Botox

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How Long Do the Results From Dermal Injections Last?

Portrait of young woman with perfect skin clean A regular and rigorous skincare routine is essential for maintaining a youthful and radiant look. Even with the great skin care products available today, you might need an in-office treatment using a dermal injectable to fully achieve your aesthetic goals.

Since your face is what people remember most, signs of aging, like wrinkles and fine lines, may negatively impact your confidence and self-image. There are many dermal injectable treatments available, each addressing a specific sign of aging or helping to achieve a certain aesthetic goal.

Of all the treatments, BOTOX® is potentially the most recognized name among dermal injectables. BOTOX® and similar treatments differ from other types as they are not fillers or increase volume under the skin.

Instead, BOTOX® works by temporarily blocking the muscles in your face from contracting and causing lines and wrinkles to develop. These treatments usually last about 6 months but, in some cases, can last longer. Some patients respond well enough that they can wait longer between each subsequent treatment as the muscles begin to atrophy and lose strength.

Other dermal injectables are meant to increase volume. Formulations of hyaluronic acid (HA) or collagen, both naturally occurring in your body, are injected into specific areas on your face. These add volume from beneath the skin and help smooth deeper lines and wrinkles.

However, they do not always keep lines and wrinkles from forming in the future. Like BOTOX®, these treatments last at least 6 months. However, many patients continue to see results much longer. They also often become more effective with each treatment as your body increases its production of collagen and HA.

Although slightly more invasive, fat transfer and implants can potentially bring permanent results. For these procedures, your doctor will harvest body fat from unwanted areas and inject it into specific areas of your face. Since this is naturally made from your own body, there are minimal risks or side effects.

Call Dr. Fante and the team at Fante Eye and Face Centre in Denver, CO, at 303-839-1616 or visit www.drfante.com to learn more about dermal injectable treatments and decide which is right for you.

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Making the Most of Botox

Anti-aging can be a challenge. Every little thing we do is just buying us time. Knowing this is the case, many people want to know if they can extend the benefits of various treatments. Patients sometimes ask if they can prolong the anti-aging effects of Botox and, if so, how. While there is no way to guarantee that any strategy will make a profound difference, experts do offer a few tips, which we will outline here.

Develop a schedule that’s right for you.

Botox naturally breaks down in the muscle over time. The body absorbs and eliminates the active ingredient. How quickly this happens varies from one person to another. Generally, Botox results last between 3 and 6 months. Once you begin to notice lines creeping back onto the skin, schedule your touch-up. When you identify how long your results last, you can develop a touch-up schedule in accordance with that. Studies suggest that when a person maintains a consistent touch-up schedule, their Botox results may last longer over time.

Try not to age your skin.

Of course, your skin is naturally going to age. However, some habits can accelerate this process. Smoking is one of the primary ones. It ages the skin more quickly by robbing it of the oxygen that is vital to tissue repair. Cigarette smoke permeates the skin and causes oxidative stress, resulting in more signs of aging more quickly. If you want the results of any cosmetic treatment to last longer, don’t smoke.

Try a Zinc booster.

Several years ago, researchers performed a study to see if boosting zinc could also boost the results of Botox. Full transparency: the developer of the Zyphaze product was involved in the study. However, according to data, participants who were given a combination of zinc and an enzyme called phytase did see better treatment results. So much so that the study had to be halted due to participants not wanting to switch from their beneficial control group to a placebo group! Once you see positive cosmetic results, they’re difficult to give up.

In case you haven’t guessed, the primary ways to extend the results of Botox are the very ways to support aging skin. Eating well, minimizing alcohol consumption, reducing stress, and staying out of the sun are all habits that help the skin age at a slower pace. These habits are beneficial no matter what treatment you choose to meet your beauty needs.

Are you ready for Botox? Contact our Denver office at (303) 839-1616 to schedule your consultation and treatment.

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Are you Getting Botox for the First Time? Here’s What to Expect!

