As we age, it’s normal for our skin to lose its volume and perkiness, leading to wrinkles, hollow cheeks, and thin lips. While there’s nothing wrong with getting older, it can be hard to watch your face change and the person in the mirror grow less familiar. But with Juvederm, you can refresh your face, restoring volume so you feel younger and more yourself. Here at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery in Portage, MI, we can help you feel rejuvenated and gorgeous with just a few simple injections.

Does Juvederm Treatment Use an Anesthetic?

Because Juvederm is a minimally invasive treatment, patients won’t need to use an anesthetic. A topical numbing cream may be applied to the treatment areas before the injections are performed, but this is only to stop patients from experiencing any discomfort from the needle. For this reason, patients don’t need to worry about any reactions the body might have to the anesthetic, and can carry on with their day immediately after their session – even driving themselves to and from the appointment if they like!

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the benefits of this FDA-approved anti-wrinkle treatment. To learn more about Juvederm, read on.

What Exactly Is Juvederm?

This simple injectable utilizes the power of hyaluronic acid, or HA, to hydrate the body and revitalize the skin. HA is found naturally in the body, but our production of it slows as we age. Without it, our skin stops receiving moisture, as well as healthy nutrients like elastin and collagen, which can result in its sagging, wrinkling, and becoming more coarse. But by giving the body a new, synthetic supply of HA, we can combat these issues!

When injected into the skin, the product gets to work restoring volume, moisture, and suppleness. Patients love that results develop quickly after simple sessions that are short enough to be attended on a lunch break, and make them look younger, healthier, and more refreshed, whilst still looking natural and like themselves.

So Aging Is the Cause of My Wrinkles?

Not necessarily. Things like sun damage, heavy alcohol or tobacco consumption, genetics, a poor diet, or even overactive facial muscles can be the cause of lines and folds on the face and neck, many of them contributing to a loss of HA in the same way aging does. Whatever the cause, if your skin is sagging and could benefit from a boost of hydration, this treatment may be right for you.

How Does This Treatment Work?

During your session, a series of injections are made into your treatment areas using a very fine needle. The product injected, containing HA, gets to work binding to water it finds in the body. Amazingly, HA can absorb up to one thousand times its weight in water! Once it’s done that, it brings that moisture to the skin, which will then become more plump and voluminous. In the weeks after your session, the body absorbs the HA and your face settles into its fresh structure, with gorgeous, natural results developing over time.

Because HA is naturally occurring in the body, the risk of a patient rejecting the product is incredibly low, and there’s rarely any kind of allergic reaction to it. Patients also love that the synthetic version of HA used in this treatment is a gel form rather than a liquid, so it better holds shape. The treatment also stimulates the body to produce more HA and collagen on its own, so as well as a cosmetic treatment, it works as a kind of kick-start for the body to rejuvenate itself!

Where Can This Treatment Be Applied?

This treatment can be used to remedy several skin concerns, including:

• Frown lines
• Crow’s feet
• Nasolabial folds (lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth)
• Depressed/hollow cheeks
• Sunken eyes
• Sunken temples
• Marionette lines (wrinkles that go from the corners of the mouth down the chin)
• The lips, to act as a lip filler and increase volume

What Will My Treatment Experience Be Like?

Before Your Treatment

The first step will be to come in for a consultation with a member of our expert team. This will be your chance to talk us through your cosmetic concerns, including what particular areas you’re hoping to treat. We’ll make sure that you’re a suitable candidate for this treatment, going over your medical history and any medications you might be on. We’ll also make sure this treatment is going to be the best option to treat your concerns.

If everything looks good, we’ll design a treatment plan tailored to you specifically, including how many injections to make, how much product will be used, and what type of Juvederm will be best effective for you; there are a few types that specialize in treating different concerns. Usually, we use about one to two vials of product per session. We likely won’t ask you to do anything to prepare for your session, other than coming in with a clean, makeup-free face.

On the Day

Treatment is performed in-house at our gorgeous Portage office. After applying the numbing cream, injections will be made into the targeted areas, sending the HA-fuelled product into your body. The length of your session will depend on how many areas you’re treating, but generally, they take no longer than 45 minutes. Most of our patients report feeling very little pain during the treatment.

