Question:
I’m a busy working mother, and I’ve been using Botox to fix my forehead lines, but it’s difficult to make time for an appointment every few months. I heard that Juvederm can last up to a year, though. That is very appealing to a busy person such as myself, but I want to be cautious. Are there any negative aspects to Juvederm that Botox doesn’t have?
Answer:
Juvederm and Botox are completely different products and are used for different indications. Botox is a neuromodulator that relaxes the muscles that it is injected into. Juvederm is a hyaluronic acid filler. It is used to fill in and plump up lines and folds. It does last about a year, depending on the location of the injection. Juvederm can in certain instances be injected into forehead lines, but unfortunately, without relaxation of the forehead muscles, it will not be very effective. Also, it is a challenge to inject filler into forehead lines and make it look natural and there are risks associated with that location that other areas do not have. It is an advanced area and is an “off-label” indication for filler. You should probably commit to Botox or Dysport and be very cautious before considering filler for forehead lines.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
I’m 67, and I would like to renew my skin for a large charity dinner I’m attending. I’ve had several cosmetic surgeries in the past, including a nose job, a facelift, and laser skin resurfacing. Would a chemical peel be safe for me?
Answer:
A chemical peel would be safe for you as long as your laser resurfacing was more than a few months ago and you are otherwise in good health and don’t have any other contraindications. Of course there are many different strengths of chemical peel and also laser treatments available so we would want to match your concerns with the treatment that would provide the best results for your desired improvement and tolerance for recovery.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
I’m an author, and I’m going on my first book tour soon. As a 43 year old, I’m a little older to start in the publicity/book signing game. I have about three weeks until I leave, and I’d like to get some sort of skin rejuvenation before I leave. Will three weeks be enough time to recover and see the results from a chemical peel?
Answer:
You didn’t provide whether you were a male or a female which matters to some degree because most men do not want to wear make-up. Even in the case of a deep chemical peel three weeks is plenty of recovery time if you are willing to use a concealing make-up. The recovery from a deep peel is 2 weeks. That means for most patients make-up can safely be introduced at 2 weeks to cover the remaining erythema, redness, of the skin. Men who are unwilling to wear make-up will look a little “sun-burnt” for a period of a few more weeks depending on the depth of the peel. Another great option for skin rejuvenation is a fractionated CO2 laser. This treatment provides great skin tightening as well as improvement for pigment, but because of the fractionated nature also allows for quicker healing time.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
I’ve heard that both chemical peels and dermabrasion can help renew skin to make it look younger. Which of these treatments is more effective?
Answer:
It is not really a question of which technique, chemical peel or dermabrasion, is more effective, but rather which one is indicated for a condition. Both techniques can be equally effective, but usually are performed for different indications. A chemical peel, and there are many strengths so we are talking here about a surgical peel, is usually performed for diffuse facial aging including pigmentation changes and wrinkles. Dermabrasion can be added to a peel for areas of scarring, for example acne scarring, or deep perioral wrinkles. Dermabrasion does carry more risk of loss of pigment or scarring however so you need to balance the treatment with the condition and provide the level of intervention that will give the best results with the least risk.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
Question:
I’m a 38 year old woman interested in a chemical peel. I’m trying to prepare for the procedure as fully as I can. How much does a chemical peel hurt?
Answer:
Chemical peel is a very general term and so the answer to your question depends on what kind of peel you need/want. A variety of light chemical peels can be performed as a series of peels at monthly intervals in an office setting by a nurse or aesthetician. These peels cause very little discomfort and when provided with physician prescribed skin care can provide a great deal of benefit. Heavier chemical peels, what we refer to as surgeon strength peels, are performed by the physician only and include such peels as Jessner’s/TCA and Phenol peels. These are performed under a twilight type of IV anesthesia because they would otherwise not be tolerated. Post peel however there is very little discomfort. With the Jessner’s/TCA peel there is really no pain only swelling, redness and a feeling of tightness. The Phenol peel causes a little more discomfort, but is also well tolerated.
Posted by Dr. Buckingham
