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For most people considering Botox, a major concern is, “Will I end up looking frozen?” The stiff, unnaturally expressionless face that many fear has been the punchline of jokes for many years, and it is a very real fear for many newcomers to using Botox and other neurotoxin injectables. We have good news for you: Botox, when injected using modern techniques by experienced injectors, is actually designed to do the opposite – it helps you achieve a subtly fresh, more youthful appearance that looks entirely natural. In this article, we will explain how we achieve remarkably natural outcomes by harnessing our in-depth knowledge of anatomy, personalized care, and diligent follow-up.

Refreshed, Not Frozen

The true power of Botox isn’t erasing all facial movement to prevent lines; it’s about softening your facial lines without impacting your natural facial expressions. After Botox, you should still be able to move your eyebrows, smile naturally, and look surprised when you’re actually surprised. To achieve this natural look, the best approach is to “start low and go slow”. This approach is sometimes referred to as “Baby Botox” and is a great way for a first-timer to dip their toes into trying Botox without experiencing a dramatic change. The goal of this technique is simple: to look like you’re refreshed and rested without looking unnaturally frozen.

Why Bad Results Happen

So, why do some people end up looking completely frozen or strange after Botox? The answer usually comes down to an improper balance between the different muscles in the face. For example, if the forehead’s lifting muscles (the frontalis) are relaxed too much, it can cause a drooping brow (brow ptosis). This droop can cause a person to look heavy and tired. If the wrong balance is struck around the eyes, the eyelids can become droopy (eyelid ptosis). And then there’s the “Spock Eyebrow” that is caused by an imbalance in the muscles that leads to an unnaturally overarched eyebrow.

These outcomes are usually caused by over-treating or under-treating areas, which leads to imbalance. More specifically, it’s not about the Botox itself, but rather poor technique and precision that cause these issues.

Customization is Key

Botox is not a one-size-fits-all treatment; every person’s face is structured very differently. A skilled injector will take a slow, methodical approach to mapping out your facial anatomy to assess how strong or weak your individual muscle groups are and to see how they all work together. They should also factor in unique facial features, like hooded eyes, which might require slight adjustments in their treatment plan.

Most importantly, your injector should listen to your goals and concerns and create a plan that works based on those. Whether it’s subtle smoothing or a gentle lift, a customized plan will help you achieve the results you want, without looking unnatural. It takes true artistry and precision on the part of the injector to achieve a natural look.

The Two-Week Follow-Up

Botox is not a one-stop process. A standard part of treatment is to follow up in two weeks to see how your face is responding. This is the time that the injector can evaluate your results and fine-tune them with micro-adjustments, with a few extra units where needed. This often overlooked step ensures that your results are balanced, natural, and never appear “frozen”.

The primary usage of Botox does not directly influence sleep quality, but Botox has many potential uses, and it can be used to treat several non-cosmetic conditions that can have a significant effect on the overall quality of sleep. This blog examines these situations.

Botox and Sleep Bruxism

Sleep bruxism is the name given to the involuntary clenching or grinding of the teeth while sleeping. It’s a relatively common problem, which can lead to accelerated tooth wear, as well as jaw pain and discomfort.

Sleep bruxism has several possible causes, including elevated levels of stress. Studies have shown that injecting Botox into the large masseter jaw muscles can result in a decrease in the levels of nocturnal jaw muscle contractions, without having negative effects on the normal use of the jaw muscles while eating. When used this way, Botox can provide temporary relief from sleep bruxism, with benefits typically lasting for up to 12 weeks.

Botox and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea, which involves repeated interruptions in sleep caused by the cessation of breathing, can result from a variety of causes. In some cases, sleep apnea can be traced to abnormal contractions of the jaw muscles, which in turn can cause the airway to become constricted. Botox injections into the masseter muscles have been shown to be able to greatly reduce the problem.

In other cases, Botox injections into the soft palate or base of the tongue have resulted in a reduction in the severity of sleep apnea caused by constriction of the airway. These results depend on individual circumstances and are not reproducible in all patients.

Some cerebral palsy patients suffer from sleep apnea caused by uncontrolled muscle spasms; Botox has been shown to provide relief in this situation.

Botox and Overactive Bladders

Botox can provide relief in cases where sleep is frequently interrupted by the need to urinate during the night. In this case, Botox is used to reduce the intensity and frequency of bladder muscle contractions. The benefits, although temporary, can last for up to 6 months.

