Cosmetic Injections BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport, Dermal Fillers

BOTOX® Cosmetic

To help reduce visible signs of aging, Dr. Perez can administer BOTOX® Cosmetic or Dysport®. These unique formulas block muscle contractions that cause fine lines and wrinkles. Relaxants are commonly used to minimize the appearance of Crow's feet and frown lines for a more youthful look.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injected in strategic locations around the face and body to soften the signs of aging. We offer a variety of fillers, including Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM®. These materials can add volume and fullness, while reducing the appearance of wrinkles, skin folds, and scars. 

Botox and Dysport Tampa

To most Tampa residents it almost seems like a dream come true, but since the release of Botox over ten years, wrinkles can be made to disappear in a safe, effective, and non-invasive manner. Botox, and the recently introduced Dysport, are both different formulations of the protein, botulinum toxin type A, produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. This protein is considered a neuromuscular blocking agent because it decreases the ability of nerves to stimulate muscles and cause subsequent contraction. Currently Botox and Dysport are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of spasms, dystonia, excessive sweating (i.e. hyperhidrosis)and vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows. All other uses are considered off-label even though these alternative techniques represent the most prevalent utilization of Botox.

When injected in small amounts into the upper and mid-face, the underlying muscles are weakened, decreasing their ability to cause visible wrinkling of the overlying skin (click here to learn about Face Lift Surgery and facial aging). These agents have been used effectively for the treatment of vertical lines between the eyebrows (i.e. glabellar lines), forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, chin wrinkles, vertical neck cords (i.e. platysmal bands), and even for vertical folds between the nose and upper lip (i.e. nasolabial folds). Results are temporary, lasting two to six months depending on the product used and area injected. Though rare and self-limited, side effects consist of pain at the injection site, bruising, and paralysis of unintended muscles if the product diffuses away from the target muscle.

Botox

Botox is a 900-kDa formulation of botulinum neurotoxin type A. It has been used to treat facial wrinkles since the early 1990’s and is the best studied neuromuscular blocking agent currently marketed for cosmetic applications. Botox comes packaged in 100-unit bottles and is reconstituted in 4 cc of saline prior to injection. Average doses vary on a patient to patient basis, but typically twenty to thirty units are used for vertical wrinkles between the eyebrows (i.e. glabellar lines), thirty units for the forehead, and ten to fifteen units per side for crow’s feet. Results are visible within three to five days and last for four to six months depending on dose and area injected.

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Dysport

Dysport is a recently introduced 500- to 900-kDa formulation of botulinum neurotoxin type A. It has been available in Europe for several years but was just introduced and approved for use in the United States. Dysport is packaged in 300- and 500-unit bottles and is reconstituted in 0.6 cc and 1cc of saline, respectively. Like Botox, average doses vary, but typically fifty units are used for glabellar lines. Results are variable, but typically are visible in two to four days and last three to four months. In general, Botox is four times more potent than Dysport and doses of Dysport must be two to four times that of Botox to achieve a similar effect. Differences in the effectiveness of these toxins likely relates to the strain of bacterium used for production, preparation, and the addition of inactive ingredients. One added protein, albumin, and carries the theoretical risk of virus transmission, though this has not been documented in the literature. Additionally, although high-quality clinical trials are currently lacking, initial studies suggest that Dysport is more likely to diffuse to nearby muscles when injecting the small muscles of the face; thus, there is a theoretical increase risk for unintended effects.

Results

In summary, both products produce the same result with the onset of action of Dysport slightly faster than Botox (2-3 days vs. 3-5 days), while the duration of effect is slightly longer with Botox than Dysport (4-6 months vs. 3-4 months). Dysport is less potent on a unit-per-unit basis than Botox thus, more Dysport is injected per site than Botox. The cost of the two products is similar, though, manufacturers of Dysport are occasionally offering introductory specials. Call today for more information or to schedule a consultation.

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Contact us today for more information on Botox or Dysport.

Dermal Fillers Tampa

A dermal filler is a material that is injected into the deep layer of the skin (i.e. the dermis) to camouflage, or fill in, wrinkles, skin folds, depressions, and scars or augment the lips.  These materials can be injected anywhere on the body, but are mainly used on the face and hands to soften the signs of aging. The introduction of bovine collagen as the first dermal filler in 1981 coupled with today’s demand for immediate results following “lunch-time procedures” has spurred tremendous growth in this area of plastic surgery.  The ideal dermal filler would be inexpensive, easy to inject, natural feeling, long lasting (but reversible if results are unsatisfactory), and not associated with complications, allergic reactions, or pain.  While not quite there, current dermal fillers are closer to this ideal than ever before.  Interestingly, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has very limited indications for the use of facial dermal fillers; most modern applications of dermal fillers are considered off-label use.  However, Dr. Perez does make the injections nearly pain free.  Prior to most injections he performs a nerve block to numb the area of the face being treated; the anesthesia lasts several hours.

Video: Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers can be used to treat undesirable lines and wrinkles to help patients achieve a more youthful appearance. Fillers can be injected to reduce creases between the eyebrows, around the mouth and jowls, or into the lips. Injections and fillers can be used for older women looking to achieve a rejuvenated look, or to give a younger woman a sexy, more glamorous appearance.

