Non-invasive Treatment Videos: Radiesse, Restylane & Botox

I re-edited the Radiesse, Restylane & Botox video into three parts (in the order of which I received the injections) and added some more footage.  Now you guys don’t have to watch the whole video to just watch one procedure you are interested in:

• Radiesse For Cheek Augmentation – Part 1 of 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMbh6XwyOuk
• Restylane Injections To The Undereyes – Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lBJNlft5Xc
• Botox Injections – Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TGh8EmVElc

I am working on surgery videos now so those should be up soon



Radiesse For Facial Augmentation

I love full, high cheeks.  I naturally have prominent cheeks, but I am always in the mood for more.  I had 1.3 cc of Radiesse to both cheeks on January 2010 by Dr. Jonathan Hoeing in Beverly Hills, California.  I loved the result and there was no palpable lumping at all.  I had only slight swelling, swelling that I appreciated and was sad to see dissipate.  As I said,  really love big cheeks and full lips, so this area is one of those where my doctor knows best.  I get a case of cheek or lip greed every now and then, and my doctor keeps me in check.

Unfortunately, my first Radiesse experience wasn’t this successful.  I first had Radiesse® injected in 2004, although back then it was known as Radiance FN® and it was into my lips.  I had heard so much about the product and felt at the time that it would be a good option.  I was told that it should last about 2 years and that in the long run, I would save money that I would normally spend on temporary fillers every 4 months.  The distributor had even comped the product (it was for a documentary on Discovery) so I was excited all over the board.  Well, unfortunately I had blanching and palpable lumping (both visual and with manual manipulation) which necessitated removal so needless to say I wasn’t too sold on the product at first.  These were the early days so some of us had to take the fall for the learning curve.  Radiesse is no longer recommended for lips. To read more on this, see: Radiesse Removal. 

But I think Radiesse is a great product for dermal facial augmentation and volume restoration!

Learn more about how Radiesse can help you restore lost volume or create augmentation where you never had it before…

• Radiesse For Facial Augmentation
• What Is Radiesse?
• Indications For Radiesse
• Am I A Candidate For Radiesse?
• Your Consultation Appointment
• How Radiesse Is Injected
• Recovery
• Risks & Complications of Radiesse
• How Much Does Radiesse Cost?
• The Least You Need To Know
• References

http://yestheyrefake.net/radiesse.htm

Which Lip Augmentation Products Have You Tried? Which Would You Like To Try? Cast Your Vote Now!

Which Lip Augmentation Products Have You Tried? Which Would You Like To Try? Please take our Lip Augmentation Poll now!  :)

Juvederm To Submalar Area (Plus Botox and Restylane)

I was thrilled to get a touch up with Dr. Jonathan Hoenig in Beverly Hills today.   I am healing from my double layer 8% TCA peel so I look icky, but at least I just had my hair done yesterday, so I am hoping to look human again pretty soon.  I lost a few lb. I am so thankful to be able to pull myself out of this “rut” and get back into high gear

I wasn’t completely sure what I needed, so he advised he would examine my face and see what I had going on once I got there.  I knew I wanted lips and n/l’s for sure and Botox.  Of course I always want more cheeks, I just don’t think the Radiesse Cheek Augmentation did as much as I expected it would.  But then again, it has been over a year!  What did I expect?  And still, something needs to be done with my under eyes.  I feel old.

Read more…

http://yestheyrefake.net/journals/juvederm_submalar.htm

Duck Lips: Knowing When To Say “No More”

After my polite and oh-so-subtle skydiving acquaintances and friends [who know nothing about cosmetic surgery by the way]‘ lovingly’ started calling me Daffy behind my back, I decided to write a little something about going overboard with lip augmentation fillers.  The kicker is that my lips were in need of Restylane when they last saw me, hence our conversation.  They simply overheard me talking about getting my lips injected at dinner a few weeks ago and it became an instant controversy over sushi.

Now, in my opinion my lips are not huge right now at all.  I only received a touch of Restylane this last time around.  But the mentioning of my lips getting injected at all stopped people in the middle of chewing their California rolls. A few were appalled and couldn’t understand why I would do such a thing. Others wanted to know more.  It seems to me that they feel that it is black and white, small lips or large lips–no in-between, no balance, just duck lips. They automatically assumed I was going for the gold and getting them ginormous.  What’s the big deal?

