FACTS AND COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR SERVICES Botox | Lipo-Dissolve | Microdermabrasion | Restylane | Laser Hair Removal |
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What causes deep lines and wrinkles referred to as "dynamic" wrinkles? Every day our facial muscles are called into play many, many times to help create expressions such as smiles, frowns, laughter etc. Over time these repeated muscle contractions cause the lines and wrinkles that appear in our faces - as part of the aging process, and loss of skin elasticity from sun damage. Genetics, family history and lifestyles such as smoking, and excessive sun exposure also factor into the wrinkle creation process. What is Botox Cosmetic Injection? Botox is formally called Botulinum Toxin Type A and is a therapeutic neurotoxin used safely and effectively in anti-wrinkle treatment. The injections actually target the nerves within muscles in a specific area and "relax" them. How do the Botox injection treatments work? Using a tiny micro-needle, very small amounts of Botox are injected into specific muscles that cause those frown lines. The Botox serum then blocks nerve impulses from the nerve within the specific muscle causing the contractions. The treatments serve to "relax" those muscles and allow the skin to smooth out and become "unwrinkled." Untreated areas are not affected. What are the benefits of lipo-dissolve therapy versus liposuction? Lipo-dissolve therapy "treats" bulging fat so the end results are a smoother skin surface. Liposuction removes fat using a suction process, but involves local anesthesia and a number of small incisions. Liposuction is still an excellent option in some cases, but it's hard to argue with the great results that lipo-dissolve therapy obtains, in a completely non-invasive manner. Benefits of Lipo-dissolve therapy as compared to liposuction:
How do Lipo-dissolve therapy injections work? We inject a derivative of a natural bile salt product into the fatty area. These injections work by being injected in small amounts in to the targeted areas and by "melting" the fat beneath the skin's surface. The body simply then eliminates it! There is minimal bruising and discomfort associated with lipo-dissolve therapy injection treatments. How many Lipo-dissolve therapy treatments are needed to see results? We "customize" your treatment plan to fit your particular situation. Everybody needs a series of at least 4 treatments. Many patients see results after the first or second treatment! The results become visible as you and family start noticing your clothes become "looser" and you start to appear "thinner." The results from lipo-dissolve therapy treatments are measured in "loss of inches" rather than pounds. Do the results from lipo-dissolve therapy really last? Yes they can and do last! We cannot stop the aging process - it is an ongoing dynamic for every human being. Lipo-dissolve therapy, however, can and does provide our patients with outstanding, long lasting results. Is lipo-dissolve therapy appropriate for all patients? Here are the guidelines to show you who can have Lipo-dissolve therapy. You may be able to have lipo-dissolve therapy if:
What is cellulite? Cellulite is that "lumpy" dimpled appearing skin on the hips, thighs, legs and buttocks that is very visible and affects over 90% of women over a certain age. Even thin women are troubled by cellulite. Cellulite forms as fat cells arranged in chambers surrounded by the connective tissue expand and stretch as water is retained in these cells. This occurs in the subcutaneous level of skin tissue. As the stretching and expanding occurs, these tissues contract, harden (sclerosis) and hold the skin at a non-flexible length while the surrounding tissue continues to expand with weight and water gain. The results are those "cottage cheese" appearing areas that bulge outward. You wanted to know! Lipo-dissolve therapy is the most chosen, safe and effective treatment today for cellulite. What exactly is microdermabrasion? Microdermabrasion is a non-surgical treatment that involves removing dead skin cells from your face and other body areas. It is performed using an instrument that directs a stream of micro-crystals onto the skin which are vacuumed off. This process exfoliates, refreshes, and renews the skin by removing the dead cells and promoting new growth. Uses for Microdermabrasion:
What's involved in my microdermabrasion treatment? Minute crystals are precisely directed over the treatment area. This causes the removal of dead skin cells which are then vacuumed away. This is done using a hand piece held close to the skin. Treatments last from 10 - 30 minutes or longer. Treatments are customized from gentle to more aggressive - depending on your needs and goals. What are the results of microdermabrasion? The treatments result in a smoother, clearer looking skin! The outcome is a "more youthful" glowing skin after just one treatment! Multiple treatments may be designed since results are cumulative. Is microdermabrasion used only on the face? No. This treatment can be used successfully on face, neck, chest, arms, elbows, knees, and hands with excellent results. Is microdermabrasion right for everyone? It's ideal for the "busy" person who wants improved skin appearance without more aggressive treatments like laser resurfacing. It's a good choice for people who can't take time for recovery or who are sensitive to chemicals or are not responding well to acne medications. How does Restylane work and what's involved in the treatments? Using an ultra fine needle, your doctor will inject tiny amounts of Restylane into the skin. Gentle massage may be used then to optimize contouring of the gel. The treatment works in 2 ways: 1) Once injected into the dermis Restylane adds volume and fullness which smoothes out facial wrinkles and folds. 