keep you healthy.

Feel and look great after a Facelift by implementing these tips.

To talk about a Facelift or if you’ve already had one and would like the help to maintain the results as best as possible, schedule a consultation at www.davinciplastic.com.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

With Valentine’s Day one week away, gift shopping is in full swing. But if you want to get one of the most desired gifts, you don’t need to brave the malls. Simply come in to DaVinci Plastic Surgery to get a gift certificate for your ‘someone special’ because surveys say that 78 percent of women would “be impressed” if they received this for Valentine’s Day gift. And what are they most likely to get? Most certificates are in the price range that is perfect for Botox or dermal fillers.

BOTOX® Cosmetic over chocolates and flowers…

There are certain women who’d be offended by the gift, but you can be sure that your lady would love the gift if she’s:

• Already a regular user of injectables
• Has asked for treatments as gifts for other holidays
• Had one treatment of BOTOX® Cosmetic or filler and expressed happiness with the results
• Ever mentioned that she’s considered getting injectable treatment to address her aging concerns.

Why women want injectables as gifts…

Injectables such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, JUVÉDERM®, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC, Sculptra® Aesthetic, and RADIESSE® can directly affect the confidence and satisfaction one has with their looks. This goes much further than that designer purse or shoes. Every time they look in the mirror they’ll see the rejuvenated face and think of you in appreciation.

Which injectables to choose…

There is a benefit to giving a gift certificate since it eliminates the guess work as to which treatment to choose. Your Valentine’s sweetheart can select from a variety of the safe, effective treatments to address the area that she wants most. Here are some common choices:

• BOTOX® Cosmetic is perfect to smooth out those two vertical lines between the brows, crow’s feet around the eyes, smoker’s lines above the lips, nose furrows, and thick lines in the neck. In a quick treatment session of about 10 minutes, there is a noticeable improvement that increases for optimal results within 7 to 14 days post treatment. These relaxed lines will last for several months.
• JUVÉDERM® is a smooth hyaluronic acid filler to instantly smooth out those lines on the side of your nose and mouth.  This is also a popular treatment used to create luscious lips. Juvederm’s natural looking results can last up to a year.
• JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC is the only FDA-approved filler to instantly add volume to the cheek area. By replacing lost volume, JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC creates a non surgical mini facelift that can rejuvenate the midface and lessen marionette lines around the mouth. Results can last up to two years.
• Sculptra® Aesthetic is the only facial injectable with gradual, subtle results that can last two years or longer. It adds youthful volume to the face while stimulating collagen renewal.
• RADIESSE® is a semi-permanent filler that uses unique, calcium-based microspheres to create scaffolding for your own collagen to grown around. Long after the RADIESSE® breaks down, the collagen it encouraged will help keep your face more youthful longer.

Take the guesswork out of Valentine’s Day gift giving and get something that your sweetheart would love…a certificate to choose their rejuvenation treatment at DaVinci Plastic Surgery. Contact our office today by calling 202.966.9590 to schedule your consultation, or fill out our online contact form for more information.

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

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

I have special compassion for my Scar Revision clients, as many of them are suffering with scars that remind them of an accident, burn, surgery or past acne problem. Through specialized study and development of specifically honed skills, employing both surgical and non surgical options, I help my patients get the best possible results. With every Scar Revision, I strive to make the scars less visible for a more pleasing appearance, as well as to restore function to the affected area.

Here’s an overview of the most common Scar Revisions I perform:

1. Hypertropic scars are raised and often red tinted. They stay within the boundary of the original wound or acne zone. These are commonly the result of acne and can diminish over time.
2. Keloid scars are slightly more raised than hypertropic scars and can be rubbery, firm and sometimes itchy. They often look inflamed and extend beyond the boundary of the original wound. Certain skin types are more prone to this type of scarring, including people with dark skin tones.
3. Contracture scars are severe, occurring as the result of a loss of skin over a large area, such as from a burn.  This can affect muscles and tendons to restrict normal movement.

Some other scarring patterns are:

1. Ice pick scarring is the most common type of acne scar. They are designated by narrow pitted indentations.
2. Boxcar scars’ defined, angular edges in a box shape look very similar to indentations of chicken pox or vaccination scars. These occur most commonly on the temples or cheeks.
3. Rolling scars create a shallow, wide indentation that looks like the rippling of waves in the skin.

