When you look in the mirror, can you see lines starting to appear on your face? Has your skin has started to show a few of the telltale signs of aging, such as crow’s feet? Are you sick and tired of noticing all the wrinkles, folds, or worry lines? Fortunately, you don’t have to let this become the “new normal.” You can eliminate wrinkles with a long-lasting and effective dermal filler called Juvederm, now available from the friendly medical staff at Vibrant Dermatology & Skinbar MD, in Dedham, MA.

What Is Juvederm?

This is a specific type of dermal filler that is injected into the skin in order to restore volume, vitality, and youthfulness to your skin. Unlike some other dermal fillers, it uses a component called hyaluronic acid, which is a substance that your skin already contains.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a chemical that everyone has in their bodies. When this hyaluronic acid is present in your skin, it acts as a hydrating agent. It binds to water, adding volume and keeping your skin from drying out. Unfortunately, as we age our natural levels of hyaluronic acid decline, causing our skin to lose volume. When this happens, the surface starts to show wrinkles, lines, and folds.

We all age differently, but in some cases, the lines on our faces can become especially noticeable with time as the amount of hyaluronic acid in our skin decreases. In these cases, a dermal filler that is based on hyaluronic acid is the perfect remedy.

How Does It Work?

Your medical provider will inject tiny doses of the filler into the desired treatment area. There are several specific types of Juvederm, each tailored to a different location on your face. When you go to a clinic for a treatment session, you will walk away with small amounts of the filler dotted evenly across this treatment zone, whether it is your cheeks, lips, mouth, or some other area.

When the hyaluronic acid is introduced into your skin, it will start to bind with the water and retain moisture. Generally, you will see some results right away, but it will take one or two weeks for the filler to settle into place. After this adjustment period is over, you will see your ideal results, and these will typically last anywhere from one to two years.

What Type Do I Need?

The type of filler you need will depend on what you want to be treated. Although hyaluronic acid is used in all of these cases, the lips, cheeks, and facial lines all will require a slightly different composition. Our medical staff will talk with you in-depth about which exact type is ideal for your treatment area, also you can go with fast wrinkle remover for wrinkle removal.

Volbella XC

If you’re sick of seeing your lips slowly losing their natural fullness, Volbella XC is the filler for you. Volbella XC has been specially crafted to restore the plumpness of your lips and erase those pesky lip lines. It can work both on the lips themselves and on the areas nearby. The filler lasts for a year and will keep your lips hydrated, voluminous, and plump.

Vollure XC

Are you starting to see facial wrinkles and folds in places where they weren’t present before? Vollure XC is a standard response to those hard-to-erase lines and wrinkles. Unlike many competing fillers or injections, Vollure XC is long-lasting, smoothing the skin and giving you glowing results for up to 18 months.

Voluma XC

Are you tired of seeing your cheeks sagging or losing their volume and becoming flat? Voluma XC is designed specifically for the cheeks to restore your youthful look. Patients report that Voluma XC can make their cheeks look up to five years younger. Because your cheeks have thicker skin than other parts of the face, Voluma XC is injected deep under the surface, giving you maximum volume. This deep injection can provide quality lift and contouring in your cheeks for two years.

Ultra XC

Like Volbella XC, Ultra XC was designed for the mouth and lip area. Ultra XC is slightly thicker, however, and is a gel designed for lip augmentation so you get even more volume for thinning lips. It also works on the lower part of the face, including nasolabial folds and lines around the mouth, and lasts for up to a year.

Ultra Plus XC

Do you have significant folds on your face that may be too much for just a normal cosmetic injection? In that case, you want Ultra Plus XC. Ultra Plus XC is a stronger, denser version of the filler and is best used in cases where another type isn’t quite enough. Ultra Plus XC can be used for “smile lines” (nasolabial folds), deep wrinkles, creases, folds, and areas that need significant added volume.

Which type is right for you? Your dermatologist will help you decide exactly what you need, but with this many options, chances are that there’s at least one that’s perfect for your concerns.

What Should I Avoid Before Treatment?

Once you have met with your provider and chosen a treatment option, you will want to do a little preparation for your session. Juvederm is an incredibly quick and easy treatment, especially compared with other more extreme options on the market. However, there are a few things you should avoid to make your session more comfortable and effective.

Aspirin

The week before treatment is an important time, and you want to make sure your body is in the best shape for the injection. As a result, we advise that you do not use any aspirin-based painkiller (such as Bayer). In addition, it’s helpful to avoid Motrin or any other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or “NSAIDS” for short).

