Say goodbye to your razor and kiss your tweezers goodbye. If
you would love your skin to be as smooth as silk, there’s a way to make it
happen. But before you sign up for laser hair removal, there are 7 important facts
you need to know.

Are you a good candidate?

If you have dark hair and light skin, the answer is yes.
People with blond or gray hair don’t get as good results. The same goes for
dark or tanned skin. In these cases lasers tend to cause discoloration unless
the instrument used is designed specifically for dark skin.

How does laser hair removal work?

Pulses of light emitted from the laser targets the melanin
pigment of the hair.  The pulsing lasts
only for a fraction a second, just long enough to disable the follicle, but not
long enough to burn your skin. The melanin, or dark pigment, is broken down and
destroyed. This is why lasers are only effective on dark hair and why lasers
cause discoloration on darker skin.

After 10 to 14 days of your laser treatment the hair begins
to fall out. You can help the process by washing with a mild exfoliate around
the 10^th day.

What areas can be treated with a laser?

Because several follicles are targeted at once, it’s
possible to treat large areas such as the back, chest, arms and shoulders.
Lasers can also remove the hair on the upper lip and chin.

How long does it take?

It can take up to six sessions every four weeks to see an
80% reduction in hair growth. You may need to get maintenance treatments once a
year for a couple of years at least.

Is laser treatment guaranteed to work?

Some people see better results than others so, no, the
results aren’t guaranteed. You can however, expect an 85% hair reduction. It’s
impossible to know for sure the hair re-growth rate of anyone. Some people
never have to shave again while others experience some re-growth after several
months. As technology advances the result rate is sure to improve.

Does laser hair removal hurt?

There is some mild discomfort associated with laser hair
removal. The pulse light has been described as feeling like you’re being popped
with a rubber band. Some areas hurt more than others. Experts advise taking an
over-the-counter pain reliever before the session begins.

Is laser hair removal safe?

Lasers are safely and accurately used for many medical
procedures and have been for many years.
Though there is some discomfort, it’s usually mild and doesn’t last
long.  The targeted areas may show
redness immediately following treatment.

You can find out more about laser
hair removal at the Vivia Center for Cosmetic Therapy.  Their qualified team will be happy to answer
any concerns you may have about the laser process.

Skin Aging

THE LAYERS OF YOUR SKIN
Your skin is made up of three distinct layers:

• The epidermis—the visible outer surface
• The dermis—the collagen rich layer beneath the surface
• Subcutaneous tissue—the “fat layer”; beneath the dermis that also has a web of collagen fibers

The collagen in your dermis and subcutaneous tissue is a protein that keeps your skin youthful and tight. But as you age and get more sun exposure, that collagen simply breaks down faster than your body can rebuild it, and your skin may start to sag or wrinkle.

What Thermage Does

THE DEEPEST TIGHTENING
In response to collagen breakdown, there are many tightening treatments that operate by heating the inner layers of skin. But unlike laser treatments and other technologies that heat the superficial skin layers, Thermage uses unique radiofrequency (RF) technology to reach deep into the dermis and subcutaneous tissue to cause tightening in the layers that matter most.

Here’s how it works:

• Deep heating. The deep heating of Thermage helps tighten the collagen in your dermis and subcutaneous tissue, while also stimulating the formation of new collagen. As a result, you’ll see tighter, smoother skin and improved tone and texture, starting immediately and continuing in the months following treatment.
• Integrated cooling. At the same time that Thermage heats the deep layers, it also cools the epidermis, keeping the surface of your skin safe during the procedure. As a result, your skin needs no recovery time, so you can quickly resume your daily routine.
• All from a single treatment. Best of all, you need only one Thermage treatment to get the full benefits. In fact, because it heats so deeply, Thermage is the only non-invasive procedure that helps tighten and contour skin in a single treatment with little or no downtime.

Is It For Me?

The real you coming into view

Thermage is an easy way to turn back the clock on aging skin—on all skin colors, on and off the face. Browse the following skin conditions to see what applies to you. Then click on each treatment area to see how Thermage can help you rejoice in a younger looking you.

