BOTOX, Dysport and Injectable Fillers are becoming more popular these days! As explained in a recent article in The Capital newspaper featuring Dr. Sandel, the economy is pushing many patients towards less costly and less invasive procedures. These treatments, although temporary, can really help improve your appearance before you decide to invest in facial rejuvenation surgery.
There are many different types of injectable fillers. The most common being those containing hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar that is used to plump fine lines and deep skin creases. This gel takes a long time to be absorbed in the skin, thus allowing the filler to maintain volume for as long as 12 months.
Restylane was one of the first hyaluronic acid fillers introduced in the U.S. There are now other products such as Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, and Perlane. The difference in these products is in the concentration of hyaluronic acid. Juvederm Ultra is the least concentrated making it thinner than the others. Perlane and Juvederm UltraPlus are much more concentrated. Restylane is somewhere in the middle.
So, what difference does this make?
Restylane, which comes in 1ml and 2ml syringes, is a great all around filler. Dr. Sandel prefers Restylane for the cheek-lip grooves and downturned corners of the mouth. It gives the perfect amount of volume for these deeper, harder to fill grooves. Perlane, though a little more concentrated, is very soft and holds its shape well. This is primarily used for defining the borders of the lips. Perlane is excellent at giving the lips just the right amount of definition, volume and shape. Juvederm, the thinnest of these fillers, is primarily used for very fine lines around the mouth. Juvederm can be placed close to the surface of the skin without being noticable.
Pam Zagula, LE, LPN
Have you ever stopped to think about the products you are applying to your face, neck and chest? Are you curious about the active ingredients? What are they and why are they so special? There are so many products on the market - it’s mind-boggling. Even for me, the skin professional. So in my attempt to educate my self, I feel compelled to educate you.
This month I investigated Kinerase Pro+Therapy. As most of you know I’ve been in the business for a long time. In 1998 Kinerase was introduced to me as a product I could incorporate into an existing skincare regime. A product that will produce Retin A like results with out the redness, irritation and peeling that many experience in the initial phases of a retinoid based home care program.
The magical ingredient, Kinetin also known as N6-furfuryladenine, is derived from plant based RNA. Kinetin is a powerful anti-aging plant hormone that has the ability to protect and repair DNA and proteins from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. I love this product because it works.
When the original Kinerase went over-the-counter in 2006, Kinerase Pro +Therapy was born and made available to the medical aesthetician.
So how is Kinerase Pro+therapy different? They added another plant hormone called Zeatin. Studies have shown the combination of these two powerhouse plant hormones increase the skin’s ability to retain moisture within the cells leaving the skin firmer, plumper and more youthful. You will notice improved appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, skin roughness and hyperpigmentation. There are many other ingredients enhancing the anti-aging benefits of this wonderful product line such as Antarcticine. This ingredient protects and regenerates skin by enhancing the production of collagen and elastin, and increases the skin’s moisture content. It is a very powerful anti-wrinkle glycoprotein obtained via biotechnology from a bacteria strain found on the bottom of an Antarctic glacier. The Pro+Therapy line also features ingredients such as Vitamin C, E, green tea (to fight free radicals), salicylic acid, lactic acid (to aid in exfoliation), and beta glucan (to enhance the skin’s immune response) just to name a few. The use of these products daily will prevent and repair damage, taking your skin to the next level. “Healthy skin is beautiful.”
