The differences between Botox and Juvederm

After performing cosmetic consultations for 9 years at Orlando medical spa Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center I have realized that people tend to think Botox and Juvederm products are the same and do the same thing.  However, Botox and Juvederm are two totally different types of injectables and do different things for the face.  It is important to have an understanding of the different injectables so that you can select what is best for you and research the best medical spas and injectors in your area for Botox and Juvederm.

Here are the main differences between Botox and Juvederm.
Botox Cosmetic is a Botulin Toxin injectable. Botox is best used for treating wrinkles that are "expression related" or related to muscle use in the face.  Botox is best for treating the forehead, glabellar (inbetween the eyebrows), and around the eyes "crows feet" area.  Botox is not a volumizer so it will not add volume, replace volume or fill in every line, that would be a dermal filler.  Botox Cosmetic does not provide instant gratification either.  It can take up to 2 weeks for Botox to set and kick in completely.  Botox is a simple treatment that can temporarily smooth moderate to severe frown lines between the brows through a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, which reduces the activity of the muscles that cause those frown lines between the brows to form over time. Botox lasts 3-5 months on average and will last longer each time it is injected.  Botox is not considered a dermal filler.
Juvederm products including Juvederm Ultra XC, Juvederm Ultra Plus XC, and Juvederm Voluma XC are injectables that are considered  dermal fillers.  Dermal fillers add volume and replace volume in the mid-face in areas such as the cheeks, smile lines (naso-labial folds), and lips.  As women and men age we naturally break down fat, hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastyn in the mid-face. This lack of volume can not be replaced with Botox Cosmetic, only a dermal filler such as Juvederm can replace this volume.  By replacing volume in the face it creates a "liquid facelift"  Juvederm is a smooth consistency  gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration.
For more information on the difference between Botox and Juvederm go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

Questions to Ask for Laser Tattoo Removal Consultation

Our medical spa was one of the first in Orlando to offer laser tattoo removal 4 years ago.  Tattoo removal has since grown by about 50% in our medical spa and in popularity in general.  There are many reasons men and women choose to remove tattoos but the top reasons are for a career change, joining the military, government job restrictions,  relationship changes, or they simply don't like it anymore.  Whatever the reason a person should decide to get laser tattoo removal it is important to receive a good consultation before getting a treatment as these are strong lasers.  I have performed tattoo removal consultations for 4 years and these are the top questions to ask if they are not addressed by the consultant.
Top Questions to ask for Laser Tattoo Removal Consultation:
#1 Question: What type of laser is used for tattoo removal, is it safe for your skin type and is it a laser specifically for tattoo removal?
Reason to ask: Unfortunately throughout the years I have seen and heard horror stories of people who had tatoo removal with a "laser hair removal" device at various medical offices.  This is not safe! It can cause blistering and leave scars.  It is important to know that the laser is safe for your skin type.  If you have dark skin you should only be treated with a Q-switch Yag or Picosure laser for tattoo removal.
#2 Question: Who performs the treatment, what their credentials and years of experience?
Reasons to ask: Every state has different requirements as to what level of education and license you need to perform laser tattoo removal.  In Florida it has to be an ARNP, PA-C, or physician to perform laser tattoo removal.  You should also try to choose someone who has a minimum of 12 months of experience.
#3 Question: Have you treated these colors of tattoo before and can I see work on your clients?

 Reasons to ask: You want to be sure that the technician has worked with all spectrums of colors of tattoos and understands the correct settings to use.  You want to see "before and after tattoo removal pictures" of their clients not just stock photos.
For more information on laser tattoo removal consultation questions to ask go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

Which Skincare Products are Most Important to Use

Throughout the years the cosmetic and beauty industry has produced thousands of various skin-care products and with them have come various ideals as to what products are necessary and how many products a woman or man should truly be using.  Is it really necessary to use 10 products a day?  Probably not.  After running a medical spa-Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center in Orlando for 10 years we have found what skincare products are most important for our clients to maintain their cosmetic procedure results.
Here are the Top Important Skincare Products Necessary for good skin:
#1 Daily Cleanser: It is important to use a soap free cleanser that is not going to absorb too much oil.  It is important to cleanse your skin twice a day, if you only have time for once a day make it at night as this is when your skin has the most build up, dirt and oil. Winter Park Laser Favorite Cleansers: Glytone Mild Gel Wash, and Skinmedica Facial Cleanser.
#2 Weekly Exfoliator: This is one product everyone should invest in and use once a week.  It is important to exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells, stimulate collagen and prevent pores being clogged with impurities which create breakouts.
Winter Park Laser Favorite Exfoliators: Skinmedica Skin Polisher, and Glytone Boost Mask
#3 Daily Retinol: Any woman or man over the age of 30 should own a good Rx grade Retinol. Retinol is vitamin A derivatives that unclog pores, boost collagen to reduce fine lines, and speed cell turnover to even out discoloration and smooth the skin—sometimes in as little as four weeks.
Winter Park Laser Favorite Retinols: Skinmedica Retinols .25, .50, & 1.0
#4 Daily Moisturizer with SPF 20 or Stronger: It is important to hydrate your skin daily even if you have oily skin.  If you don't hydrate your skin it can over-produce oil or become dry, cracked and show more wrinkles.  It is also extremely important to wear an SPF minimum 20 everyday even when you aren't in "direct sun" as you still get sun while driving, walking to the car, etc.
Winter Park Laser Favorite Moisturizers: Skinmedica Ultra Sheer for Oily Skin, and Skinmedica TNS Daily Moisturizer with SPF 20 for normal skin.
#5 Daily Eye Cream: The skin around your eyes is 30% thinner and therefore is the first area to form wrinkles and needs additional hydration that regular facial moisturizers can not provide.  It is important to find a physician grade eye cream that is hydrating, and has special ingredients to counteract wrinkles and dark circles.
Winter Park Laser Favorite Eye Cream: Skinmedica TNS Eye Repair
#6 Daily Growth Factor: As you age you lose 20% of collagen every year with your skin only naturally replacing 4% so it is important to have a growth factor serum that will rebuild collagen and elastyn in the skin.
Winter Park Laser Favorite Growth Factor: Skinmedica TNS Essential Serum, and Skinmedica TNS Recovery Complex.
For more information on the most important skincare products go to http://www.winterparklaser.com