Face

• Sagging skin
• Loose jowls or lack of definition in jaw line
• Sagging skin under the chin (“turkey neck”;)
• Wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth, eyes or forehead
• Lack of definition in lips

Eyes

• Tired looking eyes
• Excess skin on the upper eyelid (also known as “hooding”;)
• Crepey texture of eyelids, making it hard to apply eye shadow or eye liner
• Wrinkles and fine lines around the eyes (“crow’s feet”;)

Body

• Wrinkled, crepey or sagging skin on the tummy, knees, arms, legs, hands or buttocks
• Sagging skin or unwanted bulges after pregnancy or weight loss
• Love handles
• Appearance of cellulite

Most everyone would love to have smooth, flawless, young looking skin. This is especially true in today’s youth oriented society. However, as much as we’d like to believe otherwise, aging and wrinkling are a natural part of life.  It’s going to happen. 

That doesn’t mean you have to just throw up your hands and accept your lines and wrinkles. Luckily, there are steps you can take to reverse the signs of aging and restore a clear and youthful complexion. A good skin care regimen is a great place to start. 

But you also need to be aware of the things you do everyday that could be damaging your skin. Let’s look at a few of the common causes of skin damage and what you can do to combat the aging process.  But, first things first.  

We’ll start with a lesson in skin anatomy. 

Your skin is the largest organ of your body and is comprised of three layers; the outermost layer called the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue. 

The epidermis is the exterior barrier to the harmful effects of the environment. Underneath the epidermis is the dermis, which provides the structural foundation for your skin. Collagen is a strengthening component, elastin fibers supply elasticity, and various proteins make you skin soft and plump. 

The bottom layer is the subcutaneous tissue. This is where fat cells are located and are necessary for proper insulation.  They also contribute to plump, healthy skin. 

Sun damage causes the epidermis to thin and lose cohesiveness. When this happens moisture leaves the skin making it appear drier. Also, your skin is less able to rejuvenate and repair itself. 

By now, we all know skin wrinkles are largely due to excessive exposure to sunlight. As a matter of fact, exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays could be the cause of 90% of photo damage and premature aging. You may be surprised to learn that most of this happens by the time you turn 20. 

But the amount of total damage to the skin depends on the total lifetime amount of sun exposure as well as the amount of pigment protection you have. One way the sun causes aging has to do with collagen breakdown. The sun causes collagen to break down more quickly than the normal aging process would do. You also have to consider free radical damage caused by pollution or cigarette smoke. Both can speed up the aging process. 

So what to do about the wrinkles you already have? 

Depending on the amount of damage and your budget, your solution could be found at the local drugstore or perhaps you would benefit from visiting a cosmetic therapist. Skin resurfacing is one treatment that is available for removing fine lines and wrinkles. This is accomplished by removing skin layers and includes procedures such as dermabrasion scrapes (scraping away skin cells) or chemical peels to dissolve the skin layers. 

Everyone from Hollywood stars to soccer moms are familiar with Botox. No doubt, they it is highly effective in repairing sun damaged skin and wrinkles. This injectable solution can reduce or remove vertical lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet, laugh lines on the nose, headline wrinkles, as well as horizontal lines on the neck. 

The procedure is relatively simple. A hypodermic needle is filled with a few drops of Botox that are injected into the muscle creating a wrinkle. This causes the muscle to weaken and as it does, the skin on top of the muscle relaxes. Gradually the wrinkles diminish and disappear. When done correctly, normal facial expressions are not affected by Botox treatments. 

Dramatic results can be seen in as little as a few days. However, the results are temporary and repeated injections are needed after 3 to 6 months. 

Unfortunately, there is no permanent solution to wrinkles. Once you stop using the product or procedure, lines and wrinkles are destined to return. Whether we like it or not, skin wrinkles. But committing yourself to a careful and consistent skincare and treatment regimen can slow down the process considerably. 

If you’re interested in finding out more about how you can treat the lines and wrinkles making it look older, the Vivia Center for Cosmetic Therapy is a great place to start. You’ll find many cosmetic treatments and procedures to choose from, including Botox to smooth away your wrinkles.