Botox cosmetic has been a popular beauty treatment for many years. Each year, we meet people who are ready to try this injectable out for the first time. Since its introduction, Botox has expanded in use from treating frown lines to raising eyebrows in all the right ways. Not only can this injectable raise drooping eyebrows, but it can also smooth forehead lines and crow’s feet. Additionally, Botox can also be used to prevent new wrinkles from forming too soon. No wonder it continues to draw new customers! Here, we walk you through what you can expect at your first Botox appointment.

Consultation

When you schedule an appointment for Botox, you may have a good idea already of what this FDA-approved drug can do. Many people come to their consultation thinking they know what they will need. However, it remains important for us to get to know you. An experienced provider performs a full assessment that includes a discussion about concerns and goals. The assessment also involves a look at the skin and underlying tissue. This initial step is crucial to the best possible outcome because it guides our treatment-planning process.

Treatment

Botox treatment can occur immediately following our consultation. This part of the appointment takes the least amount of time. There is no need for anesthetic. Botox is administered with a very small needle. You can expect a tiny pinching sensation but that’s about it. You don’t feel Botox “working” on the tissue into which it is introduced. After a few injections across the treatment area, your appointment is complete!

Recovery

Some people experience a little swelling and redness after getting Botox. This is a side effect of the injections themselves, not of Botox. Being new to Botox, you may want to schedule your injections at a time when you can go home and rest for the remainder of the day. This way you can see how your body reacts to the injections. Some people experience a slight headache that lasts a few hours, or feel a little tired. However, the most common side effects are swelling and pinpoint redness that lasts only an hour or two. To keep these side effects to a minimum, you should avoid excessive heat, sun exposure, and strenuous exercise for about 24 hours.

Results

Botox injections do not achieve immediate results. The mild neuromodulator gradually relaxes contracted muscles over 5 to 10 days. These effects last 3 to 6 months. The average time between touch-ups is 4 months.

Are you ready for your first Botox treatment? Contact our Denver office at (303) 839-1616.

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Did you Check Your List Twice?

This is the time of year during which we gleefully make our holiday gift-giving list. No doubt you’ve already done so, with the holidays now upon us. If you remember, you probably felt a surge of delight just making the list. This is because there is literal psychology to giving, actual changes in the brain that happen when we give a gift of any size to those we love. Studies show that even giving to charity can light up the areas of the brain that are within our “pleasure center.” As merry as we feel giving to others, the holidays can put us in a place of potential burnout, too. It is important to remember that you belong on your holiday gift-giving list to truly make this the hap-happiest season of all.

A Gift of Any Size will Do

Remembering yourself throughout this holiday season doesn’t have to be a chore. It should be something to look forward to and it can be something that you do often. A little TLC may come in the form of a hot bath at the end of a long week, or a morning in bed with a good book. A true gift, though, is also one that you’ll remember. We have several quick and affordable options that you may love.

For a special gift all for you, visit our ReDerm MD Medical Spa in Denver for:

  • CoolSculpting body contouring treatment on the tummy, thighs, chin, or other areas.
  • SkinTyte skin-firming treatment on the face, neck, abdomen, arms, or other areas.
  • Forever Young BBL broadband light treatment for signs of sun damage and aging.
  • Dermal fillers for plump, beautiful lips or diminished lines and wrinkles.
  • Botox (bye-bye, frown lines!).
  • No downtime microneedling for a healthy holiday glow.

The holidays are depicted as a merry time of year, which they typically are. At the same time, the holiday season can bring stress along for the ride, with the extra spending and extra socializing we expect of ourselves. During the holidays, we may long for someone who is no longer with us or generally feel a bit melancholy. Enacting the psychology of giving, we can offset the stressors of the season with some good old TLC.

We’d love to see you in our Denver medical spa. To schedule a visit, call (303) 839-1616.

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Square Jaw: Is Botox the Answer?

