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While Botox is well-established as the most cost-effective way to remove lines and wrinkles, using Botox proactively before these lines and wrinkles have started to develop is gaining in popularity.

Using Botox to prevent future development of the signs of aging is naturally most attractive to young adults who have yet to develop the fine lines that can grow into more visible wrinkles later in life. If you’re older but are still fortunate to have avoided developing visible lines, you should also look to this technique to prevent these problems further down the road.

Most people only consider using Botox after they have started to develop signs of aging, at which time Botox can be used to lessen or eliminate these signs. However, it’s often more effective to stop the future development of these unwanted visible marks. By doing so, you can maintain youthful, smooth skin tone for longer, and perhaps also with fewer Botox sessions.

The following types of lines and wrinkles can be prevented from forming by judicious use of Botox in advance.

Dynamic Wrinkles

Dynamic wrinkles are linked directly to movement of facial muscles, for example when smiling, frowning, or squinting. Over time, these wrinkles deepen, and risk becoming permanent, meaning they are visible even when you are not actively using the associated facial muscles. By using Botox early on, you can reduce the muscle activity that leads to the formation of these dynamic wrinkles, before they become a bigger problem.

Forehead Lines and Frown Lines

Regular facial expressions such as raising eyebrows or frowning frequently lead to the formation of deep lines on the forehead and between the eyebrows. Early use of Botox can limit these facial expressions, preventing the development of these associated lines.

Crow’s Feet

The fine lines that develop at the corners of the eyes are usually a result of squinting or smiling. Starting Botox before these lines become pronounced can help to maintain a youthful appearance around the eyes.

Drooping Eyebrows

Regular use of Botox can also help maintain a more youthful brow position. By injecting Botox into the muscles that pull the eyebrows down, you can prevent the sagging that often occurs with age.

Botox works by blocking the nerve signals in the muscles where it is injected. This reduces the activity of these muscles, preventing the skin above from forming wrinkles. However, the effects of Botox are temporary, typically lasting three to six months, so regular treatments are necessary to maintain the benefits long-term.

In common with other non-invasive cosmetic procedures, you should carefully evaluate the experience and qualifications of the medical practitioner you choose to administer Botox. The results of the procedure are directly tied to the skill of the person who performs it. Choosing a qualified doctor will also help you to obtain the best possible results, while minimizing any chance of unwanted side-effects.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in performing FDA approved cosmetic Botox procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

In the world of aesthetics, Botox is widely recognized as the go-to solution for smoothing out facial lines and wrinkles. But you may not know that Botox’s therapeutic benefits reach far beyond simple cosmetic enhancements. We’ll take a look at some of the surprising and less commonly known uses of Botox that extend from treating crossed eyes to managing migraines.

Botox for Crossed Eyes and Eyelid Spasms

Botox (Botulinum toxin) was first used in the 1980s as a treatment for strabismus, commonly known as crossed eyes. By relaxing overactive eye muscles, Botox can help realign the eyes. The same principle is applied to treat Blepharospasm, a condition that causes uncontrollable blinking or eyelid spasms. Botox injections provide a temporary but often much-needed relief from these conditions.

Botox for Migraines

The FDA approved Botox as a treatment for chronic migraines back in 2010. Patients suffering from chronic migraines can find relief using regular Botox treatments. By blocking certain chemical signals that cause muscles to contract, Botox can prevent migraines before they start, offering hope to those plagued by these debilitating headaches.

Botox for Foot Pain

For individuals suffering from plantar fasciitis, a condition that causes intense heel pain, Botox has also shown promise as a treatment option. It works by relaxing muscles surrounding the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, which results in relief of the associated pain.

Botox for Overactive Bladder

Botox has also emerged as a powerful tool in urology, particularly for patients dealing with overactive bladder symptoms. A Botox injection into the bladder muscle can help reduce sudden urges to urinate and related incontinence by relaxing the bladder, which increases its storage capacity.