The reason for this is that these painkillers can affect the bloodstream in a way that can potentially lead to bruising from the treatment. In order to avoid this, it’s better to choose a different painkiller for at least five days before your treatment session.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is widely taken for its beneficial impact on the immune system as well as potential for lowering the risk of cancer and heart disease. However, it can have a similar effect on treatment as aspirin and NSAIDS, so it is not advised for 7-10 days prior to treatment.

Fish Oil

Many people take fish oil supplements in order to improve their overall heart health and encourage weight loss. It is also believed to lead to healthier skin, but these effects may be temporarily problematic for dermal filler treatments. If you currently take fish oil supplements, discontinue their use for 7-10 days before treatment and resume after it is safe to do so.

Gingko Biloba

For many people, Gingko Biloba is a miracle drug, improving circulation, reducing anxiety and depression, and encouraging heightened brain function. However, this improved circulation can lead to changes in the bloodstream that are not beneficial during treatment, so Gingko Biloba should not be used for 7-10 days prior to your session.

St. John’s Wort

In many cases, people turn to St. John’s wort to help relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is believed to have a generally positive effect on one’s mood and also help people who have experienced appetite loss or fatigue. However, it can interfere with treatment, so it should be avoided for 7-10 days before a session.

Ginseng

Like Gingko Biloba, Ginseng has a reputation for improving brain function, heightening energy levels, and increasing circulation. The changes to the circulation mean that it should be avoided for 7-10 days prior to treatment.

Garlic

Garlic is in many foods and sometimes difficult to avoid completely. It also contains compounds that may reduce blood pressure. However, these effects can disrupt treatment, so wherever possible, it should be avoided for 7-10 days before your session.

Primrose Oil

Primrose oil is often taken by patients who suffer from certain skin conditions, as it is frequently credited with alleviating acne, eczema, and generally improving skin health. However, in this case, its use should be discontinued for 7-10 days prior to your treatment session.

Certain Topical Products

There are several topical products on the market that can cause complications or discomfort. Avoid glycolic acid, tretinoin, and retinol for two days before your session.

Anti-Aging Products

There are many anti-aging products on the market, but these can sometimes cause a change in the skin’s natural consistency which can lead to bruising or unpredictable results. Avoid such products for two days before your session.

Other Skin Treatments

Anything that affects the skin may cause some interference with treatment, as it may irritate the skin. For this reason, hair removal cream, as well as bleaching, waxing, or plucking, should be avoided for two days leading up to treatment. Shaving is generally fine.

Alcohol

Fortunately, alcohol does not stay in our systems for very long, so it is only necessary to avoid it on the day prior to treatment. However, it is very important that there be no alcohol in your system when the injections are performed, so it should not be used at all during the 24 hours ahead of the session.

During your initial consultation, your medical staff will cover all the requirements in detail.

Other FAQs

Is This Treatment FDA-Approved?

The FDA approved it in 2006, finding that it was safe and had no serious side effects.

What Happens During Treatment?

During a treatment session, you will arrive at our facility and small amounts of the dermal filler will be injected into your treatment area. The session is very quick, typically requiring 30-90 minutes, depending on the amount of filler being used and the areas being treated.

How Long Is Recovery?

Juvederm does not require downtime, so many patients can resume their normal activities the very same day. You will not have to take days off work or “call in sick” while you wait to feel better.

How Long Before I See Results?

Typically, results are visible the same day, but it takes the filler a bit of time to become absorbed by the body. After two weeks, the ideal results will be achieved.

How Long Do Results Last?

Depending on the type of filler used, you can see results that will last up to two years. After this, many patients schedule maintenance treatments to keep their results at a peak level, and in many cases, they find that less of the filler is needed for these “follow-up” sessions.

What Should I Avoid After Treatment?

After treatment, a patient should not drink alcohol for 24 hours. In addition, sources of high heat should be avoided. Massages must be avoided for a full two weeks until your treatment settles in place, as massage can disrupt the distribution of your treatment.

Schedule Your Consultation

Are you ready to say good-bye to your lines and wrinkles and reclaim your smooth and youthful glow? Learn more about the amazing effects of Juvederm. Call us today at Vibrant Dermatology & Skinbar MD, in Dedham, MA and schedule your in-person consultation!

Non Surgical Nose Job Near Me

Fine lines, sagging skin, and wrinkles are a common part of the aging process. However, these imperfections don’t have to be permanent. At Vibrant Dermatology & Skinbar MD in Dedham, Massachusetts, we can use a sophisticated RF microneedling technique to minimize these cosmetic issues and give you healthy, beautiful skin.

If you live in Boston, Dedham, Westwood, Norwood, Canton, Sharon, Milton, Walpole, Foxboro, or Needham, read on to learn more about this fantastic cosmetic treatment.