I tried explaining but to no avail. Next thing I know I was getting pics of duck lips and surgery addicts posted on my MySpace. Not cool.  It shows you the maturity level of some of these individuals, doesn’t it?  Well, whatever the case, it has triggered me to write an article about when to say no on injectable fillers.  When poofy is perfect, and over-poof is just not attractive.

The reason that most people over inject over time is not because they usually set out to have lips this large.  It starts little by little, almost like a developing addiction.  You have a little put in, you get a little swollen, you become accustomed to the swelling and you like the ‘high’ you receive from knowing you are going to look better. The swelling subsides and you think that your lips are small again.  What do you do?  You go and get more injected and the cycle starts all over again.  Pretty soon you look almost like a Grouper fish and people are staring or making snide comments. 

How to avoid this situation?  Photos.  Before and after photos are such a great tool to keep you anchored to reality. Many times one does not realize the improvement they do have unless they view their before and after photos.  When your eyes adjust slowly over days when looking in the mirror, you usually lose sight of your improvement, so you schedule another appointment,  When you look at your before and after photos, you can honestly judge , side by side, the improvements that were made. And remember, the enemy of good, is better.  So, please, next time you think you may need more lip augmentation, take a look at some photos that shows you now, as compared to before.  Slow, baby steps are best!

Injectables for Cheekbones

As many of you may already know I am pretty much obsessed with prominent cheek bones. I love full cheeks, not the fatty, puffy cheeks you see in overly fat-grafted patients, or even the natural, pudgy cheeks. But high, exquisite, chiseled cheekbones with a youthful, but not significant, fat layer on top of them catches my eye above most other facial attributes. In fact, I think one of the first compliments I ever gave my boyfriend before I asked him out (yes, I asked him out) was that he had really great cheekbones. They aren’t too bony so that his face looks gaunt, and not they’re not too plump either—they are just right. He must be incredibly tired of my complimenting him, “I love your cheekbones” as I trace my finger on his face. He just rolls his eyes and thinks I am nuts. I can’t help it.

So, if we don’t have beautiful cheekbones naturally, how do we buy them?? What does it take to create perfect, high cheekbones? Although I have pretty prominent cheekbones I have had my share of injections to make them more so. Unfortunately, it never lasts much past the swollen stage. Let’s look at the most popular options in injectable cheek fillers… •

• Radiesse: I have had Radiesse in my lips, and I don’t recommend it there, but I have seen it used for the jawline, cheeks and chin. The results have been pretty phenomenal although it did not last as long as they had hoped. It is certainly worth a look-see. The cost of Radiesse is still about $1,500. a CC.
• Sculptra: I have had Sculptra injected into my undereyes and nasolabials. I felt that it took too long to achieve nominal results for considerable augmentation. I honestly would not choose it personally, although I have seen fantastic results in those with lypodystrophy. The cost can be a few thousand over a course of 3-6 months.
• Restylane (also JuveDerm, and Perlane): Although I have not had Restylane in my cheeks, I have had it in the upper eyelid, undereyes, the nasolabials, and lips. I love it! It works. But you get a lot of swelling associated with hyaluronic acid injections and this can set you up for disappointment simply based upon becoming accustomed to larger cheeks/lips/etc. even though they are clearly larger in the after photos. I have seen Restylane used for the cheeks and feel it can give you a very nice result. It is also temporary so if you can’t stand it, you won’t have it forever. The cost for Restylane can run you about $900+ for 2 cc. but you may not need that much. Subtlety is a good way to start.
• Fat Grafting: I have had fat grafting twice and both times the fat layer disappeared in the areas I wanted to retain it and stayed in areas I did not like it. When you go slow, fat grafting can be very nice. It can enhance al already existing cheek structure, or it can smooth the harshness of implants under thin skin. Fat grafting can run you anywhere from $2000. to $6000. and may take several sessions.
• Artfil (formerly Artecoll): Microscopic beads of polymethylmethacrylate (or PMMA, the same material PlexiGlas is made from, can be suspended in a carrier and injected in several sessions to trigger your own collagen to grow. It can, however, take a considerable amount of the injectable to make a difference once the carrier is absorbed by your body. Artefil can cost about $1200+ for a cc.
• Cheek Implants: Although not an injectable, cheek implants are still an option. It can be used in conjunction with the above options for a natural result if you go to the right surgeon. Cheek implants can run you about $5000.-$10,000. depending upon whom you choose as your surgeon.