2) The gel integrates into dermal tissue, attracts and binds to water molecules and helps to maintain volume. The results are instantaneous! How safe is Restylane? Restylane has been in use by cosmetic surgeons since 1996 - "worldwide". There is virtually no risk of animal-based disease transmission because it is completely bio-compatible with our bodies own substance. The risk of allergic reaction is about 1 in 2000 patients. No allergy testing is required and Restylane is Health Canada approved. How long does a Restylane treatment last? Will I require future treatments? Restylane treatments typically lasts 6 months or longer - or twice as long as collagen treatments. Patients usually get 2 treatments a year. We know that having a "touch-up" treatment before the product fully dissipates from your last treatment - will enhance the long lasting results. How does Restylane differ from Botox? Restylane is a natural cosmetic dermal filler identical to what you own body manufactured during younger years. Botox is a purified protein that is used to block nerve transmission and relax muscles that contract and cause wrinkles and lines. Dr. Mackenzie frequently uses Botox and Restylane together for maximal results. Restylane How does Restylane work and what's involved in the treatments? Using an ultra fine needle, your doctor will inject tiny amounts of Restylane into the skin. Gentle massage may be used then to optimize contouring of the gel. The treatment works in 2 ways: 1) Once injected into the dermis Restylane adds volume and fullness which smoothes out facial wrinkles and folds. 2) The gel integrates into dermal tissue, attracts and binds to water molecules and helps to maintain volume. The results are instantaneous! How safe is Restylane? Restylane has been in use by cosmetic surgeons since 1996 - "worldwide". There is virtually no risk of animal-based disease transmission because it is completely bio-compatible with our bodies own substance. The risk of allergic reaction is about 1 in 2000 patients. No allergy testing is required and Restylane is Health Canada approved. How long does a Restylane treatment last? Will I require future treatments? Restylane treatments typically lasts 6 months or longer - or twice as long as collagen treatments. Patients usually get 2 treatments a year. We know that having a "touch-up" treatment before the product fully dissipates from your last treatment - will enhance the long lasting results. How does Restylane differ from Botox? Restylane is a natural cosmetic dermal filler identical to what you own body manufactured during younger years. Botox is a purified protein that is used to block nerve transmission and relax muscles that contract and cause wrinkles and lines. Dr. Mackenzie frequently uses Botox and Restylane together for maximal results. How does the Apex 800 laser work? The Apex 800 generates a pulse of intense, concentrated light which is directed through a small cooled hand piece which is gently applied to the treatment site. This laser energy passes through the skin to the hair follicles, where the energy is absorbed by pigment in the hair and hair follicle, causing selective damage to the hair root without damaging the delicate pores and structures of the skin. The laser is pulsed, or “turned on”, for only a fraction of the second. The duration of the pulses is carefully determined so that laser energy will be absorbed by the hair follicle without transferring excessive heat to the surrounding skin. Some of the hair which was present in the treated follicles is wiped off immediately after the treatment, and the rest is shed over the next two to three weeks. The hair roots which have been destroyed are reabsorbed by the body. The surface of the skin is protected by the “Cool Tip” of the Apex 800 laser. Unlike “hair by hair” treatments like electrolysis, the laser uses a wide beam which treats many hairs at once. It is therefore possible to treat larger areas such as the back, shoulders, arms, legs and face. The Apex 800 can be used just about anywhere on the body, and usually requires no anesthesia. Even sensitive areas such as the nipples, upper lip and bikini line can be treated easily and with minimal discomfort. We are able to customize the settings on the Apex 800 according to each patient’s hair and skin color, and location on the body. What areas of the body can be treated? ALL parts of the body CAN be treated, and are treated with the Apex 800. In women, the most common areas for treatments are the upper lip, chin, bikini line, arms and legs, and underarms. In men, the most common areas for treatments are shoulders and back, and the beard area. It is technically possible to treat even the eyelashes and eyebrows, although we do not treat these areas at present. The top of the eyebrows can be treated when the forehead is treated. What are the benefits of laser hair removal compared to other methods? The main benefits of laser hair removal include: Electrolysis can be helpful in treating hairs from areas where it is difficult to use the laser, such as under the eyebrows, near the ears, and in the ears and nose. It is also helpful in treating white and pale blond hair, which does not efficiently absorb laser light. What are the risks of laser hair removal? Short-term side effects may include a slight reddening of the skin or local swelling which typically lasts less than an hour, although it may infrequently last a few days. Rarely (perhaps 2-4 cases out of a hundred) there can be increased or decreased pigment in the treated area. This is seldom a major cosmetic problem and generally resolves after several months. Even a single blister (just like a tiny sunburn) is very rare. The light from the Apex 800 laser does not cause skin cancer. Minor crusting or scabbing of the treated area can occur following treatment. Do not rub or pick the scab. Wash gently with fingertips and mild soup. Apply an antibacterial ointment to the treated area. Use of a washcloth or other abrasive instrument is not recommended. Is laser hair removal “permanent”? Any hair follicle that is actively growing in the treated area is permanently gone, and it will never come back. However as we age, and as our bodies and hormones change, new hairs can form. By the term “permanent hair removal” most people think that all of the hair will be gone forever, and this is not the case. There is NO form of hair removal that is completely permanent. The most realistic description of the results of laser treatment is “long-term hair REDUCTION.” This means that after a full treatment series that the total amount of hair is greatly reduced, generally by 70 to 90 percent – and any hair that subsequently regrows is generally finer and lighter. Most people are very