Who doesn’t want to have younger looking skin? Women especially are prone to pin their hopes on ‘magic’ lotions and potions in an attempt to turn back the years. And though there are some great products that can make you look younger than you are, remember nothing lasts forever.  That’s one reason why when it comes to retaining a youthful glow as long as you can, skin care vigilance is key. 

Here are some important steps you can take to keep your skin looking healthy for a long time. 

Protect Your Skin From The Sun 

You’ve heard it countless times before but it bears repeating. Sunlight damages your skin. The ultraviolet rays of the sun affect collagen production, which leads to sagging. Sunlight has a drying effect, which leads to even more wrinkling. If it’s hard for you to limit your amount of time in the sun, you simply must be vigilant about applying sunscreen. 

Get Off The Yo-Yo Dieting Wheel 

Here’s something you may haven’t thought about before. Yo-yo dieting can make you look older! A constant variation in weight stretches and contracts the skin. This happens in your face as well as other parts of your body. So, in order to maintain a youthful appearance keep your body weight steady. 

If You Smoke, Quit 

No doubt, you’ve heard this countless times before, as well, but if you smoke, stop. Smoking reduces the amount of nutrients and oxygen your skin receives because it inhibits the blood flow to your skin. You’ve probably seen smokers who look decades older than they are. So if you need another incentive, other than your health, to stop smoking think about how it ages your appearance. 

Watch Your Sleep Position 

If you’ve ever woken up with indentations on your face that weren’t there when you went to bed, you can understand how your sleep position can lead to wrinkling.  If you lie on one side more than the other, you’ll see little lines etched on that side of your face as you grow older.  The best way to avoid this is to sleep on your back.  

Just because your skin is aging doesn’t mean it can’t look healthy and beautiful. Wrinkles are a normal, natural part of life and give your face the character it didn’t have when you were younger.  

To keep your skin healthy and youthful as it can be at any age, the Vivia Center of Cosmetic Therapy offers a complete range of services and products.  TNS Recovery Complex improves the health and appearance of sun damaged and aging skin. The biotechnology of skin rejuvenation has resulted in this remarkable formulation, the very first patented by-product of a tissue-engineered process, containing growth factors found in newborn skin.

These days the term “anti-aging” is practically a household word as more and more products and procedures slow and even reverses the aging process.  From skin care products to injections, there is something for anyone wanting to erase the tell-tale signs of growing older.

While wrinkling and photoaging are two of the most common complaints, vascular skin conditions are an embarrassing problem, too.  Spider veins and broken capillaries on the face and legs, as well as varicose veins, can be hard to camouflage.  Many women feel they have to give up wearing fashionable dresses and shorts for good.  Fortunately, that’s not the case, as you’ll soon discover.

What Causes Vascular Problems?

In some instances there are steps you can take to prevent vein problems.  Limiting sun exposure and watching your weight are two ways you can greatly reduce your risk of spider veins.  However, problems caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause, and your genetic disposition, are incidences you have little control over. 

So what can you do? 

Vein Removal Treatments 

Unsightly and painful veins can be removed by a variety of treatments.  Vein stripping is a surgical procedure used for large, corded, bluish varicose veins sometimes seen in the legs.  These veins can cause tremendous leg pain and fatigue.  

During surgical removal, a physician makes incisions in the leg and “strips” or pulls out the vein.  Soon after surgery, you’ll need to walk around to encourage proper blood flow.  Most likely you’ll be given pain medication afterwards and then need to return for follow visits.  Your doctor will check your wounds and blood flow.  Pressure stockings are a part of the recovery process as they help prevent swelling and bleeding in the legs. 

For spider veins, sclerotherapy is one option.  In this procedure a salinate chemical  is injected into the veins.  This chemical irritates the walls of the vessel causing it to collapse.  After some time, the vein becomes scar tissue and the body reabsorbs it. The affected veins virtually disappear.  

After the procedure, the area is often red and swollen and slight bruising may be apparent for a few weeks.  Tensor bandages or compression stockings may be necessary for several days. 