Botox for Migraines and TMJ

Botox has been shown to provide significant relief for patients suffering from chronic migraines, often linked to stress in the TMJ (temporomandibular joints) that connect the jaw to the skull. Botox injections into the masseter muscles are considered an effective way to treat this disorder.

Botox and Restless Leg Syndrome

Some patients suffer from sleep interruptions caused by extreme cases of restless leg syndrome. Botox has also been used with some success in this situation.

Improve Your Sleep and Comfort with a Personalized Botox Treatment

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing Botox procedures, including for the relief of migraine and TMJ pain. We tailor all treatments according to each patient’s needs. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information

Restylane is a well-known and respected family of dermal filler products, covering the full range of cosmetic applications.

Restylane is used to help disguise many of the unwanted effects of aging, including the development of fine lines and wrinkles, and unwanted loss of volume beneath the skin. Restylane fillers are viscous injectable gels whose primary ingredient is hyaluronic acid. This is a naturally occurring substance in the body, which serves to attract and bind moisture. Injecting this creates additional bulk beneath the skin, which in turn counteracts areas that have lost volume. The filler also becomes integrated with cells beneath the skin, and has the additional long-term benefit of stimulating the body’s production of collagen, a vital substance that contributes to overall skin health and vitality.

Restylane products use a higher viscosity gel than other products, which makes them more suitable as a way of adding additional bulk to areas where the product must be sculpted to address lost volume, such as the cheeks, chin, and hands. One variant, Restylane Kysse, has a smoother consistency that makes it more suitable for use in and around the lips.

Loss of Efficiency Over Time

In common will all other hyaluronic-acid based formulations, the benefits gradually lessen over time as the filler is slowly absorbed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body. It’s hard to predict with certainty how long the benefits of a Restylane treatment will last; the duration is influenced by many factors, including the precise formulation used, however results are commonly seen to last for up to 6-12 months.

Duration of Different Restylane Variants

Restylane Kysse (used for the lips) typically gives results that last up to 12 months. Restylane Lyft (used for chin augmentation and as a way to address lost volume in the cheeks) lasts for between 6 and 9 months. Other Restylane variants can last 6-12 months, especially when used on parts of the face that are not subject to regular movement.

Absorption of any dermal filler product is accelerated when it’s injected into an area that is regularly stressed by muscle activity, such as the lips. Denser Restylane formulations degrade more slowly than do thinner ones. Other factors that influence the longevity of dermal fillers include the patient’s level of physical activity, metabolism, lifestyle, as well as the skill level and experience of the practitioner who performs the procedure.

Comparison with Other Dermal Fillers

There are a large number of available dermal filler products on the market, so it is not possible to generalize. However, some Restylane variants have a somewhat denser and more granular texture than other products, which may result in longer lasting results. But choosing the best filler product for a particular use is not as simple as simply choosing the longest-lasting one. Dermal fillers must provide several sometimes contradictory benefits, including texture, consistency, longevity, suitability for a particular area, the ability to enhance appearance while still looking natural, and finally safety and reversibility.

Your practitioner has to choose the product (or products) that provide the best balance between these different trade-offs. You should certainly discuss your concerns and objectives with your practitioner; this will help them to guide you towards the best solution for your particular needs.

Enhance Your Look Today with a Personalized Restylane Treatment

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing dermal filler treatments. We tailor all treatments according to each patient’s needs. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.

Botox works in places where the formation of lines and wrinkles is directly caused by repetitive muscle activity. It works by temporarily blocking the transmission of the nerve signals that cause individual muscles to contract. As a result, some parts of the face respond far better to the application of Botox than do other locations.

The areas where Botox is useful are influenced by facial anatomy, and the size of the muscle groups concerned. In all cases it’s important that Botox use can be confined to the specific areas being treated, so that it doesn’t migrate to other parts of the face where it might have unwanted results.

This blog summarizes the parts of the face where you can expect to see good results from using Botox.

Forehead (Worry Lines)

The frontalis muscle serves to lift the eyebrows, with the generally unwanted side-effect of creating horizontal lines across the forehead. This muscle has a broad, flat structure that responds well to the application of Botox., allowing Botox to provide a significant reduction in the appearance of these lines.

