The years of facial muscle movement take their toll on the skin. Underlying tissues break down as we age, leaving behind deep facial wrinkles, creases, lines, furrows, and hollows. Soft skin fillers are an effective solution without surgery: they minimize forehead wrinkles, smooth over acne pits and scars, plump up sunken cheeks and other skin indentations, fill in laugh lines (nasolabial folds) between the nose and mouth and add fullness to lips. Fillers can be administered right in the doctor's office. The filler is injected into the skin, directly under a wrinkle, depression, or fold. The treated skin "plumps out," developing a softer and more evenly balanced contour.

Results appear quickly, then fade gradually as the material is metabolized naturally by your body. Because everyone's body metabolizes differently, the duration of results varies. Usually the filler will last longer in those locations where muscle movement is at a minimum. Treatment can generally be repeated to achieve lasting results.

Restylane (Hyaluronic Acid)
Hyaluronic acid exists naturally in our body, where it carries and binds water. This property allows Restylane™ to remain effective longer than other fillers, holding its shape by clinging to water molecules in the skin.

Because the hyaluronic acid in Restylane™ is derived from non-animal sources, there is no risk of allergic reaction. It is injected with an ultrafine needle, making discomfort miminal. The results are immediate, and last for approximately 6-12 months.

Botox (Botulinum toxin) Injections
Botox injections are used to paralyze certain facial muscles which cause wrinkles (frown lines and “crow’s feet”) and facial spasms (e.g., in patients with Bell’s palsy or nerve injuries). Botulinum toxins are purified substances that come from a bacterium that blocks the nerve signals from the brain to the muscle. When very tiny amounts of botox are injected into a specific facial muscle, the muscle’s impulse is blocked. This causes the muscle to relax and weaken, which immobilizes the underlying cause of lines, prevents wrinkles, and relieves facial spasms.

The botulinum toxin takes effect about three to seven days after treatment and generally lasts for about three to four months. Botox can be injected periodically. With repeated treatments, the muscle may get thinner, which can produce longer-lasting results.