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lips

Laser hair removal

There are many types of different laser hair removal places out there, but which one is the best?  I can honestly tell you that corporate run medical spas will over charge you.  If you are paying $5000 for laser hair on your legs, your getting ripped off.  If you are paying for a Groupon, your probably getting ripped off.  I few tips for getting the most for your money… IPL laser hair removal is a total waste of your time and it will do nothing!  They love to market this type of hair removal as “Painless”.  It is painless because it does not work.  You need to be looking for a newer machine that is no older than 5 years old.  Technology in this industry changes so rapidly that better lasers come out every couple of years.  You also want to have the energy level turned up each time, if you can tolerate the pain since you will get better results.  If you do your laser hair at the same energy level every time it will not do anything.  Shave before your treatment, and do not wax.  When you wax the hair is removed and leave nothing for the laser to detect.  If you wax before laser treatments you will not get results and be wasting your money. I hope these tips help you get the best bang for your buck!!

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Botched?

So we all read articles and see things on TV about botched procedure in surgery and the cosmetic world.  In fact we are fascinated by other peoples mistakes that we created a reality show based solely on it.    In the area I deal with, which is all non-invasive injectables I have seen my far share of “botched” jobs.  I hate to say it but dermatologist rank the highest for the botched jobs I have had to correct.  Are they great at other things…sure, so lets let them practice what they are great at and keep them away from the face.  In the time I have been doing injections, I have seen everyone getting in on the game of fillers and botox.  In Scottsdale there is such a high demand to look and feel great, so everyone is trying to get in on the game. What you need to know is that if you can easily get in for a “same day appointment” they are most likely not who you should go to for advanced procedures.  I am typically booked out 2 weeks for fillers and all advanced injections, unless I get a last minute cancellation.  Remember that your face is hard to hide, and you get what you pay for.  I find it difficult to treat people who hop from one Groupon to the next, because I can never get an accurate sense of what injections have been done.  Establish yourself with someone you trust so that you can make changes to your treatment to achieve the best possible outcomes. Fillers like Juvederm and Restylane can easily be dissolved.  Radiesse can also be dissolved.  Botox…sorry, but it will have to wear off in 3-4 months.

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PDO Facial Threading

PDO (Polydioxanone) threads have been around for about 10 years.  Many people refer to the use of PDO facial threading as “mini face lift”.  The PDO threads are made of the same material that is used for surgical procedures such as open heart surgery.  These are specially made sutures that have small fine barbs on them to anchor them into place.  There are several different types of threads for different types of applications.  Some are smooth, barbed or twist depending on the results you are trying to achieve. In my practice I use a majority of barbed threads for lifting the facial tissue and giving people a more youthful appearance.  Results can vary widely depending on the skill level of the person performing the procedure and the amount of threads being placed.  I have found that the more threads that are used, the better the results will be. The procedure itself is not painful.  I typically like to inject the area with a small local anesthetic at the place of insertion.  under the skin is numbed to help with patient comfort.  The cannula are placed under the skin to place the thread.  The thread is placed in the proper position and the cannula is removed.  The thread then trimmed and slips under the skin and not visible.   The procedure takes about 45 – 60 minutes.

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Restylane Defyne – New Lip Filler

For many years I was using Juvederm Ultra XC for doing lip augmentation.  I recently started using Restylane Defyne and I have really been liking it.  The feel of it from an injecting standpoint is semi-firm which I like.  Many fillers I have used in the past are too soft and do not hold the shape very well.  I have been switching a lot of my clients over to this product and seeing the results last longer as well.  I have been getting closer to 12 months with this new filler. The only thing I do not like is the cost.  The price Galderma charges for this product is a bit higher which is discouraging, because then I have to charge more.  I have always tried to find the best products for the best prices which will last the longest.  If you have not yet tried Restylane Defyne, I think you will be impressed with the results.