METHODS FOR MAKING SCARS BETTER… While it’s important to note that scars cannot be removed completely, they can be reduced and made to look noticeably better. If they are raised or depressed, discolored or they cause contour irregularities, don’t worry, there are a variety of options to help improve the skin’s appearance and function.

Based on the type of scarring… during your consultation…we discuss the options and expected results in depth. These are some of the methods we’ve had great success with:

1. Non Surgical

• Dermabrasion gently removes the top layers of the skin to smooth out surface irregularities.
• Dermal Fillers, such as Hyaluronic Acid, fill in sunken scars.
• Silicone Gel Sheets are clear coverings that help flatten hypertropic scars over time.
• Steroid Applications and Injections alleviate the itching or pain of keloid scarring. They are applied or injected into the scar to break down the skin’s collagen that has continued to produce even after the wound has healed.
• Vascular Lesion Treatment addresses the discoloration of scars by shrinking the blood vessels connected to it.

2. Surgical

• Skin Grafts are intended for severely scarred areas. It involves taking healthy skin from another part of the body to transplant to the injured area.
• Tissue Expansion stretches a patch of skin by inserting a saline filled balloon near a scar so that the stretched healthy skin is pulled over to cover the previously scarred area.
• Z-Plasty and Related Tissue Rearrangement Techniques reorient scars to follow natural lines and creases of the skin. This makes them less noticeable and relieves pulling or pressure of contracture scars.

My compassionate staff and I look forward to the opportunity to help you feel better about how your skin looks and feels. Visit www.davinciplastic.com to schedule a consultation.

Steven Davison M.D.

Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon

Since I just finished writing about the Lower Face, I thought we’d work our way up to the Mid Face and review what we can do to rejuvenate the whole face by working on this often overlooked area. Most people start to notice gravity’s affects on their brows and upper eyelids, but the subtle effect of volume loss and sagging skin in the Mid Face or cheek area can have a ripple effect to simultaneously age the eyes and the lower part of the face.

EFFECTS OF AN AGING MID FACE… Bone loss and fat loss in the cheek area starts to become evident for most people in their 40s. This can show itself as a flattening of the cheeks. The drooping of the mid face can cause a hollowing look under the eyes as the smooth contour from lower eyelids to full elevated cheeks diminishes. The sagging skin also ends up causing nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and more prominent creases around the mouth.

OPTIONS FOR MID FACE REJUVENATION… Depending on what level of bone and fat loss you’re experiencing, the remedies can range from a non invasive to a varying degree of surgical options. During your consultation time, we will be able to determine your goals and which option(s) is best to accomplish them. Here’s an overview of the top options for correcting Mid Face aging:
1. Liquid Face Lift with the hyaluronic acid injectable Juvederm Voluma XC is a painless option that is great for milder cases of Mid Face aging and requires no downtime. This can effectively deliver improvement in cheek volume and youthful contour while minimizing the fine lines around the mouth, such as the nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Results would last about 8 to 12 months.

2. Midface Mini lift is a relatively minor surgery for moderate cases of Mid Face aging. It takes several years off your appearance by restoring youthful elevation and fullness to the cheeks, while smoothing folds and wrinkles in the Mid Face and deeper nasolabial folds. It doesn’t address the lower face issues like a full Face Lift would. Recovery time …to resume work and non strenuous daily activity is usually about a week after surgery.

3. Cheek Augmentation uses an implant to improve the overall look of your face to achieve those full, high cheek bones or it will restore the cheek contour of your youth. The filling and lifting effect in the cheeks will have a gentle pull on the sagging Mid Face skin to also soften or eliminate deep nasolabial folds. Recovery takes about a week, but the results of the beautiful contoured cheeks are permanent.

4. Face Lift is a comprehensive approach to the more severe effects of aging. Depending on the kind of Face Lift, it can address every area of the face from the forehead down to the neck. Face lifts correct fat and bone loss, and sagging skin and muscles to take 10 years off your appearance. You can see the blog series from February for more details on Face Lifts or… visit www.davinciplastic.com.

Stay Healthy!

Steven Davison M.D.
Board Certified Plastic/Reconstructive Surgeon