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.

As aging begins to show its mark, our skin starts to lose elasticity and volume which leads to sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles on the face. Unfortunately, we can’t stop the inevitable progress of aging that comes with the ticking clock. Injectable dermal fillers are a great way to restore the volume and radiance in your skin and return it to its original youthful state. Read on for how to turn back the hands of time with dermal fillers.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are soft, gel-like substances that are injected just below the skin. Dermal fillers work well with your body because of the main ingredient – hyaluronic acid. This naturally occurring substance is found in the body, and when injected, mimics your own HA. Fillers address a variety of concerns including sagging cheeks, loss of volume in the lips, and under eye circles without having to undergo surgery. A younger appearance can be accomplished with no down time and minimal discomfort.

Types of Dermal Fillers

Juvéderm: Juvéderm is known as the world’s #1 selling dermal filler collection because of their natural-looking and long-lasting results. With their variety of options, you’ll know your treatment will be customized to your specific needs.

• Juvéderm Ultra: One of the softest dermal fillers in the Juvéderm family. Juvéderm Ultra is used to treat mild to medium-depth wrinkles located from your nose to the corners of your mouth. Juvéderm Ultra treatments are usually relatively painless and quick. This is the ideal treatment for anyone seeking to smooth mild to medium-depth wrinkles or plump areas with minor skin depression.

• Juvéderm Ultra Plus: This filler is a thicker version of the Juvéderm Ultra. It’s used to fill in deeper facial wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. This filler choice is ideal for those looking to smooth deep folds and wrinkles or fill out deep skin depression or fat loss.

• Juvéderm Volbella: This filler is a combination of different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid that creates subtle volume. Volbella is usually suggested to clients that are looking to increase lip fullness or soften the appearance of lines around the mouth. Vobella is also known for being the thinnest type of filler in the Juvéderm family, making it a great option for filling out and smoothing the under eye area.

• Juvéderm Voluma: Voluma is ideal for deeper injections into the cheeks as it is the strongest and thickest filler in the collection. When injected, it defines the targeted area while giving your face a natural lift.

Radiesse: This dermal filler is suggested for moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles and folds. If you are looking to fill nasolabial folds or correct volume loss in your hands, this is a great filler option. Over time, Radiesse stimulates your natural collagen, making your treatment long lasting with no downtime.

Restylane : Designed to act like your body’s naturally producing hyaluronic acid, this filler offers solutions for a variety of needs. Whether you are looking to correct severe facial wrinkling or fill in nasolabial folds, this filler will support and structure your tissue giving you a youthful appearance.

• Restylane Kysse: Lips with natural-looking volume and Kysse-able softness. Restylane® Kysse is the first lip filler designed with XpresHAn Technology™ for flexible movement and natural-looking volume proven to last for up to 1 year. 1-3 Enhance texture and color of the lips while maintaining a full range of expressions.

• Restylane Define: Crafted with XpresHAn Technology™, Restylane® Defyne helps smooth out deep laugh lines (nasolabial folds and marionette lines) as well as enhance chin projection. Using innovative cross-linking technology, Restylane® Defyne is a HA dermal filler that restores a more youthful, natural-looking appearance, while maintaining your expressions and movement.

• Restylane Contour: Restylane® Contour is the only cheek filler that uses XpresHAn Technology ™ providing flexible movement and natural looking results.

Liquid Lift: One of the most versatile options within the non-surgical options. Liquid lift can smooth wrinkles, enhance cheeks, restore volume, lift eyebrows, and plump lips. Results are immediate without prolonged downtime.

What to Expect

Typically, your treatment begins with a consultation to discuss your concerns and your desired outcome. Your provider will review types of fillers, what their results will be and your standing medical history. It’s important at that time to disclose any medications, allergies, or neurological conditions you have with your injection specialist.

Prior to the injections being administered, the site is prepped, and a topical anesthetic is applied to numb the area. Once numb, your provider will then carefully inject the filler below the skin. Once the treatment is finished, it’s possible to experience some bruising and swelling which may last three to five days after treatment.

Our trained specialists are happy to discuss which filler is right for you and talk through any questions you may have. Call today to schedule your FREE consultation and find out more about our current specials. Buy two syringes of Juvederm and get one free! Plus, until September 30, 2021 Alle members can earn double points when they purchase a treatment of Botox at the same appointment. You also receive an additional bonus of 100 Alle points if you purchase one of the following products or treatments between August 3 and September 30: Latisse, SkinMedica, CoolSculpting Elite, or Kybella.

Brilliant Distinctions® from Allergan® is now Allē℠. The premier online aesthetic rewards program has a new look and even more exciting benefits so you can enjoy your favorite treatments at an even better value. Earn points and save on popular Allergan brands like Juvederm®, CoolSculpting®, and BOTOX® as well as additional non-Allergan in-office treatments from other manufacturers. Read on as we take a tour of Allē – the customer loyalty program designed just for you.

More than a new name

Allē isn’t your mother’s loyalty program (but we think it should be). Pronounced “Al-ee”, it’s a completely personalized, not to mention rewarding, customer experience based on your needs, tastes, and preferences. The offers aren’t just cosmetic. Allē also offers deals on other interests like vacations and theatre tickets. Coupons are built into your customer profile, so you get rewarded on things you already love and there are no pesky codes or emails to clutter your inbox. *Swoon.

Enjoy your points, your way

Everything counts toward your points balance. You can come in for an injectables treatment and earn points toward your next product or procedure. And unlike Brilliant Distinctions, your points never expire if you’re on the A-list otherwise your points expire after one year. Can you say win-win?

The Allē App

Allergan used the latest technology to develop the Allē wallet app, with a seamless user interface and top-notch customer support which makes managing your account easy. Your password is your cell phone number, which eliminates the risk of forgetting and resetting. Belladerm staff can see your point balance in real time, making it simple to purchase your favorite products or services or save them up for future visits. In addition, any gift cards purchased through Allergan for Juvederm, CoolSculpting, and BOTOX, can be entered into the Allē wallet and used at Belladerm.

Joining has never been easier

Joining is a breeze. You can use your existing Brilliant Distinctions information or create a new account if you were not a Brilliant Distinctions member. All Belladerm customers that were in Brilliant Distinctions were automatically migrated over to Allē in September. However, even if you migrated and all your points were transferred, you still need to create your account to ensure your account is set up properly. Once you sign up through the Allē website or with the app, all your information from Brilliant Distinctions will be converted.

Once you sign up through the Allē website, click on “Join” with Brilliant Distinctions or with the app (available for iPhone users in the App Store, coming soon for Android users), all your information from Brilliant Distinctions will be converted. You’re all set!  Please note — if you were Diamond Level in Brilliant Distinctions you are automatically on the A-list in Allē so your points never expire.  If you were not Diamond level your points transferred to Allē’, but you have until September 2021 to use them. 

The gift that keeps on giving

Just in time for the holidays. Get a $100 Allē gift card for just $75 at Belladerm. Allē gift cards can be used on a variety of Allergan Aesthetics products and treatments we offer at our practice. Gift cards purchased directly through Allē go into the wallet.

Ready to get started? Visit www.alle.com to sign up and start saving.

The experts at Belladerm MedSpa are ready to assist with all your winter skincare needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, call or visit us online at www.belladermmedspa.com.