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Getting Injectables? You Should Know This!

Injectable treatments have become the norm for adults of all ages. Every year, people try this non-surgical approach to cosmetic enhancement for the first time. Injectables can smooth fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and lips. They can fill deeper creases around the nose and mouth and on the forehead, and can restore contours that have become flat and poorly-defined. Getting injectables can be exciting and also a little intimidating. To help you get the most from your injectable treatment, we’ve composed a list of Do’s and Don’ts designed to minimize bruising and achieve optimal results.

DO . . .

  • Choose an experienced doctor or nurse for your treatment. Pacific Dermatology is a premier practice for injectable treatments. Here, your provider begins by discussing your concerns and desired outcome. We also discuss your medical history to minimize the risk of unforeseen side effects. Trust is a huge factor in a pleasant treatment experience. We encourage our patients to ask as many questions as it takes to feel comfortable with their choice. And, if they are not comfortable, we want them to feel empowered to decline treatment.
  • Ice the treatment area. You may do this before or after your treatment, whichever makes you most comfortable. Some people like to apply ice before injections because they feel it will decrease the sensation of the small needle. Some people ice afterward to help reduce swelling more quickly.
  • This is a tip that most people don’t hear. Drinking plenty of water is always good for the body. Before injectable treatment, especially dermal fillers that rely on hydration, it is especially beneficial to get in those 8 glasses a day.

DON’T . . .

  • Agree to treatment if you’re not ready. Many providers schedule enough time to perform injectable treatment immediately after a patient’s consultation. Even if we have done this, we want to remind you that you are in the driver’s seat. If you’re not feeling ready to move forward, don’t.
  • Drink alcohol. Alcohol thins the blood. When the blood is thinner, there is a greater chance of bleeding. As this pertains to injectable treatments, drinking alcohol increases the risk of bruising, which we want to avoid. Alcohol can also lead to dehydration, minimizing the effects of dermal fillers that work via hyaluronic acid.
  • Rub or massage the treatment area. Wait for 24 to 48 hours before getting that facial or even getting a massage, chiropractor treatment, or even dental treatment. Pressing on the face could move fillers out of place.
  • Exercise too soon. Here again, it is best to wait 24 to 48 hours to allow the minor inflammation and swelling in the skin to diminish. Exercising too soon can lead to unwanted bruising or redness.

Come see us at our Seattle or Renton office. Call 206-859-5777 to schedule your visit.


A Walk Through Your First Botox Appointment

Botox cosmetic has been used for so many years now that it is virtually a household name. It is a brand of beauty that is well-known and very well-loved. With millions of people getting Botox each year, it can be easy to overlook the fact that many of them have never had injectables before. Regardless of how popular Botox is, if you’re new to this treatment you may have some questions or concerns. Usually, our patients just want to know what to expect. Here, we walk you through what happens at your first Botox appointment.

Your Consultation

People often call our office stating that they want to schedule Botox injections. Still, our first step is to conduct a consultation. The discussion that is had to begin treatment is a discussion that lays the foundation for facial rejuvenation. Botox is popular, yes, but it is also unique in how it smooths wrinkles. When we meet patients for the first time, we discuss this because we must make sure that Botox is the best product for the job at hand. This drug works on dynamic wrinkles, those that relate to facial movements. Examples include frown lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet.

Treatment

Once our consultation confirms that Botox is the right approach to your concerns, we can immediately begin treatment. Sometimes, Botox injections are combined with dermal filler injections in the same appointment. This can achieve more dramatic rejuvenation. It is not necessary to apply anesthetic to the skin for Botox or dermal filler treatments. The needle used for injections is so small that patients do not feel pain. We would describe the injections as a momentary pinch. Regardless of where Botox is administered, the injection process typically takes only a few minutes.

Recovery and Results

One of the great things about injectables like Botox is that there is no real downtime for recovery. Being your first time getting injectable treatment, you may want to allow yourself the opportunity to go home after your appointment. Most people experience minor swelling and redness around injection points that last an hour or two, tops. However, you may want to see how your body responds in the comfort of your home rather than at the office or running errands.

If your first appointment involves Botox only, you will begin to see results 5 to 10 days after your visit. If you also get dermal fillers, some of your results will be immediately noticeable. Botox touch-ups can be scheduled every 3 to 6 months as needed to keep lines and creases from re-appearing.

Are you ready for your first Botox appointment? Contact us at 206-859-5777 to schedule a visit to our Renton or Seattle office.


When Should You See a Dermatologist vs. A Plastic Surgeon for Fillers Like Botox?

