Men have a growing interest in cosmetic dermatologic treatments. Wrinkles don’t just affect women, so it only makes sense that wrinkle treatments can be used by both MEN and women.  BOTOX has been used for cosmetic purposes to relax frown lines and crow’s feet for over  ten years now, and its use in men continues to grow rapidly annually.   Wrinkles are also not the only thing Botox is used for—often men use products such as Botox to decrease sweating, or hyperhidrosis in the armpits or hands.  This can help a socially annoying condition for up to a year!

Men often use BOTOX to get rid of wrinkles, frown lines, and achieve a generally smoother face for a more youthful, rested, and approachable look?  For all you guys who are worried that this procedure is just for women, fret not. BOTOX or “Bro-tox” for men, has seen a 258 percent increase between 2000 and 2010, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Bro-tox, which is the name given for male Botox injections, is on the rise as it is one of the most subtle  non-invasive skin rejuvenation procedures on the market.  The procedure is fast, virtually painless, and easy.   Bro-tox injections leave no signs of having “work done,” and men are able to get the smoothing, lifting and relaxed appearance without facing the stigma associated with cosmetic procedures. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in 2011 there has been a 56% increase in minimally invasive procedures in men such as brotox injections. The brotox injection is the most popular.   Increasing numbers of guys are considering non-invasive cosmetic procedures to appear more approachable, to stay competitive in an ever younger millennial workforce, and to generally increase their confidence.  Men and women have very differing  facial anatomy. Men’s skin is thicker, with more oil glands and more hair than female skin, and the aging process is different in the two genders. Women have more fat pads in their faces, and as time marches on the fat pads diminish and the skin begins to sag. Because men have less dense fat pads, the sagging process isn’t as apparent, but stronger muscles in the forehead and around the eyes can lead to deeper, etched lines in men. In general, men can be treated with the same Botox techniques as women, but often require more units to treat the larger muscles in their face. The most common cause of an inadequate result in male patients is under-dosing. Forehead lines require care, as many men with horizontal lines have low-positioned eyebrows, and excessive relaxation of the lower frontalis muscle can drop their brows further. Special consideration should be given to the masculine male brow when treating men.  Going to an experienced master injector such as Dr. Chiu is important to avoid a “done” or even feminized appearance.

BOTOX is a low-concentrated neuromodulator  that blocks nerve impulses, causing the muscle to become temporarily paralyzed. The process relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles, reducing the appearance of forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and frown lines. BOTOX can also be injected into the muscle and within days, the lines in your bow decrease and your brow line is elevated, leaving you a more youthful, relaxed looking face.  Often our patients state that the “11” lines between the brows make them appear angry or unapproachable, and that Botox softens this effect greatly.

Since this is a nonsurgical procedure, you can be in and out in no time. Pop by before work or after the gym for a quick fifteen-minute visit and look younger instantly. Patients are recommended to come every four to six months to receive new BOTOX injections.

Another great use for Botox is for underarm sweating. Men and women both can benefit from this. Men sweat more than women, and the area of greatest concern is the underarms, although sometimes excessive sweating on the hands and feet can interfere with daily social interactions. The first long-term study of Botox injections in the treatment of the common sweating disorder shows the injections can safely reduce underarm sweat for up to two years. Botox Treatment of the underarm is a very fast (10-15 minutes) and nearly painless procedure when an appropriate numbing cream is applied.  How does Botox reduce underarm sweating? The drugs contained in the Botox treatment will send signals to the nerves to temporarily put a stop to the production of sweat in the underarms.  This is a very safe procedure that is also increasing in popularity.

Botox is one of the most easily administered and highly effective wrinkle treatments, and because of its efficacy, high degree of satisfaction, and affordability.

Our male patients are incredibly happy with their procedures, and we have an over 90% return rate for male patients here at The Derm Institute.  So be excited and encouraged to try it out! — Botox is not just for women!  A cosmetic consultation is all it takes to get the conversation started.

