Minimally Invasive Facial Rejuvenation

Injectables such as botulinum toxin (Botox) and dermal fillers (Juvederm) help to diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness in the face. Botox blocks signals from the nerves to the muscles. The injected muscle can’t contract and causes the wrinkles relax and soften. Dermal fillers add volume to the face. It is important to remember that Botox and dermal fillers are temporary treatments for facial aging and that ongoing treatments will be needed for long-term results. 

What Botox can do:

• minimize fine lines caused by facial expressions (crow’s feet, forehead furrows, frown lines, lip lines and bunny lines)

• Diminish neck bands

• Improve the appearance of skin dimpling of the chin

• Lift the corners of the mouth

• Soften a square jawline

• Correct a gummy smile

What dermal fillers can do:

• Plump thin lips

• Enhance shallow contours

• Soften facial creases and wrinkles

• Improve the appearance of recessed scars

• Reconstruct contour deformities in the face

• Decrease or remove the shadow of the lower lids

What Botox and dermal fillers CANNOT do:

• achieve the same results as face lift, brow lift or eyelid lift

• repair skin damage caused by sun

Pre and Post Botox and Dermal Fillers

Injectables like Botox and Juvederm are considered safe.  Although the majority of patients don’t experience any issues, side effects can include redness, swelling and bruising after the injection. 

In order to minimize the risk of possible side effects and complications of injections please follow these simple steps:

Pre-Treatment Instructions

• Do NOT consume alcoholic beverages at least 24 hours prior to treatment (alcohol may thin the blood and increase the risk of bruising)

• Avoid anti-inflammatory/blood thinning medications, if possible for a period of 2 weeks before treatment. Medications and supplements such as aspirin, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John’s Wort, Omega 3/Fish Oil supplements, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve and other NSAIDS have a blood thinning effect and can increase the risk of bruising and swelling after injections.

• Discontinue Retin-A 2 days before and 2 days after treatment.

• If you have a history of cold sores please let Dr. McDonald know, you may need an anti-viral medication prior to treatment.

• Be sure to have a good breakfast, including food and drink before your procedure. This will decrease the chances of lightheadedness during your treatment.

Post-Treatment Instructions

• Do NOT touch/rub the treated area for 3 hours following treatment.

• Do NOT take Advil, Aleve, Motrin or Ibuprofen for 24 hrs. Take Tylenol as a safe alternative

• Avoid facial/ laser treatments or microdermabrasion after Botox injections for at least 10 days. 

• Avoid putting your head down for 4 hours after your Botox treatment. This will prevent the Botox from tracking into the orbit of your eye and causing drooping eyelid.

• Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours.

• Avoid extensive sun or heat for 72 hours.

• Avoid consuming excess amounts of alcohol or salts to avoid excess swelling.

• If you have swelling you may apply a cool compress for 15 minutes each hour.

If you have any further questions or concerns please call us at (305) 381-8900

Botox®

Botox® is the most popular cosmetic medical procedure offered by Coral Gables Aesthetic Surgery. It can take years off your face by dramatically reducing the appearance of wrinkles caused by facial expressions.  Botox® is best for “active” or “dynamic” wrinkles – the ones that appear when your face is animated, like the forehead, furrows, and crow’s feet.

Botox® temporarily limits the muscle’s activity that cause facial wrinkles. The result is a smoother, more refreshed face! Botox® treatment is a simple, no downtime procedure that is safe, effective and provides natural looking results.

Dysport®

Dysport® is the first FDA-approved alternative to BOTOX® Cosmetic and is made from the same cosmetic form of botulinum toxin. These simple injections effectively correct wrinkles caused by facial muscle movement.

Dysport® does not work by filling in wrinkles like facial fillers or JUVÉDERM®. Instead, it temporarily paralyzes the facial muscles that contract and cause the wrinkles. As we age, our skin loses elasticity and wrinkles caused by repeated muscle movement gradually stop smoothing out on their own. As a highly skilled Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon, Doctor McDonald gives his patients an enhanced but natural look through his thorough understanding of the relationship between facial muscles and facial expressions.

Juvederm®

Juvederm® is a dermal filler composed of hyaluronic acid gel. The intended use of the product is to temporarily enhance lips, restore facial volume, and reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, folds and other visible signs of aging.To precisely meet the needs of each individual patient, Juvederm® is available in two formulas: Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm® Ultra Plus, with the latter formula made to last longer.

Radiesse®

Radiesse® is an injectable dermal filler designed to restore facial volume and augment contours of the face. It is composed of calcium based micro-spheres suspended in water based gel. The substances present in Radiesse are not derived from animal or human components, but they are biologically compatible with the natural substances in the body, meaning they are “virtually identical.”

When injected, effects of Radiesse® can be witnessed immediately. Volume is restored, the appearance of facial wrinkles, folds and lines are greatly reduced (if not eradicated) and eventually, a resulting process called “collagenesis” stimulates new collagen growth for a prolonged effect. The results of Radiesse are not permanent. Typical patients see effects that last about a year, which is longer than many comparable offerings on the market. The added benefit of collagen stimulation might play a role in the endurance of Radiesse®, which has led some people to believe it is more cost-effective.

Sculptra® 

Sculptra® is an injectable product that restores and corrects the signs of facial fat loss by replacing lost volume. Sculptra® provides an increase in skin thickness, and helps to create a more natural facial appearance in those with facial lipoatrophy.

Sculptra® is composed of poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic material. Sculptra® is not made from human or animal sources and does not require a skin test. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a biocompatible (does not harm the body), biodegradable (able to be broken down by the body) material that has been widely used for many years in surgical products. The effects are long-lasting; they were shown in a clinical study to last for up to 2 years after the first treatment session.