FAQs

Q: What is the down time after my laser procedure? 

A: The down time depends on the type of laser treatment. For the treatment of capillaries, you will see some redness and/or slight puffiness of the treated areas for a few hours to one day.  When brown spots are treated, they will look darker every day until they peel off, usually 7 days for the face and 2 weeks for the body.

Q:  If I have too much filler can you dilute it?

A: If your filler is with a hyaluronic acid gel like Restylane®, for example, there is an enzyme that can be injected into the treated area which breaks down the filler over 1-2 days.  There is no way to “dilute” other fillers.

Q:Can I get a facial or microdermabrasion after filler treatment? 

A: It depends on how much filler you had done.  If it is a simple treatment, like one syringe, you can resume your routine facial treatments the next day.  In the case of more extensive treatments with multiple syringes, you should wait one week.

Q: What should I avoid before filler treatments?

A: Most importantly, avoid any over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, advil, motrin, etc., for 7 days before your treatment.  This will minimize the likelihood of bruising after your treatment. Tylenol is an exception and can be taken.  You should not undergo injectable treatments if you have an active skin infection or rash in the region that is going to be treated.

Q: Is laser hair removal permanent?

A: Laser hair removal is usually not permanent.  There are rare examples, such as patients with very black, coarse, and dense hair, where the laser energy truly eliminates the hair permanently.  In the vast majority of cases, there is a substantial and meaningful reduction of hair for 4-6 months with slow re-growth afterwards.

Q: What is the difference between face sclerotherapy and laser for capillaries?

A: Sclerotherapy involves the injection with a tiny needle of very small amounts of a medication into the unwanted capillaries that helps to fade them over several days to weeks. Laser treatment involves directing a laser beam over the capillaries, causing them to cauterize, or shrink, instantly or within a few days.

Q: How long does bruising last after fillers?

A: Small bruises can be covered up with make up and usually last 2-3 days. Larger bruises can rarely take 7-10 days to fade. Fortunately, we have a laser that can be used on a large bruise the day after treatment and can break it up significantly in 1-2days.

Q: How long do fillers last?

A: It depends on the filler. Most non-permanent  fillers, such as Restylane®, Juvéderm®, or Radiesse®  last 4-6 months.  SILIKON® 1000 is a permanent filler and does not break down in the body.  How long non-permanent fillers last can vary widely, since some patients feel the need to retreat right away after only a portion of the filler material is gone and others are satisfied to wait until all the material is completely gone.

Q; What are the side effects of the neurotoxins, like Dysport® or Botox®?

A: The most common side effects are injection related and include redness or discomfort at the injection sites for minutes to a few hours , or bruising which can last several days and rarely longer. Neurotoxin treatment can rarely produce excessive muscle weakness in a localized area, producing a droopy brow or eyelid.  When this occurs, the effect can last days to weeks.

Q: Will I still be able to have facial expressions after neurotoxin injections?

A: Yes. The treatment can be done conservatively to preserve a natural look, although in some cases, the effects may not last quiet as long as an aggressive treatment.

Q: Can I take blood thinners after injections?

A: Yes.  Blood thinners increase the risk of bruising only when they are in the bloodstream at the time the injections are being done. Once the treatment is over, the medications can be resumed right away.

Q: What’s the difference between Botox® and Dysport ®?

A: Very little.  They are derived from the same bacterial culture in a laboratory.  The active protein, or neurotoxin, is the same in both products.  There are some minor differences in the other proteins that are in the finished product. Dysport was used widely in Europe for many years before its FDA approval here in the US in April 2009 whereas Botox®  has been used extensively here in the U.S. well over a decade.

Q: Are there treatments available to treat bruising after treatment with injectables?

A: The most effective treatment is the use of the pulsed-dye laser one or several days after the treatment. This quick procedure generally accelerates the breakdown of the bruise from one week to 2 days.  Other treatments have been advocated but may not be as effective, such as arnica, bromelain, etc.

Q: Is it safe to do injectables and laser treatments on the same day?

A: In most cases, yes, because the laser treatment occurs on the surface of the skin whereas the injectable treatments occur below that layer.

Q: How long should I avoid sun after laser treatment?

A: You should always avoid sun before and after laser treatment.  This is because darkening of the skin before generally makes the laser less effective and predisposes to “burning” during the treatment.  Sun exposure after treatment can negatively affect your healing and/or the results.

Q: What are the precautions for side effects or precautions for sclerotherapy?

A: There are no special precautions before your treatment.  Treatment is limited to small branching blood vessels, not bulging, distended varicose veins.  After treatment, a compression bandage is applied and usually left on overnight. You can continue your normal activities after treatment provided you keep the bandage on. Common side effects seen at the injection sites include bruising and/or minimal redness for minutes to an hour.  You should not experience any pain or discomfort after treatment. Very rarely, some of the treated blood vessels can become tender or slightly swollen. If this occurs, you should notify the office.

Q: What is the “instant facelift”?

A: This term is used to describe the effect of fillers on the face to restore and/or “lift” the face, particularly when injected on the upper cheeks.  Depending on the patient’s age or the elasticity of their skin, this result can be achieved with a range in number of filler syringes, but typically, 2-3 syringes can achieve that effect.