"I do believe it is important to see a doctor specifically trained in cosmetic procedures (cosmetic dermatologist, plastic surgeon, facial plastic surgeon). But, of these, who you should see is based on "what does the MD spend her time doing?" rather than on which specialty is better. You want a doctor that is trained AND EXPERIENCED in doing fillers and botox. For the most part, expert cosmetic dermatologists are going to have more hands on experience with fillers - because the plastic guys are in doing big plastic procedures. You want someone with knowledge of the anatomy of the face, surgical experience, and practice." - Dr. Jennifer Reichel, M.D.


We've Got Interesting Details about Botox

BOTOX® Cosmetic Renton, WA If you're new to the wrinkle-reducing arena, welcome. We're happy to help you navigate the best ways to correct the signs of aging that are concerning you. At Pacific Dermatology in Renton and Seattle, our team invests time and effort into staying abreast of the latest cosmetic treatments. As we explore what's new, we sometimes come across new reasons to love what can only be called an Oldie but a Goodie. In this instance, we're talking about Botox and a recent discovery about how this drug rejuvenates the skin.

Next Level Wrinkle-Reduction

Botox has become widely known for the way that it can safely and effectively reduce the appearance of wrinkles. What we've known about this treatment is that it softens the movement of muscles around the eyes and forehead area, at the corners of the mouth, and on the neck. As if this weren't enough to love, we now have new evidence that Botox may have a secondary action in the skin: boosting elasticity.

In a recent study, researchers in Canada observed 43 women who had never been treated with Botox to evaluate the way in which the drug may affect the elasticity of their skin. Elasticity is the trait of turgor, as we call it, or stretch, in nonmedical terms. Skin that is elastic bounces back. Skin that bounces back after stretching looks smoother and younger. We want elasticity.

During this small-scale study, doctors obtained initial readings on each woman before administering Botox. Readings were performed using a tool called a Cutometer. After Botox was administered, subsequent elasticity evaluations were conducted over the course of several weeks. What was discovered was that treatment did, in fact, improve elasticity. In some of the women, skin improved by 30%. Furthermore, the enhanced elasticity that occurred after treatment lasted as long as 4 months in some study participants.

Concluding their study, the doctors stated that these findings suggest that Botox may offer more significant long-term benefits than initially believed. The improvement in elasticity, they proposed, could mean postponed and slower development of new lines and wrinkles.

Do you want to discover first-hand all there is to love about Botox? Call 206-859-5777 to schedule a consultation with us.


There’s Something New on the Dermal Filler Horizon

Dermal Filler Renton, WAFor the past several years, we’ve made great use of the hyaluronic acid that the human body naturally produces. Injectable soft tissue fillers containing synthetic hyaluronic acid continue to impress us with their ability to smooth lines and wrinkles and recontour the face and hands. Now, as innovation would have it, we may have something new to look forward to, a biodegradable, biocompatible filler made of silk.

Developed by a subsidiary of Silk, Inc. the new filler currently under development is expected to undergo stringent clinical trials beginning this year. If all goes as expected by the developer, we may very well have a new filler sometime in 2022. This product is being made as an alternative to the hyaluronic acid fillers we have come to rely on in recent years. Instead of tiny molecules of a sugar acid, the silk filler is a literal suspension of Activated Silk, pure silk protein (yes, the kind that is made by silkworms).

Why Do We Need Something New?

With the proven success of existing dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid products Restylane and Juvéderm, calcium hydroxylapatite-based Radiesse, and Sculptra, with its collagen-stimulating poly-L-lactic acid, why look to something entirely different? The makers of this proposed filler see their product as having specific advantages.

According to the co-founder of the company developing the new silk filler, this product is made to integrate into the skin’s natural collagen network while retaining properties that allow doctors to reverse treatment if so desired. The manufacturers intent is to bring a product to the market that achieves natural-looking results with less swelling and general inflammation than other dermal fillers (which is already quite low). Finally, it is said that the silk biomaterial used in the new filler can be tailored for longevity ranging from 3 months to 2 years.

Overall, we tend to perceive more choices as “better.” However, diligent testing is needed to evaluate how a silk dermal filler will hold up compared to the qualified options currently available. On our part, we’ll be keeping a close eye on clinical trials to observe the value a new filler might bring to our patients.

Have you been considering how dermal fillers may rejuvenate your appearance? Let’s talk. Call 206-859-5777 to schedule a visit at our Seattle or Renton office.


Why Fat Transfer is the New “It” Filler

Dermal Fillers Seattle WAWe all know that our face will change over time. From adolescence to adulthood, many of us lose “baby fat” and notice more angular contours along the jawline and cheeks. As we grow older, the slimming just keeps on coming, but not in a good way. One of the significant changes that occurs with age is fat loss. While we might like this if it happened on the body, fat loss on the face isn’t quite as grand. When the fat pads that lie beneath superficial tissue deplete over time, our cheekbones flatten, and skin falls from the mid-face to the jawline. Here, it becomes jowls.

