Neurotoxins and Filler

It’s Toxin Month at SkinSpaMED and in honor of it, we wanted to explain your options when it comes to cosmetic injections!  If you’re new to cosmetic injections, you may think that Botox, a neurotoxin, and dermal fillers are one in the same.  In this post, we explain the difference between neurotoxins and fillers, plus how and where they are used.  Make sure you read all the way to the end where we answer some of the most frequently asked questions we get!

What is a neurotoxin?

When it comes to cosmetic injections, neurotoxins are a category of products that contain brand names like Botox®, Dysport® and Xeomin®.   You may hear these brands affectionately referred to as “Tox Injectables” or “Toxins.”  When injected, Toxins will suppress muscle contractions in and around the injection site, allowing you to enjoy smooth, wrinkle free skin just like you see on all the hottest celebrities.

Botox® is the most well-known neurotoxin as it has a lot of name recognition throughout the industry.  But, don’t discount some of the others like Dysport®.  Dysport® is an amazing product that can do wonders for those stubborn lines in between your eyebrows also known as frown lines.

The Top 5 Places to Use Toxins

Neurotoxins are great for treating:

1. Frown lines

2. Crow’s feet

3. Forehead lines

4. Bunny lines

5. Lip & mouth lines

What is filler?

Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers are another option when it comes to cosmetic injections.  You may hear them referred to as “HAs” and “fillers.”   This category of products contains brands like Juvederm®, Radiesse® and Restylane®.  Each of these brands have further developed their product lines to include targeted HAs like Restylane® which created Kysse® a designer HA filler specifically for lips.

Filler’s job is to add or replace volume in targeted areas of the face.  As we age and our collagen production declines, you may notice that your face starts to look saggy or deflated.   A highly trained injector can use filler to help restore a youthful appearance.  Filler is also great for adding volume to specific areas and is very commonly used for lip injections. 

The Top 5 Places to Use Filler

1. Lips

2. Cheeks

3. Chin

4. Jawline

5. Under eyes

FAQs

• Can you use Toxins and filler together?

  Yes!  When you come in for a consult we’ll discuss your goals and determine whether we need a Toxin, filler or both to get you there.

• How are cosmetic injections priced?

  Toxins are generally priced by unit or area and filler is generally priced by syringe.  Some injectors have minimums.  At SkinSpaMED, we have a 20 unit minimum. Again, when you come in for a treatment your injector will tell you how much product is needed to accomplish what you’re looking for and give you a price from there.

• Will I see same day results with Toxins and fillers?

  It depends on the product we use.  With Botox®, it can take up 2 weeks before you see the full results.  With some of the newer product lines, clients see results in as little as 3 days. With filler, some results are visible immediately while others take a few days to appear.

• What if I don’t like my results?

  Getting cosmetic injections for the first time, whether it’s a Toxin or filler, can be intimidating.  Many clients worry that they won’t like their look post-treatment.  If you go to an expert injector like ours, who takes the time to fully understand what you’re looking for, you will probably be very happy with your decision to get cosmetic injections. If you go to someone who isn’t experienced, you risk not getting the result you hoped for so when it comes to injections, always shop by reviews and experience, never price.  If you do your homework and still end up unhappy you have two options, one let your body naturally eliminate the injections over time, or two, talk with your injector about products like Hylenex® that can expedite the dissolving process. 

 If you’ve been thinking about injections, it’s the perfect time!  On February 23, 2022, we’re celebrating Toxins with $50 every service at both locations. Get on our schedule now!

3 Services You Need to Book Now

As we wave goodbye to fall and head in to the holiday season, here are 3 services, every Hollywood celeb is booking to get themselves holiday-ready that you should book too!

Botox®

Do we even need to elaborate on this one?  Botox® and other injectables are a must have service before the holidays!  Our owner and expert injector, Marie Reyes, knows exactly how to use Botox ® to correct, soften, and relax wrinkles, making you appear ageless!  The result will be wrinkle free holiday photos that last a lifetime.

November 17, 2021 is Botox®/Dysport® day!  Allergen (the makers of Botox®) will be giving everyone $50 off that day and you may be eligible for up to $50 off in additional company sponsored discounts.  This offer is available for ONE DAY only so if you need a touch up before the holidays, be sure to get on the schedule for the 17th!

SmartXide DOT Laser Treatment

Our DOT Therapy CO2 Laser Treatment is perfect for improving the skin’s texture!