After Your Treatment

Patients love that there’s no downtime following this treatment. This is in contrast to many surgical cosmetic procedures that require a week of bed rest and time off work afterward. You’ll be able to carry on with your life immediately, returning to work or running errands. We may suggest a few steps to keep your skin as healthy as possible, such as avoiding harsh sunlight and strenuous exercise.

How Long Before I See Results?

Because moisture is immediately brought to your skin by HA, you may notice some suppleness and new volume right away. As the body absorbs the product and it settles in, these results develop. Many of our patients achieve their desired results after around two weeks, when treated areas are plump, lifted, and shapely. The exact time will, of course, vary depending on the individual.

How Long Will My Results Last?

Juvederm is, amazingly, the longest-lasting FDA-approved filler on the market, with patients often seeing incredible 12-month longevity on their results. The timeline varies depending on the area that’s been treated, the way the body functions, and in particular, the type of product we decide to use during your session, as they vary in thickness. For example, one of Juvederm’s most popular products, Voluma, can last an astonishing two years.

After this time, you can easily book another session if you want to achieve the same look all over again. Some of our patients even come in for mini touch-up sessions between their main sessions!

Am I a Good Candidate for This Treatment?

If you’re over the age of 18 and have noticed wrinkles, fine lines, or hollow areas appearing on your face and neck, you may be an ideal candidate for this treatment. Although many of our patients who seek out this treatment are in their 40s and 50s, we don’t suggest one specific age group is more suited to this treatment than another, understanding that sagging skin and a loss of HA can occur in anyone at any time.

Certain medications may make you ineligible for treatment, as will pregnancy and breastfeeding. If, during your consultation, we discover that your wrinkles are dynamic – caused by overactive facial movements, such as repeatedly frowning or smiling – we may instead suggest Botox. Botox is also an injectable, but targets the nerves under the skin rather than the skin itself, relaxing the muscles and stopping the skin from creasing and folding while it’s moving. The result is smoother, wrinkle-free skin that looks gorgeous and keeps Botox one of the most popular cosmetic treatments of all time.

Schedule a Consultation Today

It can be confronting to watch your face age and change until you no longer recognize the person looking back at you in the mirror. With Juvederm, you can feel yourself again, looking gorgeous and more youthful after a simple, quick session. And our team is ready to help! To book your appointment, call Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery in Portage, MI today.

We humans have hair all over our bodies. But unwanted body hair may leave you feeling unhappy with your appearance. At Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery in Portage, MI, our laser hair removal treatments can give you the lasting results you want.

Laser Hair Removal: How Long Do Treatments Take?

Unwanted body hair can cause a lot of anxiety about your appearance. You may feel uncomfortable about your body when you’re in certain situations, or perhaps you can’t wear the clothes you want because you’re too self-conscious about your unwanted body hair. Whatever the reason, it can make a significant impact on your life.

Laser hair removal is a fantastic way to get rid of unwanted body hair, leaving you with smooth and hairless skin that you can feel confident in. You will most likely require several sessions to see the results you’re looking for, and each treatment session is generally very fast. Depending on the size of the area you’re treating, your session may take anywhere between a few minutes to an hour.

What Is Laser Hair Removal?

The word “laser” may look a little intimidating at first. But don’t worry—this is an FDA-approved method of hair removal that is safe and extremely effective. It uses a laser to target the unwanted hairs on your body without damaging the skin.

If you’re thinking about getting this hair removal treatment, then the most important thing is to find a reputable clinic like ours where you will be safe and get the long-lasting results you’re looking for.

How Does the Laser Work?

The laser used for this hair removal method is color-sensitive. That means that it’s attracted to darker pigmentation. When it’s used on your unwanted hairs, the laser avoids the lighter color of your skin and instead focuses on the darker pigmentation of your hair.

As the light reaches your hair, that light is converted into heat. The laser targets the root of your hair, warming it up and damaging the follicle. After you leave your sessions, you’ll notice your hair beginning to fall out. After a few weeks, the follicle will regrow its hair. However, after several sessions, your hair follicles will be unable to produce new hairs.

What Areas Can Be Treated?