I have always been fascinated by high cheekbones so as their appeal has come and gone, they have always remained a favorite with me. I remember when the trend was to have plump cheeks. However, I felt it never made anyone look younger, rather they looked overstuffed to me (think Rene Zelwegger). When you take a stick-thin woman and fill her face with fat, it doesn’t look natural. But having a gaunt face can age you considerably. You may have heard of The Ogee Curve in facial aesthetics. This enhancement of the gentle concavity of the face, while maintaining a chiseled malar point is a delicate balance indeed. Choosing a skilled surgeon with an impeccable aesthetic eye can help you achieve this balance.

Just remember, a little bit goes a long way. Consider a temporary solution before undergoing a more permanent option. You can always go back for more, or decide on a permanent option later. I truly believe that slow and easy wins the race in plastic surgery. Reversing a bad mistake is far more difficult than avoiding one in the first place.

Women Injected With Unknown Substance in a San Diego Salon

First off, please please, PLEASE do not get injected with anything in the back of a salon, mall spa, someone’s home, or any other back alley operation by some unknown “doctor” or physician’s assistant.  I can’t even tell you how many people I know of who have done this (mostly silicone). The cost should truly not be a determining factor unless one plastic surgeon is charging you twice as much as the other and they are equally skilled.  But slinking off to your friendly neighborhood cosmetic chop-shop is not a good environment for you to be getting injected with unknown substances no matter how cheap it is.

Two California women, Tiffany Barton and Katrina Kalanick, chose to have injections of an unknown, white substance which they though to be collagen in a Clovis, CA salon they often frequented.  Tiffany decided on lip injections and Katrina chose an injection in the glabella–the price: $100.  Tempting yes, but worth it?  No.  In hindsight I am sure that they probably saw the signs, but the excitement of looking good for less has driven more women into a downward spiral of revision procedures than I can count. 

The two women commented that the doctor seemed legitimate and presented himself very professionally.  Most con-artists often do.  Unfortunately for these two ladies, this “professional” has caused them [hopefully only temporary] disfigurement. What’s worse is that Katrina was getting married a week later.

The alleged disfigurer, Mario Nieves Perez was arrested in a sting operation brought on by the complaints of numerous local women.  Chief Jerry Dyer of the Fresno Police Department advised Perez is being charged with 29 felony counts, including his own sister’s!  However Perez did not show up for his court date, and is feared to have fled back to Mexico.

Please don’t let this happen to you.   Actually, I take that back.  It doesn’t just happen to you.  You have to go out and actively seek it.  You do have a part in it. I am sorry if anyone thinks I am being callous, but it is true.  There are a lot of shady characters in the world today, at the market trying to start a conversation, in the parking lot asking for your “help”, calling the elderly on the phone targeting their retirement funds.   Ignorance is not bliss.  Don’t allow yourself to become a victim in any setting. Would you go to the local Laundromat to do your banking?   Would you go to the burly mechanic’s down the street to get a massage? Would you go to a salon to get stitches or a mammogram?  Then why would you go there to get injected with anything?  Use common sense when considering medical procedures.

Tips To Stay Safe

• Always verify the medical professional’s credentials and medical license.  Although physician’s assistants and nurses often inject Botox and collagen, Restylane, etc. with a supervising medical doctor on the premises, I prefer using the doctor himself.  You can verify your doctor’s medical license and query for disciplinary actions and complaints on your state’s medical licensing website.
• Always have your procedure performed in a medical setting.  Although I have been to “Botox Parties” that were held by various doctors of mine, they were still held in-office, after hours.  A salon is not the place to be injected.
• Research the procedure you are getting beforehand. Know what to look for, know what the label should look like. Watch them break the seal on single use syringes of product.  Although Botox comes in a vial that holds 10 units of product, and must be reconstituted before you ever even get there, single use syringes are used.  Often times, when you only get one area treated, the bottle will already be opened and in use.  This is normal.  You do not get your own bottle of Botox unless you plan on using it all.
• Restylane, Collagen are single use, and come with a batch ID sticker that is removed from the syringe and placed in your patient file.  This way if any adverse reactions occur, the batch number can be identified.  Even Botox has a batch ID on the side of the bottle. It will be written down in your chart.
• If it is too good to be true, it probably is.  If you are getting your glabella treated with “Botox” for $50, walk away. That doesn’t even cover the cost of the product.
• Word of Mouth is a great tool.  Although word of mouth seems to work for the back-alley injectors as well.  It is how they operate. Stick with doctors, or physician’s assistants with medical doctors supervising them. 
• Know how long your injector has been using a particular product.  It‘s not just the product, but also the skill of the injector.
• First time to an office you haven’t heard of? Stick together, or tell someone where you are going.  Maybe bring a friend with you.  Be sure to remember all of the details of your visit, your doctor, etc.

