Botox® continues to be one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the country for the treatment of wrinkles, fine lines, and aging of the face. This skin rejuvenation treatment is quick, safe, and effective. To learn more about the Botox® injection services, read this month’s blog as we discuss what to expect for first time Botox users.

What is Botox?

Botox is a highly purified, naturally occurring protein that relaxes the muscles in the face for an improved appearance and younger looking skin. Botox works to temporarily weaken the muscles that cause laugh lines around the mouth, crow’s feet around the outer corners of the eyes, and other types of wrinkles. It does not paralyze the muscles or result in a frozen or unnatural looking appearance when the procedure is performed by a qualified professional.

Is Botox Right for You?

Over time, the contraction of the muscles caused by laughing, frowning, squinting, or smiling cause permanent wrinkles on the skin. Patients often consider treatment once they notice these visible signs of aging. However, Botox is used as a preventative treatment for people in their 20s and early 30s. Although this procedure is more popular among women, men can benefit from treatment as well.

Before the Treatment

You’ll meet with an injection specialist for an initial consultation. At this appointment, you will review your medical history and discuss which areas of the face you’d like to target as well as your overall goals for treatment. Moreover, your specialist will need to know the following information before you receive your first treatment:

• Medical conditions – especially muscle or nerve conditions, problems swallowing, or breathing issues
• Surgical history – previous facial surgeries can greatly affect treatment
• Medications – including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal supplements, and vitamins
• Pregnancy – Botox is generally not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Any other conditions that could potentially affect your health

The initial consultation is also a good opportunity to ask specific questions of your provider to ensure Botox is right for you.

During the Treatment

The first appointment will most likely be easy and quick. Your specialist will review the information discussed at the initial consultation, including the areas to be treated. Your specialist will locate, mark, and cleanse the targeted area. If discomfort is a concern, a topical cream may be applied to numb the skin. The specialist will then use a small micro-needle to inject the Botox directly into the muscles. After the injection(s), ice and pressure are applied to reduce swelling. The appointment should take no longer than 30 minutes.

After the Treatment

Your specialist will provide aftercare instructions to minimize side effects such as bruising, redness, or minor swelling. There is no downtime with Botox. As a result, it’s safe to resume your normal activities immediately after the procedure. Botox is temporary and the results will last three to four months. However, for a continuous youthful appearance, schedule the procedure at regular intervals – every three months or before a special event.

Wrinkle Free Fridays will be returning to Belladerm in October. This special includes 20 units of Botox for $199 with every Friday appointment in the month of October. Botox is temporary and the results will last three to four months. However, for a continuous youthful appearance, schedule the procedure at regular intervals – about every three months. The trusted experts at Belladerm MedSpa will customize a Botox treatment plan according to your needs, beauty goals, and budget. Call today to schedule your FREE consultation and find out more about our Botox services and specials.

Father’s Day is almost here, and at Belladerm, we believe self-care is important for everyone, including Dad. Like women, men need to manage stress and reduce anxiety in a healthy way. But for most men, “me time” is a foreign concept, reserved only for women. Self-care can mean anything with the intention of making oneself feel better on a physical or emotional level. Read on as we discuss why men need to practice self-care too.

Why Self-Care is Important

Men are notorious for not taking care of themselves. This may be due to societal conditioning, a general perception that men are supposed to be rough, tough, and able to withstand physical, emotional, and psychological pressure without buckling. Unfortunately, a lack of self-care can lead to premature aging, increased anxiety, depression, and in some instances, a shortened lifespan. Research shows that men under constant daily stressors are more likely to suffer from migraines, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

Self-Care is More Than Just Looking Good

Many men think self-care is strictly about looking good physically. And while male grooming is important for a positive self-image, it’s not the only factor. Self-care is also about feeling your best, mind, body, and soul. There is no “one-size-fits-all” and creating a healthy self-care regimen is incredibly personal. It could include meditation, positive affirmations, communing with nature, massage, proper sleep management, a healthy diet, and of course, exercise. And, after the past year, even the most masculine man needs a chance to destress and enjoy life every once and a while.