Sculptra® and Juvéderm VOLUMA™ to restore “baby fat” on the face . . . the Liquid Lift

Now that the season is changing to chillier days, complement your natural winter flushed rosy cheeks with restored voluminous cheeks.

Let”s go back to our roots…when we were just a baby!  3-dimensional Liquid Facelift via volumnization on the face is an ongoing sensation for restoring a youthful look.  At a younger age, facial fat contributes to volume and lift, and gives you a vibrant, youthful appearance.

Over time, there is overall loss of fat on the face, as well as gravitational changes.  Studies show that skin aging is only 20-30% genetics, the rest is due to environmental factors.  This should be good news if you are wearing your daily sunscreen protection!  But what is the key contributing factor for that youthful look that we want to maintain?  As we age, we start to lose facial volume and plumpness across the face.  When we age or even just lose weight, we tend to look older with sunken or hollow cheeks. Sunken cheeks and a sagging chin are both key points on the face that gives away our age and could even cause us to look older then we really are. People, who are very active, such as runners, also have increased facial volume loss.

Like a balloon, our cheeks will begin to deflate and lose plumpness with time.  As we age, the first area to show this deflation and droop is the mid face area.  Dermatologists call youthful faces the “triangle of youth”.  Which means if you connect the highest point of the cheeks from the ear to ear, then finish the triangle connection at the chin, the widest part of the face would be the cheeks for a heart-shaped face.  However, with age, the triangle reverses, and the widest part is now the chin.  Restoring volume in the cheeks lifts the face and defines youth.

Sculptra and Juvederm Voluma are both great fillers to restore volume and gift your face with a youthful sparkle and are keys to obtaining a Liquid Lift.

Sculptra slowly replenishes the collagen lost from aging or even weight loss. It works beautifully and naturally for sunken cheeks and to boost overall skin texture. Collagen is an essential ingredient that gives our face form, volume, and glow.  At around age 25, production of collagen decreases by 2% each year, which means collagen is broken down faster than our skin is able to replenish. Sculptra is a collagen stimulator which gradually helps bring back lost collagen and volume.  This water based collagen stimulator is injected in the skin to create natural volume and restore lift:  lifting the cheeks, softening nasolabial folds, reduce jowls, and improving texture via collagen stimulation.  Sculptra is normally used for adding volume to temples, cheeks, and chin, and can be used to rejuvenate the chest as well.

Juvederm Voluma targets the specific areas of the skin that make us appear older.  It helps restore our cheeks, cheekbone, and chin. Juvederm Voluma is especially designed for volume loss for the midface area. Juvederm contains hyaluronic acid, a casino online complex sugar, known as glycosaminoglycan found throughout the body. This naturally occurring sugar molecule in our skin helps restore lost facial elasticity and supports volume and contours to the face and chin.  It rejuvenates volume loss and restores the mid face area. Juvederm Voluma aids in creating a natural, and elastic looking skin.  The results are instant, and last for up to 18-24 months.

What our patients love about Juvederm Voluma and Sculptra is that it is a “lunch time” treatment, meaning there is no downtime! You could apply makeup right after and go to work.

So which fillers should I choose? And what”s the difference?  You should choose your filler based on the amount of lift needed, and the desired length of duration for the product. Call for a free consultation and Dr. Chiu will guide you through the subtle differences in all the fillers for your “Perfect Airbrushed Lift”.  If a smaller amount of volume/filling is needed then we suggest Juvederm Voluma. If more lift or overall improvement of skin texture is needed, then Sculptra is more cost friendly for a longer period of time.

Everyone ages differently and is working with a different budget, so there is no one solution that fits all. At the Derm Institute we firmly believe in finding the right mix between aging naturally while maximizing and enhancing your natural beauty.  Contact the Derm Institute today for a complementary cosmetic consultation.  Dr. Chiu and the Derm Institute team would love to help you get that perfect balance for your youthful sparkle!  Let”s put your best face forward for this holiday season and the upcoming New Year!