I know it is sad that we even have to do this.  Buddy systems which were once for blind dates and walking through dark parking garages are now for healthcare—both elective and necessary.  Some may say I am being overly cautious but I have also heard firsthand reports of way too many illegitimate procedures being performed.  I have also been a watchdog for the FDA for a few illegal silicone injection operations.  Sadly however, in some instances several years ago, local law enforcement agencies didn’t seem to care.  I would report some to the State Medical Licensing office but was told that since the individuals were not doctors, they had no jurisdiction.  The FDA advised they didn’t have a say in some instances either depending upon the situation.  And several local news agencies didn’t seem to care as well.  I would be willing to bet now though that I would get a response from all three in any case.  I know what’s lurking out there, and I don’t even know the half it.  That’s the scary part.

Injectable Fillers

I am not even going to pretend that I can write a single article that will cover every injectable filler available on the market today.  There are TONS of fillers you can choose from, but they all don’t measure up equally.  I have tried my share of dermal fillers including Collagen, Restylane, Perlane, JuveDerm and Radiesse.  They can be used for augmentation to contour, or simply to lessen the appearance of wrinkles.  Wrinkle fillers abound in doctor’s offices everywhere, it’s a multimillion, if not billion, dollar market.

My first go at fillers was with bovine (cow) collagen injections.  I felt like such a fish afterwards.  They were HUGE during the saline-inflation period.  Since collagen is suspended in saline, it takes a few hours for the saline to subside.  Many of you experienced beauty mavens probably know this, and you newbies have probably only heard about it like a distant cousin who never comes to any family events.  Who really gets collagen anymore??  Collagen is to injections like vinyl is to music. Next!

Restylane (hyaluronic acid) is probably one of my favorites.  I remember when I was skeptical because of the cost, the frequency of injections needed to maintain the result.  However, as I am sure you have heard, it is cumulative.  Honest!  I have noticed a serious increase in the longevity of my results.  Up to a year, and in my upper lids, I have only had it one time and that was almost a year and a half ago (Aug 2006!). I have had facial injections with Restylane as well.  I have had it injected above and below my eyes, as well the nasolabial area (the area which runs from the corner of your mouth to the side of your nose).   When I need a touch up, I go right back to my doctor, Dr. Jonathan Hoenig, and get my undereyes, lips and philtrum augmented.   That man can stick me with a hypodermic any day.

Perlane (also hyaluronic acid) is Restylane’s big brother.  The particle size is larger and in theory lasts longer.  I have had Perlane in my lips a few times and feel it lasts about as long as Restylane, however, for fine areas, Perlane cannot be used. Honestly, I just don’t see that much of a difference except for cost. But that’s just me.

Juvederm is one of my favorites!  Juvederm is also a hyaluronic acid filler, although it is highly crosslinked and I honestly feel it does last longer. I usually get Restylane in the borders of my lips and philtrum to define them , and Juvederm in the fleshy area for augmentation.  I love Juvederm!

Radiesse.  Ahhhh, I’m not a good person to ask.  I had a bad experience with Radiesse and as the say goes, “…hath no fury like a woman scorned”.   But, you can chalk it up to poor injection if you wish, even though I still feel that it is not ideal for lips, I don’t care who you are.  It reminds me of a longer-lasting collagen in the sense that it is white, blanches your skin, and is very firm and rock like when you squeeze it.  I had to get the product excised twice, very painful!

Talk to your doctor for more information because not all doctors are going to offer, much less, even have experience with many fillers.  Doctors usually choose a small army of injectable fillers to combat wrinkles and augment the lips and face.  Start with your research, try the lip augmentation  forum for more information on the tons of fillers available all over the world.  Then go in armed with your knowledge and ask what is available in your area.