Meet Us > F.A.Q.

F.A.Q.




What services do we offer?

• Botox
• Soft tissue fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Perlane)
• Chemical peels (Glycolic acid, TCA, Jessner’s)
• Facials
• Sclerotherapy (for leg veins)
• Laser:
  • Hair removal
  • Tattoo removal
  • Treatment of pigmented lesions
  • Treatment of vascular lesions, telangiectasias, facial erythema/redness
  • Fraxel - Laser resurfacing (wrinkles, scars, discoloration)

BASICS ON SOFT TISSUE FILLERS (Radiesse, Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane):

What are soft tissue fillers?

• Flexible substances injected into the skin to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plump lips, fill out hollow cheeks, improve scars, elevate deep folds, and repair various facial imperfections.
• Result is a smoother, more youthful appearance with minimal downtime .

Which filler is right for me?

• Your doctor will decide which product is right for you depending on the type of correction needed and based on an evaluation of facial wrinkles and folds.

What are the possible risks?

• Side effects are few and typically relate to the local injection including pain, swelling, bruising. The doctor can discuss the specifics with you.

What to expect before and after treatment?

• Prior to procedure – topical anesthetic may be applied
• A very small needle is used to inject the filler
• You may feel a stinging or burning sensation as the filler is being inserted
• Side effects may include normal injection-related reactions, such as mild irritation, swelling, bruising, or tenderness – usually resolve within a day or two. What should patients do prior to treatment?
• No pretesting required
• Avoid taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as Advil, Ibuprofen, Motrin), St. John’s Wort, or high doses of Vitamin E supplements at least a week prior to treatment, because these may increase bruising or bleeding at injection sites.

How long does the improvement last?

• Depends on the type of filler used and the areas treated (also differs depending on the individual). Results are generally long-lasting with touch-up or maintenance treatments required after anywhere from 6 to 18 months. How much do treatments cost?
• The procedure is customized for each patient, so the cost will vary. You will need to consult the physician to discuss your treatment plan. (See price list for cost of single syringe of product)

BOTOX:

What is Botox used for?

• Treatment of frown lines between the brows, horizontal forehead lines, crow’s feet (squint lines at corners of eyes), and other uses that can be discussed with your physician.

How does it work?

• Very low doses of Botox are administered via a few tiny injections directly into the muscles responsible for the facial lines/wrinkling. Botox blocks the release of a chemical that causes the muscles to contract, enabling them to relax.
• The effects are very localized and, when administered correctly, do not affect your ability to smile, laugh, or otherwise show expression (just a gentle relaxation of muscles, not complete paralysis!)

What is the treatment like?

• Quick and minimally invasive procedure consisting of a few tiny injections.
• Your doctor will determine exactly where and how much to administer to achieve the best results for you.
• No anesthesia is required.
• Procedure takes approximately 10 minutes with no downtime afterwards.
• Discomfort is minimal and brief.

How soon will I see a difference?

• 3-7 days after treatment

How long will the improvement last?

• Usually from 4-6 months depending on the individual. Maintenance treatments are usually performed every 3 to 6 months for most patients. After repeated treatment, thinning of the muscle may occur leading to longer-lasting results.

What are possible side effects?

• Generally minimal, temporary, and typically relate to the local injection - localized pain, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, bleeding or bruising associated with the injection. All are mild, reversible, and self-limiting. Possible side effects can be discussed in more detail with your physician.

How much will Botox treatment cost?

• The procedure is customized for each patient, so the cost will vary (usually $450 to $750). You will need to consult the physician to discuss your treatment plan. (See current price list for cost per unit)

LASER HAIR REMOVAL:

How many treatments will I need?

• Depends upon your skin color, hair color, and coarseness of the hair.
• Everyone will require at least 2-3 treatments.

What precautions should be taken before and after treatment?

• Avoid the sun 4-6 weeks before and after treatment.
• Avoid electrolysis, plucking or waxing hair for 6 weeks prior to treatment.

Preparation prior to treatment:

• Shave (do not wax or pluck) hair 1 day prior to treatment.

How long does the procedure take?

• Can take as little as 10 minutes or up to an hour, depending on the area treated.

What is the treatment like?

