Non-Surgical Procedures

Botox® / Dysport®
Botox® / Dysport®, which is the cosmetic form of the botulinum toxin, is a non-surgical procedure that reduces or erases forehead creases, crow's feet, thick bands in the neck and frown lines. These products work by blocking nerve impulses to temporarily paralyze the muscles that cause wrinkles. As a result, your skin is smoother and younger looking. Further studies have shown that Botox® / Dysport® may be effective in relieving migraine pain, muscle spasms in the neck and eyes and excessive sweating.

Botox® / Dysport® treatment for relaxing those unshakeable frown lines and wrinkles.
Few treatments are as convenient or as easy as Botox® / Dysport®: just one treatment of a few small injections takes ten minutes. Within days, the treatment smoothens and relaxes the unshakeable frown lines between your brows for up to four months. There's no surgery and no recovery time; you just take your injections and go. It's a safe, widely-tested and FDA-approved way to take years off your face.

Botox® (onabotulinumtoxinA)
Since the approval of Botox® by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002, Allergan has virtually changed the face of medical aesthetics. Men and women between the ages of 18 to 65 now have the ability to choose science-based, non-invasive medical aesthetic solutions, including Botox® and the Juvéderm
® family of dermal fillers, to achieve their own results. Over the last seven years, there have been nearly 11.8 million Botox® treatments recorded in the United States.

Botox® is a simple, non-surgical procedure for temporarily reducing the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines - the vertical frown lines between the eyebrows that look like an "11" - in adult women and men aged 18 to 65. Botox® reduces the activity of the muscles that cause the "11s" to form by blocking nerve impulses that trigger wrinkle-causing muscle contractions, creating an improved appearance between the brows. Results can last up to four months and may vary with each patient. Ask your doctor if Botox® is right for you.

Indication
Botox® is a prescription medicine that is injected into muscles and used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in people 18 to 65 years of age for a short period of time (temporary).

Important Safety Information
Botox® may cause serious side effects that can be life threatening. Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of these problems any time (hours to weeks) after injection of Botox®:
  • Problems swallowing, speaking, or breathing, due to weakening of associated muscles, can be severe and result in loss of life. You are at the highest risk if these problems are pre-existing before injection. Swallowing problems may last for several months.
  • Spread of toxin effects. The effect of botulinum toxin may affect areas away from the injection site and cause serious symptoms including: loss of strength and all-over muscle weakness, double vision, blurred vision and drooping eyelids, hoarseness or change or loss of voice (dysphonia), trouble saying words clearly (dysarthria), loss of bladder control, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing.
There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect when Botox® has been used at the recommended dose to treat frown lines.

The dose of Botox® is not the same as, or comparable to, another botulinum toxin product.
Serious and or immediate allergic reactions have been reported. These reactions include itchy rash, swelling, and shortness of breath. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you experience any such symptoms, further injection of Botox® should be discontinued.

Do not take Botox® if you: are allergic to any of the ingredients in Botox® (see Medication Guide for ingredients); had an allergic reaction to any other botulinum toxin product such as Myobloc
® or Dysport®; have a skin infection at the planned injection site.

Tell your doctor about all your muscle or nerve conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease], myasthenia gravis or Lambert-Eaton syndrome as you may be at increased risk of serious side effects including severe dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and respiratory compromise (difficulty breathing) from typical doses of Botox®.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have: plans to have surgery; had surgery on your face; weakness of forehead muscles, such as trouble raising your eyebrows; drooping eyelids; any other abnormal facial change; are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (It is not known if Botox® can harm your unborn baby); are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed (It is not known if Botox® passes into breast milk).

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins and herbal products.

Botox® may cause loss of strength or general muscle weakness, or vision problems. If this happens, do not drive a car, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities.

Other side effects of Botox® include: dry mouth, discomfort or pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, neck pain, and eye problems: double vision, blurred vision, decreased eyesight, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids, and dry eyes.

For more information on Botox® click here.

Dysport®
Prescription Dysport® is an injection used to temporarily improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) in adults less than 65 years of age.