Laser vein removal incorporates laser technology to provide a safe, effective, and non-surgical solution to spider and varicose veins.  Rather than invading the skin to reach the vessel, the laser targets only the vessel while bypassing the skin. Pulses of light emitted by the laser are absorbed by hemoglobin in the blood.  This causes the vessel to clot or coagulate and is later absorbed by the body.  Side effects such as discoloration and ulceration are greatly diminished with the latest in laser technology.

With laser vein removal, rapid healing with minimal side effects can be expected. Some patients experience reddening of the skin, bruising, and occasionally blisters. These conditions are temporary and subside over a couple of weeks to a couple of months. After treatment, sun exposure should be limited to short periods of time with a sunscreen.

It’s not a painful procedure and is often described as feeling like snaps of a rubber band.  Valium may be prescribed to make you more comfortable.

If you’re looking for an answer to your spider or varicose vein problems, the Vivia Center for Cosmetic Therapy can help.  With our laser vein removal treatments you can expect marked improvement (sometimes up to 70%) after one to two treatments on the face and three to four treatments on the legs.

Judging by the vast array of cosmeceuticals available, many women are searching for ways to treat their skin problems. Dry and chapped skin is one of the most common complaints. And though sufferers may have to deal with dry skin throughout the year, it’s usually during the winter months when dry and cold air sweeps in that the problem gets even worse.  Fortunately there are simple ways to give your dry skin the loving care it deserves all year round.

3 Tips for Soothing Dry and Irritated Skin

1. Drink plenty of water. Drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day will help keep your skin soft and supple. Some experts claim that filtered water is better than tap water so use filtered water if possible. Water is essential for replenishing moisture and also flushes away harmful toxins that attach to your skin from the environment.  The result is your skin appears clear and lustrous. If it’s hard for you to get your eight glasses in each day try to make a habit of keeping a glass of water within reach all the time.

2. Include skin-supporting nutrients in your diet.  Even if you’re careful about what you eat, it’s still possible your skin isn’t getting enough of the specific nutrients it needs. These nutrients are essential for vibrant skin health. If you want your skin to be as beautiful and healthy looking as it can be make sure you supplement your diet with these nutrients everyday.

Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that provides skin protection against free radical damage caused by ultraviolet light. As you probably know, exposure to ultraviolet light is a chief contributor to premature aging of your skin.

Vitamin C is a building block for collagen and elastin and is the most abundant antioxidant in your skin. Vitamin C is necessary for maintaining strong and supple skin.

Vitamin E protects the upper and lower layers of your skin. It reduces sun damage and wrinkles in the epidermis and improves your skin’s texture. In the dermis Vitamin E combats free radical damage.

3. Don’t skimp on the moisturizer.

No doubt, hydrating your skin from the inside is a crucial step for healthy and glowing skin. But drinking plenty of water alone won’t do the trick. You also have to hydrate from the outside, too. This is why you need a quality moisturizer. Once you find the right one, you’ll often see obvious results. Fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed and the skin is plumped. In addition, the right moisturizer can nourish and protect your skin making it battle ready against free radical damage.

Your skin is so much more than the outer layer of your body. It’s a shield of protection from toxins and is one of the first indicators of a healthy body. Incorporating these three tips into your daily routine will nourish and nurture your skin so it can continue to take care of you.

The Vivia Center for Cosmetic Therapy has a collection of products that can help your dry skin return to a smooth and supple texture and glow. Our Obagi skin care product line includes specialized formulations perfect for treating dry skin. We also suggest a nourishing facial from our top-notch aesthetician Savannah Shetley for spectacular results.

Not long ago, many body conscious people from Hollywood starlets to spring-breaking college students worshiped at the alter of the Sun.  Showcasing a bronzed, sun-kissed body was considered the epitome of sex appeal, youth and vitality. 

Not so much anymore.  

These days, especially in Hollywood, folks are coming to grips with the irony of tanning.  While the short-term effect of a golden tan does lend itself to a healthy glow, the long-term effects are far from healthy.  Sometimes there is a high price to pay for immediate gratification, and when it comes to tanning, this couldn’t be more true.  The future returns of sun damage are polar opposites of youth, health and beauty. 

