Use of Fillers and Botox®
Certainly, the physician most qualified to work around eyes is a ophthalmic and facial plastic surgeon. Dr. Deborah Wu is trained and experienced in both eye surgery and plastic surgery. This makes her the expert to trust for facial cosmetic procedures, especially those around the eye and face. Give us a call or place your appointment request today – group appointments accepted.

Facial Fillers
Our faces are all unique, but time takes the same toll on all of us. As we age, gravity pulls, ultraviolet sun rays damage the collagen and elastic fibers of the skin and the soft tissues ultimately sag and deflate. In rejuvenating one’s appearance, surgery has always been the gold standard to lift and sculpt the sagging tissue around the eyes and face.

However, today there are many options like tissue re-inflation with filler injections has become a main ingredient in the recipe of facial sculpting. There are multiple fillers available today, which replace lost volume and encourage new collagen production. Injections can be administered all over the face to accomplish overall improvement in lines, wrinkles and sagging. Common areas for filler injections are the folds next to and below the mouth, underneath eyelids, into cheeks, and the lips.

Fillers fall into three categories:

Temporary
Semi Permanent
Permanent

Collagen injections are a great example of Temporary fillers, lasting about 2 months. Hyaluronic gels, a naturally occurring sugar molecule found in the skin, like Restylane®, Perlane® and Juvederm®, last from 6 to 12 months. These fillers are excellent for filling in lines and wrinkles as well as plumping up the lips. Radiesse®, a gel filler with calcium microspheres, is Semi Permanent, lasting up to 2 years. In addition to filling in deep wrinkles and folds, Radiesse® also promotes new collagen production. It is used to plump the folds next to your mouth and to replace fat loss in your cheeks and face.

What is BOTOX®?
BOTOX® is the trade name of Botulinum Toxin Type A, a purified substance produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In large amounts, this substance blocks the nerve impulses to muscles, causing a temporary form of paralysis. By using extremely small doses of BOTOX®, injected directly into a specific muscle, only the activity of that specific muscle will be paralyzed. Therefore, the problem that muscle causes, like a twitch, spasm or frown line is stopped.

The actual treatment takes only a few minutes and the BOTOX® takes effect in three to four days. Gradually, over three to five months, the BOTOX® will fade and the muscle action will return. When the frown line starts to reappear, a simple repeat treatment is all that is necessary to maintain the desired result.

Where is BOTOX® Placed?
The frown lines between the eyebrows are caused by the action of a muscle called the corrugator. This can be felt as a thickening just below the inside of the eyebrows, when one purposefully makes themselves frown. Injecting BOTOX® directly into the corrugator muscle temporarily stops the ability to draw eyebrows together when frowned. Once the muscle is paralyzed, it cannot contract, and the frown line gradually fade away.

Can BOTOX® Be Used For Other Wrinkles?
BOTOX® is also effective in the treatment of crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles. Additionally, it is useful in treating wrinkles around the mouth and neck folds.

Who Can Perform BOTOX® Treatments?
There are many who claim to be experts in treating with BOTOX®, but therapy should be done only by a physician trained in the use of BOTOX®.

How Has BOTOX® Been Tested?
BOTOX® has been used since 1980 for the treatment of strabismus (lazy eye), blepharospasm (uncontrolled eye blinking), and facial spasm. BOTOX® was first used for cosmetic purposes like forehead wrinkles in 1989.

Side Effects
The side effects of BOTOX® are related to the local injection of the solution. There may be a slight discomfort from the needle entering the skin, and a small chance of a bruise at the site of the injection. There are no reports of damage to the eye or permanent side effects from the use of BOTOX®. Approximately 1% of patients will develop a slight lowering of an upper or lower eyelid. This is temporary, and may not even be noticeable.

Earn Rewards
Introducing Brilliant Distinctions®, a reward program that is free to join and allows you to earn points to be redeemed for savings at future treatments! You can also shop through the Brilliant Distinctions® Mall and earn points as well. To learn more and register, click here for the Brilliant Distinctions Program website!