pleased with this degree of improvement, as long as they know that this is what to expect before they have laser hair removal treatment. And about six month following the final laser hair removal session, you can have a good idea of the long-term result. There is usually little or no change in hair counts at six, 12, and 24 months. Which hair colors respond best to treatment? Because the laser is targeting the pigment in the hair roots, lasers work best on brown or black hair. Naturally red hair/very light colored natural red or blond hair may require more treatment sessions, and may respond only partially. White hair does not respond to treatment – so perhaps you should get your hair lasered before you get to old and your hair turns white! Why are at least four treatment sessions usually needed? All lasers work by destroying hairs that are in their active growth cycle at the time of treatment. Hair follicles in their dormant phase have no hair shafts in them, and they will not be affected by the laser. Because hair follicles cycle through active and dormant phases, additional sessions are needed once the dormant follicles become active. Depending on the part of the body being treated, greater or lesser percentages of the hair follicle population are active or sensitive to laser therapy. When we look at how many treatment sessions are necessary in most people, the range is generally from 4 to 8; however four is the most common number of sessions needed. As mentioned, this primarily depends upon the hair cycle, but it also depends upon individual characteristics including: the desired degree of hair reduction, hair color, ethnic background, hormonal status, hair density, age, and other factors. Sometime additional “touch-up” treatments are helpful in small troublesome areas. What if I have had previous laser treatment of electrolysis? This is not a problem with the Apex 800 system. You should not, however have had electrolysis in the last six weeks in order to get the best results. What if I feel a bit nervous about all this? I also feel a bit vain! Many people at some time before laser hair removal have fears and doubts. One of the purposes today is to provide the necessary background information so that you feel more comfortable regarding the safety and effectiveness of laser hair removal. A common concern is that people are just being vain. We have found that just about everybody who has laser hair removal is no more vain than anyone else. What does distinguish them however is a desire to get the most out of life. Looking after our appearance is not a fault. It does take a certain amount of courage to try to change something that you find bothersome or unacceptable. Nevertheless we would only encourage you to have laser hair removal if you really feel it is for you. It is a mistake to have laser hair removal if it is just for somebody else. Normal, reasonable people who have realistic expectations are excellent candidates. Our patients just want to look their best! How can I get the best value from each treatment? To get the best results with the smallest number of treatment sessions, we suggest the following: ***Avoid waxing, plucking and electrolysis. This is because the laser beam seeks out and destroys actively growing hair follicles. You should do any of these treatments for at least six weeks prior to laser. ***Tanning should be avoided! The Apex 800 is safe and effective for all types of skin, however the lighter your skin color at the time of the treatment, the better the laser beam can get through the skin to the hair root, where it does its work. Therefore, tanning is not a big deal, but if you avoid tanning and stop using artificial tanning creams for six weeks before treatment, you will get the maximum possible benefit from each session. It is also very important to minimize tanning for four to six weeks after treatment, to reduce the chance that your tan will be somewhat uneven. Always use at least SPF 30 or higher. ***Shaving or clipping the hair is a great idea. We like the area that we are planning to treat to be shaved either in the evening before, or the morning of the laser session. Some people find that the skin is less sensitive if they shave at least a few hours before treatment. It may be to your advantage and more convenient for you to do your own shaving before coming to the clinic as you can shape the area to be treated exactly the way you want it to be. This is important in areas such as the bikini area. In contrast to what many people believe, shaving does not make hair grow back thicker, faster, darker or more profusely. So please go ahead and shave before treatment, and between treatments. What is a test area, and when do you do it? Test areas are small areas of skin that are treated at various laser energy levels prior to treatment of large surface areas, especially in people with darker skin types or tans. Test areas are done on darker skin to determine the level of energy that is best for that individual, and it is checked one to four weeks later to make sure that there was no burning or pigment change. Does it hurt? The laser emits only light. You may feel a tingling or snapping sensation like a rubber bank, or like a hair being plucked. There is no bleeding and no open would is created. Some people find the first treatment more uncomfortable than subsequent treatments. Maybe this is just because there are more hair roots which are destroyed during the first treatment, and perhaps also because some people are more apprehensive during the first treatment, since they’re not really sure what to expect. Many people find less discomfort if they have shaved at least a couple of hours before coming in for treatment. Some areas of the body such as the upper lip and pubic area are more sensitive than others. People that have had waxing, and electrolysis etc., usually report that the laser is much less uncomfortable, and sometimes there is almost no discomfort. Sometimes we use local anesthetic gel called Betacaine on the upper lip area to numb the skin. Some people find it helpful to take a couple of extra strength Tylenol or other similar medication prior to treatment. Some ladies find it best to schedule their sessions to avoid premenstrual time.
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