The longevity of dermal filler procedures depends on a variety of factors. The product used, the location of the injection, the individual’s activity level, and the metabolic rate of the filler all play key roles in how long treatment will stay effective.

The dermal filler Restylane® uses hyaluronic gel and provides volume and fullness to the skin that lasts up to nine months. It is made of a non-animal, stabilized-formed substance and provides volume and fullness to the skin. Keep in mind that the fillers are not permanent and will not last forever. Therefore, to maintain the quality of your injections I recommend returning for touch-up injections when results begin to decline.

Another dermal filler that I offer is Hylaform®, which is also made up of hyaluronic gel. Hylaform mimics the skin’s natural hydration effects, and holds moisture in the skin for about three months. As mentioned with Restylane, the best way to maintain your improved results are to return for touch-ups when you feel the quality of your results are fading.

RadianceFN consists of calcium hydroxyl apatite microspheres. Because calcium occurs naturally in the body, RadianceFN will not cause an adverse reaction. This filler is gradually replaced by your body’s own tissue over time and lasts three to five years. Like other fillers, I advise you to return to my office when you notice your results begin to dissipate.

I also have a few tips to prevent wrinkles from forming post treatment; using sunscreen not only protects your face from the sun’s harmful rays, but also assists your other skin care products as they stimulate your new look to produce collagen. A regular application of facial cleanser and certain moisturizers can help maintain your overall appearance as well.

Combining Botox® injections with dermal fillers can also benefit you in preventing wrinkles in the long run. Incorporating Botox injections into your overall cosmetic treatment regimen will help make the dermal filler last longer, giving it more time to stimulate the skin’s own collagen response.

Perhaps the biggest factor is the quality and experience of medical care provided during your dermal filler procedure. At Diva Medical Group I use my skill, experience and understanding to give you the youthful look you want while paying special attention to the safety of your procedure.

Please feel free to contact my Orange County practice at 714-843-0400 and schedule your complimentary consultation today.

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The Vampire FaceLift® Procedure™combines the science of fillers such as Radiesse and Juvederm, unipotent stem cells, and beauty to provide a cosmetic procedure customized to YOU!

A surgical facelift is available, however such procedures are not necessarily nor are they a cure-all to the concerns of the aging face. Cosmetic surgery when needed, can remove excess skin and make you appear younger. A surgical facelift can actually contribute to a face collapse as the skin stretches tighter against the bone making a person look skeletonized.

With injectable fillers, the face is truly lifted away from the bone and youthful volume can be restored to a beautiful shape. With that in mind, the fillers should not be used around specific areas near the eye. Furthermore, the injector must be careful to avoid creating a shape that looks foreign to the person’s face or even foreign to this planet.

Part one of the Vampire FaceLift Procedure utilizes injectable fillers to begin sculpting specific areas of the face. The glycosaminoglycans (what a filler replaces) act like a sponge that holds water in the face providing a basic shape. This initial injection of the filler is the precursor to the ultimate desired form. Next is the polishing and refining step of the sculpting process, which ultimately contributes to the appearance of a younger version of you.

Physicians have known for years that unipotent stem cells lie dormant in the skin and provide the building blocks for healing when you sustain a burn or cut. Until recently, scientists had no convenient way to stimulate those stem cells to grow new tissue. By utilizing the growth factors found in the blood (specifically the platelets), a physician can activate the unipotent stem cells already in the skin and tell those cells to grow new, younger-appearing skin.

During the process of the Vampire FaceLift Procedure, stem cell science is used to tell the body to grow new younger skin. Unipotent stem cells, which grow only one specific tissue, can be found in every part of the body.  For example, unipotent stem cells in the liver grow new liver tissue. Unipotent stem cells in the skin grow new skin. Thus, the FaceLift Procedure takes the cosmetic rejuvenation process to a higher level!

Within a matter of minutes, your practitioner can create autologous, which means from you to you, PRP and activate your stem cells for the Vampire FaceLift Procedure.

