Anti-Aging in Whittier, CA

Non-surgical Facelift with Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers have become one of the most popular tools in the fight against aging. Hailed by some as “liquid facelifts” dermal fillers can instantly reduce many common aging-related issues such as wrinkles, thinning lips, or hallowing cheeks, without the pain or necessary recovery time associated with cosmetic surgery.

Dermal fillers can be used to treat the following:

• Mid-face volume loss
• Fine deep wrinkles around the mouth and lips
• Nasolabial folds
• Marionette lines
• Vertical Lip Lines
• Oral Commissure

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal Fillers are injectable gels designed to fill lines, reduce wrinkles, and correct age-related volume loss in the mid-face. Here we primarily use Juvederm and Restylane products for fine wrinkles around the mouth and volume loss in the lower segment of the face and mid-face volume loss. The Newer technology also allows us to lift the entire cheek by adding volume to the cheekbone to reflect a much younger state.

Candidates for Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers can be used on all skin types except those who may have an allergy to the ingredients in Juvederm. People who are seeking to have more prominent cheekbones, youthful faces, reduce the appearance of crepe paper lips, lessen the appearance of the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, fine and deep wrinkles around the lips and mouth.

What to Expect

Candidates usually require 1-4 syringes of the filler depending on the amount of volume loss and treatment location. The dermal filler is injected subcutaneously and gently molded to shape and contour the surrounding tissue. The length of the procedure lasts approximately 1 hour. There is minimal discomfort. Usually, no topical anesthetic is required. Results are achieved and seen immediately. Juvederm Voluma lasts for 2 years and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC lasts for 1 year. There may be slight bruising at the sites of injections that resolves in 2-7 days. There is no downtime for this procedure, most people return to work the next day.

Surging popularity has spurred the creation of many different types of dermal fillers, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. While having more choice is great for experienced injectors, choosing between filler treatments can get confusing for prospective patients.

To help clear up any confusion here is a basic rundown of today’s most popular fillers:

The Triniti procedure is “the complete skin program” for immediate, visible, and long-lasting results.

Triniti™ is a three-step treatment, performed sequentially, during the same office visit.

With the Triniti™ skin procedure, color correction, skin tightening and focused dermal remodeling can all be achieved in a single session.

• Photofacial- Evens out skin tone and minimizes the appearance of sun-damaged, aged skin, and also reduces facial/neck redness
• Refirme Skin Tightening- Skin firming treatment designed to reduce wrinkles and give skin a smoother, more youthful appearance
• Matrix Fractional IR- A skin resurfacing treatment that refills fine lines, without harming the upper layer of skin

What are PDO Threads?

No cuts or incisions. Purely injections! The NovaThreads are needles that are pre-loaded with a PDO thread. Simply insert the whole needle in the interstitial tissue at the subdermal level, parallel to the surface of the skin, & pull the needle out. The PDO thread remains under the skin. It’s a synthetic absorbable surgical suture composed of polydioxanone. PDO sutures are used to perform cardiothoracic surgery (such as open-heart surgery). It’s one of the safest materials to be implanted in the body. Your skin fully absorbs it within 4 to 6 months & won’t leave you with any scar tissue.

How Does it Work?

In medical terms "Selective Inflammatory Response" is the principle behind a lot of aesthetic procedures (such as Fractional Laser, Chemical Peels & MicroNeedling). Our skin is very good at repairing itself, and by inserting NovaThreads we make it ‘heal’ itself by creating new collagen, naturally!

Your skin gently reacts to the inserted threads. During the 4 to 6 months needed to fully absorb the PDO suture, your skin is also repairing itself around it. It’s "controlled healing" happening underneath the skin! NovaLyft is utilized to produce a more dramatic and immediate result. The PDO sutures have “barbs” or “cogs”, which provide a grip underneath the skin. Sutures are inserted the same way, except they can be pulled in 1 or 2 directions, creating an instant skin repositioning. Just like the NovaMesh, the skin will then build new collagen which will secure the lift!

Restoring the V-Shape

A beautiful and healthy face has a "V-shape". With the aging of tissues and the action of gravity, this "V-shape" diminishes or inverts. The idea behind the NovaMesh and the NovaLyft technique is to either create a scaffolding in order to support the tissues and keep them in the "V-shape" or where necessary to delicately lift the tissues and reposition the skin to recreate the “V-shape” where it’s been lost.

The most common indications for PRP/PRFM in aesthetic medicine include, but are not limited to correction of under eye circles and skin laxity, improvement of skin tone and collagen production, and hair restoration.

