Ageless Skin Solutions

There is no optimal timeframe to begin in-office aesthetic procedures, including Botox^® Cosmetic. Each of our valued patients ages differently. How you age and when signs of aging first become apparent vary based on factors like how well you have cared for your skin, your genetics, and your lifestyle in general. Excessive sun exposure and smoking can all hasten the effects of aging and cause your skin to lose its elasticity and become wrinkled and saggy. which can result in changes. This makes you a great candidate for Botox^® from well into your 50s and beyond. Botox^® was developed to soften the expression lines that may become permanent features of your face as the skin loses its structural support (collagen and elastin). By relaxing the muscles that cause forehead lines, crow’s feet, and frown lines, Botox^® smooths these creases and furrows on the upper part of your face. Your skin is smoother, and you look like a healthier, more refreshed version.

While both Botox^® and dermal fillers can be injected, these are distinctive treatments. Each category of treatment is formulated differently. In general, Botox^® and other wrinkle-relaxers are designed to improve the appearance of expression lines in the upper part of the face. This makes them a great option for women, including black women of all skin types and tones from their 20s to 50s to 70+, who have lost collagen and elastin, and whose skin no longer bounces back like it used to after frowning, squinting, or making other facial expressions. Dermal or soft tissue fillers are different; they often address lost volume in the face. This process occurs as collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid, fat, and other beneficial substances deteriorate over time. When these structural components are lost, our skin may become loose, and we may notice hollow or sunken areas as tissues slide downward. We may also notice deep creases and folds in areas such as around the mouth and nose (nasolabial folds). Fillers do as their name suggests, filling in depressions like hollowed-out wrinkles and regions like the cheeks. When we inject certain substances like hyaluronic acid into troubled areas, the filler provides lift, adds volume, plumps up wrinkles, scars, and more to even out the skin’s surface.

Lasers and other forms of light-based therapy are often referred to interchangeably as if they are the same. While lasers and other therapies like IPL and LED both use light, there are some distinctive differences in how they work and what they treat. Most lasers deliver a single, focused, and localized beam of light to trouble areas of the face and body. Intense Pulsed Light, for example, uses broad-spectrum light at various wavelengths. And LED therapies most commonly use red or blue light. Each of these therapies has its own unique advantages and considerations. Dr. Rodney must also consider your treatment goals and skin type when making recommendations. Red light is a collagen-boosting powerhouse that firms up and smooths skin. In contrast, blue light may be appropriate for women with persistent acne or who may be experiencing acne breakouts for the first time later in life due to hormonal changes.

Numerous dermal filler products are approved by the FDA to treat signs of aging, like skin laxity and wrinkles. Some of the most popular fillers today are formulated with hyaluronic acid. HA is a natural lubricant and moisturizer. As the active ingredient in many common fillers, HA attracts and holds water molecules in the skin to add structure and fullness to areas that have sustained volume loss, such as the mid-face or cheeks and the tear troughs or under-eye region. These fillers differ from those like Radiesse^® and Sculptra^®, which are formulated with special ingredients that stimulate collagen production in the skin. As the active ingredients are absorbed, collagen renewal is naturally triggered. These “biostimulators” are associated with longer-lasting results due to their ability to build up the structural supports deep within the skin. Dr. Rodney and our team have extensive experience with all sorts of fillers (and all kinds of patients) and will explore the right options for treatment with you.

Many factors can influence how long the results from treatments last. These include features of the technology or product itself. For instance, some of our therapies are more powerful than others. They may have greater downtime and need for recovery. However, with these more intense treatments, fewer maintenance treatments may be needed over the long term. This is because the results are largely more long lasting and “durable.” Some HA-based filler products may last around six months, whereas those that are designed to stimulate collagen (like biostimulators) may last up to two years or more. The areas we treat can also make a difference in your expectations for long-term results. For example, Botox^® may wear off faster when injected in the area around the eyes to reduce crow’s feet versus when injected in the forehead area to soften horizontal lines. The differences in longevity are due to variances in skin thickness and muscle activity in these areas of your face. Other factors that can influence how long your treatments last include how well you follow instructions for after-care and how well you care for your skin and body on an ongoing basis. We can help you make the most out of treatments and extend the time between “touch-ups” by advising on tailored products and techniques to nourish your one-of-a-kind skin.