BOTOX AND FILLERS: IS IT FOR ME

Garo Kassabian

If уоu’rе еxреrіеnсіng the onset оf аgеіng, оr wаnt tо rеѕtоrе уоuthful vіgоur tо уоur fасе – оr juѕt want tо make thе mоѕt оf whаt уоu’vе gоt – you may bе confused аbоut thе rаngе оf trеаtmеntѕ оn оffеr.

Dr. Gаrо Kаѕѕаbіаn bеlіеvеѕ that bоth Bоtоx аnd fасіаl fіllеrѕ аrе еffесtіvе mеthоdѕ оf rесtіfуіng ѕіgnѕ оf аgіng. Thеіr рорulаrіtу аnd prevalence hаvе rіѕеn оvеr thе уеаrѕ. Yеt, іt іѕ оftеn аѕkеd whаt іѕ thе dіffеrеnсе bеtwееn thе twо, аѕ thеу аrе оftеn соnfuѕеd as оnе аnоthеr аnd considered ѕуnоnуmоuѕ. Thе truth іѕ thаt thеу are nоt аnd tасklе ѕресіfіс dіffеrеnt рrоblеmѕ. Nоw lеt’ѕ ѕее thе dіffеrеnсе bеtwееn bоth Bоtоx аnd fасіаl fіllеrѕ.

Bоtоx іѕ thе соmmоn trаdе nаmе for thіѕ ѕubѕtаnсе. It іѕ аlѕо known bу іtѕ ѕсіеntіfіс nаmе bоtulіnum tоxіn. Itѕ рrіmаrу оbjесtіvе іѕ tо treat аnd рrеvеnt fасіаl wrіnklеѕ аlthоugh іt саn аlѕо bе uѕеd tо trеаt blерhаrоѕраѕmѕ, ѕtrаbіѕmuѕ, and muѕсlе dуѕtоnіаѕ. In 2002, Bоtоx wаѕ аррrоvеd bу thе FDA аѕ a соѕmеtіс trеаtmеnt fоr frоwn lіnеѕ аbоvе thе еуеbrоwѕ аnd wrіnklеѕ. Sіnсе thеn, іt hаѕ bесоmе оnе оf thе mоѕt ѕоught-оut trеаtmеntѕ fоr thоѕе whо wаnt tо рrеvеnt the ѕіgnѕ аnd еffесtѕ оf аgіng frоm оссurrіng іn their fасе оr tо соrrесt аnу present signs.

Fасіаl fіllеrѕ аrе аlѕо knоwn аѕ dеrmаl fіllеrѕ. Lіkе Bоtоx, іt іѕ аlѕо uѕеd tо prevent оr еlіmіnаtе ѕіgnѕ оf аgіng іn the fасе lіkе wrіnklеѕ. Thіѕ іѕ where thеу оftеn gеt соnfuѕеd. Thе рrіmаrу dіffеrеnсе between thе twо іѕ thаt Bоtоx rеduсеѕ thе activity оf muscles іn thе fасе thаt саuѕе wrіnklеѕ. Fасіаl fіllеrѕ, hоwеvеr, fіll thе trоublе аrеаѕ wіth соllаgеn, whісh hеlрѕ tо stimulate соllаgеn grоwth in thе fасе аѕ wеll as рlumр аnd lіft thе ѕkіn to rерlасе соllаgеn lоѕѕ. This hеlрѕ уоur ѕkіn асhіеvе аѕ уоuthful оf a look аѕ роѕѕіblе, аѕ wеll аѕ еlіmіnаtе ѕіgnѕ оf аgіng that оссur аѕ a rеѕult оf соllаgеn dерlеtіоn.

Hоw ѕаfе іѕ Bоtоx аnd fіllеrѕ? Arе thеrе meant fоr ME.

Thеу аrе реrfесtlу ѕаfе, Botox hаѕ bееn uѕеd mеdісаllу fоr уеаrѕ аnd wаѕ approved fоr соѕmеtіс uѕе іn thе ’80ѕ. Fillers nоw аrе mаіnlу hуаlurоnіс асіd, whісh іѕ dіѕѕоlvаblе, and mеtаbоlіѕеd bу the bоdу. Thе fіllеrѕ uѕеd tеn оr 20 years аgо wеrе ѕіlісоnе, аnd thаt was a рrоblеm bесаuѕе thеу wеrе реrmаnеnt.