Glabellar Region (Frown Lines or “Elevens”)

The corrugator supercilii and procerus muscles are together involved when we frown, resulting in the development of vertical or diagonal lines between the eyebrows. These muscle groups are relatively compact and well defined, and as a result it’s possible to significantly reduce the appearance of associated lines with the application of Botox.

Periorbital Area (Crow’s Feet)

The orbicularis oculi muscles surround our eye sockets, and are responsible for the development of radial lines when we smile, or squint our eyes. These muscles are relatively shallow, and can be effectively treated with quite low doses of Botox. Care must be taken to avoid any possibility of Botox migrating, and having unwanted side-effects such as impairing the ability to blink.

Nasal Area (Bunny Lines)

The procerus and nasalis muscles are involved when we wrinkle the nasal bridge area. These are relatively small muscles, and respond well to low doses of Botox. It’s rare to develop permanent (static) lines in this area, but Botox can help reduce any dynamic lines that have developed.

Perioral Area (Lip Lines or Smoker’s Lines)

The orbicularis oris muscle come into play when we purse our lips, and can result in the development of vertical lines above the lips. Small doses of Botox are highly effective in reducing these lines; muscle anatomy allows Botox to be applied without risking unwanted effects to surrounding muscle groups. The “lip flip” procedure allows the profile of the upper lip to be enhanced by targeting the depressor septi nasi muscle.

Masseter Muscle (Jawline)

The powerful masseter muscles can become over-developed and cause the accumulation of unwanted bulk. Larger Botox doses can achieve a reduction of the size of these muscles, with resulting improvements to the profile and relative appearance of the chin area. They can also help address the results of excessive teeth grinding.

Mentalis Muscle (Chin Dimpling)

The mentalis muscle serves to lift the chin area, which can result in the development of unwanted skin dimpling. Small Botox doses can be very effective in reversing this condition.

Ready to Refresh Your Look With Botox? Contact Us Today!

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing Botox procedures. We tailor all treatments according to each patient’s needs. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information

A common age-related complaint is the development of sunken cheeks. They’re associated with aging and are also commonly assumed to indicate health problems, malnutrition, or illness. They also result in generally unwanted changes to the proportions of the face, and can often exaggerate the appearance of other parts of the face, including the jawline and under-the-eyes.

While dermal fillers are the go-to treatment for loss of volume around the face, there has been a movement towards using Botox in this situation. Although Botox is primarily used to treat muscle-related facial lines and wrinkles, it is also increasingly being used to help adjust facial contours.

Causes of Sunken Cheeks

Loss of volume in and around the cheeks can be caused by several factors, but is primarily due to age-related reduction in the fat deposits beneath the skin. This occurs with the natural reduction in the body’s ability to produce collagen, elastin, and facial fat as it ages. Other factors can influence the process, including rapid weight loss, medical history, lifestyle choices, and genetic factors.

Using Botox to Adjust Facial Contours

Although Botox is traditionally used to address facial wrinkles, it has also found use as a way to adjust the contours of the face linked to overdeveloped masseter (chewing) muscles around the jawline. Judicious application of Botox to these muscles can achieve a reduction in their size over time.

Reducing the size of the masseter muscles can help create a slimmer-looking lower face. This, in turn, can change the profile of one’s face, as it causes the midface area to appear more prominent relative to the lower facial area. By creating a more balanced facial profile, Botox treatment can help draw attention away from the cheek area and reduce the visual perception of sunken cheeks.

An interesting technique can be used to mitigate any potential to exaggerate the appearance of cheek hollowness – different Botox doses can be applied at various locations along the masseter muscles. Using a larger dose in the thickest part of the muscle, combined with smaller doses on either side, can help achieve better results.

Limitations of the Technique

As opposed to dermal fillers, Botox does not act to restore lost facial volume. Its benefits occur mainly by adjusting facial contours. In cases where significant facial volume has been lost, it may still be necessary to use dermal fillers to compensate for lost layers of fat. Fortunately, the two procedures act to complement each other, and can be jointly used when appropriate.

The ability to use Botox to address sunken cheeks varies according to each individual. Your anatomy, facial structure, and the severity of your volume loss will dictate whether Botox can help address your situation. Discuss any concerns with your practitioner – assuming that they are experienced with the use of Botox in this situation, they will be able to help you decide if it’s an appropriate treatment for your particular situation.