If you’re experiencing:

• Increased pore size

• Wrinkles

• Scarring

DOT Therapy can help! 

If you have any of the above, and/or suffered from acne in the past, you don’t have to start another year trying to cover up your imperfections and scars.  In as little as one hour with us, we can help restore your skin’s youthful appearance and get to work on improving some of these things. 

Be sure to give yourself some time in between this treatment and events you have.  Immediately after your procedure, your skin may be red, similar to what you’d experience with a sunburn so we recommend you book this treatment at least 2 weeks prior to any major events.

Get on the schedule for a DOT CO2 laser treatment for just $299 per area throughout the month of November 2021.

Photo Facials aka IPL

Sun lovers, this one is for you!  If you’ve made it your New Years Resolution to improve your skin, and/or reverse sun damage you’ve done in the past, a Photo Facial is the next service you need to book!  Flawless, makeup optional skin isn’t just something celebrities have.  You can have it too when you book a service like this. 

Photo facials, also known as IPL treatments, are perfect for targeting:

• Redness

• Rosacea

• Brown spots

• Fine Lines

• Enlarged Pores

• Sun Damage

• Acne

• And More!

While you’ll see an improvement after just one visit, photo facials generally require a series of treatments in order to arrive at your final results.  The number of treatments you’ll need depends on the condition of your skin when you come in, along with what you’re hoping to achieve.  Either way, an IPL treatment can get the job done and if you start your series of treatments NOW, by the time summer comes around again, you won’t have to think twice about being makeup free by the pool.    

Here’s the best part…IPLs are also on sale throughout November at SkinSpaMED!  Treatments are just $79 per area. 

Whether you’re prepping for holiday events or committing to improving your skin in the year, booking one or all three of these services this month should be on your to-do list.  Take advantage of our promos throughout November 2021, or join one of our membership programs.  IPLs and DOT CO2 treatments are included in our packages. Get more information on our membership programs here or give us a call to get on the schedule.  

LIP INJECTIONS DO’S & DON’TS FOR THE BEST LIPS EVER!

We may desire full beautiful lips but worry that we may end up with the unnatural ‘duck lip’. We do beautiful lips all the time and can help! Dermal filler, like Juvederm that is on special this month, is an extremely safe option for achieving some seriously kissable lips. If you are planning or even deciding on lip fillers, we have developed a list of things to do and not to do!

1. DON’T:  NO blood thinners 7 days prior. This includes that enticing glass of your favorite wine. (Okay, okay!…ONE glass may not hurt but don’t get carried away.) Remember that alcohol can cause inflammation so if you can avoid it all the better! Blood thinners to avoid include fish oils, Aspirin, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Advil, etc. Got a headache?…Tylenol is okay! Blood thinners increase the likelihood of bruising. But PLEASE consult with your health care provider before stopping any medications.

2. DO:  Hydrate! Drink lots of water and try to relax for the day. These two will help improve your body’s ability to heal.

3. DON’T: Massage your lips. I know that they feel great and luscious, but massaging or playing with freshly injected lips risks moving the filler around causing the possibility of movement and undesirable results.

4. DO: You will be swollen for a couple of days…up to one week. This is completely NORMAL and will go away.
 

5. DON’T: Workout for about 24 hours following the treatment. You want to avoid things that increase blood flow to your face. Although lip injections do not technically require any downtime, ice those beautiful plump lips to decrease swelling.
 

6. DO: Take Arnica. We sell VitaMedica Arnica tablets and cream, or you can order it online or pick it up at the local pharmacy. Follow the directions on the box a few days prior to your appointment and a few days following.

FAQ’s:

HOW LONG DO LIP FILLERS LAST?

            HA (Hyaluronic Acid) fillers such as Restlyane products last up to 12 months. Our bodies naturally metabolize the formula over time. Slowly! Schedule your follow up injections for 8 months out and if you need to cancel or push out further…that’s great!

IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF COLD SORES, WHAT TO DO PRIOR TO INJECTIONS?

            Injections could trigger a cold sore. We can prescribe a prevention medication to start taking two days prior to treatment.

CAN YOU AFFORD LIP FILLERS?

            Filler currently range from $550 to 650 a syringe at SkinSpaMED. Our Hyraulaunic Acid (i.e., Juvederm, Kysse) is $75 off this month (July 2021). We also take Care Credit! Get the lips you want NOW and pay later with Care Credit’s medical credit card.

