Frown lines 101: What causes them?

Over time, repeated movement of the facial skin by the muscles forms frown lines between the eyebrows.

Wrinkles are not only age related. Frown lines are "dynamic"—they happen because of the way a person's face moves. Because frown lines are created by facial movements such as frowning or squinting, they may develop even in younger adults. Dysport® is used to treat moderate to severe frown lines in adult patients less than 65 years of age.

The muscles above and between the eyebrows contract and tighten, and can cause wrinkles. Dysport® blocks the nerve signal that causes these facial muscles to contract. This ultimately results in a localized reduction of muscle activity in the treated area and temporarily stops the contraction of these muscles.

Dysport Info

What is Dysport®?

Dysport® is the newly FDA-approved alternative to Botox®. This injectable treatment for wrinkles is made from the same neurotoxin (botulinum toxin type A) as Botox®. Dysport® received the approval of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a wrinkle treatment in the spring of 2009, and although (like Botox®) it was originally developed in Europe in the 1990s to treat neuromuscular disorders, it has been used for smoothing out wrinkles in many countries for several years. Like Botox®, Dysport® works by treating specific, "wrinkle-causing" facial muscles in order to eliminate the "dynamic wrinkles" caused by the action of these muscles. In the proper hands Dysport® can provide a very natural appearing and dramatic improvement in your appearance. Pain free,Dysport® treatments are performed in the comfort of our office. There is no down time with this procedure, and you can return to your regular daily activities immediately. At Silk, take comfort in knowing that all our Dysport® is purchased in the United States through Medicis Aesthetics and our patients are injected every time by a Board Certified Physician. We do not cut corners where your safety is concerned.

Dysport® is a medically derived subunit of botulinum A protein called abobotuliunum toxin. This acts as a "chemodenervation" agent, which means that it weakens the muscles into which it is placed. The precise placement of Dysport® into specific areas of the face will improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How does Dysport® work?

Dysport® blocks the signal from the nerve to the muscles, ultimately resulting in a reduction of muscle activity and temporarily preventing contraction of the muscle. Over time, cumulative benefits are observed as a skin is allowed to remodel without the negative influence of the wrinkle-creating facial muscles. The untreated facial muscles still contract normally, allowing you to freely show facial expressions, such as smiling, in untreated areas.

What areas are commonly treated with Dysport®?

Dysport® is very effective in treating dynamic facial wrinkles. The areas most commonly treated by Dysport® include the crow's feet (lines around the eyes), worry lines between the eyebrows (vertical glabellar rhytids), and the lines across the forehead (horizontal rhytids). Dr. Astaphan also uses Dysport® for the treatment of "Gummy Smile" and bunny lines, to create a brow lift or to turn the corners of the mouth upward. Dr. Astaphan's training as both a Maxillofacial surgeon, as well as an Anesthesiologist, gives him the perfect combination of using Botulinum A proteins both cosmetically and therapeutically. Did you know a positive side effect of Dysport® and Botox® are improvement of migraine headaches? Many of our patients experience months of relief from simple injections. Dr. Astaphan also injects Dysport® to help combat TMJ Syndrome.

Treatment Time:

At Silk, a pain-free, Dysport® treatment takes about 15-20 minutes. There is no down time after Dysport® injections, allowing the patient to return to your normal activities immediately.

We ask that you avoid massaging of your face for at least 6 hours.

Does Dysport® hurt?

Patients are often apprehensive about the prospect of pain with injection. Dr. Astaphan uses special techniques and equipment to minimize or eliminate the pain of the injection. In fact, most patients are often surprised at how little they felt.

How long does it take for Dysport® to work?

The effects of Dysport® are often seen as soon as the next day. In approximately 10 days maximal benefit will be achieved.

How long do the results of Dysport® last?

Dysport® lasts anywhere from 4-6 months, however it varies by person.

If I've had Botox® injections before can I switch to Dysport®?
Yes. Since Dysport® acts in a very similar fashion to Botox® on a physiologic level, these products are interchangeable. Since the dosing is different, it is important to find a doctor that is experienced in both products and understands the conversion.  Dr. Astaphan's advanced training allows him to inject either product with ease and precision.

Botox® stopped working on me, will Dysport® help?
Yes. Dysport® is often used to treat patients who have stopped responding to Botox®. It can be very effective and beneficial in these cases.

Is Dysport® safe?
Dysport® is a very safe product that has been used for many years in Europe. Dysport® has been approved and used in Europe for many years. In addition, Dysport® has passed the stringent guidleines of the US FDA for its safety profile through large clinical studies.

