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Everything You Need to Know About Sculptra

by | Nov 3, 2022 | collagen induction therapy, Injectables

As we get older, our face loses both bone structure and fat pad volume, which leads to a sagging, aging face rather than a lifted, youthful face. Hyaluronic acid fillers help to rebuild some of that lost volume and structure, however collagen stimulating therapies such as Sculptra Aesthetic are another popular and very natural looking option.

What is Sculptra?

Sculptra Aesthetic is a safe, synthetic, biocompatible material made of poly-L-lactic microspheres that is injected below the surface of the skin to stimulate collagen production. Think of this as fertilizer for your skin- it can be used for global volume restoration and to spot treat specific areas depending on the placement and amount of product used.

Sculptra Results

As with any biostimulating therapy, the results of Sculptra Aesthetic are not immediate. At your first treatment visit, it may appear that Sculptra Aesthetic worked immediately because of swelling from the injections and the water used to dilute the product. A few days following the treatment, when the swelling goes down and the water is absorbed by your body, you may appear similar to as you did before your treatment. Sculptra takes time, up to 6 months, to see full results. Results have been studied out for 2 years, but likely last even longer than that especially if you keep up with maintenance therapy (recommended 1-2 vials per year after initial series).

Consultation

At your consult, we will discuss your specific goals to get a better idea of how many vials and sessions you may need. Up to 2 vials may be used per session, and most clients need on average 3 sessions about 6 weeks apart for best results.

After your injections, your face may appear a bit swollen/puffy and you can expect some bruising at the injection site. You will be instructed to massage the treated areas for 5 minutes, 5 times per day, for 5 days following the procedure- this is to prevent nodules from forming under the skin and to ensure even distribution of this “skin fertilizer”. You will likely be a little sore as the lidocaine used to mix the sculptra wears off after the treatment.

We will continue to assess and treat as needed until the desired results are achieved. Schedule your consult today to see if Sculptra Aesthetic is right for you!

sculptra

What is the difference between neurotoxins and fillers?

by | Jun 1, 2022 | Botox, Cosmetic Dermal Filler, Dysport, Injectables, Uncategorized

One of the most common questions we get is “What is the difference between neurotoxins and fillers? And which one is right for me?”.

Neurotoxins (NTs), or neuromodulators, are injectables made up of different forms of botulinum toxin, which when injected relax the targeted muscle. Brands include botox, dysport, jeuveau, etc. Relaxing dynamic muscles helps prevent static lines from forming over time in areas such as the glabella (11s), forehead, and crow’s feet (lines around the eyes). NTs can also help to smooth out lines that have already formed in these areas, but only to an extent. Once a line is there at rest, it is much harder to get it to completely go away, so NTs are actually best for wrinkle prevention!

Fillers are injectables made up of hyaluronic acid (HA) (with a few brand exceptions such as Radiesse), which when injected can provide structure, volume, and contouring. Brands include Restylane, Juvederm, Belotero, etc. Fillers are mostly used to treat something that has already happened, such as volume loss to cheeks that can cause the face to sag and create jowls or to fill a line caused by a dynamic muscle that has not been treated preventatively with neurotox!

So which treatment is right for you? That all depends! Everyone, no matter how old or how young, can benefit from wrinkle prevention with neurotox. A skilled injector at Accent Aesthetics can help decide if fillers are a good option for you as well.

What to expect at a neurotox appointment

by | Mar 16, 2022 | Botox, Injectables

Wondering what to expect at your next neurotox appointment?

First, we will discuss which product you want to use factoring in price, look/feel, onset time, etc. Next, we will take before pictures to help track your progress. Then, we will go over the consent and have you sign it. Finally, I’ll take a look at your movement to help determine how many units are needed per spot. Then we ice, and inject!

The biggest thing to remember is that just because a number of units worked for you one time does not mean that same number will work again. Multiple studies have been done showing that dose = duration, meaning the higher dose we use, the longer the product will last. Results can last anywhere from 3-5 months.