Usually, BOTOX® goes hand-in-hand with temporary wrinkle reduction. As this injectable solution has become more familiar thanks to advanced studies, we have come to realize that Botox can also correct cosmetic concerns such as a drooping brow line. It has also been used as a remedy for excessive underarm sweating. Now, we can add a new item to the list of the many things Botox can do: jaw sculpting.

What is the masseter muscle and how does it affect face-shape?

Our facial shape is achieved through symmetry across bony structures and fatty deposits. There is also musculature that can affect facial shape. One that might create frustration for women, in particular, is the masseter muscle. This is the tissue that connects the upper and lower jawbone. Due to its position on the lower cheek, the masseter muscle gets a bit of a workout when we chew gum or grind and clench our teeth. For the person who does either of these two things regularly, there is a chance that the masseter muscle may become chronically enlarged and tensed.

Specific contours characterize the female face. A square jawline presents a more masculine appearance and may frustrate a woman who would like to maintain a more feminine oval or V-shaped face. In some cases, Botox may be an ideal solution.

How Botox Works

We know that Botox can reduce the appearance of frown lines by temporarily minimizing muscle contractions on this part of the forehead. The masseter muscle can be treated in the same way. When Botox is introduced into any tensed muscle, it prevents the connection between neurotransmitter chemicals and nerve endings in that muscle. Within about a week of treatment, the treated tissue relaxes. In standard usage, this relaxation leads to smoother skin. In treating the square jaw, the process is slightly different.

When Botox is used to sculpt the jaw, the masseter muscle will need more product due to its size and strength. To achieve the desired outcome, two appointments may be scheduled over about a four-week period. Each time the muscle is treated, it will relax slightly more. Once the muscle has shrunk in size and the jaw has become smoother, follow-up treatments may be scheduled every few months.

Botox may not be the answer for every person but provides a viable solution in many cases. For more information on Botox and treatment for a square jaw, call our Denver office at (303) 839-1616.

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Sagging Skin got you Down? Try these Tips!

healthy skin denver | Dr. Fante In the movie It’s Complicated, the lead character, played by Meryl Streep, noticeably struggles with the signs of aging. In one scene, she is seen lifting sagging eyelid skin with a finger. As we sit and watch, this quirky “beauty habit” may cause a giggle. At the same time, for those who have started to experience sagging skin, the problem is no laughing matter. Here, we will offer a few tips on how the elasticity of the skin can be pampered to extend its lifespan.

  1. Remember the sunscreen. UV rays do a great deal of harm to our dwindling collagen, and the depletion of this vital protein doesn’t need any help. Anytime you go outdoors, be sure that your skin is protected with broad-spectrum sunscreen. Talk with your esthetician about products that are best suited to our mountain environment; SPF moisturizer may not be enough to slow the breakdown of collagen in the face of UV damage.
  2. Go to the Tube. There are certain skin care products that encourage collagen rebuilding. Retin-A is an example. Even over-the-counter retinoids can do your skin a lot of good as you face collagen loss. Again, your esthetician can help you determine the product-strength that you need during your current stage of life.
  3. Non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Men and women of all ages are learning that they can manage a youthful appearance even as collagen fibers naturally degrade. One way to do this is with injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers. Some products, including Sculptra, are also capable of encouraging new collagen formation.
  4. While there are several technologies today that tout skin-tightening abilities, none quite measure up to the surgical face lift. Dr. Fante performs full face lifts or endoscopic mid-face lift procedures. Depending on the severity of laxity, a facelift may be maximized by including a neck lift, as well.

We lose skin firmness for several reasons, but most boil down to good old collagen. While science has yet to discover a way to keep collagen strong forever, it has developed systems for minimizing the breakdown of this substance and for mitigating its loss.

Would you like to address sagging skin? Call the Denver office of facial cosmetic surgeon Dr. Fante at (303) 839-1616.

Is Botox the Answer to Blepharospasm?