Essentially, any area where you have hair can be treated with this hair removal method. Some of the most common places where people have hair removed include:
•    Arms
•    Legs
•    Upper lip
•    Chin
•    Bikini line
•    Back
•    Underarms
•    Neck
•    Shoulders

What Is Getting Treatment Like?

Want to know what you can expect from your treatment process? At our clinic, we will do everything we can to make sure that your experience is safe, comfortable, and that you get the results you want.

During your initial consultation, we’ll discuss what areas you’d like to target with your treatment. We’ll also talk about how you should prepare for your sessions.

Preparing for Your Appointment

This method of hair removal is non-invasive, and there is little you’ll need to do beforehand to prepare. That said, there are still a few things you’ll need to be aware of before your appointment comes if you want it to be as safe and effective as possible.

Remember that this treatment should not be performed on tanned skin. Avoid spending time in direct sunlight, and don’t go to the tanning salon. This treatment is best performed on shaved hair, so shaving before your appointment will help make the treatment more effective. However, you should avoid anything that removes the root of the hair, like plucking or waxing, since the laser targets the root.

Your Appointment

When you arrive at our clinic, we will be happy to welcome you to our safe and comfortable environment. Before we begin applying the laser to your desired areas, we’ll carefully clean your skin. We may also apply a small amount of topical numbing cream to the targeted areas.

Once your skin is ready, we’ll start using the laser. The treatment process should be painless, and you might feel a slight snapping sensation. If you feel any pain or discomfort, don’t hesitate to notify us right away. Because this is non-invasive, you’ll be able to leave the clinic as soon as your appointment is complete.

Recovery

There is very little recovery time necessary after your treatment. However, you should be aware that your skin will be more sensitive and therefore there are some things you’ll need to be mindful of in the days following your appointment.

Continue to avoid spending time in direct sunlight and don’t go to your local tanning salon for the next few days. You should also make sure to apply sunscreen with at least 30 SPF every few hours to keep your skin protected.

How Many Sessions Are Needed?

This is a highly effective and long-lasting way of getting rid of your unwanted body hair. But to see the full results you’re looking for, you’ll likely need several sessions.

The specific number of sessions you’ll need will depend on a few factors. But most people need somewhere between 6 to 8 sessions spaced several weeks apart according to their hair growth cycle. You may need a few more or a few less depending on the following factors.

The Results You Want

One of the main things that goes into determining how many sessions you’ll need is the results you’re looking for specifically. What does that mean, exactly? Well, not everyone seeking out this hair removal method is looking to get rid of hair entirely.

Some people simply want to thin the hair out on a certain area of their bodies. One great example is a man looking to thin out his facial hair to make shaving more manageable while still keeping the ability to grow a beard. This man will require fewer sessions than someone looking to completely remove arm hair, for example.

Your Hair Type

Another thing that plays a huge role in how many treatment sessions you’ll need is your hair type. The laser is attracted to darker pigmentation, so if you have darker hair your treatments will be more effective than on someone with lighter hair, and you may require fewer.

However, if you have especially thick hair, then it’s likely that you’ll need more sessions to completely get rid of hair than someone with finer hair.

Your Targeted Areas

Everyone has a different hair type. But the hair types on different parts of your body will differ from each other too. So, for example, a woman looking to remove hair on her upper lip only will probably need fewer sessions total than someone trying to get rid of leg hair.

The size of the area itself will determine how long each individual session will take. Because it’s a small area, removing your upper lip hair could take just a few minutes while targeting a larger part of the body could take up to an hour.

Benefits of Laser Hair Removal

You know how this hair removal works now, but what are the benefits of getting it?

Avoid Irritation

There are lots of hair removal methods like shaving, waxing, or plucking. But if you’ve ever had razor burn, then you know how uncomfortable shaving can be.

Waxing and plucking can have their own issues if they’re not done correctly. Going with this hair removal method instead will help you avoid skin irritation associated with other methods of hair removal.

Save Time

Shaving or waxing may feel quick. After all, all you need is a few minutes in the shower to shave your legs, right? Well, think about how often you need to shave your legs or other areas of your body. All of that time adds up!

Opting to go with this hair removal method instead will provide you with long-lasting results. And you won’t need to worry about spending time shaving or lengthy waxing appointments.

