The Morpheus8 skin tightening treatment is the newest way to look your best, and thanks to a few celebrity endorsements has become one of the go to treatments. Stars like Jessica Simpson have praised the results from their procedures.
WHAT IS IT?
Morpheus8 is a non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatment that uses a combination of microneedling and radiofrequency (RF) energy to stimulate collagen production and improve the texture and appearance of the skin. The staff at the Aesthetic Associates Centre has been performing RF Microneedling for nearly 8 years and the Morphues8 is the most advanced RF Microneedling available, and now is here at the Aesthetic Associates Centre.
The treatment involves inserting small needles into the skin to deliver RF energy, which heats the underlying tissue to promote collagen production and skin tightening.
By stimulating collagen production, Morpheus8 can help improve skin elasticity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture and tone. It can also help to reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and hyperpigmentation.
Morpheus8 is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed on various parts of the face and body, including the forehead, cheeks, chin, neck, and hands. It can be an effective option for individuals who want to achieve a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance without undergoing surgery or other more invasive treatments.Morpheus8 is a relatively quick procedure that typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour to complete, depending on the treatment area. The treatment is performed under local anesthesia or topical numbing cream to ensure patient comfort.
MINIMAL DOWNTIME!
After the treatment, there may be some redness and swelling, but this typically resolves within a few days. Some patients may also experience minor bruising, which can be easily covered with makeup. Most people are able to resume their daily activities immediately following the treatment.
RESULTS
While some patients may notice immediate improvements in their skin’s appearance, the full benefits of Morpheus8 usually develop gradually over several weeks to months as the collagen production increases. Results can last for several months to a year or more, depending on individual factors such as age, skin type, and lifestyle habits.
The number of treatments required will vary depending on the individual’s goals and the extent of the skin concerns being addressed. In general, a series of three to six treatments spaced several weeks apart is recommended to achieve optimal results.Call Today!
On a daily basis, we get patients calling our office to schedule their “Botox Brow Lift”. I perform surgical brow lifts which I physically lift up the muscles and skin of the forehead to lift the sagging eyebrows and tighten the skin. The surgical brow lift is certainly a more permanent result and can more dramatically lift up the forehead and brows, but it is a more involved procedure that requires recovery and downtime. The surgical brow lift is great for someone with significant sagging, needing a more significant longer lasting result.
A “Botox Brow Lift” is a technique that we have refined to give a temporary lift to rejuvenate the brow and forehead by relaxing specific muscles. What is unique about our procedure is that by understanding the anatomy of the facial muscles and their effect on animation, we can selectively weaken the ‘pull down’ muscles around the eyes and brow, thus allowing the ‘pull up’ muscles to work with less opposition, thus giving a relaxed ‘uplift’ of the eyebrows. We perform the “Botox brow lift” with 3 different neurotoxins, Botox, Dysport and Jeuveau, all of which have similar properties.
Location, Location, Location. Which muscles are targeted?
When we first started performing Botox injections, patients would come in to relive tension in the “11’s” between the eyebrows. After injecting the early adopters of Botox, back in the late 1990’s, I noticed that not only did the 11’s improve, but the medial eyebrows appeared more relaxed and lifted! Understanding the anatomy of the face literally from the inside out from surgical procedures I perform to rejuvenate the face, such as eyelift and facelift, gave me the concepts of targeting the ‘pull down’ muscles to let the lifting muscles work unopposed. Studying the effects of injection of certain muscles allow us to truly customize our results to create a youthful, relaxed look that few will identify as someone who had Botox injections. Between the eyebrows, we relax the corregator and procerus muscles (‘pull down’) muscles, to allow the frontalis forehead muscle to lift the brows. I began injecting the outer part of the eyes, just below the brow ‘tail’ in the orbicularis oculi muscle, a circular muscle around the eye, which relaxed the muscles that pull down of the outer eyelid and brow which causes ‘crows feet’ lines radiating away from the corners of the eyes.
Why are Botox brow lifts so popular?
Besides the fact that everyone wants to look more youthful and relaxed, there are plenty of models and celebrities wanting to accentuate the outer brow arch with makeup and Botox. This brow fullness and arching has become very popular. The internet has created a yearning for the open eyes and raised eyebrows. When I first started doing injectables, over 25 years ago, most of my patients were generally older. They were looking to fill in valleys and reduce lines. Now, many of the younger patients are coming in to change the look or shape with fillers and Botox. We also get young patients that use the injections as “Pro-juvenation” treatments to prevent lines from developing. These procedures have become so popular, that we now have 3 different injectors, however, most of the injections are done by Michelle, our Physician Assistant, who has become expert at assessing and customizing treatment plans. She also is one of our lead instructors in our Aesthetic Learning Academy where we train other health professionals to perform these aesthetic procedures.
