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Every now and then, we hear about some new treatment that promises to magically erase wrinkles, sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and cellulite that this kind world has bestowed upon us. Everyone is chasing a more youthful appearance and looking for the single magic bullet that will correct these flaws. However, more often than not, these corrections are only achieved by employing a synergy of products and treatments.
As an alternative to surgical intervention, arguably the most direct and least invasive avenue to attaining youth is via injectables. Here are the benefits and duration of each, as well as additional corrective treatments, listed below.
Botox: Instant Results, No Downtime
Botox, the most popular non-surgical aesthetic procedure in the United States, works by reducing the contractions of the muscles that cause persistent frown lines and “dynamic wrinkles,” or wrinkles caused by facial expression and muscle movement. These dynamic wrinkles are especially prevalent in the area around the eyes and on the forehead.
Botox relaxes muscles on the forehead, between the eyes, around the mouth, and on crow’s feet to smooth lines and restore a youthful glow. The results can be seen within 3-7 days, and then, what appears, or rather, what disappears is nothing short of amazing. Botox lasts between three and four months, and there is no downtime.
Sculptra and Radiesse: Long-Term Solutions for Volume that Stimulate Your Own Creation of Collagen
Two remarkable facial injectables that both fill lines and stimulate collagen growth are Sculptra and Radiesse. Both Sculptra and Radiesse are long-term fillers which work by slightly different mechanisms, but both provide impressive results.
Often called a “liquid facelift,” Sculptra consists of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a synthetic biodegradable polymer that is both re-absorbable and bio-compatible. PLLA has been widely used for many years in dissolvable sutures, so it has been proven to be compatible with the body. The PLLA in Sculptra attracts water and stimulates collagen production.
Sculptra is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of lost volume and provides an evident gradual increase in skin thickness. Unlike temporary "fillers" such as collagen and hyaluronic acid, Sculptra stimulates your skins own fibroblasts to actually generate new collagen.
The incredible, positive effects of Sculptra will increase with time and the results last for up to three years.
Radiesse is made of very small, smooth calcium hydroxylapitite (CaHA) microspheres, which are suspended in a water-based gel carrier. As Radiesse is injected, the gel and microspheres stimulate collagen production and encourage tissue growth in and around the injection area. This creates a natural look, comprised of your own tissue and Radiesse microspheres. Over time, your body absorbs the gel carrier, and your collagen grows and infiltrates the area, replacing the gel with your own, naturally plump, young tissue. Radiesse lasts an impressive 12 months or more, with instant results. In most cases, there is no bruising following a Radiesse injection.
Sculptra and Radiesse achieve an excellent outcome in treating the areas around the eyes and lips, between the mouth and nose, cheeks and neck. Restoring youthful contours, these long-term injectables are a solution for adding volume to the cheeks, to folds around the chin, and to hollow areas around the eyes, all without going under a scalpel.
Juvederm: Providing Instant Results
Juvederm is a smooth-consistency gel dermal filler made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin -- that is injected into lines to soften deep folds and reduce facial wrinkles, thus offering a natural look and feel. Juvederm also works beautifully to enhance the lips for a fuller, naturally younger look, while virtually erasing the fine lines around the mouth as well.
Adding both volume and hydration, Juvederm is injected under the skin to instantly restore your skin's youthfulness and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds, like your “smile lines” (nasolabial folds—the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth). Juvederm can also fill in acne scars. Though there can be occasional bruising, downtime is minimal to none. Results last up to 6 months to a year.
Evolence: A Newly Introduced Weapon Against Aging…..Long-Lasting Collagen!
One of the newest, most exciting fillers on the market, Evolence replaces your own lost collagen with a safety-proven porcine collagen that lasts up to 12 months. There is also no needed for testing prior to the procedure, and it is approved for use in treating moderate to deep facial folds, such as nasolabial folds. Evolence smoothes out and softens unwanted wrinkles and folds, and restores structure and facial contour in volume-depleted areas.
