injectables

There is simply no better dollar spent on facial rejuvenation than money invested in treatments with neuromuscular blockers like Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) and Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA). These medications are used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles (medical name-rhytids) or to prevent wrinkles from ever forming.

What causes the wrinkles that neuromuscular blockers treat?

Skin creases when the underlying muscles contract. Wrinkles that form, for example, when you frown but go away when you stop frowning are called dynamic wrinkles. When we are younger the skin still creases but our youthful, more elastic skin flattens out completely when the muscle relaxes. As we age the skin loses its elasticity and repeated creasing of the skin causes permanent lines or static wrinkles.

How do these medications work to prevent or diminish wrinkles?

These drugs work at the nerve ending by preventing the release of Acetylcholine (a chemical nerve messenger) thereby temporarily cutting off the communication between the nerve and the target muscle. When the muscle is not stimulated to contract the overlying skin will not crease and wrinkles will not form.  Regular treatments ( several times per year) allow the skin to repair itself and existing wrinkles soften or disappear.

What parts of the face can drugs like Botox be used?

For cosmetic purposes Botox and other neuromuscular blockers have FDA clearance for only a few select areas and only in the upper face.  Dr. London has extensive experience with safe "off label" use and he offers effective treatments for the upper and lower face as well as the neck.  He also uses it in the underarms, feet, and palms for control of excess sweating.  

How much does it cost to get a Neuromuscular blocker treatment?

The cost varies with each patient. Dr. London charges per treatment area and some patients want multiple areas treated.  Some patients have stronger muscles needing more of the medication injected in each area. Generally, the cost is between $200 and $600 per session.

How long do the treatments last?

After about 3-6 months the facial muscles, once weakened resume motion and the wrinkles caused by these muscles are again forming or worsening. It is best to receive regular treatments every 3-4 months before the full effect has worn off so the wrinkles do not form again. To get the most benefit from treatments they are best done three or four times per year.

Are the injections painful?

We use the tiniest needles to minimize discomfort.  Ice is applied to the sites just before the injection and vibration is used during the injections to create a nearly painless treatment.

Is there any downtime after receiving Botox injections?

The injections take about 15 minutes to perform in our office. Initially, the injection sites appear similar to mosquito bites but are hardly noticeable after 20 minutes. You may go right back to work or play and no one will know you had anything done. We recommend you not rub the areas injected and limit vigorous exercise for about 4 hours after the injections. On occasion, you may have a small bruise lasting about a week, but the bruise is easily covered with makeup.

When will I see results of my Botox or Dysport treatment?  

Dysport works a bit faster than Botox by several days. You may start seeing results in 1-2 days with Dysport and about a 3-4 days with Botox. The full effect of both medications takes two weeks. Every patient is different, some needing more medication than others. On occasion it may require a complimentary touch up (when needed) adding some more medication to give the desired result. We always wait two weeks before additional injections to allow enough time for the medication to take full effect.

The Liquid Brow Lift is performed by Dr. London using neuromuscular blockers like Botox and Dysport instead of surgery. It is a quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive procedure that utilizes your own muscles to elevate the brow. The goal is to lift the lateral or outside of the brow giving a nicely arched appearance that most women favor. This gives the eyes a wide open, larger, more youthful appearance.

Have you noticed a fullness of your upper lids as you get older? 

Are you now having to manually lift up on the brow to apply eye shadow or severely wrinkle the forehead to elevate the brow?  Fullness of the upper eyelid and lower brow is a common complaint from patients. They complain it makes them look tired and older. The sagging brow is caused by gravitational descent of the forehead and brow skin over the orbital bony rim (eye socket) that happens to many of us as we age.

Cosmetic Dermal Fillers have changed the game when it comes to anti-aging treatments, and today’s modern fillers are especially effective. Unlike yesteryear’s bovine collagen, silicone or body fat facial fillers, today’s fillers are made with non-animal-based hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in our bodies. Today’s fillers are therefore less likely to cause an allergic reaction, and provide a more natural looking result. Cosmetic fillers are injected into deep crevices and wrinkles in order to plump up the skin and reduce the wrinkle. They also cause the body to increase production of collagen in the area in order to wall off the “foreign” substance. Results generally last around six months or longer, depending on how fast the body absorbs the substance.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are FDA cleared gel products that Dr. London has found to improve the look of nasobial folds (smile lines, extending from nose to corners of mouth), marionette lines (extending from the mouth corners to the chin) and vertical lines around the lips. They can be used in frown lines between the brows, forehead worry lines as well as crow’s feet around the eyes. They can also be used for lip enhancement by adding volume and softening the lines surrounding the mouth.  They can be used to round out gaunt hollows under the eyes, and can be used to improve the appearance of acne or other scars.