Blepharospasm Denver, CO Twitching eyelids sound like an awful problem to have. Unless you are affected by blepharospasm, you may envision this condition as a mild twitch now and again, like you may have experienced during a time of fatigue. This isn’t the entire picture. Some people whose eyes twitch due to muscle spasms are stopped in their tracks – for hours on end. Not only unpleasant but downright frightening. If twitching eyelids, closure or even a downward-pulled brow are concerns that you face, consider what may help you get back into the game of life.

A Problem without Proper Cause

In some cases, blepharospasm can be attributed to a health condition, such as Tourette’s syndrome or even something as simple as dry eyes. However, the majority of cases point to no proper cause. We simply do not know what causes the muscles to fire unexpectedly. Primary blepharospasm cannot be cured, but it can be treated. Finding suitable treatment is necessary to improve the quality of life, and we are here to help you.

There may be a few different ways to manage blepharospasm. As we have discussed, it may be possible to minimize eye twitching by identifying and avoiding triggers, such as caffeine. Stress reduction is another common recommendation that doctors make for patients with incessant twitching of the eyelid. However, stress management can take time and practice. For that reason, specific medical treatment may occur simultaneously to that. Medical treatment for blepharospasm may include:

  • Botox. This injectable muscle relaxing solution is not just a cosmetic miracle; it is also a valuable therapeutic tool for the treatment of muscular disorders such as blepharospasm. Botox is successful in approximately 90% of cases. Treatment takes only a few minutes and causes minimal side effects only. These may include temporary double-vision or blurriness, drooping of the eyelid, and dry eyes. Soothing eye drops can minimize this side-effect.
  • If Botox does not produce the desired outcome, oral medication may be the second-line treatment for blepharospasm. Medications such as Valium or Artane have been prescribed by physicians to minimize twitching, but with varying degrees of success.
  • When non-surgical treatments do not reach the objective of soothing eye-twitching (this is rare), surgery may be performed to modify or remove the muscles that are responsible for blepharospasm.

Dr. Fante has a great deal of experience treating blepharospasm with Botox injections. To learn more about this condition and potential treatments, call (303) 839-1616.

Twitching Eyelid? This could be Why!

eyelid twitch denver co | Fante Eye and Face Centre An occasional eyelid twitch can be somewhat of a nuisance. However, if you have an eyelid that seems to twitch with amazing regularity, you are more than distracted on a routine basis. Eyelid twitching can occur for a number of reasons. When you can rule out what may or may not be behind your trembling lid, you can move closer to resolution.

Fatigue. One of the most common causes of eyelid twitching, or blepharospasm, is fatigue. If you’re not getting enough shut-eye, your eyes will suffer. To determine if this is the true cause of your shivering eyelid, set a timer to go to bed a little earlier each night.

Stress. We all carry a certain amount of stress around on a daily basis. Sometimes, the load becomes too much and the body responds in all sorts of strange ways. A twitchy eyelid is one of them. There are ways to decrease stress, such as going for a walk each day or spending a few minutes in silence; no phone, no music, just silence (this can do a lot more than you may imagine).

Tired eyes. Eye strain is a common side effect of living in the technological age. Most of us stare at a screen several hours a day. Even if those hours are not in succession, the strain on the eye having to focus on a small screen can be great. Another way that eye strain may occur is by wearing an outdated eyeglass or contact lens prescription. Stay up to date on eye exams, and cut down on screen time to see if your eyelid calms down. Also, wear sunglasses every day.

Caffeine. Here is an interesting phenomenon. We don’t get enough sleep, so we reach for coffee or other caffeinated beverages to give us the energy we need to handle all of our daily stressors. The consequence of getting all hopped up on caffeine is that the body actually feels more stressed, and will ultimately crash from fatigue. Plus, caffeine is a twitch-trigger. Cut back and see what happens.

Lifestyle changes do not always do the trick and ending a frustrating twitch. If you are at your wits end with a twitching eyelid, call Fante Eye & Face Center in Denver. A quick Botox treatment may be just what you need.