The beauty of Evolence is that its effects last six months to a year or more (as opposed to the three month-duration of earlier collagen products), and perhaps best of all, its technology provides little or no swelling or bruising. With zero downtime, you are camera-ready (or party-ready) the same day as your procedure.
Laser and Light Source Treatments
Laser skin treatments offer yet another weapon in our arsenal against aging. These therapies include diminishing the appearance of imperfections on the skin’s surface, often recreating the skin’s canvas itself, often with complete rejuvenation depending on the procedure chosen.
During the laser skin resurfacing procedure a laser is used to dissolve the molecular bonds of the damaged skin cells layer by layer until a smoother, more uniform skin appearance is achieved. The procedure may also be referred to as laser skin rejuvenation because of its anti-aging benefits, or laser peel because the damaged layers of skin are peeled away.
Laser vein treatments reduce mild to moderate vein varicosity and broken capillaries while Photofacial rejuvenation (or IPL) treats rosacea, sunspots, sun damage, large pores and uneven pigmentation for smoother, more radiant skin.
Long term hair reduction can be achieved through Laser Hair Removal, making this part of your beauty regimen much more low-maintenance.
Portrait Plasma Regeneration corrects a plethora of facial flaws, resurfaces skin, reduces pore size, improves laxity, reverses sun damage and stimulates collagen production. Portrait Plasma Regeneration can be performed at a variety of intensities, from a low energy procedure with no downtime, to a high energy procedure for complete rejuvenation, with approximately 5-7 days of downtime. Either option gives skin a vibrant, hydrated, and healthy glow, with intensity determined by the skin’s needs and patient’s desires.
Cellulite Treatments: Get Ready for Summer
Lipodissolve is an injection technique that eliminates localized, stubborn fat deposits on the body that have not disappeared despite efforts at maintaining proper diet and exercise. The procedure has been around for at least 3 decades and widely used in Europe. The procedure has been modified and used in North America for about 3-4 years. It basically involves a series of miniscule injections of chemicals which dissolve localized areas of fat deposits.
Endermologie’s motorized rollers fold, sculpt, and smooth skin to eliminate the “orange peel” appearance of skin. This folding action stretches the connective tissue and results in the reduction of cellulite and body measurements. Endermologie treatments target reduced cellulite, reduced body measurements, increased circulation, relief of muscular pain, and reduction of muscle spasms. It is a relaxing procedure, much like a massage.
Lipodissolve and Endermologie work together synergistically to provide a smooth, well-contoured body that is summer-proof, ready to be proudly bared in the warm spring and summer months ahead.
Skin Care:
No matter what procedures you undergo, skin care remains a priority for attaining youthful, healthy beauty. Cosmeceuticals provide a dermatological-grade of skin care products that allow you to improve skin’s tone, texture and health both in-office and at home. For example, chemical peels are excellent for diminishing hyperpigmentation, tightening pores and clarifying skin’s texture.
Offered at Serendipity Medical Spa are skin treatment lines which address a variety of conditions including rosacea, acne, hyperpigmentation and the numerous affects of aging. Obagi’s System of skin care encompasses prescription strength, pharmaceutical quality products that work at the cellular level to actually improve the skin cell function. Other specialized product lines including Skin Medica, Skinceuticals, Revitalash and Jane Iredale are available as well.
Serendipity’s physician and trained, on-staff estheticians can recommend a proper skin care regimen for your unique and specific needs.
Serendipity Medical Spa
At the forefront of rejuvenation technology and advances, Serendipity Medical Spa not only offers all of the above procedures and treatments in a zen-like atmosphere, but is the Lowcountry’s leader in administering these procedures.
Medical Director David Vormohr, M.D., with years of experience and unparalleled artistry in the arena of rejuvenation, has a loyal following of patients — many of whom travel the distance from several states away -- who entrust their delicate skin, face and body to his precision and care.
The enduring mission of Serendipity Medical Spa is to assist clients in achieving their desire for lifelong beauty, health and wellness through application of the most advanced products and services available.