Top Ways to Prep Your Skin for Summer

As the seasons change so does your skin and therefore your skincare routine should change as well.  There are easy ways to make your skin glow for summer.   Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center is a leading medical spa in Orlando and is sharing top ways to prep your skin for summer.
#1 Stock up on the appropriate sunscreen.  What type of sunscreen you use matters! You can not just throw on a  watered down 5 year old sunscreen from the closet on your face and expect it to not clog your pores and be effective.  Always check the expiration date on your sunscreen.  It is important to choose sun protection that is full broad spectrum UVA/UVB and a minimum SPF 30-mineral sunscreen for the face is best so that it will not clog your pores.  Apply SPF 30 minutes before sun exposure.  For everyday facial SPF we love Skinmedica Daily Physical Defense® Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30+.
#2 Exfoliate: Exfoliation is extremely beneficial especially during summer.  It gives increased circulation and eliminates old dead skin cells so that your skin will look healthier and have a glow.  For a professional exfoliation chemical peels are a great solution.  For at home exfoliation we love Skinmedica Skin Polisher and Skinmedica AHA/BHA Exfoliation Cleanser.
#3 Injectable fillers and Botox can give some great instant results.  These treatments are not photo-sensitive so you don't have to monitor sun exposure before and after treatment.  Fillers such as Juvederm Voluma XC can give your face an instant liquid face-lift.  Botox cosmetic can make your forehead and crows feet wrinkles diminish for a smooth look in summer pictures.
For more information on how to prep your skin for summer go to http://www.winterparklaser.com.

How to get rid of a pimple quickly

So every girl or guy has been there-you have a big event coming up such as a wedding and what shows up but a dreaded pimple on your face.  While there are many ways to treat acne breakouts that occur often on a long term basis such as antibiotics, topicals, and lasers it is nice to have an easy way to get rid of a big pimple fast.
The easiest and fast way to get rid of a big cystic pimple is with a Kenalog injection.  This can be performed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant in a medical spa or physician office.  Kenalog is an injectable medication used to treat large painful acne lesions resulting in significant improvement in appearance and discomfort within 24 hours.  It is also used to treat poorly healed scars know as hypertrophic or keloid scars resulting in improved texture and appearance over several treatments.
While Kenalog injections should not be used frequently as an acne treatment it is an excellent way to get rid of a pimple fast before a big and important event.

Top 2 Ways to get a Firmer, Younger Neck and Chest

While many women and men start to realize that they need to do treatments and use products for anti-aging on their face at an early age, it tends to take people longer to recognize the fact that they need to take preventative measures on their neck and chest.  In Florida we see a lot of what we refer to as "floating head" because they only put SPF and protect their face, so their neck and chest is sun damaged, red and brown and their face is white. 

Here are the Top 3 Ways to get a firmer, younger neck and chest:

#1 IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Photo-facials.  These treatments are excellent to remove sun damage, brown pigmentation and redness to even back out the skin tone and improve texture. IPL delivers high intensity pulses of broadband light that is non-ablative, meaning that is does not damage the surface of the skin. 

#2 Strengthen Skin with Growth factors.  We like Skinmedica TNS Essential Serum. The serum has two chambers. Chamber 1:  TNS Recovery Complex contains Human Fibroblast (TNS®) → A physiologically balanced, naturally secreted and stabilized growth factor blend that helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and overall skin tone and texture.
Chamber 2:  APS Corrective Complex has Peptides help support the foundation of skin:

• Palmitoyl Tripeptide 5, Hydrolyzed Silk (Sericin), Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyprolin
• For more information on top ways to get a firmer, younger neck and chest go to http://www.winterparklaser.com 

Why Latisse in Orlando Grows in Popularity

Latisse Orlando

Winter Park Laser & Anti-Aging Center (Orlando medical spa) has been offering Latisse in the Orlando area for over 6 years and finds that the request by clients for Latisse has grown with popularity significantly every year.   LATISSE^® is the first and only FDA-approved prescription treatment for inadequate or not enough eyelashes, growing them longer, fuller and darker.  Since it became FDA approved in the United States in 2001 LATISSE^® has had a huge buzz around it for lashes.
In Orlando there used to be a large focus on eyelash extensions but since the approval of LATISSE^® that has decreased as women and men can increase the growth of their own lashes naturally.  LATISSE^® is able to create lash growth because of its active ingredient: bimatoprost. Although the precise mechanism of action is unknown, LATISSE^® is believed to affect the growth (anagen) phase of the eyelash hair cycle in two ways: first, it increases the length of this phase, and second, it increases the number of hairs in this growth phase.  First used in patients for Glaucoma the effects on lashes were discovered and patented.
LATISSE^® solution  is a prescription product available in orlando at Winter park Laser and is applied topically 1 time per day on clean skin to the base of your upper eyelashes. Then, gradually, the results come in. You may start to see more length in as little as 4 weeks and you should achieve full growth in 16 weeks. The results are thicker, darker, and longer lashes.
For more information on the popularity of Latisse in Orlando visit http://www.winterparklaser.com