What is the difference between Botox® and Dysport® ?
 Since both Dysport® and Botox® treat dynamic wrinkles through chemodenervation their results are very similar. However, there are potential benefits to both products. Some physician injectors believe that Dysport's effects spread out a little further than Botox® and, in the right locations, can be used as an advantage. Experienced with both Botox® and Dysport®, Dr. Astaphan will help you decide which product will be best for you.

Do many people get Dysport® treatments?
Absolutely. Botox® is the most common cosmetic procedure performed. Millions of people safely receive treatments each year. Dysport® is becoming increasingly popular and many patients have either started it for the first time or converted over from Botox®.

 

What are the side effects and risks of your  Dysport® treatments?
Along with its desired effects, Dysport® treatments can cause unwanted effects. These are rare, but can include temporary soreness or mild bruising around the injection site. Some people may experience a slight headache that lasts for several hours after treatment (it is safe to take Tylenol or other pain reliever to help with this).  In a very small percentage of cases there can be a complication called "ptosis" (a drooping eyelid) which may last a few days or up to 4 weeks. Rarely, an allergic reaction can cause a skin rash or "flu like" symptoms. Contact Dr. Astaphan immediately if you experience any of these side effects.

You should not have Dysport® treatments if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or at all if you have a neuromuscular disease.

 

Dysport® History
Though approved in the United States in April 2009, Dysport® has steadily gained in popularity around the world. Today Dysport is marketed and sold for aesthetic use in 36 countries (as of October 2009). With its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, you, too, may join others worldwide who have been treated with Dysport.

In U.S. clinical studies the most common side effects were nose and throat irritation, headache, injection site skin reaction, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling, eyelid drooping, sinus inflammation, and nausea. In some cases, Dysport may cause serious side effects, such as swallowing or breathing problems, that may be life threatening.

Call now to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Astaphan and  to ask a staff member about Dysport® promotions or rebates 954-462-7455

Botox Info

Botox® Isn’t Just For Wrinkles Anymore

Feeling stressed? Need a vacation? Frowning a lot? 

Silk Laser & Aesthetics Centre offers you Botox® brow lifts to add the fresh and invigorated look back to your face.  You'll look like you have just returned from a relaxing weekend!

For years, the medical community has been using Botox® to treat “dynamic” wrinkles.  These are wrinkles that appear or are worsened by frowning, smiling, squinting or any other muscle movements.

Today, Botox® is used to treat crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, do brow lifts, to treat that angry look associated with the down turned corners of the mouth, as well as to give that refreshed, “just returned from vacation” look. 

Brow lifts may be achieved without surgery and the dangers associated with it and anesthesia.  Dr. Astaphan's detailed knowledge of facial anatomy and function allows him to target specific muscles to result in a non surgical brow lift.

By strategic relaxation of certain muscles which cause depression of the eyebrows, while sparing the muscles that elevate the eyebrows, you get a lift of the outer part of the eyebrows resulting in a happier, more pleasing appearance.  The results can be pleasantly dramatic with beautiful, bright “smiling eyes”.   
 
Other popular uses for Botox® are for the treatment of excessive underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis), as well as of the palms and of the soles of the feet.  Other situations in which Botox® might be helpful are in the treatment of muscle spasms of the eyelids as well as of muscles throughout the body including neck bands.  Over 8 years ago, Dr Astaphan began treating patients with Botox® both therapeutically and cosmetically in his practice for the treatment of wrinkles, migraine headaches and muscle spasticity. 

It is a good idea to learn exactly what Botox® is.  It is botulinum toxin which is manufactured by Allergan.  This company has a reputation for excellent quality and top notch quality control.  It achieves its’ effect by blocking the nerve ending from releasing the chemical that causes muscle contraction.  This results in relaxation of the muscles treated.  Side effects are minor and temporary.  There is no problem associated with long term use of Botox®. It should not be given in pregnancy, in certain neurological conditions, and when some antibiotics are used.

At Silk™, getting Botox® involves no down time.  You can have it administered over the lunch break and go right back to work.  A topical anesthetic or an ice pack may be applied to the skin to decrease the already minimal discomfort associated with the injections.   The effects are seen in two to three days, with a maximum effect occurring about two weeks after getting Botox®.  Sometimes, at the follow-up appointment, enhancement of the results will require additional Botox® administration.  The effects in the treatment of wrinkles usually last between three to four months, but may last longer in some individuals.  If you return to Silk™ before the effects are fully worn off, the duration of the effects of the next injections may be increased.   In use for underarm sweating and other areas with hyperhidrosis, the effects last about six months.  It may last as long as a year when used for excessive forehead sweating.

