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In addition to blepharoplasty and laser skin resurfacing, Dr. James H.
Oestreicher, M.D., F.R.C.S. (C) offers several other cosmetic procedures:
BOTOX Injections
When we frown, tissue gathers between our eyebrows into a "fold". With some people, this can eventually cause chronic
"furrowing" of the brow or forehead muscles. The result makes a person with this condition appear frustrated, discouraged or angry -- all the time even when they actually are quite happy.
Similarly, "crow's feet" or "smile wrinkles" on the outside of the eye can age the face and give it an appearance of continuous squinting.
Botox, a muscle relaxing agent (produced by Allergan Pharaceutical) has been available since 1978 for the treatment of several conditions in which
muscles are too active or tight.
Originally approved for use in eye muscle disorders and uncontrolled facial muscle spasms, this agent has proven to be very effective in eliminating or significantly reducing facial lines by relaxing the facial muscles that are responsible for creating the furrows.
Many years of frowning and other facial expressions cause frown lines and other "hyperfunctional" lines to form on the face.
These are typically most obvious around the brow, in the forehead, to either side of the eyes, and around the mouth and in the neck. These lines may be caused by overactive muscles in the face or neck.
Botox is a medication which, when injected directly into a muscle, causes it to relax. It is a simple, effective treatment for frown lines,
forehead wrinkles and crow's feet.
Created originally to treat spasms of muscles around the eyes, Botox has been used cosmetically for over ten years to erase wrinkles and frown lines from the action of highly developed facial muscles.
While many patients with facial wrinkles can be treated with Botox, there are cases in which the facial furrows are too deep or are caused by other
factors besides the facial muscle overactivity. In such cases, laser or cosmetic facial surgery may be effective either on its own or in addition to Botox therapy.
Thus, a patient has to be carefully evaluated to be sure that he or she is a candidate for Botox therapy. In addition, there can be potential side effects from the drug if it is not used properly by a physician experienced in its use.
The drug is provided in a dry form and has to be diluted in salt water to create an injectable fluid. If not injected properly or in the
correct dosage, the drug can spread and affect other muscles in the face that are not overacting. This can lead to temporary problems such as drooping of the eyelid, tearing or drooping of one side of the
mouth. These are very rare in experienced hands. Systemic (whole body) reactions to Botox are extremely rare and are limited to occasional allergic reactions that have not been severe.
Eliminate Underarm Sweating
A common and embarrassing social problem is excess sweating that leads to staining of the underarms of shirts and blouses.
A series of injections of Botox into the skin in the armpits can stop the sweating in this area, and thus prevent staining of clothing. This
treatment is effective for several months, so that antiperspirants may not be needed. It does not alter the skin glands that produce odours, so deodorants may still be required.
Newer Uses of Botox
This versatile drug is now used for many medical and cosmetic purposes. In addition to controlling underarm perspiration, it can also
eliminate sweating in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
It is being used to treat some forms of migraine headaches, to relieve spasms in the bladder and in some areas of the gastrointestinal tract, and to
relieve spasms in the temporo-mandibular joint.
Dr. Oestreicher is pleased to offer Botox treatments to relieve facial wrinkles, underarm sweating, palmar sweating and migraines.
Patients who are referred for consultations for Botox therapy but who are not felt to be candidates for this treatment may still be helped by other
modalities such as laser skin resurfacing or blepharoplasty.
Within two or three days of a Botox injection, relaxed muscles give patients a "fresher", more youthful appearance -- WITHOUT SURGERY --
which lasts about three to five months. At that time, patients can be re-treated. Repeat treatments may require less Botox as facial muscles "retrain" themselves not to frown.
This treatment takes only a few minutes to perform, requires no anaesthetic and is virtually painless.
Please contact our office, for a personal consultation.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPLTM)
Intense Pulsed Light (IPLTM) technology is the perfect complement to lasers. Employing a broad spectrum of light energy in a range of wavelengths, IPL supplies high levels of light power in millisecond bursts. IPL devices also offer sophisticated, computer-driven precision and tremendous versatility. Due to the nature of treatment, intense pulsed light energy can be applied to the sub-surface skin layers for gentle and gradual results with reduced side effects and patient downtime. For certain aesthetic challenges, IPL technology provides a refining touch to laser procedures.
IPL Skin Treatments using Photorejuvenation successfully improves sun-damage, age spots (sun-induced freckles), broken capillaries, facial veins, and numerous other facial imperfections. The beauty of this non-invasive treatment is that there is virtually no "down time". In short, we can achieve a fresher looking face with a far less intensive procedure than cosmetic surgery or laser. Also, IPL Skin Treatments using the photorejuvenation process treats the entire face rather than a single isolated area or imperfection, imparting an overall revitalized and youthful appearance.
The advantages of IPL over other skin resurfacing methods are tremendous, particularly for a younger population with mild to moderate skin damage. A treatment takes only 30 minutes, and you can return to work or daily activities immediately. It is administered in a series of five treatment sessions, providing gradual, natural improvement with excellent long-term results.
SOFT TISSUE FILLER INJECTIONS
A range of cosmetic procedures is available, each using unique materials specially designed for a purpose -- from eliminating tiny lines to
enhancing facial contours and sculpting lips to perfection. Dr. James H.
Oestreicher, M.D., F.R.C.S. (C) works with a handful of products he knows are completely safe and effective.
The Tissue Tailored Concept
After a personal consultation, Dr. Oestreicher will recommend this type of treatment only if it is appropriate for your needs. Then, he will choose
the product(s) that best match your tissue structure at various levels of skin depth.
One product line used by Dr. Oestreicher comes from Q-Med; a Swedish company that develops crystal-clear injectable gels, varying in molecular size, depending on their purpose. Q-Med calls it the "tissue tailored concept".