Dysport® is a purified formulation that has been shown to deliver temporary improvements in moderate to severe frown lines, even with repeat treatments. So, the effect of repeat treatment with Dysport® may be comparable to your first use.

Though approved in the United States in April 2009, Dysport® has a history of use in other countries since 1991. First approved for aesthetic use outside the U.S. in 2001, Dysport® has steadily gained in popularity around the world. Today Dysport® is marketed and sold for aesthetic use in 36 countries (as of October 2009). With its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, you too, may join others worldwide who have been using Dysport®.

Wrinkles are not only age related. Frown lines are “dynamic”—they happen because of the way a person’s face moves. Because frown lines are created by facial movements such as frowning or squinting, they may develop even in younger adults. Dysport® is used to treat moderate to severe frown lines in adult patients less than 65 years of age.

The muscles above and between the eyebrows contract and tighten, and can cause wrinkles. Dysport® blocks the nerve signal that causes these facial muscles to contract. This ultimately results in a localized reduction of muscle activity in the treated area and temporarily stops the contraction of these muscles.

For more information on Dysport® click here.

Facial Fillers: Alternatives to Plastic Surgery
As we grow older, wrinkles and sagging become an unavoidable fact of life. This is inevitable: years of sun exposure and muscle movement from smiling, squinting and so on hasten the skin's tissue breakdown.

There are a variety of ways to combat this natural breakdown, but Facial fillers offer the best minimally invasive alternative to plastic surgery around. Facial fillers, which are sometimes called injectibles or dermal fillers, are given through a handful of tiny injections in targeted facial areas. There are several types of Facial fillers available, and each meets a specific need and lasts a variable length of time. Contact us and we can help you figure out which solution works for you.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers (Restylane®, Perlane®, Juvéderm®)
Hyaluronic acid is a component of all connective tissues, especially abundant in the deep layers of skin, and is the same chemical composition across species. For patients who received hyaluronic acid injections and are not happy with the results, injection of hyaluronidase, an enzyme, will dissolve the hyaluronic acid.

Juvéderm®
Juvéderm
® is the first smooth consistency gel formulation and only hyaluronic acid dermal filler approved by the FDA to last up to one year from initial treatment.1 Juvéderm® is developed using the proprietary HYLACROSS™ technology, an advanced manufacturing process that results in a malleable, smooth gel that flows easily and consistently into the skin and provides a predictable result. All other hyaluronic acid dermal fillers currently on the market have a granular consistency gel. These granules can be seen under 2.4x magnification as opposed to the smooth consistency gel of the Juvéderm® dermal fillers.

In 2010, the FDA approved Juvéderm
® XC formulated with the local anesthetic lidocaine to provide patients with a more comfortable injection experience when compared to the non-lidocaine formulation, and potentially less time spent in the physician’s office. Juvéderm® Ultra XC and Juvéderm® Ultra Plus XC contain 0.3% preservative-free lidocaine and numb the treatment area within seconds, potentially reducing the need for an additional anesthetic. Juvéderm® XC products provide the same smooth, long-lasting results as demonstrated with existing Juvéderm® products.

To provide physicians with the flexibility to tailor each treatment to the specific needs of the patient, the Juvéderm
® family of dermal fillers include Juvéderm® Ultra and Juvéderm® Ultra XC with lidocaine, highly cross-linked formulations for more versatility in contouring and volumizing of facial wrinkles and folds; and Juvéderm® Ultra Plus and Juvéderm® Ultra Plus XC with lidocaine, more highly cross-linked robust formulations for volumizing and correction of deeper folds and wrinkles.

Three different formulations of Juvéderm
® were approved by the FDA in 2006 for injection into the mid to deep dermis for correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (such as nasolabial folds). The formulations differed in the size of the hyaluronic acid particle. Adverse side effects of Juvéderm® treatment are rare, and usually go away in less than a week without any intervention. Side effects of Juvéderm® usually result from the injection itself and may include redness, tenderness, swelling, firmness, and bruising. Since your body already contains hyaluronic acid, and the ingredient in Juvéderm® is created through biosynthesis in a laboratory and is designed for biocompatibility, there is very little risk of an allergic reaction after Juvéderm® treatment. Juvéderm® is estimated to last approximately 6 months though individual results may vary and it is the only hyaluronic acid product which has FDA approval to indicate it lasts up to a year.

