INJECTABLES/ CHEMICAL PEELS

Botox/Radiesse/Restylane/Juvederm /ARTEFILL

Sometimes the march of time takes its toll on our faces. We may not look as young as we used to, and the lines and folds on our faces become more visible. Our faces are what we present to the world; and fair or not, we're often judged by our appearance.

For people in image-conscious areas of the country, as well as people in high-profile positions, or for people that simply want to look and feel better about themselves, the new generation of injectibles provide immediate, long-lasting results.

Dr. Solomon has over 15 years' experience as a cosmetic surgeon and is recognized as one of Philadelphia's leading plastic surgeons. He aims to help patients realize their aesthetic goals and improve their self-esteem and confidence.

BOTOX

WHAT IS BOTOX?

A Botox treatment is a simple, non-surgical procedure that smoothes the deep, persistent lines between your brows that developed over time. One ten-minute treatment - a few tiny injections - relaxes the muscles that cause those lines to form and keeps them relaxed up to four months. Botox has been widely tested and now it's approved by the FDA.

The results are dramatic and apparent within days. In clinical trials nearly 90% of the men and women surveyed rated the improvement of their brow lines as moderate to better. For many, Botox virtually "erases" these lines. Botox works by relaxing the muscles that cause the face to contract and lines to form. Dr. Solomon performs a series of tiny injections in the area of the face to be treated.

Unlike surgery, Botox is fast, simple and minimally invasive with no downtime or recovery. Most people return directly to work or normal activity following treatment. Within days, they report looking more natural and relaxed.

WHY CHOOSE BOTOX?

When considering your facial aesthetic options Botox is quite affordable. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery's 2000 survey, Botox is one of the least expensive facial aesthetic procedures, ranking seventh of the nine most widely used procedures in the United States.


RADIESSE/RESTYLANE

Both Radiesse and Restylane are the new class of facial fillers. They are both non-animal based fillers used to diminish the lines and creases in the face. Dr. Solomon recommends Radiesse and Restylane for patients that want a softer look than is provided with collagen. Dr. Solomon will first apply a topic anesthetic cream to the face, then administer the injections with a fine-gauge needle.

The main advantage is that the results achieved from Radiesse and Restylane are much longer lasting - up to 2 years. Radiesse and Restylane are both extremely safe and FDA approved.

JUVADERM

Juvaderm is a new facial filler, and is hyaluronic acid based. It is used to restore fullness and softness to the face. Because hyaluronic acid is a compound found naturally in the body, it is easily broken down. Juvaderm follows the natural cycle of skin degradation and regeneration. Dr. Solomon uses Juvaderm for his patients that wish to decrease fine lines and wrinkles of the face, as well as to fill out the lips.

Dr. Solomon administers Juvaderm by first numbing the face with a topical anesthetic, and then injecting the areas to be treated with a fine needle.

Juvaderm comes in 2 formulations - Juvaderm Ultra, for average wrinkling in the nasolabial area, forehead and lips; and Juvaderm Ultra Plus, for more pronouced wrinkling and volume filling of cheeks and lips.

Juvaderm was newly approved by the FDA in June, 2006. Results last for up to 6 months.

ARTEFILL

Artefill is the newest of the fillers and is used to permanently eliminate lines and wrinkles on the face. Unlike Radiesse and Restalyne, however, patients that are interested in Artefill need to have a small patch of their skin tested for allergy to the filler. This is because Artefill is composed of bovine collagen (an animal-based compound).

In the United States, Artefill has been approved only for use on Naso-Labial folds (the creases around the mouth). Dr. Solomon administers Artefill by first numbing the area with a topical anesthetic cream, then injecting the areas to be treated. Some patients will need more than one injection to see optimal results - this varies from patient to patient.

Patients that should not use Artefill include:

. Patients with a positive response to the skin test
. Patients with severe allergies and a history of anaphylaxis
. Those allergic to bovine collagen or lidocaine
. Individuals with a history of keloid or hypertrophic scarring

Artefill is newly-approved by the FDA (October 2006).


CHEMICAL PEELS

Chemical peels are used to refresh and resurface the skin of the face. They remove fine lines, age spots and freckles that form due to sun damage. Dr. Solomon is an expert in the safe use of chemical peels to refresh and restore the youthful appearance of his patients.

Generally, Dr. Solomon performs 2 types of chemical peels:

. Superficial Peels - contain glycolic and pyruvic (fruit) acid
. Medium Peels - contains 20-25% TCA (acid used for facial peels)

During the chemical peel procedure, Dr. Solomon will apply a chemical solution to the skin. The action of the acid causes the outer layer of the skin to be 'peeled' off, eventually revealing fresher, newer skin.

Side effects of peels vary; after a superficial peels, patients may experience mild redness, like a sunburn, while a medium peel may result in scabs and redness.

Dr. Solomon's patients who undergo a superficial peel can usually return to normal activity within a few days. Patients that elect for a medium peel typically need a recovery time of about one week.

Dr. Solomon's superficial peel patients may need to have the procedure repeated every 1-2 months. For those patients that have a medium peel, one treatment is usually sufficient.

For people that want to look refreshed and rejuvenated without the downtime required with surgery, Injectables and chemical peels are the perfect solution. Dr. Solomon encourages patients to call his office for an customized consultation.