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Injectables FAQ
General FAQ's For TOX
(BOTOX/DYSPORT/XEOMIN)
Q. What is the difference between TOXâ„ and fillers?
The easiest way to visualize the difference between botox referred to as ‘TOX’ and dermal fillers is to think of mountains and valleys. Toxâ„ flattens and smooths the mountains created by excessive muscle movement/expressions and prevents them from being pushed together, while dermal fillers fill & lift the crevices & valleys.
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Q. When Will I See Results for TOXâ„ & how long does it last?
Your final results may be noticeable within a few days after your session, or may take up to 10 days to become visible. The effects are long-lasting, and many patients find they can go between 3 to 5 months between treatments. With continued regular treatments you may achieve longer lasting results. Initially if you have strong muscles it may take several treatments to eliminate the visible lines and/or deep valleys.
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Q. Do TOXâ„ Injections Hurt?
The majority of patients feel little to no discomfort during treatment. Ice is used to constrict the blood vessels & freeze the muscle prior to injection. However, patients who are extremely sensitive may use a topical numbing cream prior to their session.
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Q. How Does TOXâ„ Work?
Toxâ„ is formulated from botulinum toxin, which is a neuromodulator. When used as a cosmetic treatment, Toxâ„ is injected in very small amounts, temporarily blocking the chemical transmitter acetylcholine which signals the brain to contract the muscle in the target area. The effect of the neuromodulator allows the muscles to relax and skin to smooth, eliminating fine lines and dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated muscle movement.
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There are 3 FDA-approved Tox’s for cosmetic use on crow’s feet (wrinkles at the outside corners of the eyes) and vertical frown lines between the brows, just above the bridge of the nose but are also widely used on several other muscles in the face & neck.
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Other medical uses for tox include hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), TMJ (clenching of the jaw), migraines, bladder spasm, cerebral palsy, torticollis, esophageal stricture/spasm as well as other medical uses.
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Q: How long does the TOXâ„ treatment take?
Your specialist will discuss your treatment goals and perform a facial analysis to determine the appropriate treatments for you. The actual injection process takes about 10 minutes.
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Q. What is the average treatment cost?
Your cost not only includes the price of the product, but more importantly, the skill and expertise of the healthcare professional who is administering your treatment. Toxâ„ is a technique-sensitive treatment—look for someone who is licensed & trained and has experience treating patients with BOTOX® Cosmetic/Dysport/Xeomin. Be wary of discount products or “cheap” BOTOX® Cosmetic—if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Having to fix or redo a bad botox isn’t worth it.
It is more important to find an experienced specialist who will take the time to understand your treatment goals and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
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Q. How can I save on treatments?
Enroll in the Manufactures Rewards programs: Brilliant Distinctions® Rewards Program or Aspire Rewards to earn points & receive discounts on treatments.
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Q. How long is the recovery time after treatment?
After your treatment, you can resume your day. There is minimal downtime and you will be given specific aftercare instructions that include: no bending over or heavy exercise for several hours after treatment. No same day massages or facials after the treatment.
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Q. Do men receive TOXâ„ treatments?
Yes. Toxâ„ has also been clinically evaluated in male patients. In clinical studies for moderate to severe frown lines, 17.5% of patients treated with BOTOX® Cosmetic were men. In the clinical studies for moderate to severe crow’s feet, male patients comprised approximately 10% of patients treated with TOXâ„
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According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 10% of all cosmetic procedures performed in the United States in 2014 were on men—that is more than 1 million cosmetic procedures. The number of cosmetic procedures for men increased by 273% from 1997 to 2020.
General FAQ's For Dermal Fillers
Q. Are skin tests needed before treatment?
No skin testing is required prior to use.
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Q. What are the side effects?
The most commonly reported side effects are temporary injection site redness, swelling, pain/tenderness, firmness, lumps/bumps, and bruising. These symptoms usually resolve within a couple of hours to a couple of days.
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Q. What medications or supplements should I avoid?
If you are taking blood thinners or medications* that may interfere with clotting of the blood, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, aleve, or most non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, gingko, Vitamin E, St. Johns’ whort, red wine, you might be more likely to have bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Stopping these 2-7 days in advance & 1-2 days after is highly recommended.
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*Note: if on coumadin, plavix or any other agent for stroke prevention it is NOT recommended to stop without your doctor’s clearance.
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Q. Can I do anything to help reduce the risk of these side effects?
What is recommended is taking arnica montanta 2 days before any procedure & continuing several days after if bruising does occur.
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Q. I have a big event planned, when should I schedule a filler treatment in order to look my best for the event?
Although fillers offer immediate results you may experience some swelling and bruising as a result of treatments. Giving yourself 1 month prior to a large event will allow you the time necessary to heal from the procedure and adjust to your great new look! Minimum 2 weeks before a not so large event.
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Q. How long does filler last?
Fillers can last from 6-18 months based on the area they are used, the type of filler as well as the amount injected.
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Q. How do dermal fillers work?
Fillers are injected below the surface of the skin to volumize areas that have lost their natural volume due to decreased production of hyaluronic acid, college & elastin as well as loss of fat, muscle and bone. Fillers are an excellent tool to create lift in the mid face region as well as fill the valleys and plump regions around the mouth.
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Q. What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are products that are injected into the dermis of the skin to subtly increase volume and soften folds and wrinkles of the face. The first dermal filler was approved by the FDA in 1981. There are several types & brands of fillers ie. Hyaluronic Acid (HA’s) Juvederm/Voluma, Restylane Lyft/Silk, and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) Radiesse.
General FAQ's For Kybella
Q. What is KYBELLA®?
KYBELLA® is a prescription medicine used in adults to improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat below the chin (submental fat), also called “double chin.” It is not known if KYBELLA® is safe and effective for use outside of the submental area.
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Q. Who should not receive KYBELLA®?
You should not receive KYBELLA® if you have an infection in the treatment area, any medical conditions in or near the neck area, trouble swallowing, bleeding disorders, pregnant or breast feeding.
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Q. What are the possible side effects of KYBELLA®?
KYBELLA® can cause serious side effects, including trouble swallowing and nerve injury in the jaw that can cause an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness. These are usually temporary. The most common side effects of KYBELLA® include: swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness, and areas of hardness in the treatment area.
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Q. How many vials & total treatments will I need?
The clinical study patients received 6 treatments spaced a month a part. The average received 2 vials per treatment. Many see results between 2-4 treatments. It depends on the amount and type of fat you are trying to eliminate & your expectations regarding final results. The fat cells die off & do not return but the remaining cells can grow in size with weight gain. Diet & exercise during treatments give optimum results.
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79% of patients treated with KYBELLA® reported satisfaction with the appearance of their face and chin
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After being treated with KYBELLA®, patients reported improvement in self-perception, including feeling happier and younger based on their chin profile, as well as feeling less embarrassed, less self-conscious, less overweight and less bothered by submental fullness
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Q. How long does it take, does it hurt & what is my downtime?
It takes about 20 minutes and is a series of tiny injections through a small needle that pinches & slowly begins to heat up & have a burning sensation that usually subsides within 30 minutes after injected. Applying ice to the area helps. You can go about your activities except for heavy exercise after treatment. You will swell up, you may be swollen for up to a week so don’t do the week of an event or important meeting.
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Q. Will it tighten my loose skin?
No, it is intended just to eliminate the excess fat.