For more information on Juvéderm® click here.

Restylane®
Restylane
® is another hyaluronic acid, similar to Juvéderm®. It is also synthetically created and technically has less hyaluronic acid per volume, though the significance of this clinically has not been determined. In theory it lasts less time than Juvéderm® though the actual results in clinical practice have yet to be directly tested. Restylane® too is said to last about 6 months though individual results may vary.

For more information on Restylane® click here.

Perlane®
Perlane
® is another hyaluronic acid which is synthetically created from Streptococcus species of bacteria. The final product does not contain any bacteria but can cause allergic reaction is there is any previous history of problems with similar substances. The particle size is slightly greater than Restylane® which makes it a better choice for larger grooves. It is indicated for implantation into the deep dermis to superficial subcutis for the correction of moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles, such as nasolabial folds. Like Restylane®, Perlane® lasts about 6 months and does not generally cause allergic reactions.

All of these hyaluronic acid products will last about the same amount of time, usually around 6 months though individual results may vary from one month to 9 months or more. The products are synthetically manufactured which means that the risk of allergic reaction is minimal. The major difference in the products is the size of the particle which will determine their effectiveness in various situations. Smaller particle sizes are useful for fine lines and wrinkles, such as those around the lips. Larger particle sizes are more useful for deeper folds, such as the nasolabial folds. The good thing is - if you don't like what you see it will be gone without a trace in about 6 months. The bad thing is - if you like what you see it will be gone without a trace in about 6 months.

For more information on Perlane® click here.

Radiesse® Wrinkle Filler
The ideal way to achieve wrinkle reduction is by replenishing lost volume. With Radiesse
® wrinkle filler, you welcome back your own natural collagen to smooth out the signs of aging. That's because Radiesse® wrinkle filler's unique formulation stimulates collagenesis - the production of new collagen - which results in increased volume for natural looking wrinkle correction that may last a year or more in many patients. It's also why more and more cosmetic surgeons, estheticians, and other medical professionals are choosing Radiesse® wrinkle filler for long-lasting facial rejuvenation.

The Radiesse
® wrinkle filler difference:
  • Stimulates the body's own natural collagen production
  • Instantly corrects wrinkles
  • Results that may last a year or more in many patients
  • Now FDA approved to enhance patient comfort1 with Lidocaine mixing
We live in exciting times when it comes to the science of beauty. Injectable fillers can replace the lost collagen and volume, giving us the full cheeks and firm skin of youth. That's something all those expensive creams, lotions, and serums just can't deliver.

Facial fillers have come a long way from the days when collagen was the only injectable, and was typically only an option for aging celebrities and socialites. Women today have a variety of good options for injectable fillers, but when it comes to your face, good just isn't good enough. Radiesse
® wrinkle filler does more than just "fill-in" lines and facial wrinkles - it replenishes volume and stimulates the production of your own natural collagen with results that last up to a year or more.

In just one syringe, many patients can achieve long-lasting youthful results. And now you can ask your doctor about the Radiesse
® treatment option that significantly improves comfort. Because treatment with Radiesse® wrinkle filler is simple, quick, comfortable and convenient, with immediately visible results that last, more and more people are discovering that it is the natural choice for maintaining a more youthful appearance.

For more information on Radiesse® click here.

Why Choose Dr. Ho for your facial filler?
Because Dr. Ho performs all dermal filler injections himself. This is important for several reasons. While injectible fillers are safe, they are medications which are injected into the body. As with any medication, serious allergic reaction is possible, even if you have not had a reaction before. Unlike other nurse injectors and some physicians, Dr. Ho is a surgeon who specializes only in head and neck surgery. This means that he regularly sees the intricate anatomy which is being affected by the fillers and has a keen understanding of the relationship of various structures of the head and neck. Dr. Ho has extensive experience in performing these procedures and he places safety as his top priority.