The secret’s out: men are turning to aesthetic medicine to look good.

While the most popular procedure was BOTOX® (for women, too), rounding out the list at number 5 was Soft Tissue Fillers, also known as Dermal Fillers. According to the same survey, there were 34,256 procedures performed in 2009 that involved hyaluronic acid based fillers, namely Juvederm™ and Restylane® – a 10% increase from 2008.

How can Juvederm™ help men?

The answer is easy: in just about the same ways it can help women. Like most nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, Juvederm™ isn’t gender-specific. This “next-generation” dermal filler is designed to add volume to tissue, which not only allows wrinkles, creases and lines to smooth out, but also allows facial contours to be redefined. Juvederm™ can safely and effectively treat aesthetic problems in both women or men. The only difference is what kind of results are desired.

Many men, like women, are concerned about rejuvenating their appearance. As we age, the skin begins to sag and creases form. Nasolabial folds, vertical lip lines, and marionette lines are common problems that are targeted with Juvederm™. Even lip augmentation, a procedure most of us associate with the Trout Pouts of Hollywood starlets, can be performed using Juvederm™. But obviously, men don’t go for the fullness women desire. Rather,  lip augmentation for men achieves results that contribute to a more youthful appearance, eliminating lip lines and/or a sunken appearance. And in general, most men prefer to achieve results that are more subtle and refined.

Juvederm™ is a great nonsurgical way to achieve a more youthful appearance. With results generally apparent immediately following a 30 minute treatment, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular cosmetic procedures at our nonsurgical cosmetic clinic in Ottawa!

Wondering what problems on the face that Juvederm™ can help you with? Here’s a convenient diagram to show you what it can do:

The wrinkles at the outside corners of the eyes, more familiarly known as crow’s feet, can also be minimized or eliminated in appearance.

Juvederm™ effectively treats aesthetic flaws on the face by “filling them out”. The product features unique ingredients that bind to the water that is present in your skin, thereby adding volume to a crease, contour or depression. This smooths out the flaw to achieve the desirable results. It on this premise that a whole host of problems may be corrected, such as nasolabial folds, smoker’s wrinkles (vertical lip lines), deep acne scars, thin lips, sunken cheeks and more – just ask us to find out what other flaws may be targeted!

If you are looking for an Ottawa Juvederm™ injection, please contact us at 613-667-9455 to book your consultation with a licensed physician. The Chief Physician of Dermaworks, Dr. Demetra Vassiliou, has extensive knowledge of facial structure and years of experience in treating wrinkles and improving facial contours with Juvederm™, as well as a variety of other injectable filler products. Relying on her professional expertise, Dr. Vassiliou will perform the procedure to achieve the most desirable results possible. Results are usually immediately apparent following injection.

Here are the similarities:

• Both are in a gel form based on hyaluronic acid, responsible for maintaining volume and moisture levels in the skin.
• Both come in syringes.
• Both are injected into the skin.
• Both come in different intensities, as distinguished by the median size of the gel’s particles and the concentration of hyaluronic acid. The problem determines the intensity.
• Both achieve temporary results with minimal downtime. Side effects include short lived swelling, irritation and bruising.

And here are the differences:

Restylane®

Restylane® was the first hyaluronic acid based injectable filler approved by the FDA. Introduced to the market back in 2004, the product is a gel composed of microspheres that differ in size according to intensity (larger particles means it’s more intense and can last longer). One syringe contains 1cc.

Results generally last about half a year or more. Juvederm™, on the other hand, can last anywhere from 3 months or more. However, reports all say something different here – some patients find Juvederm™ lasts longer, while others prefer Restylane®. It really depends on the patient, doctor, and problem corrected.

Juvederm™

Juvederm™ is manufactured to be smoother in consistency than Restylane®. Many physicians believe this smooth texture allows it to achieve better results in some areas of the face, particularly the lips. One syringe contains .80cc.

Side effects from a Juvederm™ injection can last for about 24 hours. On the other hand, many patients find the side effects resulting from Restylane® can last up to 3 days.

Recognized as one of the world’s most effective dermal fillers, Dermaworks Aesthetics Medical Clinic is proud to offer Teosyal®.

Teosyal® is a completely hyaluronic acid based soft tissue filler manufactured by Swiss based Teoxane Laboratories. This gel, highly viscous and elastic, can add volume as well out fill out the wrinkles and creases that appear on the face, neck and hands. Areas that may be targeted include forehead lines, wrinkles around the eyes, marionette lines, and vertical lip lines. It can also add volume to facial contours to achieve a more youthful appearance. Desirable results may be achieved after a single treatment, however you should anticipate up to four treatments, performed on a weekly basis.