How long does Botox brow lift last?
When it comes to Botox, there is good news and bad news. The bad news it is not permanent, that is also the good news. When we perform Botox injections, we have specific goals in mind. If a patient is undergoing this for the first time, they may decide that it is not right for them. I recall, many years ago, I performed Botox on one of the local TV personalities. They wished for less frowning and softening of the 11’s. It turned out the person decided the expressions and animations were important for their career, so with subsequent injections, we reduced the treatment in some spots over others. With that being said, the overwhelming majority of patients love the injections so much that they set their calendar well in advance when they expect the Botox to be wearing off, so they can maintain the relaxed, youthful, less tired/angry look. Generally, the Botox injections last between 3-6 months, with the average around 4 and one half months. Longevity of the injections are both patient dependent as well as dose dependent. If we notice the injections are lasting less than 3 months, we will bump up the dosing on their next visit.
How much does a Botox brow lift cost?
Our office charges by the number of units we use for the injection. I feel this is the most fair way. Some patients with stronger muscles will need more, others less. Generally, for the Botox brow lift, we would use injections between the brows and under the outer part of the brow. The cost would range from $400 – $750. We participate with the rebate programs, and most patients get the rebate discounts obtained from prior treatments. Also, when seeking out a Botox provider, be sure they are using FDA approved neurotoxin, and beware of the low cost ‘Dilutox’. You may not be getting what you expect.
What else about Botox brow lift?
With the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing masks in public hides most of our face. The one area that is usually left exposed is the eyes and the forehead. Perhaps that is why the Botox brow lift is so popular now.
Stay safe, wear your mask, and consider rejuvenating your eyebrows with Botox.
But some of the skin changes are still there! And this is a perfect time to consider reversing these issues. You may see more brown spots, visible blood vessels, texture irregularities or fine lines and wrinkles. The good news, winter is a perfect time to correct some of the damage. Here are a few strategies I recommend.
Protect from the sun. Even though it is winter, you are still susceptible to the sun rays. Sunscreen in the winter can protect from sun reflecting off the pavement or snow. Besides protecting you from new exposures, it can also give your skin an opportunity to heal and reverse some of the damage. It is always good to wear a sunscreen or sunblock year round.
Support your skin with an antioxidants. Topical skin care with vitamin C, vitamin E, green tea, and resveratrol (one of my favorites!) can provide antioxidants that can help skin cells repair their DNA and fend off free radical damage from sunshine, pollution, and the body’s metabolism. I take antioxidants orally every day in the form of vitamin supplements. Using skin products with antioxidant properties and vitamin supplements allows our skin to heal from the outside in and the inside out!
The B vitamin called nicotinamide (vitamin B-3) found in this B-Complex supplement, has been shown in human studies to lower the risk of skin precancers and non-melanoma skin cancers. Resveretrol, vitamin C and CoQ 10 among others offer the ability to repair damage to skin.
Nutrition for your skin- vitamin A cream. Creams, gels, and serums derived from vitamin A (retinoids) have been proven to reverse signs of sun damage and age, including fine lines, wrinkles, spots, and sagging. Over time, retinol and retinoid creams help to thicken the epidermis and improve collagen and elastin fibers in the deeper layer of the skin, the dermis. Because retinolic acid (marketed as Retin-A) can be harsh on the skin expecially during the dry winter months. I suggest using creams with retinol as a therapeutic ingredient which is milder to the skin and can gently and gradually help to turn the clock back.
Chemical Peels- Creams and serums containing alpha hydroxy acids (such as glycolic acid) or beta hydroxy acids (such as salicylic acid) can improve the skin’s tone, smoothness, and texture while reducing acne breakouts and large pores. Chemical peels done in an office can be a good ‘jump start’ towards reversing summer damage. I recommend the use of customized layered PCA chemical peels that we offer at the Aesthetic Associates Centre. We utilize Recorcinol, Hydroquinone, Vitamin A, C and alpha hydroxy peels to help exfoliate, refine and smooth the complexion. These peels create a controlled flaking of the skin over 2-4 days, after which the skin looks smoother, brighter and with more even tones.
Shed the light on your skin. Another option to improve summer damage is with light therapy. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) devices, such as the Cynosure Icon (we have 2 such devices, at our main office and the Tres Aurae Spa) are great ways to freshen up your skin by fading tan spots and reducing visible blood vessels. Lasers with longer wavelengths, such as Picosure 755nm or Cynosure 2940nm can ablate the surface irregularities with one or a series of treatments.
If you are looking to reverse some of the skin conditions caused by fun in the sun and summer activities, let my Aesthetic Skin Care team assist in finding the right combination of office and home treatments to repair and restore!