Dr. Gаrо Kаѕѕаbіаn аdvісе thаt the іmроrtаnt thіngѕ tо consider whеn сhооѕіng bеtwееn Bоtоx аnd fасіаl fіllеrѕ іѕ whаt kіnd оf wrіnklеѕ уоu wаnt tо gеt rіd оf аnd hоw. Bоtоx іѕ thе bеttеr сhоісе fоr dуnаmіс wrіnklеѕ аѕ іt wіll rеduсе their mоtіоn аnd vіѕіbіlіtу. Whаt thеѕе wrіnklеѕ occur whеn thе fасе is іn mоtіоn оr mаkіng аn еxрrеѕѕіоn. Thеу аrе uѕuаllу роѕіtіоnеd іn thе fоrеhеаd аnd аrоund thе еуеbrоwѕ. Fасіаl fіllеrѕ аrе іdеаl fоr ѕtаtіс wrinkles, which аrе vіѕіblе еvеn whеn уоur fасе іѕ rеlаxеd аnd making no еxрrеѕѕіоn. Thеѕе аrеаѕ аrе dерlеtеd and ѕunkеn іn аnd wіll bеnеfіt frоm thе fullnеѕѕ thаt fасіаl fіllеrѕ gіvе thеm.

Knоwіng thе dіffеrеnсе between Botox аnd fасіаl fіllеrѕ аnd hоw they work mаttеrѕ ѕіgnіfісаntlу whеn ѕееkіng trеаtmеnt fоr уоur wrіnklеѕ. Whісhеvеr оnе уоu сhооѕе, bоth fоrmѕ оf trеаtmеntѕ are еffісіеnt ways tо rесарturе аnd mаіntаіn a уоuthful арреаrаnсе.

Is Liposuction Really Necessary?

A liposuction is a form of cosmetic surgery in which deposits of fat are removed to reshape or reduce one or more areas of the body. Common areas targeted include thighs, buttocks, abdomen, and arms.

Liposuction is not a substitute for weight reduction or a cure for obesity. It is often used to reduce deposits of fat that have been difficult to move, even though the person has developed a healthy diet and activity habits. 

Liposuction is suitable for normal weight people with firm, elastic skin who have pockets of fat in certain areas that need to be removed. To be suitable for liposuction you must be physically healthy, psychologically stable and have realistic expectations.  Although the age is not a significant concern, elder people may have less skin elasticity and may not achieve the same results as a younger person with tighter skin.

Dr. Kassabian has been at the forefront of refining innovative liposuction and body contouring techniques.  Depending on the procedure, you will be sedated, or receive local or general anesthesia to keep you comfortable.  Then a tiny incision is made to enter your body and remove the subcutaneous fat from the market areas.  Dr. Kassabian makes the incisions as inconspicuous as possible to minimize scarring.

Before you opt for a liposuction procedure, you need to think carefully about your expectations.

For more information or for a personal consultation with board certified plastic surgeon & expert injector, Dr. Garo Kassabian, call 310-285-0400 or visit www.liftmd.com.

Injectables and Fillers: Lift MD’s Top 5 Questions

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Botox. Juvederm. Voluma.  The beauty world’s triad of agelessness. Perhaps you’re considering one or all three? (Yes! You can get all three injected in one day!) Or maybe you have been injected but still have some questions?  The team at Lift MD gathered their top 5 most frequently asked questions regarding injectables and fillers and put together the list below.  We want you to look as good as you feel so always feel free to write to us with any questions about treatments, products and procedures!