A PRFM plasma facelift is a non-surgical facial rejuvenation treatment that combines triggered cell renewal with dermal filler to achieve beautiful and natural-looking results, with minimal downtime.

Is PRFM better than PRP?

Because of its higher concentration, PRFM can be more effective and powerful compared to traditional PRP. There is also some research that shows the growth activity stimulated by platelet-rich fibrin matrix lasts longer, which may provide better results and progress with the same amount of treatments as PRP.

How long does PRF last for the undereye treatment?

Because it usually takes about 4-8 weeks for initial results to appear after PRF injection, and results continue to improve for about 3-6 months after injection. Most results will last about 1.5 years after last injection.

Activated PRP is called PRFM. The body concentrates calcium higher in the tissue than in the blood. When tissue becomes damaged, the calcium that was in the tissue leaks out into the blood. Then that calcium activates thrombin cascade, which is simply a chain reaction of chemical events that happen when the platelets are exposed to calcium. When the platelets are exposed to calcium immediate release of growth factors takes place. The same principle applies when calcium is added to PRP in the lab which is activated to Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix.

Growth factors in PRFM

1. IGF (insulin-like growth factor) cell growth and improved immunity
2. PDF-EGF (platelet-derived epidermal growth factor)- cell growth
3. PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor)-cell growth
4. TGF (transforming growth factor)-turns stem cells into the needed tissue type
5. ECGF (endothelial cell growth)-new cells
6. VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor)- new blood vessels
7. bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor)- new collagen

Indications of PRFM in Aesthetic Practice

• Hair loss
• Hair thinning
• Facial rejuvenation
• Dracula facial
• Dracula facelift
• Pimples scar
• Fine lines
• Stretch marks
• Accident scars
• Suture marks
• Dracula breast lift
• Skin rejuvenations

Main Ingredient- Hyaluronic Acid

How It Works- The filler absorbs water, resulting in plumping of the areas in which it is injected.

Common Uses- Great for addressing fine to moderate facial wrinkles as well as adding facial volume. Juvederm is ideal for use on facial areas with thinner skin like the areas around the mouth and nose. Juvederm Ultra XC is used when adding a little volume in the lips. Juvederm Ultra Plus XC is used if you want that fuller lip look. Everyone’s lips are different it is a very artistic technique when using a lip filler in the lips. You want to make sure you communicate with your provider the outcome you are looking for. Remember if you don’t have lip tissue to fill then you will not get a fuller lip. You need to have lip tissue in order to fill that area. Your provider will help you pick the appropriate filler for this area.

How Long Does It Last- Typically between 9 months up to a year after injection

Reversible- Results can be reversed using hyaluronidase injection.

Different Types of Juvederm

There are multiple products within the Juvederm family that are designed for different uses:

• Juvederm Ultra: The original Juvederm formula, Ultra is ideal for treating moderate lines and wrinkles, provides limited contouring and scar correction, and moderate lip enhancement. Results typically can last up to 9 months.
• Juvederm Voluma: The first and only hyaluronic acid (HA) based dermal filler approved by the FDA to instantly increase the volume of the cheeks. Results last up to 2 years with fill correction.
• Juvederm Volbella: A hyaluronic acid gel-based filler that uses patented Vycross technology to smooth lip lines and other fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. Results last up to 12 months after treatment.
• Juvederm Vollure: Juvederm’s newest filler is designed to correct the most severe folds and wrinkles including the nasolabial folds. Results of Vollure can last up to 18 months.

Main Ingredient- Hyaluronic Acid

How It Works- The filler, which is in the Juvederm family. Think of this filler as the finishing touch. You can use this filler as a line eraser and to add definition to the lips. Off label this filler works great in the tear trough area because it doesn’t swell much since, it only absorbs one time it’s weight in water.

Common Uses- Volbella is ideal for smoothing lip lines. While this filler is not intended to add volume to the lips. This filler is used to define the lip border and perfect the perfect lip. Off-label this filler works great in the tear trough area because it doesn’t have a lot of swelling.

How Long Does It Last- Approximately 12 months after injection

Reversible- Results can be reversed using hyaluronidase

Juvederm Volbella is the latest advancement in injectable treatments to add definition to the mouth and outline of the face. Volbella is a smooth gel that softens the lines and wrinkles above, below, and on the lips for a natural-looking feel.

How Does Volbella Work?

Volbella is a hyaluronic acid gel using Vycross technology to fill in lip lines and wrinkles. Because Volbella uses an ultra-fine needle and contains Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, the treatment process allows for minimal discomfort. Volbella is not intended to add volume to the lips. However, patients can combine the treatment with other products such as Juvederm Ultra for a plumping effect.

