Envisioning Beauty
Non-Surgical Beauty Boosts
Botox® Cosmetic
Botox Cosmetic is a popular choice for wrinkle treatment in Maryland. Botox injections are used to temporarily paralyze the muscles under the skin that cause facial wrinkles, especially frown lines between the eyebrows and on the forehead. Botox wrinkle treatment can help you look younger and more relaxed without surgery.
The wrinkle-reducing effects of Botox injections are not permanent. Although results vary, they typically last for four to six months, and can be repeated as necessary. Maryland cosmetic surgeon Dr. Albertoli injects Botox into the muscles under the skin with thin needles, causing the muscles that cause wrinkles and frown lines to become temporarily paralyzed. The injection process only takes about ten minutes, and most patients do not need anesthesia, although a topical anesthetic can be applied, if desired.
Wrinkle Fillers
There are a number of safe and effective dermal fillers on the market for the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds. Two of the most popular fillers are JuvedermTM and Restylane®. Dr. Albertoli can discuss the differences between fillers with you and help you determine the best injectable for your particular concerns.
Both Juvederm and Restylane are natural dermal fillers that actually fill facial wrinkles and folds for non-surgical wrinkle treatment. Made from a smooth consistency, water soluble substance that is already present in your skin called hyaluronic acid, dermal fillers restore volume to your skin and smooth out wrinkles. Injectable wrinkle treatment can help you look younger and more relaxed without surgery. Juvederm and Restylane are also used for lip enhancement.
The wrinkle-reducing effects of facial injections are not permanent, but results are instant. Although results vary, they typically last six months or longer, and can be repeated as necessary. Maryland cosmetic surgeon Dr. Albertoli injects the chosen dermal filler into the skin with thin needles, causing facial wrinkles and folds to be "filled," and adding volume to areas that have become creased as a result of aging. The injection process only takes about ten minutes, and most patients do not need anesthesia, although a topical anesthetic can be applied, if desired.
Skin Peels
Chemical skin peels use a chemical solution to improve and smooth the texture of the facial skin by removing its damaged outer layers. Skin peels are helpful for those individuals with facial blemishes, wrinkles and uneven skin pigmentation. Phenol, trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) are used for this purpose. The precise formula used may be adjusted to meet each patient's needs.
Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic, lactic, or fruit acids are the mildest of the peel formulas and produce light peels. These types of peels can provide smoother, brighter-looking skin for people who can't spare the time to recover from a phenol or TCA peel. AHA peels may be used to treat fine wrinkling, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. Various concentrations of an AHA may be applied weekly or at longer intervals to obtain the best result. Dr. Albertoli will help you determine the type of peel that is best for you during your consultation and as the treatment proceeds. An alphahydroxy acid, such as glycolic acid, can also be mixed with a facial wash or cream in lesser concentrations as part of a daily skin-care regimen to improve the skin's texture.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) can be used in many concentrations, but it is most commonly used for medium-depth peeling. Fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigment problems are commonly treated with TCA. The results of TCA peel are usually less dramatic than and not as long-lasting as those of a phenol peel. In fact, more than one TCA peel may be needed to achieve the desired result. The recovery from a TCA peel is usually shorter than with a phenol peel.
Phenol is the strongest of the chemical solutions and produces a deep peel. It is used mainly to treat patients with coarse facial wrinkles, areas of blotchy or damaged skin caused by sun exposure, or pre-cancerous growths. Since phenol sometimes lightens the treated areas, your skin pigmentation may be a determining factor as to whether or not this is an appropriate treatment for you. Phenol is primarily used on the face; scarring may result if it's applied to the neck or other body areas.