Gain Confidence

One of the best things about this hair removal method is how much more confident you’ll feel. Unwanted body hair can make you feel very self-conscious about your appearance. The lasting results you get from this hair removal method will help you feel confident and happy about your appearance.

Book Your Appointment Today

At our clinic, we’ll be more than happy to help you get the lasting results you want from your laser hair removal treatment. To make an appointment, get in touch with us at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery in Portage, MI.

Wrinkles are one of the most common signs of aging. They are also one of the most undesirable. At Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery in Portage, MI, our Dysport injections could be the solution to wrinkles that you’ve been waiting for.

How Is Dysport Treatment Performed?

Are you looking for ways to maintain a youthful appearance? An injectable could be the right method for you. Injectables offer non-invasive solutions for many of the most undesirable signs of aging. They can be effective for treating a variety of wrinkles around the face and neck area.

Dysport is a fantastic injectable that is derived from the same source as Botox. When you receive this treatment, a fine, precise needle will be used to apply the product. This will help your skin look fuller, which in turn makes you look younger and healthier.

What Is Dysport?

This treatment comes from the same bacterium as Botox. This bacterium is called Clostridium botulinum, and it is used to form a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin type A. The words “Bacterium” and “neurotoxin” can sound scary, but this is a completely safe, FDA-approved method of treating issues like fine lines and wrinkles.

The bacterium used to make products like this and Botox can be found in a variety of places. It appears naturally in forests, plants, animals, and different soils.

How Does It Work?

Your brain sends certain signals called neurotransmitters to your muscles. These neurotransmitters tell your muscles to do a variety of things, including tensing and contracting. Unfortunately, this tension often results in the wrinkling of the skin above the muscle.

If you are getting an injectable like this, then the neuromodulator that is being injected into the muscle stops the signal from your brain from reaching that specific muscle. The enzyme contained within the treatment binds to the proteins that are used to send the signals to your nerves, preventing them from traveling to your muscle. That forces the muscle to relax, which will smooth out those fine lines and wrinkles appearing on the skin.

Why Do Wrinkles Appear?

Wrinkles are an almost inevitable part of life. As we get older, it’s entirely natural for wrinkles to show up. They’re one of the biggest signs of aging. But why do wrinkles show up in the first place? There are a few factors that can contribute to the appearance and severity of wrinkles. The first is that as you age, the amount of collagen and elastin in your skin begins to get lower. These proteins are what allow your skin to maintain its elasticity and structure, so their reduction results in sagging, wrinkled skin.

This combined with other elements can result in wrinkles showing up. Repeated facial movements make your skin crease, and since your skin creases in the same way, eventually, they will begin to stick. One of the other factors you need to consider when it comes to the formation of wrinkles is the sun. The sun’s UV rays penetrate your skin and affect the amount of collagen and elastin present, which, of course, will result in wrinkles.

What Does Dysport Treat?

The main use of this treatment is to reduce or even eliminate the appearance of frown lines. These are the lines that appear in between your brows and are a result of frowning. They can also be called “11 lines,” because they often appear as two parallel lines.

This is an extremely effective treatment method if you are looking to get rid of your frown lines for a more relaxed, happier appearance. But frown lines aren’t the only type of wrinkle that this injectable can treat. You’ll find that it is effective at achieving a variety of results.

Crow’s Feet

While the injectable’s primary purpose is treating frown lines, it’s also a great treatment for those who are looking to get rid of their crow’s feet. These are the wrinkles that appear around the corners of your eyes. They are formed by frequent squinting.

When you receive this injectable for your crow’s feet, you’ll find that the areas around your eyes are smoothed out for a younger, natural look.

Forehead Wrinkles

Frown lines aren’t the only wrinkles that appear on and around your forehead. Raising your brow frequently can result in horizontal lines across your forehead, which can make you look concerned or surprised.

This injectable can help to reduce the appearance of these types of wrinkles, offering you a more relaxed and happier appearance overall.

What Are the Benefits?

If you’re looking for a safe and effective way to get rid of unwanted wrinkles around your forehead and eye areas, then this treatment method is a fantastic option. There is a myriad of benefits that come with getting an injectable like this one.