There are many ways that our face changes over time. Skin descends, volume disappears, muscles sag and relax, bone structure is resorbed. Here are some interesting images of mother and daughter to help you understand the process. Let us help you turn the clock back by addressing some or all of these issues as you age. We can also be proactive in preventing changes too!
GENETICS PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN AGING. How your mother ages can provide a glimpse into how your face may change over time. As we age and lose facial volume, the contour of the face changes, causing shadow patterns to develop while youthful highlights fade. We’re going to see these changes, layer by layer, starting with the skin.
AS WE AGE, facial bone changes, soft tissues (like fat-pads) deflate and fall due to gravity, and skin sags and droops downward. Facial fat-pads shift, while the fat-pads beneath the chin can increase in prominence, causing fullness between the neck and chin, also known as a double chin, and jowling.• Youthful skin is soft, supple, smooth, and well hydrated • As we age, we lose moisture, collagen, and elastin, which can lead to sagging • Sagging skin may lead to the formation of dynamic and static wrinkles DYNAMIC WRINKLES—formed by everyday, repetitive facial movements, such as smiling , laughing, frowning, or squinting. STATIC WRINKLES—dynamic wrinkles that are gradually etched into the skin overtime since the skin is no longer able to bounce back as it did in our youth. MANY FACTORS IMPACT THE WAY OUR SKIN AGES. Some people experience premature – onset aging of their skin, and potentially, at a fast rate of progression.AS WE AGE, FAT-PADS GET THINNER AND DESCEND, WHICH MAY CAUSE: • A less firm and sunken face compared to our youth • Hollows to form beneath the eyes • Lines around the nose and mouth (“nasolabial folds”) • A sagging jawline and jowls • Increased fullness under the chin (“double chin”) FACIAL VOLUME in the entire face decreases with age, leading to an overall deflated look. That’s when more wrinkles, folds, and sagging of skin appear. A goal for facial rejuvenation is to restore FACIAL VOLUME , which helps to decrease the appearance of wrinkles and folds.OUR FACIAL MUSCLES LIE BENEATH OUR FACIAL FAT-PADS. AS WE AGE, loss of facial fat, combined with gravity and repetitive muscle activities(eating ,laughing ,smiling, frowning, etc), can lead to deep wrinkles in the face. FACIAL MUSCLES ALSO GET WEAKER OVER TIME. The loss of muscle tone and thinning skin can give the face a loose, sagging appearance. Our jawline loses its contour, and our chin profile becomes less defined.FACIAL BONES PROVIDE THE FOUNDATION FOR MUSCLES, FAT-PADS, AND SKIN. YOUTHFUL BONE STRUCTURE: • Full and high cheeks • Defined brow bones • Less sunken eye areas BONE STRUCTURE gives us our unique facial shape and contour.
Treatment options include general and specific skin care for the surface, volumizing with fillers, relaxing muscles that create dynamic wrinkles with Botox, and lifting sagging tissues where needed with surgery. We study the anatomy of your face and create custom solutions to rejuvenate!
So what is the appeal of a skin peel? When we’re talking about peels we are talking about skin care and improving the quality of the skin on the surface. The perfect time to do this would be in the fall when you just start to see the summer changes disappear from your skin. A jumpstart towards purification of the skin would include an exfoliation of the skin to help remove some of the dead layers that have built up over the summer and some To even out of the skin tones it’s necessary at this time of year. Now what are peels? The peels include various assets formulations specifically for the skin to allow the dead layers to be relieved from the surface and thus leaving a fresh layer of healthy skin below. The peels are typically followed up by some hydration and moisture which is done for several days following the peel in order to keep the skin moist and allow for a good transition to a healthy new complexion.
Our signature peels at the Aesthetic Associates Centre are custom blends of retinol, alpha hydroxy acids and hyaluronic acid which can be adjusted specifically for an individuals needs.
Take the time to treat your skin to rejuvenate and rewind your complexion.
RHA Collection – Only Buffalo Practice Offering it!
September 14, 2020
The #RHACollection is here! RHA®, Resilient Hyaluronic Acid, is designed to treat dynamic wrinkles and folds. The Aesthetic Associates Centre for Plastic Surgery is currently the only practice in all of Buffalo to offer this advanced filler technology. Your skin is designed to move and your filler should be, too. Expect the newest and the best when you visit Aesthetic Associates Centre for Plastic Surgery!
Contact us at 716-839-1700 for a FREE consultation or for any questions!