. . . Shared by Dr. Chiu and The Derm Institute Team

What is Juvéderm VOLUMA™?

Juvéderm VOLUMA is a safe injectable gel that is made from a natural complex sugar called Hyaluronic acid (HA). Found within the tissues of living cells including human skin, HA assists in the skin hydration by attracting and holding water. It also combines with collagen and elastin to help provide skin structure and elasticity. Over time, aging faces show changes and shifts that make us look more tired. The cheek area loses volume, causing skin to sag, droop and drag. Juvéderm VOLUMA adds lift and volume to the flattening and descending mid-facial region, reversing the deflated, sunken look and restoring a more youthful appearance.

The Procedure?

Treatment for volume restoration with Juvéderm VOLUMA is a non-surgical procedure. It is administered through a number of injections. The procedure usually takes 15 to 30 minutes to perform. The treatment area will be cleaned, and a topical numbing cream will be applied to improve maximal comfort.  Dr. Chiu will personally will then inject Voluma into the treatment site as defined by each person’s individual facial contours and needs using a very fine needle or cannula. After the treatment, you will be able to return to your normal activities. Any visible side effects, such as bruising or discoloration, should be minor and can be easily concealed with makeup.

Is it painful?

The treatment is very effortless. With a fine needle or microcannula (an advanced technique that Dr. Chiu specializes in), VOLUMA is injected under the skin, specifically in areas where volume has been lost. Because VOLUMA contains a small amount of numbing agents premixed into the filler, in addition to a topical numbing cream that is applied to the treatment area. Most patients can easily tolerate the treatment and do not report significant discomfort.

Treatment Results & Longevity?

Volume rejuvenation treatment with Juvéderm VOLUMA gives instant results. Most people can resume normal daily activities immediately following the appointment.slotseeingHowever, for the first 24 hours following treatment, it is recommended that patients minimize strenuous exercise and exposure to sun and extensive heat. The efficient cross-linking in Juvéderm VOLUMA slow HA metabolism so that you can expect to see natural-looking result for up to TWO YEARS (!), after which VOLUMA is metabolized naturally by the body.

Possible side effects?

Juvéderm VOLUMA is a safe, FDA-approved non-surgical injectable gel that is made from a natural complex sugar call Hyaluronic acid (HA) found within the tissues of living cells including human skin. HA dermal fillers have been used and clinically studied for many years and is well tolerated and very safe. Because the HA in Juvéderm VOLUMA is naturally present in the skin and not derived from animals, there is no need for allergy testing before treatment.

While you may experience no side effect at all, there is a chance you could experience redness, pain, firmness, swelling, lumps/bumps, bruising, itching or discoloration. These effects are generally temporary, however they may last up to 7-10 days.

It is recommended that you avoid massaging and/or applying pressure to the treatment area for a few days following treatment.

Am I a good candidate for Voluma?

Dr. Annie Chiu, M.D. is a board certified Dermatologist and has extensive experience with non-surgical procedures facial contouring and volumnizing treatments. She can determine if Juvéderm VOLUMA XC or if another volumnizing agent is right for you, based on your individual needs, appearance, skin type, age, and medical history. To, make an appointment for a personalized complementary cosmetic consultation with Dr. Annie Chiu, M.D. at The Derm Institute today, contact us at The Derm Institute @ (310) 939-9800 or fill out an appointment request here.

 . . . Shared by Dr. Chiu and The Derm Institute Team

The Derm Institute and Dr. Annie Chiu always offers the latest advances in filler technology, treatment, and expertise in our practice.  Dr. Chiu is the first Dermatologist in the South Bay to offer this brand new treatment in the cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Palos Verdes.  We are currently exclusively offering early availability of Juvéderm VOLUMA™ XC!