Botox for Stomach Issues

Interestingly, Botox is also used to treat certain gastrointestinal conditions. For example, achalasia a condition where the esophagus struggles to move food into the stomach. The toxin relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, making it easier for food to pass through.

Botox for Depression

Recent studies have suggested that Botox might be beneficial in treating depression. The “facial feedback hypothesis” suggests that our facial expressions can influence our mood. By preventing the formation of frown lines, Botox could help alleviate symptoms of depression.

Botox for Premature Ejaculation

Botox is also being investigated as a potential treatment for premature ejaculation. Botox is injected in the bulbospongiosus muscle to help prolong the duration of the intercourse. However, this is not yet an approved use for Botox.

Botox for Abnormal Heartbeats

Botox has shown promise in reducing the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (abnormal heartbeats) in patients undergoing heart surgery. It’s believed that injecting Botox into the fat pads surrounding the heart can reduce the occurrence of irregular heartbeats post-surgery, offering a novel approach to cardiac care.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in performing FDA-approved cosmetic Botox procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive fat reduction procedure that uses cryolipolysis to freeze and destroy fat cells in targeted areas of the body. The origin story behind CoolSculpting is quite unusual and starts with a serendipitous observation made in the 1970s.

A phenomenon called “popsicle panniculitis” has been noted in the medical literature. It described how some children who regularly ate frozen popsicles developed swelling, inflammation in their cheeks, and ultimately dimples. It was discovered that this was a result of the cold popsicles freezing and damaging fat cells in their cheeks, leading to inflammation and eventual elimination of some of the fat cells.

Drs. Rox Anderson and Dr. Dieter Manstein of the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, started to investigate this phenomenon in 2007. They discovered that under carefully controlled conditions, subcutaneous fat cells are more vulnerable to the effects of cold than surrounding tissue. Equally importantly, unlike most other cells in the body, fat cells do not regenerate. This means that once eliminated, fat cells do not grow back.

They formed a company (EHR International) and put their energies into developing a medical device that could achieve the required cooling under carefully controlled and reproducible conditions. They named the process of killing fat cells by freezing “cryolipolysis,” meaning “breaking apart fat by cold.” An important part of their research was to identify the optimal conditions for killing fat cells while minimizing any possible damage or inflammation in adjacent skin cells.

Their device applied the principle of cryolipolysis to selectively freeze and eliminate fat cells without damaging the skin or surrounding tissues, leading to the creation of the procedure known as CoolSculpting.

Further research continued into discovering which body areas could best be treated using CoolSculpting, which resulted in the development of specialized applicators used to efficiently target fat deposits in different parts of the body.

Zeltiq Aesthetics acquired the CoolSculpting trademark and technology in 2010 and continued development. More recently, Allergan acquired Zeltiq in 2017; they have continued to develop CoolSculpting technology and today market it for use by licensed healthcare professionals.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in performing CoolSculpting procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Botox is a widely used cosmetic treatment due to its ability to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. Despite its popularity, there’s a lot of misinformation circulating about the procedure. Here are the most widespread myths about Botox.

Myth 1: Botox Will Make You Look Frozen and Unnatural

This is probably the most common myth about Botox. While it’s true that a highly expressive face might be less animated after using Botox, a skilled practitioner will administer Botox in a way that maintains your natural look. An experienced practitioner will use the appropriate dose in the correct place. When skillfully applied, Botox will refresh your appearance without looking frozen or unnatural.

Myth 2: Botox is Only for Wrinkles

While Botox is predominately used to treat wrinkles, it has several other approved medical uses. It can help relieve chronic migraines, excessive sweating, certain eye disorders, and even some forms of bladder dysfunction.

Myth 3: Botox is Dangerous Because it’s Derived from Botulinum Toxin

Botox comes from botulinum toxin, but it’s refined to be used in tiny amounts that have been proven safe for humans. The FDA has approved its use, and there’s considerable scientific research supporting its safety. It’s only dangerous in large doses, much larger than what would be used for cosmetic or medical purposes.