RF Microneedling

We will use the state-of-the-art PiXel8-RF system to provide your RF microneedling treatment. This system uses tiny needles to make very small wounds in your skin. These wounds will stimulate your natural healing powers and enable your body to regenerate your elastin cells and collagen fibers. Elastin and collagen are natural substances that enhance the texture and structure of your skin.

As we make the tiny wounds in your body, the system will send bi-polar radiofrequency energy into multiple layers of your skin. This energy allows this treatment to have a powerful rejuvenating effect, and your skin will become tighter and smoother after you receive one treatment. Further, you are likely to achieve your cosmetic goals after you receive a couple of treatment sessions.

Am I Eligible for This Microneedling Treatment?

The PiXel8-RF system is designed to provide a customizable treatment that can be used on a variety of skin types. As a result, this treatment will probably be a good way to address your wrinkles, acne scars, lines, and other skin issues.

We will use the special features of the PiXel8-RF system to provide you with a safe, comfortable experience during your RF microneedling session. For instance, we can adjust the needles on this system from 0.5 to 3.5 millimeters. In addition to adjusting the depth of the needles, we can alter the amount of radiofrequency energy that is transmitted during your appointment.

How Long Will My Treatment Take?

The length of your appointment will depend on the size of the area that you are treating. The severity of your skin issues will also affect the duration of your RF microneedling session. Addressing mild to moderate issues can take about twenty minutes. If you are treating severe issues that affect a larger portion of your skin, your appointment may take up to an hour.

Will I Have a Long Recovery Period After I Receive This Treatment?

The specialized features of the PiXel8-RF system allow us to rejuvenate your skin without causing you to experience hyperpigmentation issues, burns, scarring, or other problems. As a result, you won’t have to stay at home for days or weeks while you are recovering from your RF microneedling treatment.

Instead, you should be able to follow your normal schedule after your appointment is finished. You can also resume wearing makeup after about twenty-four hours.

Renew Your Skin

The PiXel8-RF system is an ideal way to smooth and tighten your skin. Even better, you are likely to experience the anti-aging effects of this treatment after you receive one microneedling session.

Photo by bruce mars from Pexels

Many acne sufferers struggle with blackheads. Blackheads are oxidized dead skin cells that have plugged up your pores.  As a teenager, I used to think that blackheads resulted from dirty skin. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Blackheads and whiteheads occur because your skin cells are not turning over as efficiently as they should. Rather than having old skin cells slough off into the environment, they get stuck in your pores.

It’s important to understand what causes blackheads, because that will also help you to understand how you can treat them. Since blackheads are essentially a plugged pore, treating blackheads involves unplugging the pores, so to speak.

One of the most effective ingredients for increasing skin cell turnover and for unplugging pores is salicylic acid. You can find this acid in a number of over the counter acne washes. However, the best way to treat blackheads is to leave the salicylic acid on your face. One company that makes a great leave-on salicylic acid products is Hydropeptide. Their 5x Power Peel Daily Resurfacing Pads(order with code ‘Doctor-Ip and save!) contain a blend of acids, including salicylic l acid, that you wipe onto your skin after washing. You then apply your moisturizer right on top of that. This helps fight breakouts all day long. For the more mature woman, who is also worried about anti-aging, their Redefining Serum (order with code ‘Doctor-Ip and save!) contains a blend of anti-aging antioxidants as well as the blackhead fighting power of salicylic acid find amazing lip augmentation product.

Another powerful blackhead preventing/treating product is topical retinoids. Like salicylic acid, retinoids prevent clogged pores by promoting skin turnover. However, this medication is much stronger than salicylic acid and must be used sparingly. A pea-sized amount to the face nightly is the maximum amount of product that should be used.  Previously, you were only able to get a retinoid with a prescription from a dermatologist. Now, the gentlest retinoid we have available can be purchased over the counter. It is called Differin 0.1%. 

Lastly, for more stubborn whiteheads and blackheads you may want to consider chemical peels. Chemical peels contain higher concentrations of acids than what you can find in over the counter acne products. The acids found in the peels will literally dissolve the plugs that are causing your blacksheads and white heads. No plugs, no whiteheads.  There are a number of peels available, so it’s best to see a dermatologist to find out what peel would be best for your acne.

If you’ve gone through pregnancy or experienced growth spurts and fluctuations in your weight, you might have stretch marks on your stomach, thighs, or buttocks. Although these marks are harmless, you might not like the way that they look. At Vibrant Dermatology & Skinbar MD in Dedham, Massachusetts, we can minimize these marks with advanced laser technology.

