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botox-injectables

Denervating Agent: BOTOX

It's important to know the difference between Botox and fillers (Botox stops the muscle contractions; fillers plump up the furrows), but it's even more important to emphasize that in trained hands, Botox does not paralyze muscles. Rather, it is used in an artistic fashion to restore a more youthful appearance to the face.

A relatively painless procedure, Botox injections are virtually downtime free. Muscle actions play a big role in aging around the eyes, as contractions lead to initial dynamic wrinkles followed by more permanent lines; Botox is great for stopping crow's-feet and the vertical frown lines between the brows, and it prevents the muscle movement that leads to fine lines and furrows. The treatment can also be used as an "injectable browlift," to slightly elevate the brow and eliminate horizontal lines across the forehead to help the upper face look younger and more relaxed. Many plastic surgeons consider Botox to be an integral part of a surgical browlift, since its use before surgery can help relax the muscles and facilitate healing.

Just like injectable fillers, a topical anesthetic may be applied to make treatment more comfortable. Then, over a short period of time (roughly 10 minutes, depending on how many areas are being treated), your doctor will strategically place several injections. You may be red or bruised at the injection sites for up to a few days, and in rare instances, patients will report mild flu-like symptoms after treatment. Results become visible in three to seven days, and last for three to four months. Botox is not a permanent solution—you'll need repeat treatments every three to four months. Your doctor may choose to use the treatment in conjunction with a filler to provide the best results.

Average Cost: $400-$1,000 per treatment region

Length of Procedure: Minutes

Recovery Time: Immediate

Treatment Frequency: Every four to six months

Risks: Bruising; numbness and burning during injections. Eyelid droop is possible, but rare.

Duration of Results: Temporary

FYI:

PurTox, Reloxin and Xeomen are three other versions of botulinum toxin type A that are currently in FDA trials.

Other Uses for Botox:

Botox is approved by the FDA to treat severe underarm sweating that cannot be managed by topical agents such as prescription antiperspirants.

It can also be used as part of a "nonsurgical nosejob" to relax the muscle that pulls the tip downward, creating a more upturned appearance, or to soften the "bunny lines" on the sides near the top of the nose.

Botox can play a part in neck rejuvenation as well. Strategic injections into the muscles that cause the appearance of the tight cord-like bands in the neck can be relaxed and rendered invisible for up to six months. Your doctor will likely ask you to grimace to make the bands visible before administering roughly three injections.

There is also clinical evidence that shows Botox is an effective treatment for migraines, and yet another recent study shows the benefits of it for incontinence. One small-scale study has also demonstrated that it can help alleviate depression, so psychiatry is another area of medicine that may benefit.

Did You Know?

Doctors have observed that repeated Botox treatments may last progressively longer as the facial muscles atrophy from non-use.

Can Botox Prevent Wrinkles From Forming?

In a word, yes. Small amounts of Botox can be used to help break unconscious wrinkle-forming habits, such as frowning and squinting, that lead to crow's-feet. When you look at the costs associated with multiple Botox injections now, compared to the cost of surgery down the line, it may prove to be more cost effective.


Ask an Expert: Fat Injections Vs. Fillers

Ask an Expert: Fat Injections Vs. Fillers

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There’s no denying it, Mother Nature robs us of the facial volume that make us look young as the years go by. As those areas begin to lose collagen and fat, it creates shadows that make us appear tired, and the skin starts to become deflated, says Seattle, WA, board-certified dermatologist Jennifer Reichel, MD. As a result, wrinkles become a lot more noticeable as well as other skin imperfections. Thankfully, there are many options out there to restore volume to the face for a more youthful look.

In response to a previous question about cheek injections, a patient asked me how long facial fat injections last and if they last longer than fillers. In the face, fat injections can be permanent depending on the survival rate of the fat cells, says Dr. Reichel. So the important thing is to make the highest amount of them live for the best results. Within three to six months you’ll be able to tell what percentage of the cells are alive, which is typically about 50 percent. With fillers, it depends on the type you use because some last longer than others. Radiesse lasts about one to one and a half years. Juvéderm and Restylane and other hyaluronic acid gels tend to last about six months to a year depending on the molecule size. And Sculptra Aesthetic lasts about one and a half to two years.

Overall, Dr. Reichel says that fat is the optimal filler because it’s your own tissue and you’re putting it somewhere where fat already exists—putting fat next to fat allows the body to take it better. After it’s injected, it just becomes a part of the rest of the face and joins the ebb and flow of weight loss and weight gain.

Another interesting question comes from my patient who asks, will fillers cause my skin to break out? It’s actually the opposite, says Dr. Reichel. “Many patients who get fat injections, tell us that their skin has improved overall, it has a glow and the texture is better.” While there isn’t much evidence as to why this happens, Dr. Reichel believes that it’s a hormonal effect since the fat cells respond to estrogen. But in short, it’s very unusual to see acne after having either fat injections or fillers.

As always, it’s extremely important to make sure that you go to a board-certified surgeon that is qualified to perform the procedure. If the surgeon doesn’t use the proper technique you could end up with lumpiness or even oil cysts.


Happy Father's Day from Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center

June is the month to celebrate the Men in our lives.  Here at Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, this month lets us reflect upon the ever increasing interest from men in cosmetic procedures.   Men are realizing the improved confidence, youthfulness and joy that can come from having minimally invasive procedures.  Why not encourage the men in your life to come in for a Cosmetic Consultation to discuss the possibilities?

The top five cosmetic procedures for men at our office are Botox, Fillers, Laser Hair Removal,

Fraxel re:store  DUAL and the Vbeam.

