FAQs

QUESTIONS ABOUT AGING

Do you offer financing?
Yes, financing available through CareCredit.

What are the visible effects of facial aging?
The visible effects of facial aging are the progressive changes you see when you look in the mirror – including loss of skin elasticity, sagging, forehead lines, frown lines, crow's-feet, smile lines, lip lines, marionette lines – the lines framing your mouth – as well as changes to the color and texture of the skin and loss of volume.

When does facial aging begin?
Facial aging usually begins in your 20s when the firmness of your skin begins to decrease. Wrinkles, blemishes, and sunspots may also start to appear, becoming more pronounced with age. Of course, changes vary from person to person.

What factors contribute to facial aging?
Facial aging is caused by both internal and external factors. Internal (or chronological) factors happen over time and are caused by genetics and the natural aging process. External (or environmental) factors are things in the world around you, including sun exposure, smoking, pollution, gravity, facial expressions, and sleep position. All of these factors can contribute to changes in the skin, as well as changes in facial bones.

What is the role of collagen loss in facial aging?
Collagen is a fibrous protein in the dermis that gives structure to the skin, and provides the foundation for the retention of elastin and hyaluronic acid. Elastin is an elastic protein that helps maintain shape, while hyaluronic acid cushions and lubricates to keep the skin moist. More collagen enables the presence of more elastin and hyaluronic acid.

With age and environmental damage, collagen is lost, and as time goes on, the body's natural production decreases. The damage to the underlying structure of the skin reduces the skin's ability to maintain elasticity and retain moisture.

QUESTIONS ABOUT BOTOX

What is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
A BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is a simple, nonsurgical procedure that smoothes the deep, persistent lines between your brows that develop over time. One 10-minute treatment—a few tiny injections—relaxes the muscles that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed up to four months. BOTOX® Cosmetic has been widely tested. Now it’s approved by the FDA. The results are dramatic and apparent within days. In clinical trials, nearly 90% of the men and women surveyed rated the improvement in their brow lines as moderate to better. For many, BOTOX® Cosmetic virtually "erases" these lines. Unlike surgery, BOTOX® Cosmetic is fast, simple, and minimally invasive, with no downtime or recovery. Most people return directly to work or normal activity following treatment. Within days, they report looking more natural and relaxed. With BOTOX® Cosmetic, they’ll know you’ve done something, they just won’t know what.

What BOTOX® Cosmetic is not.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is not magic. It’s medicine, the result of years of careful research and testing. Allergan’s BOTOX® product is the only one of its type with over 10 years of success in treating patients with a variety of conditions. With dosing specific to treat frown lines, this same product is now available as BOTOX® Cosmetic. BOTOX® Cosmetic will not radically change your appearance or make you look like you’ve had "work done". It will not make you look 20 years younger. Because it’s highly localized and administered intramuscularly, its effects are usually confined to the region of injection, and BOTOX® Cosmetic does not remain in your body indefinitely.

Is BOTOX® Cosmetic right for you?
If doing all you can to look your best is important to you, BOTOX® Cosmetic may be for you. If reducing those tough lines between your brows would make you feel more approachable, BOTOX® Cosmetic may be for you. Thousands of appearance-conscious women and men have already discovered the benefits of BOTOX® Cosmetic. Not just models and movie stars, but ordinary people—teachers, mothers, and business people from all walks of life.

Who should administer BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Any authorized health care professional can administer BOTOX® Cosmetic, however ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, otolaryngologists, or other cosmetic physicians are generally more experienced.

What can I expect from BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment?
Your doctor will determine exactly where to administer several tiny injections to achieve the best results. No anesthesia is required, although some doctors may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream prior to injecting. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes. Discomfort is minimal and brief—most patients compare the sensation to a bug bite. It is unlikely you will develop significant side effects, although some people may develop slight temporary bruising at the injection site, which can easily be covered by makeup. You may resume normal activity immediately. Within days, you'll see a marked improvement which may continue to improve for as long as a week and should last up to four months.

BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes the overactive muscles whose repeated contractions cause the lines between your brows to form. So you can frown, smile, or look surprised—without the furrows, creases, and wrinkles. The most common side effects are headache, respiratory infection, flu syndrome, temporary eyelid droop, and nausea. BOTOX® Cosmetic should not be used if there is an infection at the injection site.

Who is a good candidate for BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Any woman or man who is concerned about the appearance of their frown lines can consider BOTOX® Cosmetic. Treatment can be used by people from ages 18 to 65. Our physicians can help you decide if BOTOX® Cosmetic is right for you.

What exactly is BOTOX® Cosmetic?
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a natural, purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. Very low doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the overactive muscles that cause lines to form. BOTOX® Cosmetic works by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses to the injected muscles. The effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic are usually confined to the injected region; it does not travel throughout the body.