We provide these treatments to people living in and around the Boston, Dedham, Norwood, Westwood, Milton, Canton, Walpole, Sharon, Foxboro, and Needham areas.

Can You Use a Laser to Remove Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks, which scientists call striae, are lines that look lighter or darker than the rest of your skin. These marks are likely to develop when you experience a period of rapid growth. These marks form as your skin stretches and the connective fibers in your skin weaken. Laser treatments are a fantastic way to fade these imperfections and obtain attractive, blemish-free skin.

During your appointment, we will improve the appearance of your skin by using a laser to send energy into your body. This energy will give you smoother, healthier-looking skin. As your skin responds to this energy, the appearance of your stretch marks will be minimized.

How Many Treatments Will I Receive?

When you come to our office for your initial consultation, we will take a look at your stretch marks and discuss the aesthetic outcome that you would like to achieve. Once we’ve examined your body, we’ll let you know how many cosmetic treatments you will need. Although your schedule will be unique, it’s common to receive multiple treatment sessions.

Our treatments are able to minimize your imperfections without harming your surrounding tissues. As a result, you’ll have minimal or no downtime after we’ve treated your skin. That said, we may give you topical creams to rub onto your treatment area. These creams will boost your body’s production of elastin and collagen and enhance the effects of your treatment sessions.

Who Is Eligible for This Aesthetic Treatment?

Before we treat your skin, we will review your medical record to ensure that you are in good enough health to receive your desired treatment. If you are not a good candidate for your preferred cosmetic technique, we can suggest other options that will work for you.

Can I Use Other Methods to Improve My Skin?

In addition to laser treatments, we can use topical creams and microneedling with platelet-rich plasma to improve your appearance. During a microneedling treatment, we will use needles to make very small injuries in your skin. These tiny injuries will allow your tissues to absorb a healing substance called platelet-rich plasma.

Certain dermal fillers can also reduce your imperfections by increasing the collagen fibers in your skin. As these connective fibers build up in your body, your unwanted marks will fade away.

Enhance Your Skin

Your stretch marks don’t have to be a permanent part of your life. Receiving a series of cosmetic treatments is a great way to fade these marks and give your skin a refreshed, attractive look.

As a dermatologist, it’s my job to stay ahead of anti-aging treatments and tips. One question I get asked on a daily basis is “what eye treatment do you recommend, Dr. Ip? “  If the eyes are windows into the soul, they are also windows into how your body is aging. In fact, the eyes are one of the first places on face to show the signs of aging. The skin around our eyes is some of the thinnest skin on our body, which makes it extremely vulnerable to environmental toxins and UV rays.  My eyes are no exception. I started noticing small little crow’s feet (lines at the corners of my eyes) creeping up in my early 30s.

Preventative Botox and under eye serums have greatly improved the skin around my eyes. However, after a stressful work week, a few late nights, or a long flight, my eyes can look puffy and unusually tired, which is why I jumped at the chance to try the Hydropeptide Polypeptide Collagel Eye Masks!

One of the biggest Korean beauty trends to hit America by storm is the sheet mask. What makes sheet masks unique is that they can deliver cosmeceuticals deep into the skin by putting the products under occlusion. The masks can be made of cotton sheets or hydrogels and they can be soaked with a variety of ingredients that claim to hydrate, tighten, and brighten the skin. I have routinely been incorporating masks into my skin care routine once a week.

What makes the collagel eye masks special is that they are infused with growth factor peptides, caviar extract, Aloe, hyaluronic Acid, and a vitamin blend that is supposed to increase skin hydration and boost skin collagen in just one application.  So, I decided to give them a try after a long week of work related travels. First, I cleansed my face with a gentle cleanser, making sure removal all eye make up. I then applied the eye masks. The widest part of the mask is placed on the outer corners of the eye covering any fine lines around the eyes then the narrowest part is placed on the inner corners of the eye. I left the eye masks on for approximately 20 minutes and fine the best wrinkle remover product. 

I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much better my eyes looked after one application. The first thing that I noticed was that my eyes looked much brighter, and far less tired than they did before I applied them. The second most striking thing I noted was that the fine lines under my eyes were greatly improved. No doubt, this stems from the hyaluronic acid that acts as a humectant and draws water to the skin. While the effects of one treatment are temporary, with consistent use you are definitely infusing amazing collagen stimulating ingredients into the skin. Now, as a dermatologist, I pride myself on being completely transparent when it comes to the cosmetic procedures that I have. While Botox will continue to be a part of my eye anti-aging routine, this eye candy will definitely be added to my weekly anti-aging/pampering routine!

If you want to try to the Collagel Masks, check out Hydropeptide’s website. You can use the code Doctor-Ip to receive 20% off your purchase.