At Pacific Dermatology, men and women who are noticing the effects of aging such as sunken cheeks and a sagging jawline may benefit from learning more about the use of their own fat cells to restore volume where it belongs. For the past ten-plus years, the standard of care has been to temporarily fill in lines, wrinkles, and flattened areas with dermal fillers. Today, fat is the star of the show. Here, we point out a few reasons why.

  1. It takes fat to make fat. The fat transfer technique involves using your own fat cells. This means we have to take them from somewhere. The fat cells that are introduced into the cheek area or other part of the face may come from your stomach, thighs, back, or other area in which you’ve got a little extra to spare. The results of this harvesting may not be as dramatic as liposuction, but you may notice a nice bit of refinement in the donor site.
  2. Long lasting results. Dermal fillers are an excellent treatment for several months of facial rejuvenation. Fat, on the other hand, becomes permanently situated in the area into which it is placed. Now, some fat does get absorbed. For this reason, we harvest enough fat cells to retreat the area one to two more times. The fat cells that do integrate into their new home on the face will remain indefinitely, affected only by further aging.
  3. All-natural results. One of the aspects of fat transfer that is appealing to many people is the fact that no foreign substances are used. Because we are replacing lost volume with your own fat cells, your skin will go on looking and feeling completely natural – because it is.
  4. Cost-effectiveness. Because the results of fat transfer treatment last much longer than dermal fillers, this technique is considerably more efficient in terms of cost than the alternative.

Get Refreshed in our Renton or Seattle Office

Fat transfer is an excellent technique for refreshing the appearance of the face and hands. To learn more about the benefits of this treatment, call 206-859-5777.


The Maintenance of Beauty

Cosmetic Procedures Seattle WAThere’s no denying that humans have always had a thing for beauty. We’ve seen everything from milk and honey baths to some pretty interesting substances used on the skin over the years. Now that we’ve come into the age of sophisticated technologies, beauty is just one more thing in life for which we expect instant gratification. Got a line or wrinkle? Fill it in an instant! Want fuller lips or a shapelier nose? Precision injections can immediately achieve these goals too. The question is: then what?

When we look at women today, we see a full range of aging. Some women maintain their skin by using sunscreen 24/7/365 (we should all be doing this, by the way). Some women turn to cosmetic surgery when signs of aging like sagging tissue become troublesome. Many of the men and women we meet fall somewhere in between the two. Injectables account for millions of skin rejuvenating treatments each year. We are all for some instant gratification whenever we can get it. At the same time, we also want to point out that beauty is a matter of maintenance as well.

What does your maintenance routine include?

We can think of beauty maintenance like brushing and flossing our teeth in between dental checkups. Although the dentist will clean our teeth really well, we’ve got work to do on the daily. If we don’t hold up our end of this deal with our teeth, chances are very good that painful cavities or other problems will develop. Our skin is no different. If we don’t take care of our skin in between those wonderfully fulfilling spa visits that take years off our face in minutes, chances are we are aging prematurely and entirely by accident.

Get Intentional with Your Skin

There are several ways to be intentional with your skin. By developing a good maintenance program, you are giving yourself a leg up on the early formation of lines and wrinkles, the development of sunspots, and unnecessary sagging. In addition to using quality skincare products daily, including broad-spectrum sunscreen, all adults can benefit from professional treatments that promote healthy cell turnover. In our Seattle and Renton offices, this may be achieved with periodic chemical peels, laser treatments, or innovative procedures like Clear + Brilliant.

Learn more about maintaining your skin at every stage of the aging process. Call 206-859-5777 to schedule your visit with us.


Botox, Fillers, and a Beautiful You

BOTOXThroughout the past decade, we have witnessed a significant transformation in the world of beauty. While we are more understanding of the process of aging, many men and women continue to mitigate the passage of time with aesthetic treatments ranging from cosmetic lifts to sophisticated non-surgical procedures to the simplest of them all: injectables. We are pleased to offer an array of services to our patients in Seattle and Renton, as well as a high level of personal care that leads to gorgeous results.

Neuromodulators and dermal fillers are solutions that millions of people have been turning to for over a decade. “Neuromodulator” is a category of treatment into which Botox and Dysport fall. Because both methods of wrinkle-reduction are so common, many people group fillers and neuromodulators into the same class. The truth is, there are differences between these products that may make each suitable for particular concerns.

Botox and Dysport

A neuromodulator is a drug used to temporarily relax muscles. These drugs have been used therapeutically for decades, reducing the symptoms of muscle dystonia and conditions such as blepharospasm. On a cosmetic level, products like Botox and Dysport have provide fast, effective relief from the appearance of dynamic wrinkles. You know them, those worry lines your teenager gave you; the frown lines that developed between your brow. Since initial FDA-approval, neuromodulators have extended their reach into the treatment of sagging brows, platysmal bands, crow’s feet, and more. What’s even more captivating than how these drugs can resolve mild to moderate wrinkles is how beneficial they can be in the prevention of facial aging.

