Our Blog

• Medical Community - July 10th 2019
• Botox
• Botulinum Toxins

Storing Xeomin and Bocouture If you use an alternative brand of botulinum toxin, such as Xeomin or its cosmetic version Bocouture, we have good news! These products do not require refrigeration normally and may last longer than the manufacturer suggests. Merz suggests that Xeomin can be used up to 36 months after its manufacturer date, but research suggests that, after 48 months in the refrigerator or stored at up to 25° C, the neurotoxin is just as effective. Additionally, when they tested Xeomin that had been stored for 18 months at 30° C and six months at 40° C, the neurotoxin was still stable. Even at 60° C for one month and 80° C for five days, Xeomin still showed at least partial activity.  According to Merz, reconistituted Xeomin or Bocouture can be placed in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. However, researchers believe that this too may be unnecessarily conservative. After leaving Xeomin solution at room [Read more]

• Medical Community Member - July 10th 2019
• General Public
• Nasolabial Folds

What are nasolabial folds? Nasolabial folds, which are also referred to as “smile lines,” “parentheses lines,” and “laugh lines,” are the deep wrinkles that extend from both sides of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. When a person smiles, nasolabial folds become more pronounced. The depth varies among individuals; however, as people age, the folds become thicker and more pronounced. In comparison, nasolabial folds are not present in babies and children. This is due to the quantity and quality of hyaluronic acid, a substance that gives skin its firmness and elasticity, within the skin, which decreases during aging. As the skin loses its firmness and elasticity, nasolabial folds become more prominent. While prominent nasolabial folds tend to occur in older individuals, people in their 20s may also notice them. Why choose Juvederm? Juvederm is a popular brand of injectable dermal fillers made from non-animal hyaluronic acid. It [Read more]

• Medical Community Member - July 10th 2019
• Dermal Fillers
• Juvederm
• Teosyal

A meaningful comparison between injectable dermal fillers can be difficult to undertake. Although there are many injectable fillers on the market, many have very few or zero high-quality randomized controlled trials to support their use. This gives rise to a lack of guidance on both the efficacy and safety of these products. Fortunately, the brands of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that will be discussed in this article, Teosyal and Juvederm, are proven to be beneficial to patients. Differences Between Teosyal and Juvederm Teosyal is a hyaluronic acid dermal filler brand that is manufactured by Teoxane Laboratories. They offer two product lines - Classic and PureSense, the latter of which contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic agent that improves patient comfort, as well as Teosyal Global Action, Deep Lines, Kiss, and Ultra Deep. This is not an exhaustive list, as their available products vary by country. As their names suggest, Teosyal’s fillers have different clinical app [Read more]

• Medical Community Member - July 9th 2019
• General Public

The duration of Sculptra’s effects has been studied extensively in the treatment of patients with HIV-related facial lipoatrophy. Based off the findings of multiple clinical trials, including the Vega study and the Blue Pacific study, among others, the duration of effect of Sculptra was seen to last up to 24 months, with increases in skin thickness and high patient satisfaction. Furthermore, the durable results of Sculptra can be further extended with retreatment. In one case study, the correction of HIV-associated facial lipoatrophy seen in a 45-year-old patient who underwent retreatment with Sculptra was maintained for two years and seven months. The duration of effect of Sculptra was examined further in a 2015 study that assessed the length of effect of Sculptra by using 3D imaging to quantitatively measure midface volume changes in 15 patients who received Sculptra treatment for aesthetic purposes over a one-year period. They found that treatment starts to take effect as ear [Read more]

• Medical Community Member - July 9th 2019
• Botox
• General Public

Both Dysport and Botox contain Botulinum Toxin In 2009, a new competitor for Botox was approved for the US market, under the brand Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA). Like Botox, Dysport is a botulinum toxin treatment indicated for wrinkle correction as well as certain movement disorders like spasticity and cervical dystonia. However, these two botulinum neurotoxin preparations were manufactured and purified via distinct, proprietary manufacturing processes. As such, Dysport and Botox have different properties in terms of duration of results, diffusion, adverse event profile, and potency. Botox (onabotulinumtoxin a) is primarily known as a cosmetic injectable that treats wrinkles like glabellar lines; however, it has many more therapeutic uses. As a neurotoxin, it causes chemical denervation in cholinergic neurons, thus impacting signal transmission between these nerves to other cells. It is for this reason that Botox has many therapeutic applications. For instance, Botox is indicated in t [Read more]

• Medical Community - June 26th 2019
• General Public

What are Dermal Fillers for? Cosmetic facial injectables are a minimally-invasive, non-surgical, and effective treatment for wrinkle correction and facial rejuvenation. There are many factors that can contribute to the appearance of wrinkles and creases, including the wrinkles that appear around the eyes, cheeks, and lips, and nasolabial folds. Though age is a big contributing factor, as the body slows production on key nutrients that contribute to the health, hydration, and firmness of the skin, other factors such as sun exposure, pollution, or even illness can also cause the skin to appear aged. There are many filler brands and products available on the market that are made from a variety of materials, such as poly-L-lactic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite, though hyaluronic acid is 1 of the most popular ingredients. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance within the skin that adds hydration and contributes to other cellular functions that keep the skin looking youthful. [Read more]

• Medical Community Member - June 26th 2019
• General Public

Choosing the right dermal filler for treatment can be a tough decision for both patient and practitioner alike. Doctors need to keep abreast of the ever-changing landscape of fillers, so as to best advise their patients to achieve their desired aesthetic goals. Beyond this, patients often prefer to do their own research before their treatment. To help with this, we take an in-depth look at two popular dermal fillers, Juvederm and Radiesse, to see how they compare to each other.  Why do doctors choose Juvederm? Juvederm is a popular line of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. While used primarily as a wrinkle filler, this versatile family of treatment also contains formulations suitable for many other aesthetic indications, including lip augmentation, lifting the cheeks, and treating acne scars. Made of non-animal derived hyaluronic acid that has been chemically modified for stabilization, Juvederm’s products are non-immunogenic, biocompatible, and resorbable. These injectables [Read more]

• Medical Community - June 25th 2019
• General Public

There are many dermal filler products available on the market, though the two most popular are Juvederm and Restylane. Each of these brands also offers a number of different products with different specifications. There are a few distinctions between Restylane and Juvederm compared to Botox, including the fact that dermal fillers provide immediate results, offering instant plumping effects, while the results of Botox are usually delayed, taking anywhere from 3 to 7 days to take full effect. The longevity of results also varies between methods, with effects usually lasting from 3 to 6 months with Botox injections, and 6 to 9 months with Restylane and Juvederm. Botox, Juvederm and Restylane Are Used To Treat Wrinkles There are many different techniques and methods available to individuals seeking to revitalize the appearance of the skin and face. The most popular treatment options are Botox and dermal fillers, which each offer distinct benefits for distinct facial issues [Read more]