Here’s how:

First Step: the practioner draws a similar amount of blood required for a basic lab test.

Second Step: the practitioner places the blood into a centrifuge and spins the blood at a very rapid rate to separate the platelets from the other components of the blood.

Third Step: the platelets are activated by using one of two methods that are natural to your body. This activation of platelets is the final step in producing your very own platelet-rich plasma. The best way to visualize PRP is to remember the yellow “goo” that surrounded the scab you had when you fell on your knee as a child. The thickening of the serum to form that yellow material holds specific growth factors in place that call stem cells to the area and activates them to create new skin.

Platelet-rich plasma is similar to fillers because it can be injected to sculpt the face. But, here’s the best part: not only does the PRP cause an increase in the volume, PRP contains at least 8 growth factors that will over a long period of time, continually work like a rejuvenating agent.

By activating these growth factors, all 3 parts of the aging process improve: 

1. The skin color becomes a “younger” color because of new blood vessel formation. 

2. New collagen formations in the dermis lifts the face back to a more youthful shape.

3. Because the growth factors are working to build a new dermis, the epidermis (the outer most layers of your skin) appears smoother.

Overall, The Vampire FaceLift combines fillers and platelet rich plasma to create a lattice which results in tight, vibrant, radiant skin.  This procedure may be too much for some and not enough for others, but you don’t need to wonder. Only a select number of physicians are currently certified to perform this procedure.  Simply contact Diva Medical to schedule a cosmetic consultation and have all your questions and concerns answered.  Before and after pictures of the Vampire Facelift Procedure available during consultation.

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When it comes to fighting age and rolling back the wrinkles, Botox is at the head of the class. It is a non-invasive treatment that offers quick results and few side effects. It was the most popular cosmetic treatment in 2010; specifically, 2,437,165 procedures were performed over the course of the year, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS).

However, as is the case with several types of cosmetic procedures, some patients do report Botox side effects. These are typically minor and are only reported in a small percentage of the total procedures performed. Most of the time these Botox side effects require no treatment and those that do are easily treated by health care professionals. However, if you are considering receiving Botox injections, you should be aware of the following possible reactions:

Botox injection results are noticeable within a day or two and last up to six months. Some of the potential Botox side effects include nausea, flu syndrome, respiratory infection, breathing difficulties, forehead and eyelid drooping, and headaches. Other conditions are associated with the process of injecting Botox itself rather than its substance, which may include redness, pain, swelling, bruising, numbness, muscle weakness, and bleeding. If your symptoms persist longer than about two weeks, ask your doctor what you can do to help remedy these issues.

These are the most common, but not all, side effects that can occur after Botox injections. You should always consult your primary health care provider about any questions you have about side effects that can occur with Botox.

Otherwise, Botox injections are a safe and popular route to take when it comes to reduction of wrinkles and regaining youthful smooth skin. Those in the Orange County area interested in Botox treatments may browse my website to learn more about what I offer and view before and after photos. Please feel free to contact my practice, Diva Medical Group, to schedule a complimentary consultation.

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Botox

Botox typically lasts up to six months; therefore, patients who want to maintain youthful results commonly opt to receive follow-up injections as necessary. The average Botox cost can range from about $300 to $400, and can cost as much as $1,000. Additionally, some Botox treatments are available “per unit” for around $11 to $15 each.  However, here in Orange County at Diva Medical we offer Botox for $8 per unit. This is a good option for patients who desire a small area to be addressed. Whatever the case, a Botox injection treatment and facial filler injections are more cost-efficient for many individuals as compared to an invasive procedure, such as facelift surgery, which can range from $6,000 to $15,000.

The reason that invasive surgeries, such as facelifts, cost so much more can depend on a variety of factors, including the location of the doctor, his/her individual rates, and facility/hospital fees. Botox injections, on the other hand, are widely available and the price of a vial to doctors is also just as widely fixed, making for a much less expensive alternative to cosmetic surgeries.