The Ultimate Self-Care Gift Ideas from Belladerm

This Father’s Day, encourage the man in your life to take some time to reflect and decompress. If your dad, husband, or partner is new to self-care, a relaxing service from Belladerm is the perfect gift to get him started. Some of our services include:

• Gentlemen’s Executive™ facial – We combine therapeutic relaxation with corrective skincare treatments tailored especially for men. So not only will he come out feeling great, he’ll look great, too.
• LightSheer™ Laser Hair Removal – This non-invasive treatment is nearly pain-free with little patient downtime, and can treat the face, neck, chest, back, and more.
• BBL Broadband Light – Light energy gently heats the upper layers of the skin, stimulating the cells to regenerate and eliminating the vessels responsible for redness and sunspots for clearer, smoother skin.
• Halo™− A deeper treatment to improve the skin’s tone and texture—fading discoloration, diminishing veins and redness, combating wrinkles, and more.
• BOTOX® – BOTOX is a highly purified, naturally occurring protein that can precisely relax the muscles for treatment of wrinkles, lines, and the aging face for a smoother, more youthful appearance which can help to be more competitive in the job market.

At Belladerm MedSpa, we believe Dad deserves the best treatment. Choose from the above services or contact us to purchase a gift card that the man in your life can use at his convenience. Request an appointment or contact us to learn more.

The warm weather is right around the corner and with it, the sun’s harmful UV rays which can cause damage and premature aging. Don’t be afraid to show a bit of skin, but make sure to protect it. That doesn’t mean you have to stay inside or lather on the heavy foundation but it may be time to change up your summer skin care routine. If you prepare your skin now, you can show off your bare-faced, beautiful complexion all season long. Read on for our top 5 ways to prep skin for summer.

Medical Cosmetics and Sunscreen

Our skin is the most exposed organ to harmful stressors during the summer. You should proactively defend it with high-grade medical cosmetics including moisturizers, serums, and eye creams, for your daily morning and evening routines. And don’t forget the sunscreen – the single, most important product to use during the sunny summer months. Belladerm carries a variety of top product lines to keep you protected and looking your best year-round:

• The SkinMedica® aesthetic product line includes repairing creams and sunscreen formulated to restore the skin and promote self-healing.
• iS Clinical® serums improve complexion and provide antioxidant protection.
• Colorescience®  offers non-chemical sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays throughout the day.
• Epionce® toners, cleansers, and sunscreen keep your skin clean, refreshed, and protected.

Facials

Facials are an effective way to detoxify the skin, promote blood circulation, lower stress, treat acne, and help repair sun damage. They can even encourage collagen production and give you a smoother, more even skin tone. Belladerm offers a wide range of facial services to keep your skin healthy and glowing throughout the season. Here’s a few of our favorites:

• The Bella Classic Corrective and Gentlemen’s Executive™ defend against environmental aggressors, reduce imperfections, and feel amazing at the same time.
• Our specialized HydraFacial™ exfoliates to clear away imperfections like sun damage, blackheads, whiteheads, enlarged pores, acne, brown spots, uneven skin tone, and wrinkles. This four-in-one treatment uses a variety of revolutionary serums and is great for oily or acne-prone skin.

BOTOX®

If you’ve been squinting in the sun and are struggling with frown lines, crow’s feet, or deep forehead wrinkles, consider BOTOX®. This treatment only takes a few minutes and is performed by our highly skilled injection specialists. With BOTOX®, you won’t have to worry about those lines getting deeper.

Fillers

In the summer, your levels of hyaluronic acid (HA) may decrease the more you are in the sun. HA is a naturally occurring substance in your body that retains water, giving you plumper, softer, and smoother skin. Skip the highlighting and opt for a non-surgical face lift with our dermal fillers, which replace the HA you have lost over the years.

Microneedling

Microneedling is the perfect treatment for busy summer schedules. It’s quick and versatile, treating a variety of skin issues from hyperpigmentation and scars to sun damage and stretch marks. The more skin is exposed to the sun, the less collagen it produces. Microneedling increases the production of collagen, making your skin look and act younger. Best of all? It’s not just for the face; treatments can be applied to the neck, arms, hands, legs, abdomen, and back.

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. Make sure it’s protected this summer with proven, effective skin care products and treatments from Belladerm MedSpa. Our expert aestheticians can recommend the best brands and services that align with your desired goals and outcomes. Request an appointment or contact us to learn more.