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Botched lips can be fixed

Many times I hear the same concern… “I don’t want Duck lips”.  The intent of this blog is to help put your mind at rest and know that you will have a great outcome with lip fillers.  I have seen some really botched lips over the years, and I am never sure what went so terribly wrong.  I see everything from huge lumps of filler, to uneven lips as well as the wrong products being used. In lips, I prefer to use Juvederm.  I have tried everything from Restylane to voluma, bellotero, volbella.  I keep coming back to Juvederm for lips filler of choice.  I like Juvederm because it tends to last longer in the lips than Restylane.  Restylane is typically used by inexperienced injectors, or people who are not good at performing lip augmentation because it is very forgiving. I will typically numb the lips for about 20 minutes to help make the client more comfortable.  The poe of the needle will still be felt, but should not be too bad.  The thing I hear the most is “that was not as bad as I thought it would be”.  The fear of botched lips keeps many people from getting their lips done.  I also like to remind clients that I keep the size of the lips very “age appropriate”.  Many times men do not want their wife to get their lips enhanced because they see so many bad lip fillers out there.  I can let you rest assure that he will love your new lips as much as you do.  In the worst case scenario the lip filler can be easily dissolved with a special enzyme.  I carry a lot of this medication at my office due to the large amount of botched filler jobs I have fixed.  You would be surprised to hear that plastic surgeons are the ones who typically botch lips.  The problem is that surgeons do surgery all day, not lip fillers like I do.  You will always be better at something that you do a lot of.  As far as lip injections, I have done thousands of lip augmentations and been told I am the best one out there.

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Juvederm or Botox?

Many times people who are new to having procedures done are not familiar with terminology used.  I many times hear people ask for Botox to be placed in the nasolabial folds “Laugh Lines”.  An easy way to remember the difference is that fillers like Juvederm “Fill In” low spots or wrinkles.  Botox works on the muscle to help it not move.  Botox does not paralyze the muscle, but rather weakens it so that it does not temporarily not move.  Botox typically comes in units whereas Juvederm and fillers come in a pre-filled syringe.  Juvederm is a gel like substance, and Botox is a fine powder until mixed with sodium chloride to reconstitute it.  Can you “water down” juvederm or fillers?  Absolutely not.  I have read about people thinking they are getting scammed on juvederm by someone watering it down…impossible.  Can Botox be over diluted and “watered down”…yes!  In my own personal opinion I don’t feel it is morally right to cheat someone out of something if they paid for it, but other shady med spas have no problem doing it.  How do you know if it is watered down?  It is extremely difficult to determine if Botox is over diluted, unless your the one doing it.  This is why it is so important to deal with a reputable office.  A few times I have treated people and they said it didn’t work completely, so I re-treat them at no charge.  Do your homework and find a great place to go, and more importantly people you trust.  I always recommend Yelp for honest reviews or Google+.

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The Difference Between Botox & Juvederm

Many times I am asked the difference between Botox and Juvederm.   With so many names of different products out there it can be hard to figure out what goes where.  I always recommend coming in for a consultation first, because there may be a primary issue that solves a secondary issue. Botox, Dysport & Xeomin are neurotoxins that work with the muscle to block impulses to the muscle that cause it to move.  Most times Botox is used between the eye brows, forehead, and crow’s feet (around the eyes).  Botox will typically last 3-4 months.  For many women in their early 20’s using botox for preventative measures I recommend every 6  to 12 months.  For women looking to reverse the signs of aging I recommend Botox every 3-4 months.  Botox typically will take about a week to start seeing the results, so be patient.  Dysport will typically start working in 3-4 days.  Dyport is a smaller molecule than Botox and theoretically should not last as long as Botox, but there are always people who get the opposite effect.    I have stopped using Xeomin due to the short duration it works. Juvederm, Restylane, Voluma, ect…are all “Fillers” or “Dermal Fillers” which is a broad term.  The main purpose of “Fillers” is to plump up and fill in lines and add volume.  A common area for volume deficit is in the cheek area under the eyes.  Juvederm is what I typically use in the lips for lip augmentation.  I have tried in the lips Belotero, Restylane, Voluma, Volbella, Juvederm and I find Juvederm lasts the longest.  The worst thing to place in the lips is Restylane, due to the small molecular size it breaks down very quickly.  You will find inexperienced injectors will use Restylane because it allows a lot of room for error.  With fillers, simply think of “Plumping up” areas or filling in cracks and lines.  With so many different dermal fillers, I highly recommend a consultation first.

