Frequently Asked Questions

What are Wrinkle Relaxers?
Botox® is one brand of the four FDA-approved prescription drugs that are neuromodulating proteins – the other name brands are Xeomin® and Dysport®. They act through the same mechanism – as neuromodulators, they allow specific muscle groups to relax without changing their structure. Botox® is approved for three specific muscle groups – in between the eyebrows (procerus and corrugator muscles), forehead (frontalis muscle), and crow’s feet (orbicularis oculi muscle).

Botox is preventative, so start when you feel comfortable. To get the full benefit of botox, we recommend beginning treatment before dynamic wrinkles progress to static wrinkles.  For most people, this is around age 25 to 30, but everyone is different.

Right after the injections, you’ll have small areas of swelling that look like bug bites. Don’t worry, these disappear within 30 minutes. You’ll start to notice skin feeling tighter after 5 days and it typically takes up to two weeks to see full effects.

Workout: 
You can work out anytime before receiving botox. Afterward, we recommend avoiding vigorous exercise for about 24 hours and not lying down for 4 hours. 

Alcohol:
Avoid drinking alcohol 12 hours prior to your botox treatment. Afterward, no alcohol for at least 4 hours.

While it’s pretty low on the pain threshold, we’re more than happy to numb you with a topical analgesic if you like.

Your body metabolizes the neuromodulator over 3-4 months and flushes it out of your system as muscle movement gradually returns.

How long until I see results?

You’ll start to see results almost immediately, and can expect to see full results in about 2 weeks.

Dermal fillers use hyaluronic acid as well as other substances such as poly-L-lactic acid, to diminish the signs of aging by filling in fine lines and wrinkles and adding volume to areas of the face affected by volume loss, restoring youthful contours and proportions.

Some of the most common side effects following treatment include, but are not limited to: bruising at injection site, numbness, and temporary redness, swelling, pain/tenderness, or discoloration. Cosmetic injections require very minimal downtime, allowing patients to return to work and their normal activities soon after treatment.

Most patients can return to their everyday activities after leaving the office. 

To reduce any redness and swelling from the injections, your dermatologist may recommend icing the area for 15 to 20 minutes before you leave.

Before you leave the office, you should be able to apply makeup.

This varies with the filler. Most fillers do not cause downtime. Be sure to ask your dermatologist whether you will have downtime.

What does Clear and Brilliant address?

The Clear + Brilliant® fractional laser is designed to tackle a range of aging signs. These include wrinkles, fine lines, hyperpigmentation concerns, and dull skin tone. Our staff will work with you to pinpoint the exact nature of your concerns.

Clear + Brilliant® works by creating hundreds of thousands of microscopic treatment zones in the upper layers of the skin, which replaces damaged skin with healthy looking tissue and yields younger-looking skin.

The number of treatments is tailored to your concerns and skincare desires. In recent studies, consumers reported visible improvements after 4-6 treatments, though many patients choose to have routine treatments as part of their overall skincare regimen. Your skincare provider will discuss a personalized treatment regimen with you.

After a Clear + Brilliant® treatment, your skin will feel softer and have a youthful, more radiant glow.

What is Microneedling useful for?

It’s useful for skin scarring issues from injuries or acne, fine lines and wrinkles, and uneven skin tone. It also helps shrink pores and tightens the skin. It’s practically like reverse aging. Everything simply looks smoother, firmer and younger afterwards.

Your face should be bloody if you received a true medical microneedling. As in, you’re going straight home afterward.

This varies for everyone. It is usually very red for 24 hours and feel comfortable going out after that. By day 5 skin is usually back to normal.

Ultherapy® works by repairing and strengthening tissue from the inside out — a process that takes place gradually over time with the creation of new collagen. While individual responses will vary, the following experiences have been reported by patients. Periodic touch-up treatments may help to offset the effects of the skin’s natural aging process and sun exposure.

One week after treatment:
• Slight lifting, toning and plumping of fine lines.
• Minor swelling, slight tenderness to the touch, tingling or numbness, occasional minor bruising.

1 Month After Treatment:
• Slight lifting and toning.
• Tighter feel with smoother texture.
• Slight tenderness to the touch, tingling or numbness.

3-6 Months After Treatment:
• Additional lifting and toning.
• Brow elevation.
• Less sagging.
• Smoother texture and more even skin tone.

Patients notice an immediate “glow” to their skin. Visible changes to the skin develop over the course of several days and weeks. Results can continue to improve up to 6 months after a treatment as collagen production continues