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Want Younger Eyes? Let’s Compare Botox vs. Brow Lift!

As we get older, we may start to dread the development of fine lines and wrinkles. We eventually learn that crow’s feet and smile lines are just the tip of the iceberg. At some point, many men and women complain about the “falling” of their forehead. In addition to horizontal lines, this effect of aging can also cause the eyes to become a little closed off. As a result, we look closed off, less friendly.

Historically, the way to resolve concerns related to facial aging has been to lift and tighten skin with surgery. Today, a large majority of patients who visit plastic surgery offices do so for injectable treatments or other non-surgical methodologies. Just because this option is available – and we perform treatment in our Denver office – doesn’t mean that a Botox brow lift is right for everyone.

What Botox does for the Brow

Botox Cosmetic has been in use for almost 15 years in the U.S., and longer in other countries. We are well aware of the wonderful difference this treatment can make on the face. The way that Botox smoothes the skin is by relaxing underlying muscles that have become perpetually tensed. Once muscle movements are diminished, the skin on the forehead and around the eyes is released. Since a drooping brow is the result of constant pulling, Botox injections in strategic locations makes sense.

The clear benefit to Botox for a drooping brow is that this treatment is non-surgical. No special preparation is needed, nor any downtime for recovery. Patients treated with this injectable typically go right back to their normal routine with little more than slight redness and possibly some bruising. Throughout the week following treatment, the brow line gradually rises to its ideal position across the upper orbital rim.

Traditional Brow Lifting

Botox tends to lift the brow slightly. In many cases, this is sufficient. However, there are patients who will gain the greatest – and longest lasting – results from a traditional surgical brow lift. This procedure removes surface tissue that has become saggy and thin, and also tightens subcutaneous tissue to better hold the new, lifted forehead and brow. This surgery can be performed in a number of ways, and typically takes only 60 to 90 minutes. Slight bruising and swelling should be expected, and activities need to be limited for a few weeks after surgery.

Call Us Today

Schedule a consultation at Fante Eye & Face Centre in Denver at (303) 839-1616 to discuss the best method of facial rejuvenation for you.

Facial Aging, be Gone!

Facial Aging If only we could wave a magic wand at facial aging and reverse its visible appearance. The changes that develop across the various parts of the face often, at some point, become significant enough to cause us to feel less satisfied with our appearance. The fact is, we like to look good. Looking good makes us feel good, and we all like that, as well.

Feeling good about the way you look may be impeded by signs of aging such as:

  • Heavy eyelids and sagging brows that give the appearance of fatigue.
  • Disappearing cheekbones and a loss of curvature across the mid-face.
  • Folds and creases between the chin and mouth, or the mouth and the nose.
  • Lack of definition along the jaw line. Sagging jowls.
  • Loose, sagging skin beneath the chin and on the neck.
    These aesthetic concerns may be a normal part of aging, but we don’t have to like them. Alas, there is a silver lining! The abovementioned problems are no different today than they were for previous generations. This means that decades of research and development have gone into finding solutions. While we have a variety of ways to reverse the signs of aging on the face, Dr.

Fante and our team keep one thing in mind: the results need to look natural!

  • Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, is one of the leading cosmetic surgeries among American women and men. This procedure can focus on the upper or lower lids, or may be tailored to also include brow lifting.
  • A mini lift may concentrate on the upper part of the face, including the brow lift and forehead lift. One of Dr. Fante’s areas of expertise is in the performance of a mid-face lift, which restores fullness to the cheeks and more youthful under eye skin. The endoscopic technique used facilitates a faster procedure and shorter recovery.
  • Full face lift treatment used to be associated with an obviously tightened appearance. Not anymore. Each lifting procedure is conducted in a manner that results in

Patients of Fante Eye & Face Centre have options that also include injectables and other innovative techniques. For more information on how we can help you look younger, call (303) 839-1616.

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