1)     Botox can be used to help soften the “scowl” lines between brows and across the forehead as well as crow’s feet.  Another popular use for Botox amongst men is for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).

2)     Soft tissue Fillers such Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane and Radiesse can soften the deeper facial lines that accompany aging.  They are also often used to accompany eye rejuvenation, specifically helping to decrease the “bags” under eyes.

3)    Laser Hair Removal for men is especially popular for treatment of back hair, neck hair, chest and abdominal hair.  Six sessions can reduce up to 90% of the hairs permanently.

4)    Fraxel resurfacing is a wonderful treatment for men who would like to get both medical and cosmetic benefit from a procedure.  Fraxel can reduce the number of actinic keratosis (pre-skin cancers), even out skin tone, decrease fine lines and improve acne and surgical scarring.

5)    Vbeam is a treatment for redness and visible blood vessels on the face, neck and chest.  It is a wonderful treatment for those suffering from Rosacea or those who flush easily.

This month, celebrate your men by letting them in on the secrets of cosmetics that you have known for years.  And remember, we now have Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic  Center Gift Cards you can load at any amount for gifts of all kinds including Father’s Day!

Summer Sunscreen Reminder:

Here in Seattle, the sun likes to play hide-and-seek with us during these summer months.  We see many patients coming in with sunburns after being out on a day that initially seemed cloudy, then that sun popped out.  Getting such sunburns can be dangerous and lead to skin cancers.  We recommend you get in the habit of daily sunscreen application, especially on the face, neck and chest of SPF 30 or above.  Some staff favorites are Skin Ceuticals Physical Fusion SPF 50, Skin Ceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50, Skin Ceuticals Sport UV Defense SPF 45, Skin Ceuticals Ultimate Defense SPF 30, Skin Medica TNS Environmental Defense SPF 50 and Obagi NuDerm Sun Shield SPF 50.

Specials

The “Fresh Faces For Summer” promotion will take place on Tuesday, June 26 with Dr. Reichel and Dr. Jacobson from 1:00pm-4:00pm and on Thursday, June 28 with Dr. Reichel 10:30am-4:30pm.

Buy one (1) syringe of Restylane or Perlane and get 50% off the second syringe. You will also get a $40.00 rebate for every two (2) syringes of Restylane  or a $50.00 rebate for every one syringe of Perlane.

The DUET Program: Purchase and receive  a minimum of 14 units of Botox and one (1) syringe of Juvederm at the same treatment and receive $50 off instantly if you are a Brilliant Distinctions member or if you are not a Brilliant Distinctions member, you can receive a mail-in rebate.

Provider News:

Dr. Reichel is attending the Cosmetic Surgery Meeting in June.  Andrea English PA-C and Kelly Stevens PA-C are excited to be attending the National Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants here in Seattle this July.  Additionally, in July Drs. Jennifer Reichel and Laurie Jacobson are speaking at the Pacific Northwest Dermatology Association meeting.


Treatments for Excessive Sweating

Ultherapy® May Prove Effective for Excessive Sweating, Says Seattle Dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Reichel

Better Known for Effectively Lifting and Tightening the Face and Neck, Ultherapy® May Soon Be a Mainstream Treatment for Hyperhidrosis.

SEATTLE, WA At Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, founder and director, Dr. Jennifer Reichel, is hearing more and more patients asking about the versatility of Ultherapy®.  A common treatment for lifting and tightening the face and neck, Dr. Reichel reports that this non-invasive procedure may prove an effective treatment for excessive sweating or “hyperhidrosis.”

“Ultherapy has become one of the most popular cosmetic treatments around,” explains. Dr. Reichel.  “Instead of an invasive surgical procedure, Ultherapy uses ultrasound and the body’s natural healing process to tighten and lift loose skin.”  The cutting-edge procedure targets deep layers of tissue and heats them with sound waves.  This, in turn, stimulates the production of collagen, tightening the jaw line while leaving the surface of the skin intact.

“What’s even more exciting is ultrasound therapy’s potential for treating excessive sweating,” reports Dr. Reichel.  “A small study suggests that these types of treatments can dramatically reduce underarm sweating in men and women.”

WebMD® also reports on this new research, which was presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology.  According to the article, this process seems to work by heating the sweat gland and ultimately destroying it.

“But of course, until this becomes a mainstream treatment for excessive sweating, let’s remember why patients love Ultherapy in the first place – it’s ability to achieve a more youthful appearance.”  Dr. Reichel has long been a specialist in cosmetic dermatology.  Besides Ultherapy, Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center offers a host of treatments including BOTOX ® injections, Liposuction and Laser Skin Resurfacing.

When asked about the future potential of Ultherapy, Dr. Reichel concluded succinctly.  “We’re excited to see what’s in store for Ultherapy.  In the meantime, we will continue to offer it as one of the most requested and effective cosmetic procedures around.”

About Dr. Reichel

Dr. Jennifer Reichel is the founder and director of Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center in Seattle. As a board certified dermatologist, Dr. Reichel has advanced fellowship training in Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgery, liposuction, facial rejuvenation, eyelid lifts, BOTOX®, tissue fillers and lasers. Dr. Reichel is also fully trained in leg vein treatment.

After attending the University of Colorado for both her undergraduate degree and her doctorate of medicine, she then underwent residency training in dermatology at the University of Washington.  This was followed by a postgraduate fellowship in Mohs micrographic skin cancer surgery and cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Reichel is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS), The American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS), the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS), the Women’s Dermatologic Society (WDS), and the Seattle and Washington Dermatologic Societies.

Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center can be reached at 206-859-5777 or https://www.pacificdermcenter.com/


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Thank you for choosing Pacific Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, we look forward to providing you with the very best skin care.