Each procedure at our medical clinic is performed by an experienced physician. The injection is administered using a patented syringe specially designed by the manufacturers of Teosyal® that makes it easier to deliver the product with precision and prevents any leaking. The targeted area will be massaged by the physician immediately following injection to distribute the product more uniformly.

Teosyal® boasts a high concentration of biocompatible hyaluronic acid, a substance essential in naturally maintaining volume and suppleness of the skin. The hyaluronic acid is non-animal based and completely biodegradable. Only trace amounts of protein (less than 5 μg/mL) and bacterial endotoxins (less than 0.2 EU/mL) are included in the product, significantly decreasing the risk of complications from occurring, such as hypersensitivity, inflammation and swelling. There is no downtime and like other dermal fillers, results are temporary but last for a long time due to its composition. Maintenance sessions approximately once every three months may be required.

Teosyal® is not suitable for people with auto immune diseases, hypersensitivity to hyaluronic acid, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not compatible with laser skin treatments or therapeutic peels. If a skin infection at the proposed site exists, the procedure may be postponed until it is completely healed.

images courtesy of Teoxane Laboratories

Juvederm™

One of the most popular dermal fillers currently in the industry today is Juvederm™. Much like the other dermal fillers we offer at our clinic, Juvederm™ is a smooth and clear gel based on hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar in the human body that is vital in maintaining the smooth and supple qualities of healthy skin. Because it is biocompatible, no allergy test is required prior to treatment.

Research has shown that it is safe for all skin tones. As a matter of fact, according to Allergan, Juvederm™, “…is the first hyaluronic acid dermal filler that is proven to be safe and effective for persons of colour.”

The procedure takes about half an hour and there is little or no downtime afterward, although side effects related to injections, such as swelling and discomfort, may occur. When injected, Juvederm™ plumps up the skin by replenishing depleting levels of hyaluronic acid. Achieving instant and temporary results, this biodegradable product breaks down over a few months, gradually and harmlessly. Results may last up to one year, however it really depends on the individual and their situation.

Its uniquely smooth consistency has been designed to achieve instant and long-lasting results that appear natural. As a result, dermal filler treatments using Juvederm™ and many other hyaluronic acid based products have become one of the most popular methods of skin rejuvenation in the medical aesthetics field.

What It Can Help With
Juvederm™ is ideal to treat wrinkles, lines and creases that remain even when the face is not moving. It can target the area around the mouth and nose, around the outer corners of the eyes, and the cheeks.

With its ability to boost volume, Juvederm™ is also used to augment facial features, most notably the lips and cheeks.

Hyaluronic acid levels peak during adolescence and start to decrease when one reaches the age of 20. As a result of this loss, the skin becomes thinner, loses moisture and becomes less supple. Collagen loss also takes place simultaneously. Collagen depletion is one of the leading causes of the visible aging process because it leads to a loss of elasticity and an uneven skin tone

Factors that affect hyaluronic acid levels include genetics, cigarette smoking, diet, nutritional deficiencies, and physical activity. You can replenish levels in your skin by getting injections, taking supplements, eating foods rich in hyaluronic acid and using topical applications. Treatments help to reduce wrinkles, improve the elasticity of the skin, and keep the skin smooth.

Tips for Replenishing Hyaluronic Acid Levels
There are options that are currently available for replenishing hyaluronic acid are limited in their effectiveness. One option, topically applied hyaluronic acid, can be effective as a skin moisturizer in some climates but it may actually pull water from the skin in dry climates.

Another option is hyaluronic acid filler facial injections (also known as dermal fillers, injectable fillers, and injectibles), a popular means of reducing the appearance of facial wrinkles. The effects of these injections last from six to twelve months, and can last longer in some cases. The advantages of using hyaluronic acid fillers is that they are naturally found in human skin and are thus nontoxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible

The most commonly-used hyaluronic acid filler is stabilized non-animal hyaluronic acid gel (NASHA). Restylane®, Teosyal®, and Juvederm® are some of the most well-known brands of NASHA. Depending on dosage and strength, a number of problems may be corrected, from finer lines to deeper creases, as well as plumping up lips and altering facial contours.

While a drawback of hyaluronic acid treatments is that they can be expensive, it is currently considered to be the best alternative to surgery with minimal side effects for those who want to reverse the signs of aging skin, reduce deep creases, fine lines, and wrinkles.