When getting Botox® or any other injectable facial enhancement, it is wise to make sure you are being treated by a qualified medical practitioner.   It is always a good idea to “interview” the medical practitioner at the consultation, and to inquire about the training received in advanced techniques of Botox® administration.  At Silk™, feel comfortable with knowing that a Board Certified Medical Doctor, J.  A. Astaphan, MD, DDS, is personally performing all your laser and aesthetic needs.  Dr. Astaphan is listed on www.botoxcosmetic.com as an authorized injector.

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What is Botox®?

Botox® Cosmetic is a simple, nonsurgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people from 18 to 65 years of age. It is the only treatment of its type approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

One 10-minute treatment—a few tiny injections—and within days there's a noticeable improvement in moderate to severe frown lines between the brows, which can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.

Botox® Cosmetic is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines between the brows to form over time.

In 2005, almost 3.3 million procedures were performed with FDA-approved Botox® Cosmetic.

There’s only one Botox® Cosmetic. Talk to a friendly staff member at Silk Laser and Aesthetics Centre to see if Botox® Cosmetic is right for you! Call 954-462-7455 or by email at: smooth@thesilklasercentre.com

Botox® Cosmetic May Work For You

When it comes to selecting a physician-administered aesthetic treatment, chances are you’ll want proof, not just claims. The proof for Botox® Cosmetic is in the numbers.

• In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women surveyed rated the improvement in the appearance of frown lines between their brows as moderate to better 1 month after treatment. Results vary.
• Results can last for up to 4 months, and may vary.
• Botox® Cosmetic was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people ages 18 to 65, and almost 3.3 million procedures were performed in 2005 alone.
• The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ranked Botox® Cosmetic as the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States for the fourth year in a row (surgical and nonsurgical combined).

 

BUYER BEWARE!!
Not all Botox® is Created Equal!

We hear so much hype about Botox®. There are so many advertisements and specials out there that it can make your head spin. So as the consumer, you need to beware. Here is some information that we at Silk Laser + Aesthetics Centre believe you can use to help guide yourself through the media maze.

Botox® at one practice may not be exactly what you get at another. Botox® is shipped as a dry substance in 100 unit vials from its manufacturer, Allergan. In order to be able to inject these active units of Botox®, a physician must add saline. The amount of saline added to the vial directly correlates to the resulting strength of the injection you receive. This means, that if a physician were to add more saline to the bottle, the resulting injection of Botox® will be weaker than if less saline solution was added. Some may refer to this is as the dilution process, but it is actually called “reconstitution".

While each practice receives the same dry product per vial from Allergan, when they reconstitute it to make it possible to inject, they can add saline at the recommended standard or they can add more saline than recommended. All practitioners are charged the same amount per vial of active Botox®; pricing may vary due to the reconstitution. This is a case where more is not better!

When Botox® “specials” seem too good to be true, they probably are!

You might actually think you are getting more bang for your buck, but you might be receiving larger doses of saline with less Botox®. Patients may believe they are getting a lot of Botox® because the physician is injecting a large amount, but don’t confuse the amount of saline with the units of actual Botox®. Physicians who add more saline than suggested by the manufacturer, or such organizations as the American Society of Plastic Surgery, are giving you a less effective injection of Botox®. So no matter where you go for Botox®, always ask this question: “What is your reconstitution ratio?"

Charging per area and/or pricing quotes

The amount of Botox® required for satisfactory results can vary between the sexes, the size of the area and the thickness of the muscle. When Botox® is charged per area, you may not be receiving adequate amounts for optimal results. Due to these variables, it is impossible to quote pricing over the phone without a consultation with the qualified injector. At Silk Laser, consultations are always complimentary. Besides knowing the reconstitution ratio you should also ask how many units will I receive per area? Below we have list the recommended amounts for females (F) and males (M).

At Silk Laser + Aesthetics Centre, we charge “by the unit" for Botox® so you only pay for the exact number of units you receive. Also, we follow the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) guidelines on “reconstitution" so you are assured of the efficacy of the product. Dr. Astaphan will discuss with you which areas should receive injections to best meet your concerns and he will tell you how many units of Botox® you will need to attain your desired result.

Recommended units per area:

Recommendations for Reconstitution and Handling*

* Data from the Supplement to Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.