Also, because Botox injections are widely available, patients have broad shopping options to find a variety of  Botox specials and deals. Again, geography plays a role in terms of finding the best Botox cost, with Western states clocking in at the lowest average at around $370 where the average cost at Diva Medical is about $240.

As is the case with any medical procedure, it is important to check in with a qualified specialist before seeking treatment. If you are living in the Orange County area and feel that Botox cosmetic injections may be right for you, please contact my practice, Diva Aesthetics Medical Group. We currently offer new patients a free consultation and an Internet special of $9 per unit of Botox.

Please contact our office with any questions or to schedule a complimentary consultation.

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At my Huntington Beach practice Diva Medical, patients who are looking to achieve a refreshed appearance may be ideal candidates for Fraxel re:fine. This gentle resurfacing treatment can help reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eyes, sun spots and brown spots found on the forehead, cheeks, upper lip and nose. By removing the damaged layer of skin, the production of collagen helps produce a healthy glow without unwanted aging signs. Patients often experience improved tone and texture after their Fraxel re:fine treatment. In addition, due to its gentle intensity, patients may return to their regular activities immediately following the procedure. To achieve optimal results, repeat treatments may be necessary.

Orange County patients interested in Fraxel re:fine are able to browse my website to learn more and request an appointment. We can discuss your options and implement a personalized treatment plant to meet your desired outcome. It is my goal to help you maintain a youthful and refreshed facial skin appearance.

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Men and women alike often visit my Huntington Beach practice in an attempt to learn more regarding facial hair removal. Although most men typically prefer to shave their beard and mustache, while many women may opt to undergo wax treatment for their brows and/or upper lip, some individuals seek longer-lasting results.

Some of the most commonly treated areas include the brows, side burns, cheeks, upper lip, and chin. The laser energy is emitted and each individual hair strand is treated in order to provide optimal results. To produce a smoother, hair free appearance, patients will need to return for repeat treatments that are spaced about four to six weeks apart. However, it is important for patients to understand that this is not a solution to hair removal. Results may last up to a year, at which point you may wish to undergo touch-up treatments to maintain optimal results. Results are permanent for 86% of the population but some, such as Middle Easterners, may require more treatments. The best way to determine if you are eligible for laser hair removal is by scheduling an appointment, during which we can discuss your options and set up a personalized treatment plan.

Those in the Orange County area interested in laser hair removal may browse my website to learn more and view before and after photos. Please feel free to contact my practice, Diva Aesthetics Medical Group to schedule an initial consultation. We perform free spot test with the laser to see if the patients can tolerate the procedure and see if it will be effective on the skin.

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Is your face sagging because gravitational forces are beyond your control?  Dr. Shelton Powers, MD of Orange County can help boost your skin and your natural collagen production with a procedure called Thermage.  Thermage is a procedure that consists of high frequency radio waves that are administered under the care of Dr. Powers in his Huntington Beach office.  Relax, put your feet up and allow the doctor to perform this procedure that has relatively no down time.  And let the results begin to work almost immediately and up to six months thereafter, leaving a lasting affect for years.

Thermage is the first procedure performed in a series of many, for what Dr. Powers deems his non-surgical facelift.  More on that to come in future blogs.  Until then, Dr. Shelton Powers is one of Orange County’s leading Thermage physicians in administering this procedure to over three thousand patients, earning him multiple awards for Thermage.  Dr. Powers performs the procedure for the public at his monthly “Night of Beauty” demonstrating immediate results making the patient look ten years younger.  Please contact Dr. Powers at his practice, Diva Aesthetics in Huntington Beach for a complimentary consultation, 714-843-0400 or for more information.

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Dr. Thomas Powers

If you have skin blemishes and would like them to be corrected by Dr. Thomas Powers, Please contact our office at 714-843-0400

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