• The degree of discomfort varies with each person, depending on his/her pain threshold. Most patients experience only mild discomfort due to the dynamic cooling device of the laser.
• The treated area may become pink or red within 30 minutes of treatment which may last from a few hours to several days. It can be relieved with the application of ice or cooling gels. What does the procedure cost?
• The procedure is customized for each patient, so the cost will vary depending on what area of the body is treated. You will need to consult the physician to discuss your treatment plan. (See current price list)

V-BEAM LASER TREATMENT (vascular lesions, rosacea, facial or neck redness, telangiectasias):

How many treatments will I need?

• Varies depending on purpose of treatment (facial telangiectasias (blood vessels), facial erythema/redness, etc..). Usually 1-3 treatments for rosacea/redness/vessels.

How long does the procedure take?

• Usually 5-10 minutes (varies depending on treatment area)

What is the treatment like?

• Most patients experience only mild discomfort during the procedure. Anesthesia is not required.

What should I expect post-treatment?

• The treated area will likely become pink or red after the procedure (possibly even a purplish discoloration depending on the treatment). The redness may last from a few hours to several days. Avoiding sun exposure and use of a daily sunblock is highly recommended.

What does the procedure cost?

• The procedure is customized for each patient, so the cost will vary. You will need to consult the physician to discuss your treatment plan. (Cost varies dependent on type of treatment – usually ranges $300-$700)

LASER REMOVAL OF BROWN SPOTS:

How many treatments will I need?

• Varies depending on extent of treatment – usually 1-2 treatments.

How long does the procedure take?

• Usually 5-10 minutes (varies depending on treatment area)

What is the treatment like?

• Most patients experience only mild discomfort during the procedure. Anesthesia is not required.

What should I expect post-treatment?

• After the procedure, the treated area(s) will become pink or red and slightly swollen. The brown spot(s) will initially appear darker and some degree of scabbing may occur. Usually takes 1-2 weeks to notice improvement. Avoiding sun exposure and use of a daily sunblock is highly recommended.

What does the procedure cost?

• The procedure is customized for each patient, so the cost will vary. You will need to consult the physician to discuss your treatment plan. (Cost varies dependent on type of treatment – usually ranges $250-$700)

LASER TATTOO REMOVAL:

How many treatments will I need?

• Varies depending on size of tattoo(s) – usually 8-12 treatment sessions.

How long does the procedure take?

• Usually 10-15 minutes (varies depending on size of tattoo)

What does the procedure cost?

• The procedure is customized for each patient, so the cost will vary. You will need to consult the physician to discuss your treatment plan. (Cost varies dependent on tattoo size – usually ranges $100-$300 per treatment. Remember usually requires multiple treatments – often 8-12)

SCLEROTHERAPY (Treatment of Spider Veins):

How is the procedure performed?

• A sclerosant solution (Sotradecol) is injected into the vessels using very small needles.

How many treatments will I need?

• This differs from patient to patient, depending on the extent of spider veins present. Optimal results usually require 2 to 5 treatment sessions. The number varies with the extent of involvement as well as the response to each treatment.

How long will the procedure take?

• Approximately 15-30 minutes.

Is the effect immediate?

• Usually the vessels disappear over 1 to 2 months, but occasionally fading is gradual over many months.

Are there any side effects?

• Occasionally….itching, transient hyperpigmentation, blistering or ulceration, pain, allergic reactions. The doctor can discuss this with you in more detail at your consultation.

What is the cost of the procedure?

• The cost will vary depending on the extent of spider veins. Usually one session will range from $350-$450. You will need to consult the physician to discuss your treatment plan.

Sclerotherapy Pre-Treatment Instructions:

• Please arrive 10-15 minutes early for your first sclerotherapy treatment.
• Bring compression hose/support stockings with you to your appointment. Hose can be purchased at some department stores, online (ie – BrightLifeDirect.com, supporthosestore.com), or in a pharmacy or medical supply store. The compression hose should measure between 20 - 40 mmHg.
• Wear shorts or a loose skirt. Dressing in loose clothes and comfortable shoes will help to accommodate the cotton balls, tape and hose after your treatment.
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Discontinue Aspirin and Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Aleve etc.) for 10 days before and after injections to reduce bruising. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is allowed.
• Do not apply oil, lotion or powder to your legs the night before or the day of your injections. Use of these toiletries will not allow the cotton balls and tape to adhere to your skin.