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Juvederm and Fillers

With so many different dermal fillers to help plump up the face, which one is right for you?  Understanding what each “filler” is intended for helps you create a better idea of what to ask for and how much to budget.  Each company makes a slightly different filler, but is still similar to others. A filler with a smaller molecule will typically be used in fine lines and wrinkles.  Larger fillers, such as Voluma or Radiesse are used a lot in the mid-face area to help build up large areas.  The mid-face can hold a large volume of filler, so don’t be shocked if you may need 3-4 syringes.  I will typically use 1 syringe for a very soft and subtle look and 2-3 syringes for a more noticeable and drastic appearance.   The most syringes I have used about 18 syringes for a full liquid facelift. In the lips a great filler is Juvederm Ultra or Ultra plus.   Restylane is typically my last choice for injecting the lips due to it’s small molecular size.  Generally people who are not proficient in lip augmentation like Restylane because it allows you more room for error.  I have tried Voluma in the lips and not overly impressed. If you are ever in doubt…just have a few consultations with different people and go with the best.

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What age to start Botox?

What is a good age to start doing botox?  This is a common question I get, but unfortunately there is no right answer.  I have clients as young as 19-20 incorporating botox into their skin care regimen.  At this age I typically evaluate muscle strength and fine lines that are visible at rest.  I have seen some very strong muscles, typically between the brows, that contribute to the deep “11’s”.  Many people may think that 20 is too young, but we must remember that Botox was not around and available for most of us growing up. So what is my answer to “What is the best age”?  I typically say 30 years of age is a good time to begin a good skin care routine.  I like to encourage simple routines at this age such as a good cleanser for washing your face, a weekly facial scrub, and a good moisturizer.  I have had great results with the IS Clinical line of skin care products.  When I choose a skin care line, I look at what produces good results, not what the hip cool trends are.  IS Clinical is a great medical grade line that has a good price point for everyone.  Many of the brands like Jan Marini are good, but over priced in my own opinion and don’t deliver the results I like to see with my clients. Juvederm and fillers I usually see women closer to 35 starting to use these to turn back time.  Fillers are a great way to soften up laugh lines, marionette lines and fill the line between the brows.  Voluma and Radiesse are great for restoring volume back into the cheek areas.  Juvederm fillers can usually help you look 5 years younger or more. Lip filler…I have had as young as 17 years old getting their lips filled.  Lips are a whole other area where age does not really apply.  Kylie Jenner is one of the youngest and most influential personalities to create the sexy lips craze.  Big sexy lips are defiantly the most popular right now, and are by far my favorite to do.

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Skin Care Tips by Randi

It happens too often, people come into the office and want to get treatments done to improve their skin, but then go home and use Neutrogena on their face.  Your daily skin care routine at home is crucial. Using professional products and following the correct steps in your regimen can make the biggest difference in your skin.  Yes, it is important to get treatments done from your esthetician, but we always say, “you can pull the bed sheets tighter, but if the sheets are wrinkled, it still won’t look good.” We stress the importance in investing in quality products because many people don’t realize the harm in putting cheap, drug store products on their skin. The problem occurs when  they strip the natural lipid barrier from your skin, leaving it dry and irritated. The pH levels of cleansers like Neutrogena, L’Oreal, etc., are usually around 10, when a preferable PH for your skin should be 5.5. Most  products also contain harmful alcohol as an ingredient.  Many people with oily skin gravitate to alcohol based products because of the matte finish it leaves them with.  The use of alcohol based products actually makes oily-skin worse, and depletes vital substances needed for healthy skin.  Glo Medspa carries IS Clinical, which are results based and great products. The steps you should follow for healthy skin are: Cleanse- find professional cleanser to compliment your skin type (Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive, Aging) Exfoliate- depending on the product, exfoliate 1-2 times a week to remove dead skin and allow products to penetrate deeper Moisturize-collegian thrives in moist environments! Protect- one of the most important steps for anti-aging. SPF 30 is recommended, and make sure it says broad spectrum!

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