Speak With Your Laser Skin Care About Whether Botox Is Right for You

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing Botox treatments, including its use to adjust facial profiles. We tailor all treatments according to each patient’s needs. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information

A common problem, especially for those living in a sun-drenched environment like Southern California, is the accumulation of areas of uneven skin pigmentation and darker skin spots. These sunspots and age spots are caused by the build-up of excess melanin, in turn caused by exposing our skin to the sun’s UV rays. IPL photofacials are a popular and effective way to treat these problems.

How Do IPL Photofacials Work?

IPL stands for Intense Pulsed Light; IPL light pulses cover a broad spectrum of light frequencies, which are able to target the melanin pigmentation that lies at the heart of darker skin areas and spots.

The IPL light energy is directed at the area to be treated, and will heat up and degrade pigmented cells in the skin, causing them to break down and eventually be absorbed and eliminated from the body. The IPL light energy also stimulates the body’s production of collagen, a key ingredient in maintaining a youthful and healthy appearance.

Why is IPL Effective for Sun Damage?

Over time sun exposure often results in the appearance of hyperpigmentation, freckles, and uneven or rough skin texture. IPL Is particularly effective in treating these problems because the energy transmitted by its broad-spectrum light pulses is able to effectively target the skin pigmentation cells that cause the problem.

Along with collagen, IPL can also boost the body’s natural production of elastin and hyaluronic acid, creating a long-lasting benefit that also acts to heal skin damage.

Why is IPL Effective for Age Spots?

Age spots (also known as liver spots), are flat, darker areas of skin that are a sign of skin damage caused by excess sun exposure over longer periods of time. IPL can be used to target these specific areas of darker pigmentation, while leaving adjacent areas of less pigmented skin undamaged. IPL’s ability to treat specific areas of damage makes it an ideal way to combat age spots.

Visible Results from IPL

The light-damaged unwanted skin pigmentation cells will break down and gradually disappear. This, together with the body’s slower-to-develop enhanced ability to synthesize collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, will result in clearer, more evenly-toned skin with improved surface texture.

These improvements will reduce the appearance of fine skin lines, and will help improve the overall look of your skin, as well as contributing to a rejuvenated and vibrant look.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing IPL procedures. We tailor all treatments according to each patient’s needs. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy was first introduced in the early 1990s, and has become a popular non-invasive way to treat rosacea and facial redness. However, it’s not guaranteed to work in all situations. This blog explores the use of IPL, its strengths, and its limitations.

How Does IPL Work to Target Rosacea and Redness

The broad-spectrum light pulses used by IPL are able to target the hemoglobin that is located within surface blood vessels and pigmented skin areas. The intense light energy heats the targeted area, causing fine blood vessels to collapse. The resulting reduction in blood flow in treated areas contributes to reduced inflammation, and skin tone improves as surface blood vessels reduce in size and number.

How Fast Does IPL Show Results?

Depending on the actual cause and degree of facial rosacea, IPL can result in an over 50% reduction in visible redness after 3 to 5 treatment sessions.

IPL treatments are typically repeated after 4 to 6 weeks, and it’s common for the results to last several months. To obtain the best results, carefully follow your provider’s after-treatment instructions. These may include applying specific skin care products, and will normally also involve reducing or eliminating excess sun exposure.

When May IPL not Give the Desired Results?

IPL is not a universal solution for rosacea; its effectiveness may be limited in the following situations:

• Rosacea Subtype: IPL is less effective when rosacea is not directly caused by surface blood vessels, but is due to thickened skin and linked to glandular causes.
• Skin type: IPL works best when there’s a large contrast between the patient’s natural skin color, and the areas being treated. Patients with naturally darker skin run a greater risk of developing burns or hyperpigmentation, caused by the greater levels of natural melatonin in their skin.
• Severity of the condition: Patients with especially severe or long-established rosacea should expect to have to undergo more treatments before achieving desired results.
• Environmental factors: it’s common for rosacea symptoms to be linked to underlying causes, such as stress, diet (especially spicy food and alcohol), and sun exposure. If the patient is unwilling or unable to limit their exposure to these irritants, they may not achieve the desired results.

Alternative Treatments

In cases when IPL does not produce the results expected, you should be ready to consider alternative treatments, including pulsed laser treatments, topical medications, and reducing your exposure to environmental triggers.

Your Laser Skin Care

Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified, with extensive experience performing IPL procedures. We tailor all treatments according to each patient’s needs. We invite you to contact us for more information on this or any of the other non-invasive cosmetic procedures we offer. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.