Myth 4: Once You Start Botox, You Can’t Stop

There’s a widespread belief that once you start using Botox, your wrinkles will worsen if you stop. That’s not true. Your wrinkles won’t worsen; they’ll simply return to how they looked before you started Botox. Botox is temporary – it relaxes the muscles that create wrinkles, and when it wears off, muscles regain their original function.

Myth 5: Botox Is Painful

Pain is, of course, subjective – tolerance of pain varies widely. Most patients describe Botox injections as feeling like a minor pinch, more discomfort than pain. Your practitioner can apply a topical numbing cream before treatment to minimize any pain or discomfort.

Myth 6: Botox is Only for Women

Women certainly represent the majority of Botox users, but men can and do benefit from the procedure. The number of men opting for Botox has started to increase in recent years. It works in exactly the same way as it does for women – by reducing wrinkles and fine lines, men can look more youthful and vibrant.

While it’s always a very good idea to do your own research before considering any cosmetic procedure, it’s equally important to distinguish myths from facts. If you’re considering Botox or any other treatment, always consult with a qualified and experienced practitioner who can guide you based on their expertise and your particular needs.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in performing Botox procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Laser hair treatment offers a highly reliable and long-lasting way to remove unwanted hair, freeing you from tedious grooming routines. However, to maximize the effectiveness of the procedure and to minimize any problems, it’s very important to follow these recommendations before and after treatment:

Pre-Treatment Recommendations

• Before starting any laser hair removal treatment, it is essential to consult with a licensed professional to discuss your goals and evaluate your skin type. Mention if you’re taking any medications that could make your skin more sensitive to light.
• Ensure the treatment area is clean and free from lotions, creams, or makeup before your appointment.
• Avoid waxing, plucking, or using depilatory creams on the treatment area for at least 4 weeks before your session.
• Avoid sun exposure and tanning for at least two weeks before your treatment to minimize the risk of skin damage. Spray tan products should also be avoided.
• Stop using skincare products containing retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids a week before your appointment.
• Shave the area to be treated 24 to 48 hours beforehand to remove any hair above the skin’s surface.

Post-Treatment Recommendations

• Use a cold compress or ice packs to reduce any swelling or discomfort after the treatment.
• Apply a fragrance-free, gentle moisturizer to the treated area to keep your skin hydrated.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing to avoid irritation of the treated area.
• Avoid direct sun exposure. Keep the treated area covered and use sunscreen with a high SPF to protect it from direct and indirect sun exposure.
• Avoid using skincare products with active ingredients, fragrances, or alcohol for at least a week after treatment.
• Refrain from strenuous physical activity or exercise for at least 24 hours after treatment to prevent irritation and swelling.

Laser hair removal works best when there’s a significant contrast between your skin color and your hair color. That’s why you should avoid anything that darkens your skin, as this risks reducing the effectiveness of the procedure.

Lastly, keep in mind that several laser hair removal procedures are typically needed to effectively remove hair in any part of the body.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and highly experienced in performing laser hair removal. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Botox and Excessive Sunlight

Dermal Fillers and Excessive Sunlight

Effective Protection Measures

Your Laser Skin Care

In recent years, interest in non-surgical cosmetic procedures for fat reduction and body contouring has grown rapidly, as have the number of competing procedures. Among the most popular are CoolSculpting, Kybella, Vanquish, and Emsculpt. Each procedure has its unique benefits and drawbacks, depending on each patient’s individual requirements. This paper will explore the differences between these procedures, focusing on their basic mechanisms, effectiveness, and the patient experience.

CoolSculpting, Kybella, Vanquish, and Emsculpt Explained

One thing that all these procedures have in common – they’re ways to selectively remove fat from the body, while improving the body’s contours. And in all cases, fat cells, once removed from the body, will never be re-generated. However, none of these techniques are effective as weight-loss mechanisms; and if you want to maintain the results long-term, you’ll have to adopt a heathy lifestyle, including getting adequate exercise and eating a healthy diet.

CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting, also known as cryolipolysis, is a non-invasive fat reduction treatment that uses precisely controlled cooling to target and destroy fat cells. The technique relies on the fact that fat cells are more easily damaged by low temperatures than surrounding tissue. By selectively applying cold temperatures to the area being targeted, fat cells are selectively frozen and damaged without damaging surrounding tissue. Once the fat cells are killed, they are gradually eliminated from the body via the body’s lymphatic system.

CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared for treating several areas of the body, including the abdomen, flanks, inner and outer thighs, submental area (double chin), upper arms, and the area below the buttocks (banana roll).

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure, which helps both to reduce discomfort during the procedure, and to reduce recovery time to the absolute minimum. Side effects can range from redness, swelling, bruising, or numbness, but these are all typically minor and of short duration.

CoolSculpting is not effective as a weight-loss treatment, but rather as a body contouring procedure that is able to target specific fat deposits that may have proven resistant to dieting or exercise.

Results start to develop in the weeks following treatment, and normally continue over the course of several months. Multiple treatments may be required, depending on the patient’s expectations. Each CoolSculpting sessions typically takes from 35 to 60 minutes.

Kybella

Kybella is a minimally invasive treatment that uses injections to reduce double chins. The active ingredient in Kybella is deoxycholic acid, the same acid the body uses to help digest dietary fat. When injected into fat deposits beneath the chin, Kybella is able to kill off fat cells. As these cells are gradually eliminated from the body, the jawline becomes more defined and contoured.

Kybella is an FDA-approved treatment, but is restricted to use in the area under the chin and jawline.

Individual Kybella treatments typically take between 15 and 20 minutes. Multiple treatments may be required to achieve desired results, spaced four to six weeks apart; two treatments are commonly needed.

The number of Kybella treatments needed to achieve the desired results varies from patient to patient. Two treatment sessions are typically needed, but some individuals may require up to six treatments for optimal results. Once the fat cells are destroyed, they do not regenerate, meaning that the results of Kybella treatment are typically long-lasting.

As with other injectable treatments, there side effects can include redness, bruising, swelling, numbness, or pain. It’s also possible to develop areas of hardness near the treated area. Side effects are typically short-lived, and should disappear in the days or weeks following treatment.

Vanquish

Vanquish is a non-invasive body contouring treatment that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat and destroy targeted fat cells. The heat generated by the Vanquish device causes fat cells to break down, after which they’re removed from the body naturally. Vanquish is commonly used to treat larger parts of the body, like the abdomen, flanks, and thighs.

One of the main advantages of Vanquish is its ability to treat larger areas than other non-invasive fat reduction treatments. The heating device hovers over the skin without making direct contact, allowing for a more comfortable treatment experience.

Individual Vanquish treatments typically take between 45 minutes to an hour. Vanquish typically requires a series of treatment sessions, usually spaced a week apart, to achieve desired results. The number of sessions needed will depend on the individual patient’s goals and the area being treated. Results may start to become noticeable within a few weeks after treatment, with continued improvement over the next few months as the body naturally eliminates the destroyed fat cells.

Vanquish has minimal side effects, ranging from redness, swelling, or mild discomfort. These side effects typically subside within a few hours to a couple of days.

Emsculpt

Emsculpt is an unusual non-invasive body contouring treatment that not only targets fat reduction but also focuses on muscle building and toning. The device uses high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology to stimulate muscle contractions, which helps simultaneously to build muscle fibers and burn fat. Emsculpt is FDA approved for use on the abdomen and buttocks; it may also be used on the arms and thighs.

Emsculpt can help achieve a more toned and sculpted appearance, in addition to reducing fat. The HIFEM energy causes individual muscles to contract up to 20,000 times in a single 30-minute session, equivalent to the effect of a high intensity workout. Emsculpt can be a great option for individuals looking to enhance their existing workout routines.

