Its the last week of the year and everyone is in the jolly holiday mood until the New Year before we start striving hard. Its pretty quiet in my office too, most people are away for holidays and will only be back in the weekend.
Taking this quiet time, I manage to organize my thoughts and plans for t he next year. Its a lot of things definitely, but proper planning will ensure things get done right. Which is why I decided to talk about consultations.
Many people do not realize how important a doctor's consultation is. Many just assume going to doctors when you have a problem and immediately it will be fixed. In medical aesthetics, it is a different ball game. Aesthetic medicine is an elective procedure to the patient, and therefore a good informed consent must be given before the procedure is done.
Its like going to see a gynae because of infertility problems. You talk to the gynae, she examines you and then puts up the options. She informs you of the pros and cons and you decide based on your expectations and budget. It then allows you to plan ahead as to the suitable time for you to commence the treatment or whether any other treatment is required first before you engage the treatment that you wish to choose.
Its the same with aesthetic medicine consultations. Despite giving online replies, I would prefer to meet up with the patient, discuss expectations and also what is their main concern and explain modalities of treatment. A face to face consultation is important to allow examination of the face or body to give a more accurate treatment plan to patients. It will also allow you to discuss your budget and how you wish to proceed.
Feel free to come and talk to me in my clinic. For appointments, call 03-21440080 or emaill to info@faceworksclinic.com
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Botox and Fillers Q & A
Botox and fillers are the bread and butter for any aesthetic physician. It is what differentiates us from normal general practitioners. However, in my consultations, I have noticed that a lot of my patients have the initial belief that everything injected to the face is Botox. So instead of writing up long entries, I decided to write this as a Q&A session for better understanding of injectibles (injectibles : things that you can inject) .
1. What is Botox or BTA?
Botox or BTA is a protein derived from botulinum A toxin which is a type of bacteria that causes tetanus.
2. What is Botox used for?
It is used to relax muscles and therefore can be used to reduce spasticity in celebral palsy children, correct ticks and strabismus problems, and in medicqal aesthetics we use botox and BTA to relax muscles that forms wrinkles i.e. get rid of dynamic wrinkles. We can also use botox for face reshaping, calf reshaping and to reduce excessive sweating.
3. Is Botox safe?
Depending on the indication of use, you will need at least 5 vials of botox or 10 vials of BTA to cause paralysis of the whole body. The usual clinic use is half a bottle for one patient.
4. How long does it last?
Botox usually lasts 3-6 months but it will depend on the body's self metabolism because we do observe that active young people have a shorter duration of botox span compared to a more elderly less active person. Also, we do notice that repeated botox injections would prolong the duration that the effect lasts. However, there are some people who develop resistance to botox i.e. if too frequent injections were given. Therefore, we normally recommend the first follow-up to be around 3 months, and subsequently only twice a year or less.
5. What are fillers?
Fillers are substances used to fill up areas of the face and body which needs to be filled. Usually fillers are used on the face to enhance features or to return volume loss due to aging.
6. What are the types of fillers and duration it lasts?
There are many types of fillers as follows:
1. What is Botox or BTA?
Botox or BTA is a protein derived from botulinum A toxin which is a type of bacteria that causes tetanus.
2. What is Botox used for?
It is used to relax muscles and therefore can be used to reduce spasticity in celebral palsy children, correct ticks and strabismus problems, and in medicqal aesthetics we use botox and BTA to relax muscles that forms wrinkles i.e. get rid of dynamic wrinkles. We can also use botox for face reshaping, calf reshaping and to reduce excessive sweating.
3. Is Botox safe?
Depending on the indication of use, you will need at least 5 vials of botox or 10 vials of BTA to cause paralysis of the whole body. The usual clinic use is half a bottle for one patient.
4. How long does it last?
Botox usually lasts 3-6 months but it will depend on the body's self metabolism because we do observe that active young people have a shorter duration of botox span compared to a more elderly less active person. Also, we do notice that repeated botox injections would prolong the duration that the effect lasts. However, there are some people who develop resistance to botox i.e. if too frequent injections were given. Therefore, we normally recommend the first follow-up to be around 3 months, and subsequently only twice a year or less.
5. What are fillers?
Fillers are substances used to fill up areas of the face and body which needs to be filled. Usually fillers are used on the face to enhance features or to return volume loss due to aging.
6. What are the types of fillers and duration it lasts?
There are many types of fillers as follows:
- Hyaluronic acid fillers (lasts 6-24 months depending on type, area and molecule size)
- Calcium hydroxypatite filler - Radiesse (lasts 15-18 months)
- PRP fillers derived from own blood (Lasts up to 15 months)
- Bioalcamid - lasts up to 3 years.
- Fat harvested from other parts of body (lasts 3 months-3 years depending on skill of surgeon).
- Collagen fillers (last 1-3 years depending on skill of surgeon)
- Silicon liquid filler - permanent but banned due to complications related to cancer.
7. Are fillers safe?
Technically they are except silicone, but it really depends on the skill of the injector.
8. Can you do botox and fillers in one sitting?
Yes.
9. Are the procedures painful?
Botox is usually tolerable with ice numbing prior to procedure. For fillers, it will depend on type and area injected. Hyaluronic acid fillers are the least painful. Nose tip and lip injections are painful but the doctor can make you comfortable by giving proper local anesthesia or nerve blocks.
10. If I had botox or fillers does it mean forever I have to use the products?
Contrary to belief, no you don't. However, vanity is addictive and the reason most people repeat the usage of these products because they are cheaper than permanent procedures, safe and has a short downtime. It will depend on your individual assessment of yourself.
For more personalized info, please email us at info@faceworksclinic.com .
Technically they are except silicone, but it really depends on the skill of the injector.
8. Can you do botox and fillers in one sitting?
Yes.
9. Are the procedures painful?
Botox is usually tolerable with ice numbing prior to procedure. For fillers, it will depend on type and area injected. Hyaluronic acid fillers are the least painful. Nose tip and lip injections are painful but the doctor can make you comfortable by giving proper local anesthesia or nerve blocks.
10. If I had botox or fillers does it mean forever I have to use the products?
Contrary to belief, no you don't. However, vanity is addictive and the reason most people repeat the usage of these products because they are cheaper than permanent procedures, safe and has a short downtime. It will depend on your individual assessment of yourself.
For more personalized info, please email us at info@faceworksclinic.com .
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