Q-MED ESTHETICS PRODUCTS
- RESTYLANE - for wrinkle correction and lip enhancements
- RESTYLANE "Fine Lines" - for correcting thin, superficial lines, for example around the eyes and mouth, forehead lines and smile lines
- PERLANE - for shaping facial contours, such as cheeks and chin, correcting deep folds, and for volume augmentation of the lips
These products are based on the unique gel NASHA -- Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid -- which provides a high level of safety.
One treatment session takes about 30 minutes. The results can be seen immediately and no scars or other marks are left on the face. Effects generally last for three to six months, at which point treatment may be repeated.
For more information about Q-Med products, visit http://www.q-med.com/.
ARTECOLL
For longer lasting effects when considering soft tissue filler injection, Artecoll is an exceptional alternative. Artecoll is a new type of
injectable implant used for skin augmentation, long lasting correction of wrinkles and other skin depressions. The improved results are usually visible for at least five years. Because of its
near-permanent nature, Dr. Oestreicher recommends a trail of Restylane or Perlane first to ensure satisfaction with the new look.
Common Uses for Artecoll:
- folds and wrinkles of the face
- lip augmentation
- acne scars
- nasolabial folds
- horizontal frowns
- glabellar frown lines
- depressed corners of the mouth
Other Uses for Artecoll:
- subcutaneous skin defects
- filling of orbita of the eyes
- augmentation of cheek bones, chin or bridge of the nose
- irregularities of the nose
- small facial bone defects
Artecoll is composed of tiny microspheres called polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Unlike collagen which lasts three to six months, Artecoll's
effect lasts for at least five years or more, depending on the patient.
Artecoll is also extremely safe. PMMA has been used since the early 1930's in dental prostheses, and since 1947, when the first hip prosthesis was introduced. There have been no reports of rejection of the PMMA microspheres.
Finally, Artecoll injections are virtually painless. Also, Artecoll contains lidocaine to minimize post-treatment tenderness.
For more information about Artecoll, visit www.canderm.ca/artecoll
DermaLiveŽ
DermaLiveŽ is a new form of hyaluric gel thick enough to fill out deep nose-to-mouth lines and inverted scars and can last up to several years.
DermaLiveŽ is a long-term wrinkle reduction product designed to fill wrinkles and skin defects.
Firstly, its origin is of non-animal ingredients, which considerably reduces the risks of allergy. This means that a pre-test is not required before injection. There is no risk of disease transmission.
Secondly, it has an incredibly long life: several years instead of the usual few months.
Finally, its targeted application is made possible by the presence of an ideal vector (or carrier), hyaluronic acid.
DermaLiveŽ satisfies all safety, reliability and efficiency requirements in accordance with European standards and is EEC approved.
DermaLiveŽ is recommended to fill:
- Deep wrinkles such as deep smile lines
- Deep creases around the nose and mouth
- Frown creases
- Lip outlines
- Depressed scars
- Soft tissue augmentation in the cheek, chin and lips is also possible. It is also used for acne scars, frown lines, flat or wrinkled lips, glabellar and laughter lines and fine lines around the mouth.
The DermaliveŽ Treatment Process consists of injecting the gel into the inner layers of the dermis, beneath the wrinkle to be treated. The combination of acrylic hydrogel and hyaluronic acid gel in DermaliveŽ forms a capsule that restores skin volume, reduces wrinkles, redefines the lip contours or increases the volume in the cheek and chin area.
Unlike resorbable implants, the capsule does not disappear totally since the hydrogel particles are maintained in the dermis to produce a longer lasting effect. The hyaluronic acid content (60% of the volume of DermaliveŽ), very similar to that already present in humans,222 will dissolve without trace.
Immediately after treatment the Acrylic hydrogel particles remain huddled together and are surrounded by a connective tissue capsule. This then traps them in the injection site until integration into the dermis is complete.
Around 4-8 weeks after treatment the Collagen fibre formation and micro-vascularisation (the development of blood vessels usually present) occurs around these particles. The natural texture of the dermis is therefore reproduced around each of the particles, which are then integrated indefinitely into the injection site.
The entire absorption process requires several months to complete. The acrylic hydrogel particles are maintained at the injection site and therefore provide long lasting effects. The hyaluronic acid provides the acrylic hydrogel with a smooth, gentle integration period.
One or two sessions are usually all that's required to give optimum, reliable results that last for several years and produce long-lasting effects and fantastic results.
Chalazion Surgery
A chalazion, or chronic stye, appears as a well-defined lump within the eyelid. The upper and lower eyelids each contain multiple oil-secreting
glands. If one or more of these glands become blocked, the gland continues to make the secretion, but this is trapped within the lid.
A pea-sized, tumour-like enlargement on the eyelid can result. Traditionally, surgical removal has a much higher success rate in treating chronic lesions than conservative treatment. Chalazion surgery has been delisted by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). It is a quick virtually painless procedure performed in less than 15 minutes under a local anaesthetic. Usually the eye is patched for a couple of hours so patients should not drive themselves home.
Removal of Xanthelasmas and Eyelid Lesions
Xanthelasmas are small deposits of cholesterol under the surface of the skin. They are not painful. They usually appear in the skin of the eyelids
near the nose. They are common skin disorders, particularly among older adults and persons with elevated blood lipids (fat levels), but most people with xanthelasmas have normal cholesterol.
Xanthelasmas may be treated with surgical excision or with a CO2 laser, if desired, for cosmetic reasons.
Dr. Oestreicher also treats benign eyelid lesions, such as seborrheic keratoses, papillamas, verrucas, nevi (moles) and other eyelid lumps.
These commonly occur in the young and old, and can sometimes become irritated. Surgical excision is curative.
Please contact Dr. Oestreicher's office for more information and a personal consultation.
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