Emsculpt is generally comfortable and pain free, requiring no recovery time. It is common to experience muscle soreness after treatment, as you would expect following an equivalent workout.

Individual Emsculpt treatments take around 30 minutes; typically, several sessions are required to achieve optimal results, spaced a few days apart. Improvements to muscle tone and fat reduction typically start to become apparent in the weeks following treatment.

In addition to toning muscles and reducing fat, Emsculpt can provide other benefits, such as reducing back pain. The HIFEM pulses help to strengthen core muscles which support the spine, providing benefits beyond the immediate area being treated.

CoolSculpting vs. Kybella

Directly compared, CoolSculpting and Kybella are both effective at reducing fat beneath the chin and jawline. CoolSculpting can be used to target many more body areas than Kybella, and is also easier to apply to larger areas. Both procedures use different mechanisms to destroy fat cells, but both rely on the same body mechanisms to absorb and eliminate these cells over time.

CoolSculpting is a non-invasive, FDA-approved treatment that utilizes controlled cooling technology to freeze and damage fat cells, while Kybella in a minimally invasive technique that relies on injecting a natural acid that achieves a similar result by breaking down adjacent fat cells.

As a minimally invasive technique, Kybella may result in somewhat more side-effects after treatment, but recovery from either procedure should be rapid. Kybella may be associated with temporary swelling or bruising at the injection site, while CoolSculpting can cause temporary numbness and redness in the treated area.

CoolSculpting vs. Vanquish

While CoolSculpting uses cold to damage fat cells, Vanquish relies on heat to accomplish the same result.

Vanquish is considered more effective when used to treat larger areas; CoolSculpting may be more precise when used to target smaller localized fat deposits.

Side effects from either procedure are different, Vanquish can cause mild discomfort and warmth during treatment, while CoolSculpting can cause cold and numb sensations.

CoolSculpting vs. Emsculpt

While CoolSculpting specifically targets fat cells, Emsculpt is a body contouring solution that primarily focuses on building muscle strength and tone. Fat reduction is a secondary benefit of the procedure. Both procedures are FDA-cleared.

If fat reduction is the patient’s primary objective, Emsculpt can be combined with one of the other fat reduction procedures, such as CoolSculpting. Emsculpt is also more applicable to larger body areas.

Emsculpt is generally considered to have fewer side effects than CoolSculpting, although it can certainly generate muscle soreness after treatment

Minimally or Non-Invasive?

Kybella is considered “minimally invasive” because it involves injecting a substance directly into the targeted area using a needle. Although the injections are relatively small and cause minimal discomfort, the procedure still involves puncturing the skin and introducing a foreign substance into the body. This makes Kybella a slightly more invasive procedure than treatments that do not require injections.

CoolSculpting, Vanquish, and Emsculpt are considered “non-invasive” because they do not require any injections, incisions, or puncturing of the skin. These treatments involve placing a device on or near the skin’s surface, and do not result in damage to the skin or surrounding tissue, or introduce foreign substances into the body.

Both treatments can be effective for fat reduction, but the choice between them may depend on factors such as the treatment area, patient preferences, and the desired outcome.

Treatments that use special apparatus to achieve their results (CoolSculpting, Vanquish, and Emsculpt) require FDA clearances to be used in the USA. Any treatment that uses an injected substance (Kybella) requires the stricter FDA approval, with correspondingly greater testing.

Minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures are all significantly safer than invasive alternatives, namely liposuction and other surgical techniques. They typically have far fewer side effects, shorter recovery times, and generally lower costs.

It should also be noted that for any procedure, regardless of the degree of invasiveness, the skill and experience of the practitioner performing the treatment is critically important. Don’t assume that you won’t need a medically qualified practitioner because you’re having a non-invasive procedure. Selecting a medically-qualified, trained, skilled, and experienced practitioner is by far the best way to ensure that you will have the best results and fewest unwanted side-effects, regardless of which procedure you choose.