The variety of injectable products on the market utilized for facial enhancement seems to change at a dizzying pace. They bring to us an ever-expanding list of options to enhance the appearance of our patients while avoiding surgery or more invasive procedures. Recovery is quick and easy and risks are minimal. The millions of dollars spent on these products by patients each year is a testament to their efficacy and safety. Injectables used by Dr Murphy and his staff can be divided into two groups.
Botox™ Treatment
First we have those products which limit the activity of muscles of facial expression. This group is now limited to Botox, a purified extract of botulinum toxin. As the function of these muscles is decreased lines overlying the muscle are softened or may disappear completely.
Areas most effectively treated include the frown lines, forehead lines and crows feet. An intimate knowledge of the individual muscles can help injectors to customize the result for each patient. Judicious injection into selected groups of muscles can help the provider to actually sculpt the facial structure rather than just softening lines.
Dr. Murphy and his nurse injectors have the distinct advantage of actually seeing the location and orientation of these muscles during surgical procedures performed in his office. Nothing can replace the advantage of actually having seen the muscle you are trying to modify.
Botox Safety
Through virtually millions of patients having been treated Botox has proven to be a very safe and effective procedure.
Filler Treatments
The second group is fillers. These are various natural products proven to enhance facial appearance by filling in wrinkles or plumping up facial structures. As this group has expanded so has the list of options available to Dr Murphy to refine the facial appearance of his patients while avoiding surgery. Collagen products replace natural proteins in the subcutaneous tissues naturally lost over time. Products such as Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm are made up of sugars naturally occuring in the dermis layer. Radiesse contains naturally occurring calcium which when injected encourages production of collagen in the affected areas.
Fine or moderately deep lines can be improved. Lips can be fuller. More long lasting fillers may be used to augment cheek bones or the chin. Hollow cheeks may be filled out. The orbital margin may be augmented to help elevate the brow.
A thorough knowledge of available fillers as well as study of the efficacy and safety of each new product as it is approved by the FDA helps Dr Murphy to be sure that his patients will be pleased with the result and feel comfortable that adverse effects are avoided.
Dr Murphy's staff will do all that is necessary to assure each patient as comfortable an experience as possible during injection. Topical numbing products are regularly used as is judicious injection of local anesthetic and topical cooling. |