It Looks Natural

One of the major benefits of going with this injectable is how natural it looks. There are many different injectables available, but not all of them offer particularly natural-looking results. If you want to get the youthful appearance you’ve been dreaming of without having to field those awkward “Did you get work done?” questions, then this could be the perfect treatment for you.

This is because this injectable has a thinner consistency than its counterpart Botox. Dysport can spread much more evenly under the skin, offering you more natural, subtle results that won’t beg any dreaded questions from friends and family.

It’s Fast

There are plenty of treatment options available for reducing the appearance of wrinkles, including surgical options. But one of the major drawbacks of these procedures is that they can take a long time. You’ll spend hours under the knife, and you’ll also need to account for the recovery time that needs to come afterward.

You don’t need to worry about that when you get this injectable. The treatment itself is, generally, very fast and shouldn’t take much longer than around half an hour. You also won’t need to worry about any significant recovery time. You’ll need to be careful to avoid certain things, but there won’t be a weeks-long healing period afterward.

You’ll Get Results Quickly

Some treatment options for getting rid of wrinkles can take weeks or even months to get you the results you want. But when you get an injectable like this one, your results will be almost immediate.

You’ll see a change in your appearance within a day of receiving your treatment. Over the next few weeks, you’ll begin to see even more significant results. This makes it a fantastic option for those who are looking to get results fast.

You’ll Look Younger

Because wrinkles are such a prominent sign of aging, getting rid of them will help you look and feel younger. Wrinkles may be natural, but that doesn’t mean you have to put up with them.

An injectable like this will help smooth out wrinkles and fine lines, which will provide you with a much younger, healthier appearance.

It Lasts a Long Time

Injectables offer temporary solutions for wrinkles, but temporary doesn’t mean short-lived. When you receive this injectable, you can expect to maintain your results for a long time. You’ll need to get more treatments, but you can go a relatively long time in between them.

Most people can go 3 to 4 months between treatment sessions. The more injections you have, the longer you’ll likely be able to wait between them.

It Can Be a Good Preventative Measure

Wrinkles may begin to appear on your body sooner than you might be expecting. This is especially true for your face since the skin here is much thinner than it is on the rest of your body. Depending on a variety of factors, most people tend to see wrinkles beginning to form in their late 20s to 30s.

This injectable can help get rid of wrinkles that are already appearing on your face. But if you want to stop them from appearing in the first place, then Dysport can do that too.

What Happens at My Appointment?

If you are thinking of getting this injectable, then the first thing that will happen is we’ll consult with you about your expectations and your desired results. This will help us determine how to proceed with the treatment, and make sure that the treatment plan we come up with is right for you. Once this has been discussed, we’ll get you ready to receive your injection.

Before injecting the product, we will thoroughly clean the targeted areas to remove any grime or buildup on the skin. Then, a very fine and precise needle will be used to inject the Dysport. Afterward, a cold compress will be applied to prevent swelling and redness. Any swelling that does come up will fade quickly, and you’ll be able to leave the clinic soon after the injection is done.

What Do I Do After?

One of the major benefits of injectables is that they require very little recovery time once the treatment is complete. However, there are still some things you should be aware of if you want to make sure that the injectable can give you the results you want.

For about 4 hours after the treatment, you will need to avoid lying down to prevent the injectable from spreading away from the targeted areas. You should also take care to avoid strenuous activity, heat, and sunlight for the first few days after your treatment.

Who Will It Work for?

There are very few people for whom this treatment won’t work. Most people can receive this injectable, but an allergy test may need to be done before the treatment if you have shown sensitivities to certain things in the past. Women who are pregnant or nursing should avoid getting injectables, and those with skin infections on or around the targeted areas are also not recommended to receive them.

This is a great option for people looking to get rid of any wrinkles that have already appeared on the forehead area. It also works for candidates who are looking to prevent them from appearing at all. When you visit our clinic, we will make sure that this treatment works for you.

Look and Feel Younger

Dysport is a fantastic way to get the youthful, healthy-looking skin you want in a way that’s subtle and safe. You’ll erase the appearance of unwanted frown lines as well as other types of wrinkles around the forehead and eyes. If you’re interested in this treatment, visit us at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery in Portage, MI.