Soft Tissue Fillers

Soft tissue fillers, or dermal fillers, are also used to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. However, these products act in a different way when introduced to the superficial tissue beneath the skin. Many of the dermal fillers that have been become popular are based on hyaluronic acid. They smooth lines by enticing water molecules into the area. Another filler that we use, Sculptra, has a base of Polylactic acid. The mechanism of this product is to stimulate fibroblasts so they produce collagen for long-term gain.

If you’re unsure of which type of product you need, don’t let that stop you from addressing your aesthetic concerns. Our extensive training and clinical knowledge helps us determine the type of aging affecting your skin, and how to provide you with the beautiful results you want.

Contact Pacific Dermatology and Cosmetic Center in Seattle or Renton by calling 206-859-5777.

 


October 2016 Events and Specials

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October 2016 Specials and Events are here. Save the Date for our Evening of Beauty on Thursday, November 3rd in Northgate and Thursday, Dec 1st in Renton. Get Botox at $10/unit, plus 15% OFF all retail products. From head to toe, get holiday ready! Read about our top 10 treatments. Learn more by reading through our specials, contact us, or RSVP for our August Events at 206-859-5777.


Plan Ahead To Look Your Best For Weddings, Reunions & The Beach

By Cheryl Wells

If you are planning a little spruce up for a Spring or Summer event like a wedding or high school reunion, NOW is the time to start planning! While many of the most modern procedures don’t have any “down time” where you’re hiding behind big sunglasses, they do take some time to take effect. For example, Botox will give you a noticeable improvement in about a week, while you’ll need 3-6 months to see the maximum effects of Ultherapy as it spurs new collagen growth to smooth wrinkles and lifts your face. To time your treatments right, follow the chart below:

Upload: March 16, 2016
When to Schedule
(Minimum-Ideal)
Name of Procedure What it does
3-6 months Ultherapy – Face/neck & chest

Liposonix – Tummy, waist, thighs

Lift, tighten, tone and smooths wrinkles

Permanent fat cell destruction

4-8 weeks Fillers – Lips, cheeks, under eyes
smile lines and around the mouth
Adds volume
Softens wrinkles
3-6 weeks Botox – Crow’s feet, 11’s, forehead and other facial wrinkles Buys you “wrinkle-free” time. Softens wrinkles and decreases muscle movement
3-4 weeks IPL/BBL – Face, neck, chest, hands Diminishes brown spots, freckles, redness, veins, rosacea, sun damage and more
2-8 weeks Clear & Brilliant — Coming soon! Face, neck, chest, arms, hands Improves skin tone and texture, and gives your skin a more radiant, youthful glow

Ultherapy is a new and effective non-invasive alternative to a face-lift, with virtually no down-time. It is the only FDA-approved device that allows the provider to see an image of the layers of the skin in order to direct the ultrasound waves at the exact precise depth needed to cause neocollagenesis. This collagen growth will lift and tighten your face, neck, or chest. It really works! The price for Ultherapy usually runs anywhere from $750 to $3500 depending on the area treated. View more

Liposonix can help get rid of those exercise resistant fatty deposits by fully destroying the fat cells! Never to return again—once the fat cells are gone—they are gone forever. Liposonix uses HIFU Ultrasound waves at a specific depth and frequency with a unique large tip to accomplish this cell destruction. The price ranges from $500 to $3500 depending on the size of the area. View more

Botox & fillers are a great way to soften wrinkles and/or add volume to help you look younger. Botox is a purified protein that decreases muscle movement, which essentially gives you wrinkle free time. Fillers are used to add volume in areas such as the cheeks or lips and to help soften creases. They are also a terrific complement to your Ultherapy treatment. Use these spot treatments any time after Ultherapy and at least one month or two (see chart) before your special occasion. The average price ranges from as little as $250 and up to $1000, or more depending on what is needed. View more

IPL/BBL uses multiple light beams and wave lengths to target the problem areas. Both devices diminish brown spots, freckles, redness, veins, rosacea, sun damage and more. They are also terrific anti-aging treatments! They work at a cellular level and physically make the skin cells healthier. If your skin is healthier at a cellular level, then it acts looks and feels younger. Look up Forever Young BBL for more info. View more

As a nurse who has worked with lasers, fillers and injections for 11 years, I have helped many people plan and get ready for their special day and I would like to help you too! There is so much more to tell you when it comes to our fabulous no-downtime treatments, but space is limited. If you are looking forward to an important event, please book a FREE consultation (with me, Cheryl the Laser Queen) and I can help create your beauty plan for your special day!


Request an appointment

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