Available Products

Restylane

Restylane is a synthetically produced protein, hyaluronic acid, normally found in skin and joint fluids.  Its chemical structure makes it attract large amounts of water and, thus, when injected into the deeper layer of skin it not only fills out wrinkles but can also help with hydration.  The molecule is identical across all animal species and does not cause immunologic sensitization, does not require “pre-testing, ” and there is virtually no risk of allergic reactions.  Restylane is a  form of hyaluronic acid has a moderate particle size, flows through a small needle, and is approved for use in the mid-dermis to correct deeper wrinkles, folds, lip augmentation, and camouflage bags under the eyes.  Restylane  products are not permanent, and depending on location of injection, last six to twelve months (with reports of effects lasting two years in regions of the face that undergo little movement).  Side effects may include local bruising, swelling, and pain with injection, all of which are temporary.  Patients with very thin skin may see a bluish discoloration under the skin or have palpable nodules following injection of Restylane; this is usually temporary and resolves with light massage.  In the rare instance a bluish discoloration or palpable nodule does not resolve, an enzyme, hyaluronidase, can be locally injected to dissolve the areas of concern.

Restylane Fine Line

As the name implies, Restylane Fine Line  has a smaller particle size that Restylane, is injected through a very tiny needle, and is approved for thin, superficial wrinkles in the upper dermis.

Perlane

Perlane is in the same family as Restylane and Restylane Fine Line but has the largest particle size, is injected through a small needle, and is approved for use in the deep dermis for facial contouring, deep folds, and lip augmentation.

Juvederm Ultra

Like Restylane, is also a synthetically produced hyaluronic dermal filler that works by  integrating into dermal tissues and attracting water.  Juvederm Ultra is primarily used in the mid-dermis for treatment of deeper wrinkles and folds.  No skin testing is required prior to use and there is virtually no risk of allergic reaction.  Results are not permanent and last six to twelve months, depending on area treatment.  Like all dermal fillers, side effects may include local bruising, swelling, and pain with injection, all of which are temporary.  Similar to Restylane, patients with very thin skin may see a bluish discoloration under the skin or have palpable nodules following injection of Juvederm; this is usually temporary and resolves with light massage.

Juvederm Ultra Plus

Juvederm Ultra Plus  is identical to Juvederm  except there are more chemical bonds between the molecules, causing it to be slightly more thick and viscous.  This viscosity makes Juvederm Ultra Plus ideal for injection into the deep dermis where it is better able to augment and restore areas of lost volume (e.g. upper cheeks) and treat deep wrinkles and folds.  Juvederm Ultra Plus is ideally formulated for treating nasolabial folds and for lip augmentation.  The increased thickness also makes the effects Juvederm Ultra Plus visible for up to nine to twelve months, and maybe longer depending on area of injection.

Juvederm XC

The recently introduced Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC  are similar to their original counterparts except that the newer versions are formulated with 0.3% lidocaine (a local anesthetic) to provide a less painful injection experience.

Radiesse

Radiesse is a synthetically produced filler consisting of 30% calcium hydroxyapatite and 70% carrier gel.  Although traditionally thought of as only a bone replacement, the ability of hydroxyapatite to stimulate collagen formation makes it a promising soft tissue filler.  Radiesse  is designed to be injected just underneath the dermis (i.e. deeper than true dermal fillers); thus, it is not actually a dermal filler but rather a soft tissue filler.  Because of its depth of injection, Radiesse is ideally used for the correction of very deep wrinkles, acne scars, and volume restoration around the cheeks.  No pre-testing is required and allergic reactions have not been reported.  Results are semi-permanent, lasting at least two years in most patients.  However, the gel carrier, compromising 70% of Radiesse, is absorbed by the body by approximately six months causing a depreciation of initial results.  However, this is balanced by the formation of new collagen stimulated by the calcium hydroxyapatite particles.  Side effects may include local bruising, swelling, and pain with injection, all of which are temporary.  Radiesse should not be injected into the lips or in the superficial dermis, however, because of the anecdotal reporting of cyst and scar formation.

Sculptra

Like Radiesse, is also synthetically produced filler composed of a protein, poly-L-lactic acid.  It is believed to stimulate the formation of collagen, increasing facial volume, but interestingly, results are not often seen for four to six weeks.  Because of the somewhat unpredictable nature, most patients require two to three treatments, four to six weeks apart, to obtain the desired results.  Sculptra is also injected underneath the dermis and is used for correction of deep skin folds and volume restoration, usually in patients with signs of facial fat loss (e.g. loss of fat or changes in position of fat associated with certain medical conditions and aging).  Results last approximately one year.  While no pre-testing or allergic reactions have been reported, the incidence of long-term cyst formation, palpable nodules, and complications is higher than with other soft tissue fillers.

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Contact us today for more information on dermal fillers.

Latisse Tampa

Latisse, or bimatoprost ophthalmic solution, 0.03%, is a recently released product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to lengthen, thicken, and darken lashes.  Originally used for the treatment of glaucoma, its effects on eyelashes were soon evident and it wasn’t long until Latisse was marketed for cosmetic uses.  Applied nightly to the skin surrounding the upper eyelid eyelashes, dramatic results are visible in as little as eight weeks, with full effects seen in sixteen weeks.  The most common side effects include irritation of the eye or skin surrounding the eyelashes, darkening of the skin surrounding the lashes, and darkening of the colored part (i.e. iris) of the eye.  Darkening of the iris can be permanent and was noted in patients being treated for glaucoma when the solution was instilled directly into the eye; darkening of the iris was not noted in clinical trials for Latisse.  The other listed side effects are temporary and occur in less than 4% of patients.

If you’ve always wanted longer, sexy, butterfly-like eyelashes, call or come into the Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa today!

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Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa

Dr. Jaime Perez offers state-of-the art-cosmetic procedures utilizing the most high-tech equipment available at Plastic Surgery Center of Tampa. Dr. Perez is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is a member of a number of professional associations including:

  • American Board of Plastic Surgery
  • American Board of Surgery
  • American Society of Plastic Surgeons
  • American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

To schedule a consultation at our Tampa, FL ,office, or to learn more, contact us online or call (813) 877-3739 today.

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