Juvederm is a non-animal based injectable filler made in the laboratory. It is made of hyaluronic acid a material that is in the joints and bodies of all living things. It is a complex sugar that maintains its three dimensional shape in the body by attracting and holding large numbers of water molecules. Among its many natural functions, hyaluronic acid maintains the volume of the skin, keeps skin hydrated and maintains the shape of the eye. As we age, we lose hyaluronic acid from the skin and it loses its volume and structure. Injecting Juvederm into skin folds and wrinkles replaces that structure and volume. Juvederm contains a higher concentration of cross-linked hyaluronic acid and is more concentrated than Restylane. Juvederm is also supposed to last around eight months. What is Juvederm used for?

Juvederm is used for:

• filling in nasolabial folds or “smile lines”
• filling in glabellar lines (“frown lines” or “11 lines”) between the eyebrows
• filling in “marionette” lines at the corners of the mouth
• eliminating under eye dark circles by filling in the groove underneath the lower eyelid (“Non-Surgical Eye Lift”)
• enhancing the lips

Many laser systems are currently available to remove unwanted hair. Although it is not possible to remove every hair with the laser, those hairs that are treated generally are permanently removed or reduced in number. Permanent reduction of hair is available today for most skin types to reverse the excessive growth of hair on the face, back, legs and bikini areas.

Does the laser work on all skin colors?

Light skin makes laser hair removal easier to perform. Fewer treatments are required, and better, faster results are obtained. People with darker skin can be treated, but results are slower, more sessions are required, and greater expertise is required on the part of the laser center. Laser hair removal must be individualized for each patient.

Does the laser work on all hair colors?

Dark hair absorbs more laser energy and is easier to treat. Coarse dark hair responds the best to laser treatment. Light hair is more difficult to treat. Blonde or red hair is very difficult to treat. Multiple treatment sessions are required, and results are variable.

Does laser hair removal require multiple treatments?

Although one laser session can produce long-term hair removal, as a rule multiple treatment sessions are necessary to obtain optimal results. In large part, this is due to the fact that laser hair removal is most effective for hair which is in the anagen phase. Anagen is the growth phase of hair. Since hair grows in cycles, not all of the hairs are in anagen at any given time. Additional sessions are necessary to catch all of the hairs when they are in anagen.

What areas can be treated

Any area, except adjacent to the eye, where there is excess hair. The most common areas treated are the face, upper lip, neck, chest, underarms, back, abdomen, bikini line, and legs.

Non-surgical facelift is a safe, non-invasive alternative to traditional facelift surgery which avoids the risks of surgery and does not leave scars. Recovery from a traditional facelift can involve weeks or months of intense pain, swelling and bruising, with normal recovery taking one to two months. Most patients who experience the non-surgical facelift return to work in one to three days after treatment. There may be some minor bruising, however there is no significant swelling or pain.
The cosmetic results of a traditional facelift last seven to ten years. While the anti-aging effects are temporary, a traditional facelift can permanently change the basic look of your face. The results of a non-surgical facelift are subtle, but very effective. It does not alter your basic look, but rather helps to restore your youthful appearance.

Women and men whose skin looks dull and has a “weathered” look; people with a blotchy complexion, fine lines and wrinkles, dry or flaky skin; people who have acne, acne scars or oily skin; or a variety of other conditions.

How do I take care of my skin afterwards?

We’ll teach you how to care for your rejuvenated skin, and we’ll help you establish a skin care regimen to maintain your new glow.

Chemical peels produce controlled injury to the skin which promotes growth of new skin with improved appearance. Many different chemicals are used for chemical peels and include glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), salicylic acid and phenol. The different chemical solutions produce different degrees of injury of the skin. There are two layers of the skin; the outer layer is called the epidermis and the inner layer, the dermis. Superficial peels (such as glycolic acid peels) produce very superficial injury, confined to the epidermis and can help improve conditions such as acne and discoloration. Deeper peels produce injury within the dermis and can reverse moderate-to-severe photoaging and wrinkles. In general, the deeper peels offer the most dramatic results but require longer recovery and carry a higher risk of complications.

Why are chemical peels used?

Chemical peels are used for the treatment of photoaging (from sun damage), wrinkles, scarring, acne, precancerous lesions, and discoloration (including melasma, freckles, and age spots).

How are chemical peels performed?

There are many different kinds of peels and each one is performed differently. In general, chemical peels usually begin with vigorous cleansing of the skin. Very light peels (e.g. low potency glycolic acid, 10-20% TCA) only penetrate the dead skin cells that sit atop the epidermis and produce almost no injury. Sometimes, this level of peel is called “exfoliation”. Light peels (70% glycolic acid, 25-35% TCA) injure the entire epidermis and stimulate the regeneration of a new epidermis. This level of chemical peel may produce a burning sensation during the procedure. Medium depth peels involve injury to the upper level of the dermis. Injury to the dermis stimulates the formation of collagen and “plumps” up the skin. 35% TCA, in combination with another chemical such as glycolic acid, is used safely with minimal discomfort. Burning is the most common complaint during the procedure and this is usually well controlled with cool compresses, and sometimes topical anesthetic. Deep peels involve injury to the mid dermis and are usually performed using a phenol solution and anesthesia.

How long do chemical peels take?

Most peels are performed in less than one hour, depending on size of the area being treated.

How many peels will I need?

The superficial peels are usually done several times over the course of several months. The deeper peels usually only need to be performed once to achieve the desired effect. Regardless of the technique, you will likely need repeat treatments in the future.

How long do the results last?

With good sun protection, results can last months to years, depending on the depth of the peel. Generally, the deeper peels have a more long lasting effect.

What are the risks of chemical peels?

Superficial peels are quite safe although rarely minor irritation of the skin can occur. The risks of deeper peels include infection, scarring, redness, and discoloration. Furthermore, during a deep peel, anesthesia must be used and vital signs must be monitored throughout the procedure.

How long after a chemical peel before I can return to normal activities?

Superficial peels require no recovery time (hence the name “lunchtime peel”). Recovery from a deep peel requires occlusive bandages and can take weeks to months under normal circumstances.