“I hate my neck”. How many times do I hear that in one week! It seems that as we age, the first area to show our age and wrinkles is the neck. Why? Because of the thin nature of the skin and the fact that the neck skin has very thin dermal layer (the layer just below the skin surface). Selecting a neck skin rejuvenator to firm, lift and reduce crepey texture requires certain qualities.
What should I use?
I recommend a rich cream/serum which combines ingredients to both hydrate and firm. Natural ingredients like Aloe Juice, Hyaluronic Acid and Cucumber Extract help to moisturize and firm the neck leaving you with a rejuvenated appearance. Because the skin on the neck is very sensitive, Aloe can help to reduce inflammation. Hyaluronic Acid is a powerful humectant that can hold on to water and help to prevent dehydration of the skin. Peptide ingredients will penetrate to help with collagenesis to promote/stimulate new collagen production.
Step-by-step procedure
Cleanse the skin with a mild face wash/cleanser. Do not use harsh scrubs or exfoliants on the neck, as they will irritate the thin skin.
Immediately after cleansing, while the skin is still moist, apply the neck firming cream in an upwards motion from the bottom to the jawline.
Consider Recommended Products “I love our new ‘Lift’ neck firming cream. It is formulated with all of the needed neck rejuvenating ingredients and none of the harsh irritating ones. By including Arginine, ‘Lift’ offers helps to protect the skin from free radicals, increase skin hydration, and boost collagen production. Our patients have seen significant results in just 2-3 weeks with twice a day application.”
Jump Start the rejuvenating process To get the process going, I recommend an in office treatment with microdermabrasion or Focus Laser to the entire neck. This will help to gently remove the dead layers on the surface and ‘jump start’ your rejuvenation process. Prior to your treatment, the skin care specialists/Aestheticians will fully assess your concerns and help to create a custom treatment package to best suit your needs.
Don’t let your neck appearance get you down.
I want to hear…”I Love My Neck!” Get started today.
Have you been the victim of Dilutox? You know, when you finally get some Botox and it just doesn’t seem to last very long? This is most likely due to a provider diluting the Botox, Dysport or Jeuveau with excessive amounts of liquid and thus undertreating an area. Usually, when you see a ‘too good to be true‘ deal advertised, or several areas for a “low, low” price, this could be the reason. The result of your Botox injection has little to do with how many injection sites are being used, and everything to do with what the dosing is per spot. Many injectors charge by the area of treatment, such as the frown lines, they may charge a certain price, let’s say $200. That sounds like a great price, but if they only give you 10 units, you are paying $20 per unit! Or ion the case of ‘Dilutox‘, the injector may be over-diluting the Botox and giving you less number of units when then required and charging you the same amount. At the Aesthetic Associates Centre, we inject the exact number of units required for the maximum results with the least amount of dilution needed. This ensures that whatever area on the face we are treating becomes wrinkle free for the longest amount of time, on average, 3-4 months. In addition, we use fresh vials almost daily. Our team trains health professionals, in our Aesthetic Learning Academy, on the proper techniques of injectables. Using the right dose per injection is critical to getting the best result. Do your homework. Beware of the “Special Deals”. Don’t be a victim of Dilutox!
Michelle McCarthy- PA-C
Physician Assistant– Aesthetic Associates Centre for Plastic Surgery and Advanced Skin Care
Maskne (or mask-related acne) breakouts are becoming part of the “new normal”. Aggravating as the COVID epidemic is, it may becoming increasingly difficult to maintain healthy skin while wearing a mask.
I for one have never had issue with my skin getting irritated due to waring a mask in surgery. Sometimes, I perform surgical cases which last several hours, but generally, the surgery is done in a cooler operating room space which limits the amount of heat and moisture under the mask. More recently, I have found my skin to be more sensitive due to wearing a mask the entire day while seeing patients or in surgery.
Why it happens.
Warmth and moisture buildup under the mask is a perfect environment for buildup of yeast, bacteria and other irritants to the skin. Breakouts in the form of small pimples and rosacea can develop, leaving one with red and inflamed skin. Friction from the mask can also create issues, particularly with those individuals with acne prone skin.
For men, late in the day, I notice that my mask will create some irritation from the 5 0’clock shadow. Some masks with a soft lining may reduce this sensitivity.
Avoid wearing a mask if possible.
As annoying as it is, not wearing a mask is NOT AN OPTION! Be considerate to people around you. Limiting the time of mask use may be helpful. Stay home if possible. Do not take the risk of going out without a mask. If you get the Coronavirus, your skin may be the least of your worries.
What can you do to treat Maskne?
The key to limiting Maskne, and for that matter, general acne issues, is to keep your skin clean. Using toner and a cleanser with salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy can help prevent breakouts.
Once acne breakouts develop, consider using an Oily Skin Detox Mask. The mask can be used once a week or more frequently if needed.
