los angeles - GLO MEDSPA - Page 2

los angeles

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.

Botched? Read More »

Earlobe Filler (rejuvenation)

We all know about filling our lips and cheeks with “fillers”, but now there are more options to maintain that youthful look.  People are now learning that they can put filler, such as Juvederm, in their ear lobes to help plump them up.  By filling and plumping the ear lobes, they can support the weight of ear rings much better. Many times people focus on the face and forget about everything else that helps a woman to look young.  I always suggest to look at the hands, neck and chest…and ear lobes.  Looking as young as you feel is an ongoing process, and can get expensive.  Fortunately, things such as fillers in the hands and ear lobes tend to last anywhere from 1-2 or 3 years.

Earlobe Filler (rejuvenation) Read More »

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.

Restylane Defyne – New Lip Filler Read More »

What type of filler should I use??

A common question I get is… What is a good filler for my lips?  Companies put a lot of money into marketing new products and creating a “Buzz”.  I can honestly say that I have tried every filler out on the market, with the exception of Radiesse (which will cause granulomas) in the lips.  I have tried Voluma thinking that the larger molecule and G-prime would make it last longer, but no such luck.  I have tried Volbella, Belotero, Volure, Juvederm ultra, Juvederm ultra plus, Restylane and none of them lasted very long.  Restylane is by far THE WORST choice for lip filler.  The problem is that it is a very small molecule and spreads out too thin.  Many inexperienced people like Restylane because it is very forgiving if they make a mistake. In the past I used Juvederm Ultra Plus XC, because the drug reps at Allergan told me it is better than regular old Juvederm Ultra.  Guess what…Juvederm Ultra lasts longer.  Why did Allergan tell me to buy more Juvederm Ultra Plus?  Because it is more expensive! I have tried EVERYTHING in my years of injecting and I keep coming back to Juvederm Ultra XC.  Juvederm Ultra is a little stiffer feeling as you inject than Ultra Plus XC.  I have heard that there are some great products in Canada that will be coming down to the US for lips that last a very long time.  I will keep you posted if anything better comes onto the market.

What type of filler should I use?? Read More »

PRP Injections

PRP is quickly becoming very popular for the great results it produces.  PRP as we are finding out is great at helping the body to repair itself and heal.  So what is PRP?? PRP is an abbreviation for “Platelet Rich Plasma”.   In the past, PRP has been used to treat injuries such as injured ligaments and tendons.  Some places of the body have a better success rate than other areas.   PRP is collected when the person has blood drawn and then spun down in what is called a centrifuge.  The centrifuge separates the different parts of blood, and allows for the red blood cells to settle at the bottom since they are larger and heavier.   Sometimes a large amount of blood may be required, since the actual PRP is such a small portion of the blood.  The larger clear area called “PPP” or Platelet Poor Plasma is many times used by inexperienced people who do not actually know what true PRP is.  True PRP holds all the rich stem cells and growth factors that help create new tissue.  PRP has become extremely popular recently in the aesthetic world.  Finding the proper person to inject or microneedle the PRP can sometimes be tricky since everyone is jumping on the band wagon. PRP can be used to help regrow thicker and stronger hair and build up more collagen in the face.  Some other interesting areas PRP is being injected is the penis, the vagina, and the clitoris to enhance sexual intercourse and provide intense orgasms.

PRP Injections Read More »

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.

Botched lips can be fixed Read More »

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+.

Juvederm or Botox? Read More »

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.

The Difference Between Botox & Juvederm Read More »

For New Clients

On all Services