How Long Do Results Last

Volbella results are immediate and can last up to 12 months.

Main Ingredient- Hyaluronic Acid

How It Works- Voluma, also in the Juvederm family of products. This product is less hydrophilic so it doesn’t attract a lot of water. You will not have a lot of swelling after these injections. This product works great for adding volume mid-face. When lifting the mid-face an added benefit you will see a difference in the jawline lifting and the under-eye area not looking as tired, because this product lifts.

Common Uses- FDA approved for adding volume and contouring the cheeks

How Long Does It Last- Up to 2 years with fill correction

Reversible- Results can be reversed using Hyaluronidase

The good news is that you can do something about the signs of facial aging with a product in the Restylane family — to help reveal a younger-looking you. With minimal downtime and no surgery, products in the Restylane family are used to:

• Provide natural-looking results by smoothing away facial wrinkles and folds and adding volume to lips (Restylane)
• Provide subtle lip enhancement and smooth the lines around them (Restylane Slik)
• Add lift and volume to the cheeks and facial wrinkles and folds (Restylane Lyft)
• Provide natural-looking results to laugh lines with flexibility that allows you to maintain your natural expressions (Restylane Refyne & Restylane Defyne)

Restylane and Restylane-L are for mid-to-deep injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. Restylane® and Restylane-L® are also indicated for injection into the lips in patients over the age of 21.

• Restylane Lyft with Lidocaine is for deep implantation into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds, and for cheek augmentation and for the correction of age-related midface contour deficiencies.
• Restylane Silk is for lip augmentation and for the correction of perioral wrinkles.
• Restylane Refyne is for mid-to-deep injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.
• Restylane Defyne is for mid-to-deep injection into the facial tissue for the correction of moderate to severe deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.

Botulinum Toxin can be used for the following:

• Moderate to severe crow’s feet lines around the eyes
• Moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows
• FDA has approved “off label” uses over the years to include frown lines between the brows, horizontal forehead lines, crow’s feet, eyebrow lifts, smoker’s lines on the upper and lower lip, down-turned mouth corners, “gummy” smiles, chin dimpling, under-eye lines and bunny lines on the sides of the nose.
• BOTOX also has more esoteric uses such as bladder incontinence, migraine headaches, excessive teeth grinding, prostate issues, and excessive hand and underarm sweating.

Can I have BOTOX other cosmetic services?

BOTOX treatment typically pairs well with additional aesthetic services at Bloom Medical Group for those who would like to address signs of aging. If you experience more extensive and pronounced facial lines, our practitioners may talk with you about adding a dermal filler for smoother outcomes. To further improve your youthful glow, Dr. Mohammedi or a member of his team can provide additional complimentary services, including facials or microdermabrasion.

How do I know which injectable filler is right for me?

The injectable filler selected for your treatment will depend on which area(s) is being treated as well as your desired result. Depending on if you would like to improve fine lines or you want to create fuller lips, we will ask about your goals before determining the filler or fillers that will deliver better results. With so many different types of fillers available, it may be overwhelming to choose which is ideal for your needs and goals, so our team of aesthetic professionals helps to ensure you experience your best results.

What is the difference between wrinkle relaxers and dermal fillers?

A wrinkle relaxer, like BOTOX, treat lines and wrinkles (especially in the forehead and around the eyes) by relaxing the movement of the underlying muscles. Dermal fillers add volume to fill in lines, wrinkles, and some scars. Dermal fillers can also be used to add more volume to your lips and cheeks and reduce the appearance of aging on the hands.

How long will the results of a dermal filler last?

The longevity of your results will be based on the type of filler used and the area(s) treated. In some people, improvements may last up to a year, whereas others may want another treatment after a few months. Touch-up treatments are available at our office in order to sustain your improvements.

What areas of my face can be treated with dermal fillers?

Wrinkle fillers can improve signs of aging by either smoothing static lines or adding volume. Fillers can be injected into mild to moderate parentheses, marionette, and corner lines near your nose and mouth. Additionally, they can restore volume to your lips and cheeks.

Does getting a PDO thread lift hurt?

No, most patients don't find the procedure uncomfortable. Before we begin, the treatment area will be numbed with a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable. After the procedure, some patients may experience minor soreness, redness, or swelling that typically goes away after 2 – 3 days.

How long do PDO threads results last?

Most patients can expect their results to last for up to 18 months.