ARE LIP INJECTIONS PAINFUL?

            Speaking from experience…sort of but not really! Most fillers are mixed with lidocaine + topical numbing is available. There is a stick that you will feel, and then the lidocaine from the filler kicks in almost immediately. We offer vibration or other methods to help you not think so much about it, but when it is done…WORTH IT!

ARE FILLERS ONLY FOR PLUMPING LIPS?

            NOPE! Fillers can help with fine lines around the lips sometimes called smokers line or cause by sucking from straws among many other uses for lost volume in the face. Book a consult today to see where and which fillers may be right for you.

Top 10 Things to Do in DFW Out of the Sun

The sun is out and summer is in full effect. The heat and sun are brutal on your skin, so we have come up with our staff’s favorite summer-time activities out of the sun here in DFW.

Movies

While we have all grown accustomed to watching movies at home during the pandemic, it is time to re-experience the magic of watching a movie at the movie theatre. They are cold, dark, have yummy popcorn and snacks and some even offer adult beverages. And, don’t stop at just your regular movie theatre, try something really fun like the Love Sacks at Inwood Theatre or the chic bar at Alamo Drafthouse.

Facials

Facials feel so good and really pack a punch in how you look, feel and overall present. We have a ridiculous offer on our popular HydroFacial MD for $100 this month only! This facial only takes half an hour and provides amazing serums that will last for the whole month. Facials usually contain facial massage that helps with stress and headaches. We carry more stress in our face than most people realize. Come see us for a nice hydrating relaxing facial.

Massages

Awe…massages feel so great. Not only do they feel great, but they tout many health benefits. They moisturize and rejuvenate the skin. They increase circulation and release muscle tension. They help with overall stress and anxiety, and they are out of the sun.

Shopping Indoors

We have been shopping from our couches for long enough. Get out and see people, try on clothes, spritz yourself with that expensive perfume. You remember shopping at the mall right? It also requires a lot of walking that is great for you, and if you buy enough, you can do a few bicep curls with your packages.

Bowling

Bowling is not what it used to be. Check out some of the local bowling alleys. They are party and a lot of fun for adults and the whole family. There is Bowlero, Alley Cats, TEN and PINS. They are in all things pretty affordable, and they are cold and out of the sun. If bowling is not your thing or you just had a new manicure, grab a soda or cocktail and just enjoy watching your group bowl.

Dancing

Yes, dancing does still exist post-Covid. There are many options for dancing. The most obvious is what most people think of when you hear the word dancer. That is indoors and fine. There are some of the best clubs in the country here in DFW for the night owls. There are other dance choices. There are dance studios that teach classic dance, hip hop, pole dancing, 2 stepping, ballet, and there are some great exercise classes as options – Zumba is one example or Barre is another. It is fun, it is great exercise, and it will get you out of the house and keep you out of the sun.

Casinos

Not in Texas just yet, but a quick drive to Oklahoma, and there you are. The air conditioning is cold, the drinks are delicious and the people watching is fun. And, you just might win big! Casinos are vast and require a lot of walking, that is good for your health. Most have nonsmoking areas these days.

Wine Tasting

Wine tasting is such a fun summer experience. There are numerous wine tasting tours in Grapevine. There are some tasty vineyards/ wineries in the DFW area. Silver Dollar Winery, Delaney Vineyards and Bingham Family Vineyards Grapevine just name a few. These are beautiful settings with interesting people and you may find your new favorite wine.

Gym Work Out

Gyms are open and are in full swing. If you have avoided the gym like the plague (pun intended), they seem to have received the memo. The gyms I have seen have more sanitizing stations and towels. Gyms are a great way to kill a few hours on the weekend out of the sun. There are too any benefits to list here.

Museums

Not into busy workouts and hustle and bustle, then try one of the award-winning museums and/or exhibits. There are too many to list them all, but some of my favorites are Kimball Art in Fort Worth, Sixth Floor Dallas, Perot Museums, Dallas MOA, George W Bush Presidential Library at SMU, just to mention a very few. Google it and go on an art tour in the city that may transcend you into another place and time, out of the heat and sun.

Top Father’s Day Gifts from SkinSpaMED

Father’s Day is coming up next weekend. Maybe this is the year to try something new to celebrate Dad. We know that he loves his ties and barbecue sets, but we have a little different idea for Father’s Day 2021. We have more men coming to the spa than ever and you don’t even have to be a father to enjoy our treatments. Our men’s favorite treatments are as follows:

Flextone - Looking to burn fat and build muscle, all while perfecting the look of your butt and toning your body overall? This next-generation equipment checks all the boxes by delivering cutting – edge IFEM (Intense Focused Electromagnetic) technology that induces powerful muscle contractions.

