Discount Botox

I love coupons.  I grew up in a house where we only bought the breakfast cereals my mother had coupons for, and I swore I would never be like that – but I guess we all become our mother sometime.  However, a coupon for your favorite Kellogg’s cereal is completely different than a group discount site (think Groupon) offering deals on Botox and other injectables.  Recently, a group discount site (who shall remain nameless) had an offer for "20 Units of Botox.” For $165.00, they were offering 20 units of Botox (about enough for one site).  Our office charges $300 a site – sounds like a pretty good deal, right?

Wrong…According to Dr. Robert Louton, “Plastic surgeons most often bring in new patients by word of mouth from previously happy patients.  Would you feel comfortable being injected by a doctor who has to advertise with a group discount site and offer such low price in order to bring patients in?

If you ever see an advertisement for this, and are starting to consider it, think about these two things: 

1. Will a doctor be in the facility? Just because a spa has a medical director doesn't mean he or she will be administering the treatment. State regulations vary, and some states don't even require a doctor to be on site, much less in the room.  A doctor should always be in the vicinity in case of an emergency.

2. If a doctor is present, is he or she a dermatologist or plastic surgeon? If not, then you may want to reconsider. Would you want your hair and nails styles managed by a plastic surgeon? Then why would you want your injected Botox to be done by your hair stylist or the women who does your facials? Plastic surgeons are specialists who understand the full range of cosmetic procedures available. They know if your issues are best solved with a syringe of Botox or Juvaderm—or if you'd be better served by a peel or some other procedure.

Bottom line – when it comes to your health and injectables, cheaper is not better.  Blair Plastic Surgery participates in Allergan’s Brilliant Distinctions Program, as well as offering an in-house special.  When a patient purchases 3 sites of Botox within one year, he/she will receive one site for free.  The special applies to Juvaderm as well.  

-Elizabeth

everything you have ever wanted to know about Botox

Have you wondered about Botox, but were afraid to ask? We went through some of our most common patient questions and answered them for everyone!

- Does Botox prevent wrinkles? Yes! Botox slows the muscle contraction that causes fine lines to etch into the skin.

-Is Botox going to make me feel numb or look frozen? No, Botox does not interfere with the nerve endings that control sensation. Looking frozen can be a by product of too much Botox concentrated in one location. Dr Louton most often recommends softening the lines instead of freezing the area all together.

-Does Botox hurt?  Like any injection, there may be a slight discomfort at the injection site. discomfort can be minimized by icing the are before and after. We provide our patients cool packs to help with the sensations associated with discomfort.

-What is the best age to start Botox? You don't have to wait for the wrinkles to start to begin Botox treatments. Any age is fine to begin Botox, which is FDA approved for patients ages 18 to 65.

-How long does Botox last? Botox last anywhere from 3 to 4 months before the muscles regain motion.

-Will my friends know I had Botox? Yes and no. Your friends may notice if you look a little bit more refreshed. However, if your Botox was over done, they may notice you look shiny, tight and totally frozen.

-What can I expect the day after Botox treatment?- Not a whole lot. Botox takes several days to a week to take effect. The lines then will gradually decrease over the course of one to three months. Anyone preparing for a major event show have treatment at least 2 weeks in advance.

-Diane

Peel away the summer

If you are like me, the summer took its toll on your skin. The beach left more than just sand between my toes! The sun's rays caused little brown spots, fine lines and a dull complexion. I am all washed up!

So how do I peel away the summer damage?

I start by revamping my home care.
-Hydration becomes essential, and repairing the skin's surface can't be done without epidermal water loss being slowed. I am currently using Hydrating B5 gel and Skin Firming cream from SkinCeuticals to repair. Other products I have used include Toleraine and Substiane from La Roche Posay.

-Next I have to feed my fried out collagen. Phloretin CF from SkinCeuticals is my broad spectrum antioxidant of choice currently. I love the way it feels on my skin, and with the additional ingredients of ferulic acid and phloretic, I am getting some help with my pigment issuses too!

-Increasing the skin's turn over rate is accomplished by returning to my Vitamin A regimen. I am back using Redermic R from La Roche Posay. I love the LHA that helps to gently exfoliate with each application.

-Exfoliation is key. The Black Mask from Revisions has become a weekly treatment for me. This gentle alpha hydroxy rich mask exfoliates the days working outside in the garden in no time!

In the office, I start with microdermabrasion. For my skin type, I use microdermabrasion about 4 times a year to physically exfoliate and restart my skin. Microdermabrasion is done in our office with a diamond chipped wand and vacuum system and hydrating products are added after treatment to help repair skin

Intense Pulse Light treatments (IPL) can also help break up pigment from the summer and decease the apperance of vessels and capillaries that occur from sun burns. IPL treatments work best in a series of 3, and are scheduled about 3 weeks apart.

Downtime for all of these procedures is minimal.

Home care and in office treatments, combined with a great injectable treatment of Botox with Dr Louton will have me ready to face my family and patients with a fresh face well before the holiday season!

-Diane