  • How long does Botox last?  How long will Juvederm and Voluma last?
    • Keep in mind that everyone’s body metabolizes injectables differently and so some people may not need as many touch-ups as others.  That being said, typically Botox lasts anywhere from 3-4 months while Juvederm can last from 6 months to a year and Voluma up to two years.
  • Am I limited to the amount of activity I can do pre-treatment or post-treatment?
    • There is nothing that you need to do to prepare for your injectable treatment but it is recommended to avoid aspirin and blood thinners as they may cause bruising.  Also, avoiding caffeine may be helpful if it typically makes you feel jittery.    There are some different guidelines when it comes to post-treatment care though.  If you get Botox injected, don’t lie down for 4 hours and avoid any exercise until the following day.  With all injectables, it is recommended to avoid drinking alcohol until the following day as alcohol thins the blood which may lead to some bruising.
  • What exactly is the difference between Voluma and Juvederm?
    • Voluma and Juvederm are both Hyaluronic Acid  fillers, however, the main difference between the two is that Voluma is a much thicker filler.  So Voluma yields the best results when injected in the cheeks and mid-face to restore volume.  While Juvederm is used to fill the lips, nasolabial folds and directly beneath the eyes.
  • How long does it take to see the results for Botox, Juvederm and Voluma?
    • Expect to see the full results of your Botox treatment between 7-10 days while Juvederm and Voluma will take 7 days.
  • Is there anything one can do to make the results last longer?
    • If there is one tip that everyone at Lift MD swears by it’s to drink as much water as possible if you were injected with a filler.  Water bonds with the Hyaluronic Acid and thus keeps the filler plump and helps it last longer.

Meet Nurse Katie

If you ask anyone what some factors are that go into making a medical practice successful, most people will tell you that it is not just the doctor but also the staff.  The staff plays an important role in making sure that patients are happy and that everything runs smoothly. Just like you’ve all gotten to know Dr. Kassabian, we also want you to get to know the staff of Lift MD Aesthetics too! As part of a series of posts, we will be profiling staff members so that you can get to know the entire Lift MD Aesthetics team because everyone believes that you should look as good as you feel!

Meet Nurse Katie

CaptureKatie Lockwood is a licensed registered nurse in California, Hawaii, and Arizona and currently oversees beauty and wellness at Lift Md Aesthetics. Katie has a background in cosmetic and general dermatology, facial plastics and reconstruction, lasers, and injectables. Following in the style of Dr. Kassabian, Katie always seeks to create beautiful, natural results for all of her patients. Her passion for perfection has brought her to study throughout the states to stay on the forefront of cutting edge medical and beauty innovations. As a fine artist in her freetime, Katie uses her eye for the artistic with every patient to enhance their individual beauty Katie has served as an advisory board member for the biotechnology company, Genentech for various pharmaceuticals and continues to research and develop new possibilities for the clients at Lift Md Aesthetics.

New Episode of Dr. Lift

Celebrity stylist, Lucy Samuelian, stopped by Lift MD Aesthetics this week to see if there was anything Dr. Kassabian and his team could do to give her skin a boost and get her looking fabulous before heading out to an exclusive red carpet event. Take a look at some sneak peeks from the episode, below, and make sure you check out this special episode of Dr. Lift!

Lucy speaking with Merlin about her skin concerns before getting her custom facial.
Lucy speaking with Merlin about her skin concerns before getting her custom facial.
Lucy's consultation with Dr. Kassabian
Lucy’s consultation with Dr. Kassabian

 

Dr. Kassabian Honored as a Judge at THE Aesthetic Show Awards 2013!

Dr. Garo Kassabian was selected to be a judge amongst an esteemed panel of colleagues, including Dr. David Matlock, at the 2013 THE Aesthetic Show Awards.  Dr. Kassabian evaluated and voted on other surgeon’s work and also presented an award.  The memorable awards show evening was held at The Mirage Resort and Casino and hosted by Dr. Andrew Ordon of The Doctors Show and  Candis Cayne.

Stuart Brazell interviewing Dr. Garo Kassabian on the red carpet prior to THE Aesthetic Show Awards
Stuart Brazell interviewing Dr. Garo Kassabian on the red carpet prior to THE Aesthetic Show Awards
The Aesthetic Awards 2013
The Aesthetic Awards 2013
Dr. David Matlock, Candis Cayne and Dr. Garo Kassabian
Dr. David Matlock, Candis Cayne and Dr. Garo Kassabian
Dr. Garo Kassabian on stage with the Judge Panel
Dr. Garo Kassabian on stage with the Judge Panel

Dr. Garo Kassabian and Dr. Andrew Ordon with publicist, Michelle Vink.Dr. Garo Kassabian and Dr. Andrew Ordon with publicist, Michelle Vink.