The technology induces 20,000 supramaximal muscle contractions not achievable through voluntary contractions-compared to doing 20,000 full contraction crunches or squats in 1 session.

The supramaximal contractions cause muscle remodeling of it's inner structure resulting in muscle building and fat burning.

The result: rapid body shaping, muscle strengthening and redefinition, and a toner physique overall.

CoolSculpting: CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure that removes fat without any needles, anesthetic or scalpels. CoolSculpting cools areas of the skin to an extremely cold temperature, essentially "freezing fat", causing fat cells to die out. This is an ideal procedure to treat localized areas of fat, such as love handles and tummy fat.

Typically, you’ll see an undeniable reduction of fat in the treated area after just one visit. However, you can lose even more with additional treatments. The fat cells are naturally eliminated from your body over the following few months, leaving you feeling more like yourself again.

• Reduce fat, sculpt the body

• Real, visible results

• Consistent and predictable fat reduction

• Cumulative effects with re-treatment

• Biologically selective — only affects fat

• Non-invasive

• FDA cleared

Laser Hair Removal (Check, Back and Abdomen)

Leading Men Are Never Hairy! Now you can be sexy and smooth with SkinSpaMED’s most advanced laser on the market: the LightSheer Diode Laser. This cool laser has a chill tip built in to chill and soothe masculine skin on contact. The LightSheer laser is quick, only needing one pass per session, and works on all male skin types.

Backed by long-term clinical data, the LightSheer system has the ability to permanently reduce hair growth and treat the entire range of skin colors and hair types. The remarkable results of this laser technology is satisfying hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide. The ChillTip handpiece provides the ultimate in epidermal contact cooling and compression, increasing penetration of laser energy to the base of the follicle with increased comfort and effectiveness.

 SmartXide DOT CO2 Resurfacing Treatment

If you've spent years in the sun without adequate sun protection, you know what it can do to your skin. Not even celebrities are immune to the sun’s damage. The difference is that they know the treatments and are connected to the professionals who can help to reverse the signs of that damage, restoring them to that perfect Hollywood look that we so admire.

What if less than 60 minutes at SkinSpaMED could restore your skin’s youthful appearance? While the aging process cannot be stopped, with proper care you can maintain your rejuvenated skin’s appearance for many years to come! And now, those once-secret, age-defying treatments reserved for only the richest celebrities are available to you right here at SkinSpaMED.

The sun’s rays might be full of vitamin D, but all that sun exposure comes at a price. The great news is that wrinkles, skin discoloration, sun spots, and skin laxity may be reduced or eliminated with DOT Therapy. Scars from acne or other skin injuries can also be improved with this technology.

DOT Therapy with the SmartXide DOT CO2 laser offers the ultimate in skin rejuvenation in just under an hour for most treatments. Not only does the DOT offer amazing results, but it does so safely and quickly with little downtime.

Botox-Dysport

The use of neurotoxins and dermal fillers in men has been on the rise for more than 30 years, but men don’t often achieve the same results as women. To provide desired result, injectors must consider the more masculine features of men’s faces.

Men have certain characteristics that set them apart from women regarding neurotoxin and dermal fillers. Men’s skulls are about 20 % larger than women, and they have more facial muscle mass, subcutaneous tissue, and blood vessel density. Men tend to have less subcutaneous facial fat tissue than women. Men also have more prominent jawlines and chins, higher and wider foreheads, and their eyebrows have a flatter contour. Men’s eyes are typically larger than women’s but are smaller in proportion to their face, and their noses are usually wider than women’s.

According to a study published in 2015 in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, these differences effect facial expressions. Because men’s facial expressions tend to be larger and stronger because of their face size, they will develop deeper more severe wrinkles in certain facial areas than women meaning that it may require more product or different techniques.

The four most popular and effective areas that men treat are:

1.     Wrinkles on the forehead, around or between the eyes (11’s)

2.     Tired Eyes and Dark Circles

3.     Lines on either side of your mouth

4.     Hyperhidrosis, otherwise known as “Excess Sweating

We hear a lot of questions from our men but what we hear most is that they want to look refreshed and younger without looking like any work was done. That is our specialty!