Juvéderm VOLUMA is the newest and the most robust of the Juvéderm family of products.  Also made of Hyaluronic Acid, it is used for global volumnization and lift in the face.  This product is designed to achieve a subtle lift, helping to restore and contour, giving the appearance of a more youthful, rested appearance for many years.

Juvéderm VOLUMA is designed for maximum lift as it targets volume loss and lifting and is FDA approved to last for up to 2 years! With age, our skin, fat, muscle and bone tend to lose volume, resulting in a thin or hollow appearance around the chin, eyes, cheeks, and cheekbones. This can be a result of the natural decrease in collagen production within our skin, weight loss, or age-related facial fat, soft tissue and even natural bone loss that occurs with time. Our folds and jowls become more prominent as volume loss and gravity shifts the cheeks downward. Youthful faces are full (think less dramatic version of baby fat), and dermal fillers help restore the hollowing that occurs over time by restoring youthful contours in the cheeks, temples, or even earlobes.

Treatment with Juvéderm VOLUMA combats these effects by restoring volume to the face, providing natural contouring, and smoothing out the appearance of wrinkles. The results of Juvederm are immediate and can last for up to 24 months!

Dr. Chiu specializes in global facial volumnization, lift, and contour as the most natural way to soften the appearance of aging.  She utilizes the latest combination of advanced techniques and products Dr. Chiu including Juvéderm VOLUMA, Radiesse®, or Sculptra® Aesthetic to three-dimensionally sculpt a natural, more rested and glowing version of yourself.

Dr. Annie Chiu is a leading expert in global non-invasive rejuvenation for the face, hands, neck, and chest.  She is a training injector for multiple companies, and applies her sense of beauty and knowledge of the aging skin for a natural, beautiful result.

Juvéderm VOLUMA XC is available now, so if you are as excited about it as we are, feel free to give our office a call at 310-939-9800, or send us a message through our website by clicking here.

Please refer to our Pre and Post Filler directions for best results and what to expect after the procedure.

If you aren’t sure which product will give you the results you’re looking for, the best strategy is to schedule a free cosmetic consultation at The Derm Institute to meet with Dr. Chiu and go over your options.

Common Questions:

How is Juvéderm VOLUMA different then Juvederm Ultra or Ultra Plus?

Juvéderm VOLUMA is different than in that it works on a different area of the face and is indicated for a longer duration of up to two years. Juvderm Voluma adds volume to the mid-facial, cheek, and lateral upper face areas, while Juvéderm Ultra and Ultra Plus XC smooths moderate to severe wrinkles and folds around the nose and mouth, like parentheses, and is also commonly used to rejuvenate the lips.

Does it hurt?

Juvéderm VOLUMA has a numbing agent premixed. To insure maximal comfort, we also use numbing cream on the face prior to the procedure. Most clients find fillers to be a fairly comfortable procedure.

When will I see the results and can I go out right after?

Results are immediately seen!  There may be swelling or bruising for 2-7 days after the procedure. Redness in the areas treated can last a few hours on the first day. Tinted moisturizer or light cover-up typically can cover any minor redness.

How long will the results last?

Duration of results depends on the area injected, but ranges from 18-24 months.

Is it reversible?

Very, very rarely are patients unhappy with their Filler treatment. However, at The Derm Institute, we are the experts in Fillers and sometimes need to help patients who come in to see us after a Filler is injected poorly or too superficially by an outside clinic with inexperienced practitioners. Hyaluronic acid fillers including all Juvéderm products, Restylane®, Beloter Balance®, and Perlane® can be easily corrected and dissolved in 24-48 hours and your skin will return to baseline. Radiesse and Sculptra are not reversible, but we can help evaluate problematic cases and work with you to find the best resolution.

What happens if I don’t get retreated?

Gradually, your body will reabsorb the filler (with the exception of Sculptra) and your wrinkles and folds will return to baseline. It does not worsen any wrinkles with use.