Some of the judge's panels along with the night's award recipients
Some of the judge’s panel along with the night’s award recipients

Dr. Kassabian’s Presentation at The Aesthetic Show 2013

Dr. Kassabian gave a presentation that showcased The Scarless Face Lift and The Invisible Bra at The Aesthetic show 2013.  The audience was comprised of cosmetic surgery colleagues, as well as, others from across the field of medicine.  Scroll down for behind the scenes pictures of the day’s events!

Working with IT crew for presentation
Working with IT crew for presentation
Ready to present
Ready to present
The Aesthetic Show 2013
The Aesthetic Show 2013
Dr. Kassabian starting his presentation
Dr. Kassabian starting his presentation
Dr. Kassabian giving his presentation on The Scarless Face Lift and Invisible Bra Lift
Dr. Kassabian giving his presentation on The Scarless Face Lift and Invisible Bra Lift

Aesthetic TV Filming at THE Aesthetic Show 2013!

Dr. Kassabian was part of a panel interview for Aesthetic TV on “Injectables In Depth” at The Aesthetic Show 2013 in Las Vegas, NV.  Dr. Kassabian was interviewed by Stuart Brazell and discussed the different options of injectables on the market and participated in a demonstration to showcase the ease and benefits of injectables for patients.  Keep a look out for the “Injectables In Depth” segment to air next month and scroll down for behind the scenes pictures of the filming.

The set before filming.
The set before filming.
Talking with the director before filming.
Talking with the director before filming.
The "Injectables In Depth" Panel.
The “Injectables In Depth” Panel.
A live demonstration on injectables.
A live demonstration on injectables.
Stuart Brazell and Dr. Garo Kassabian
Stuart Brazell and Dr. Garo Kassabian

LiftSculpture for Him!

Long gone are the days when men shied away from little extra help. Sure, the regular Oxygen facial and Botox injections can work wonders in helping us look refreshed and subtly youthful, but about the body? Diet and exercise are always the first route to take when trying to lose a few extra pounds, or to achieve a more athletic physique. Sometimes, despite our healthy routines, we still find excess fat pockets.
Liftsculpture for men is a new treatment at Lift Md Aesthetics® and has become very popular with the warmer months quickly approaching. This highly effective and discreet procedure is a combination of laser assisted liposculpting with micro-fat grafting and utilizes the latest technology and scar minimizing techniques to sculpt the body and create a more sexy, a svelte silhouette.
The most common areas for LiftSculpture for Men include the abdomen to get the six-pack they’ve always wanted, the waist for a slim and athletic silhouette, the chest to accentuate the pectorals, and neck for a more defined jawline. There are, of course, other areas of concerns that Dr. Kassabian can address with the individual.
If you are interested in hearing more about LiftSculpture for Him and how Dr. Kassabian can help you. Contact Lift MD Aesthetics® at 310-285-0400.

Lift MD Aesthetics® by Dr. Garo Kassabian

436 N. Bedford Dr. Suite 301 Beverly Hills, Ca 90210

310-285-0400

http://www.liftmd.com

Go On Your Holiday Vacation & Come Back Bikini Ready

Winter is the perfect time for a discreet body makeover. Many of my patients start preparing for the summer season now with our popular LiftSculpture. This highly requested procedure is a combination of laser assisted liposculpting with micro-fat grafting and utilizes the latest technology and scar minimizing techniques to sculpt the body and drop your dress size in a matter of days. By the time your winter vacation is over, you will be ready to sport your bikini and show off your new curves poolside. For more information on LiftSculpture contact Lift MD Aesthetics® in Beverly Hills for a consultation.

Before & After
Before & After

 

 

Lift MD Aesthetics® by Dr. Garo Kassabian

436 N. Bedford Dr. Suite 301 Beverly Hills, Ca 90210

310-285-0400

http://www.liftmd.com