To find a solution to lip lines (also referred to as smoker'ss lines), Total Dermatology Medical Director Nissan Pilest has begun a study combining the use of Botox and Fraxel CO2 laser to address this difficult to treat problem. Many women in their 40'ss and beyond experience lip lines to varying degrees.
Women tend to be more expressive in their speech and thus tend to be plagued by multiple lines radiating above and below the lips, announced Dr. Pilest. Fraxel'ss new carbon dioxide laser
has great promise in this area. We'sre using Botox as part of our Fraxel CO2 laser (http://totaldermatology.com/pages/fraxel-repair.htm) treatments to assure a smoother healing. Currently we'sre in active office
clinical studies for erasing those hated vertical lipstick and smoker'ss lines above the lips using Botox as a 'sprep's for laser resurfacing.
Botox relaxes the muscles that habitually purse in speech and thus should help the new collagen formation stay smooth during the healing process. Injected correctly, Botox can also help
evert the lip border, providing the appearance of a fuller lip with a more evident restoration of the youthful cupid'ss bow.
Dr. Pilest, a Platinum Plus Botox provider and designated national training physician for Allergan'ss Botox and Juvederm products, says, Given the option of only having a single tool in
my dermatology bag, the one I would choose without a moment'ss hesitation is Botox. I'sve been heard to say Botox (http://totaldermatology.com/pages/botox.html) is magic many times and why do I say that Simply because it is. Nothing so simple can
produce the same kind of solutions for so many problems. Having it as a support treatment for laser resurfacing is proving to elevate the laser'ss problem-solving ability.
Botox started out some years ago as a treatment for eyelid spasm. When it was discovered that the tiny toxin also relaxed frown lines, its cosmetic use took flight. Today, Botox has uses
that defy what anyone would have guessed.
Here is a running list of Botox use (though not all physicians are experienced enough to use the toxin in all the locations listed below)
> Frown Lines and Worry Lines
> Crows's Feet
> Asymmetrical Brow
> Chemical Brow Lift (A favorite)
> Bunny Lines
> Drooping Nose Tip
> Gummy Smile
> Downturned Mouth Corner (Sad Smile}
> Neck Bands
> Chin Scrunch
> Jowl Softening
> Vertical Lip Lines
> Excessive Sweating
> Enhanced Wound Healing and Scar Prevention
> New medical use in migraine, back pain and TML
Used along with fillers, Dr. Pilest finds that Botox also tends to typically prolong the effects of the dermal fillers by restricting muscle activity that drives filler component
breakdown.
Dr. Pilest enthuses, For a fast, simple and practically painless injection procedure, the benefits patients see from Botox are some of the most satisfying and predictable.
Clinical study patients will receive Botox about 7 days prior to laser treatments. The Fraxel CO2 Re:pair laser treatments are then applied to the newly relaxed lip area with only need
for a simple lip block as anesthesia. More than one laser treatment may be required depending on the depth of the wrinkles. Results will be evaluated after a 3 month final post-procedure
time span to determine effectiveness of the combined treatment protocol.
Dr. Pilest is a Board Certified Dermatologist (http://totaldermatology.com/pages/meet.html) who has taken care of patients in the
Orange County area for 30 years. His private practice, Total Dermatology, is located near the Spectrum in Irvine, California and is well known as one of Southern California'ss most
comprehensive cosmetic laser centers.
Personalized cosmetic consultations with Dr. Pilest are complimentary. The office may be contacted by calling (949) 727 3800 or toll free at (877) DrPilest. Website: www.TotalDermatology.com