Knowing the average number of units used per treatment site can help give you an idea of pricing beforehand, but just know that everyone is different and these numbers are not hard and fast rules. Here’s a few averages for the most common areas: “11s” need anywhere from 10-30 units, the forehead needs 10-30 units, and crow’s feet need 4-15 units per side. Remember that Dysport is dosed a little differently than Botox and Jeuveau, but it roughly comes out to 2-3x the number of Botox units.

Have any other questions about neurotoxins or other injectables? Schedule a consult so we can find the perfect dose for you!

Introducing Qwo- a new injectable specifically made to treat stubborn cellulite!

by | Mar 2, 2022 | Injectables, Uncategorized

Did you know that 9 out of 10 women struggle with stubborn cellulite? Did you know that no amount of diet or exercise can get rid of true cellulite? Wondering how the heck you can get rid of those pesky dimples then?

Cellulite is caused when fibrous bands pull down the skin around fat lobules, which appears as those not so cute dimples on butts, thighs, etc. In comes QWO- the first ever FDA approved non-surgical treatment option for cellulite. QWO is an injectable made up of an enzyme called collagenase clostridium hystolyticum. The exact mechanism of QWO isn’t known just yet, but it is believed to work by releasing the fibrous bands under the skin, redistributing fat cells, and stimulating the growth of new collagen.

QWO is injected directly into the cellulite dimples, and typically a series of 3 treatments over the course of 10 weeks is recommended. The injections are quick (think quick like neurotox injections!), and require ZERO downtime! There is some bruising and tenderness to be expected, but you are free to return to all normal activities afterwards, including exercise!

Wondering more about this new, minimally invasive treatment option for cellulite? Schedule a consult today to discuss if you are a good candidate for QWO!

Platelet Rich Fibrin aka PRF: The “Natural Filler” We’re Obsessed With!

by | Jul 8, 2021 | Injectables

By now we’ve all heard about PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and its regenerative abilities. While it is still widely used in several different branches of medicine, there’s a new generation of stem cell therapy, PRF (Platelet Rich Fibrin), and we’re using it in advanced aesthetics!

Your blood contains four main ingredients: red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. The platelets are largely responsible for clotting your blood and initiating the healing process any time you’re injured. Fueling the healing response are the growth factors and other proteins found in your platelets, which are released at the site of the damage in order to aid in healing, help with repairs, and reduce inflammation, all at a cellular level.

Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) vs Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP is spun down at a very high speed, seperating all of the cells from the plasma, or liquid portion, of the blood. This plasma does contain your own growth factors and some platelets, but due to the diluted concentration it dissipates quickly in the area being treated. It has come to be called “fools gold” in our industry because of its unpredictable or unsatisfying efficacy. PRP also contains additives or anticoagulants, such as heparin. This allows for the plasm portion to be used for a much longer time after being spun down so there’s less urgency to get it into the area being treated. Unfortunately, this anticoagulant doesn’t allow the platelets to stimulate the healing process to their full ability.

PRF is spun down at a much slower speed so the cells aren’t completely seperated. While this results in less volume of injectable liquid, the portion used is much more concentrated and rich in platelets and growth factors. PRF keeps the platelets enveloped in a fibrin meshwork which helps build a thicker, slower absorbing layer in the area being treated. When injected this creates a lovely “scaffolding” effect to the skin. Hence the “natural filler” term.

So now you might be thinking “what the heck is fibrin?”  Fibrin, in basic terms, is what platelets bind to as they circulate throughout your blood. When platelets bind to fibrin they release growth factors which help to start the healing process by creating new collagen, blood vessels, and skin cells in the process.

Also, PRF contains no anticoagulants or additives, making it a completely pure product, which is why we call it a “natural filler”.

The PRF product is spun at a lower speed so that the layers of the blood do not separate out as distinctly. This allows some of the white blood cells and stem cells to remain within the platelet layer that is collected for treatment. Thus, there are more healing factors within PRF than is typically seen in PRP. In addition, the lower spin speed causes less trauma to the individual cells of the blood, allowing more stem cells to remain in the final PRF product.

Book a Consultation with Accent Aesthetics today!

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Platelet Rich Fibrin