Neurotoxins vs Dermal Fillers

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Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery

The past two decades have advanced the field of nonsurgical facial rejuvenation beyond expectations. Prior to the 1980’s, surgery and laser therapy were the only methods available for improvement of the aging face. Today, we are happy to provide a multitude of nonsurgical modalities for facial rejuvenation. As with all interventions, our goal is not to make someone appear plastic. Rather, our goal is to enhance your own natural, organic beauty, and remove the stigmata of aging.

Two Main Types of Injectables

Injectable therapy falls into two major categories:

1. Neuromuscular Blockade Therapy such as Botox^®, Dysport^®, and Xeomin^®

2. Dermal Filler Therapy such as Restylane^®, Juvederm^®, Perlane^®, Radiesse^®, and Belotero^®.

1. Neuromuscular Blockades (BOTOX^®)

Neuromuscular Blockade therapy (aka BOTOX^®, Dysport^®, Xeomin^®) works just like it sounds it stops muscles from contracting. Neuromuscular blocks are extremely safe, requires absolutely zero downtime, and is completely effective in removing what are termed animational rhytids. This is the doctor term for wrinkles that are caused by repetitive muscle movements, aka“muscle wrinkles. Injection of these agents relaxes the muscles that cause these wrinkles, and as a result, the wrinkles are either markedly reduced, or completely disappear. BOTOX^® is one type of neuromuscular blocks that is a highly purified muscle relaxant injected into deep frown lines caused by chronically tensed muscles. Once injected, Botox® results in muscles to relax and thus smooth away overlaying wrinkles.

BOTOX^® is the most common procedure performed nationwide by plastic surgeons. No downtime, minimal discomfort, and safe, predictable results are gained with neuromuscular blockade therapy. We commonly employ blockade therapy with surgical therapy, and all types of nonsurgical therapy to achieve synergistic, transformational results. This can be done at any time during your workday, and you can return to work minutes after we are done with the procedure. Patient receiving Botox® often comment that they appear less tired or as if they just returned from a relaxing vacation.

2. Dermal Filler or Injectable Gels

Dermal filler therapy, aka the Liquid Facelift, is used in patients who have volume loss to areas of their face, and for the removal of non-animational rhytids, or non-muscle wrinkles. They are commonly employed in the cheek, lower eyelid, nasolabial folds (fold between cheek and lips), jawline, marionette lines (lines around outside of mouth), and glabella (middle forehead). This therapy is incredibly effective in reversing specific signs of aging, and can be employed in a wide range of patients. While they do not have the same impact or durability of a surgical facelift, they are commonly employed in patients who are not ready for surgery. As well, we routinely combine these types of injections with surgery to achieve the highest levels of rejuvenation possible.

We utilize needle free microcannulas for the injections, which reduces the amount of pain, bruising, and trauma during the procedure.

As with neuromuscular blockade therapy, minimal discomfort is felt during the procedure. There is no need for any type of sedation or advanced anesthesia. Results are absolutely instantaneous with next to zero downtime. Some patients will experience bruising from the injections, but if this occurs, it resolves on its own within a few days. Our patients also receive Arnica Montana to reduce the possibility of bruising. We also utilize needle free microcannulas for the injections, which reduces the amount of pain, bruising, and trauma during the procedure.

Ocean Drive® Injectables

At Ocean Drive Plastic Surgery, we hold ourselves to the highest standards both inside and outside the operating room. There are no small procedures or operations in our practice. Outcomes, safety, and comfort drive all of our techniques, including injectable therapy. Want to see Dr. Durkin’s injectable techniques? Watch Dr. Durkin inject patients with Radiesse.

We begin your facial rejuvenation with a comprehensive evaluation of your needs and goals. This is done in a private one-on-one setting with Dr. Alan Durkin or Dr. Ferdinand Becker. Once patient and physician have agreed upon an appropriate injectable therapy, you are treated with a topical anesthetic therapy. As well, we offer temporary nerve blocks to patients that are worried about any discomfort.

While waiting for the anesthetic to take effect, we offer a complimentary ice roller massage to the treatment areas to prepare for the procedure. As well, all patients receive a three day supply of Arnica Montana to help minimize any bruising. We start Arnica therapy while the numbing process is in process.

Once you are comfortably numb, Dr. Alan Durkin or Dr. Becker removes all of the numbing cream and cleans the area with surgical prep solution. Injections are done only with blunt tip microcannulas made by Soft-Fil. These syringe tips are needle free! They reduce the number of injection sites, reduce the amount of discomfort and tissue trauma, and provide superior results in our hands. They allow us to treat any part of the face with one or two injection sites!

The entire process takes less than an hour, and can provide profound improvements in facial aesthetics without anesthesia, and with absolutely no downtime. We spare no expense in ensuring that your experience and outcomes surpass your expectations every time you visit our institution.

Frequently Asked Injectable Questions:

1) Are dermal fillers safe?

a. Absolutely. Dermal filler therapy is one of the most common procedures undertaken by board certified plastic surgeons. They are used hourly across the United States in thousands of patients.

2) What are the side effects of dermal filler therapy?

a. As with any procedure, bruising is a potential side effect. Bruising in our practice is fairly rare, but all patients can suffer light bruising during the injection. Other potential but uncommon side effects include nodularity underneath the skin, swelling, and infection. Our practice is a high volume filler practice, and we have enjoy exceedingly low complication rate with these treatments.

3) How long does it take to see results from dermal filler injections?

a. Results are instantaneous! All of the injection sites have some swelling associated with them, but this swelling resolves by itself in a short time frame.