Are BOTOX® Cosmetic treatments painful?
Discomfort is minimal and brief. Your physician may choose to use a local anesthetic cream or ice to minimize this. Once the injection is complete, there is usually no discomfort.

Will my lines look worse if I choose not to continue treatments?
No. Your lines gradually revert to their pre-treatment appearance.

How long does BOTOX® Cosmetic last?
BOTOX® Cosmetic lasts up to four months.

Is BOTOX® Cosmetic expensive?
When considering your facial aesthetic options, you'll find that BOTOX® Cosmetic is quite affordable. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery’s 2000 survey, BOTOX® Cosmetic is one of the least expensive facial aesthetic procedures, ranking 7th in the 9 most widely-used procedures in the United States. Like other appearance-related investments, such as hair coloring and cuts, teeth whitening, and chemical peels, the cost must be weighed relative to your expectations. Pricing will be discussed during individual consultation. Injections are customized to individual patient needs and concerns and thus prices may vary between patients.

Additional Information
BOTOX® Cosmetic is contraindicated in the presence of infection at the proposed injection site(s) and in individuals with known hypersensitivity to any ingredient in the formulation. Do not exceed the recommended dosage and frequency of administration of BOTOX® Cosmetic. Patients with neuromuscular disorders may be at increased risk of clinically significant systemic effects including severe dysphagia and respiratory compromise from typical doses of BOTOX® Cosmetic.

Treatment with BOTOX® Cosmetic for cosmetic purposes may result in the formation of antibodies that may reduce the effectiveness of subsequent treatments with BOTOX® Cosmetic for glabellar lines or other indications. However rare, the potential for antibody formation may be minimized by injecting with the lowest effective dose given with the longest feasible intervals between injections.

QUESTIONS ABOUT RADIESSE

What is RADIESSE Filler?
RADIESSE filler is a safe, FDA-approved dermal filler that gives you both immediate and long-lasting result. RADIESSE filler stimulates the body to produce new collagen and restores a healthy, natural look. This convenient treatment restores and/or corrects the signs of Facial Lipoatrophy, including sunken cheeks and indentations, in some people with the human immunodeficiency virus. RADIESSE filler is made of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel and is injected into the skin through a minimally invasive procedure.

How Does RADIESSE Filler Work?
RADIESSE filler works below the skin’s surface, stimulates the body to produce new collagen and creates a natural look that lasts. RADIESSE filler fills in facial indentations. In an FDA clinical study using RADIESSE filler, no serious product related adverse effects, including granulomas or nodules, were reported.

Is RADIESSE Filler Safe?
Yes. RADIESSE filler is the first FDA-approved one-year filler for facial lipoatrophy in patients with HIV. Thousands of physicians have been trained to provide RADIESSE treatment. Through years of rigorous industry research and independent research worldwide, RADIESSE filler has been proven to be safe and effective.

Is RADIESSE Filler Right for Me?
If you are an HIV-positive patient with Facial Lipoatrophy (facial wasting), you may be an excellent candidate for a RADIESSE treatment. Talk to your HIV care physician for more information.

What Makes RADIESSE Filler different?
RADIESSE filler is unlike any other FDA-approved dermal filler. It is a compound comprised of microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), combined with a water-based gel. With RADIESSE filler, the results are immediate and long-lasting – without the need for frequent office visits.

How Is a RADIESSE Treatment Performed?
RADIESSE filler is injected into the skin through a simple, safe, quick, and minimally invasive outpatient procedure. Typically administered in a physician’s office, with the use of a local anesthetic, RADIESSE treatments have little to no downtime, with most patients returning to normal activities soon after treatment.

How Soon Can I Expect Results? How Long Will the Results Last?
The results are immediate. RADIESSE filler continues to deliver results as it stimulates the body to produce new collagen. Results may last a year or more in many patients, without the need for frequent injection sessions. Since results may vary, be sure to discuss your expectations with your doctor.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?
With RADIESSE filler you achieve immediate results. However, because each patient is different, and to ensure your satisfaction , your physician may recommend a touch-up treatment.

How Much Does It Cost?
RADIESSE filler is long-lasting and does not require frequent injection sessions. The treatment is customized for each patient, so the price varies. In general, the cost of RADIESSE filler is comparable to similar procedures. Consult your HIV care physician for a treatment plan to restore your healthy, natural look.

What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Normal, injection-related reactions such as mild irritation, redness, swelling, itching, bruising, or tenderness at the injection site may occur. These conditions typically resolve on their own.

Could I Have an Allergic Reaction to RADIESSE Filler?
RADIESSE filler is biocompatible. You do not need to undergo skin allergy testing prior to treatment. However, if you believe you are having an allergic reaction to RADIESSE filler, seek medical attention immediately.

Is RADIESSE Filler Permanent?
No. Treatment results are relatively long-lasting, but not permanent. Over time the tiny calcium-based microspheres gradually break down into calcium and phosphate ions, which are safely and naturally absorbed into your body, leaving your own collagen in their place.