Over the years, when you’re overexposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays, the cumulative effective can range from a few cosmetic nuisances to more serious problems, such as cancer.  

Here’s the ugly truth about sun damage – just a few ways too much sun can affect your appearance and most importantly, your health. 

4 Damaging Effects of The Sun 

1. Photoaging.  Simply put, photoaging refers to early aging of the skin.  Unprotected sun exposure is a leading cause of this.  The result of premature aging is coarse, leathery looking skin, deep wrinkles, and saggy, bagging skin.  People with a fair complexion are at highest risk because they have less melanin pigment, which means easy burning and less tanning.  Regardless of your skin type, however, it’s a recipe for premature aging. 

UVA rays of the sun are the biggest contributor to photoaging.   These rays aren’t filtered and absorbed by the ozone and can penetrate to the layer of the skin that supports elasticity and tone.  Once this layer is damaged, though you may not see the effects for years to come, the result is looking older than you really are.   

2.  Unsightly blood vessels near the surface of the skin.  The scientific name for this is telangiectases.   You’ve undoubtedly seen this condition.  It’s often referred to as spider veins which commonly appear on the face and legs. 

Though telangiectasis from the sun causes no serious effect, it’s a cosmetic concern for many as it contributes to a fragile, older look. 

3.  Epidermal pigmentation.  This is simply lighter or darker areas of skin that are the result of hypopigmentation (too little pigment) or hyperpigmentation (too much pigment).  When it comes to sun damage, usually the pigmentation shows up as unappealing darker patches of skin, especially on the face where it is easily noticed. 

4.  Carcinogenesis.  Though the above effects of the sun are detriments to a youthful appearance, the most serious consequence of unprotected sun exposure is skin cancer. And while it’s true that a predisposition to skin cancer can be hereditary, the most common cause is UV damage.  UV rays from the sun affect the DNA of skin cells to the extent that they become cancerous.  

The three types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.  Melanoma is by far the most critical, yet can largely be avoided with smart strategies when enjoying sun and fun.  And don’t make the mistake of thinking tanning beds are an alternative to the sun.  Melanoma doesn’t discriminate between artificial rays and the real thing. 

Strategies for Avoiding Sun Damage 

The first line of defense is to make sure you protect yourself with a sun block with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 when you’re outdoors.   This will give you sun protection for 300 minutes before you need to reapply.  In addition, avoid sunning between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm.  The sun’s rays are most dangerous during these hours. 

Also, wear a hat for extra protection of delicate areas such as the scalp and face. 

If you’re living with sun-damaged skin right now there is good news.  Safe and effective solutions are available to transform your looks, starting today.  To find out more, simply visit the Vivia Center For Cosmetic Therapy to discover how you can “undo” much of the skin damage you may have right now.  Our Obagi products are a fantastic solution for photoaged skin.  We’d love to hear from you.

When many people look for ways to slow down aging, they often look for help with their facial wrinkles. If only they would go away, we could all look 10 years longer. But actually, it’s sagging and bagging skin that robs you of a youthful look. And those looking for a radical cure for progressive loss of elasticity and collagen often resort to a facelift.

 Luckily, there is a non-invasive solution that seemingly turns back the clock.

Thermage treatments contour and tighten loose skin without invasive surgery or injections. Treatment doesn’t result in a dramatic transformation like you would find with a surgical facelift, but it does tone and redefine facial lines. Most importantly, it delivers the results you want – a youthful and energized appearance.

What Areas of the Body Are Candidates for Thermage?

What’s really exciting is that practically any area of your body can be rejuvenated with Thermage technology. On the face and jaw line skin becomes firmer and tighter after treatment. Creases around the nose and mouth are softened, erasing years from your skin. And if you want even more pronounced and dramatic results Thermage treatments can be combined with Botox and Restylane. 

Around the lips fine lines and wrinkles are diminished – without injections and fillers. During the procedure, college production is stimulated so that the lips look plumper and more youthful. 

When it comes to treating delicate eye tissue, Thermage is ideal. Under eye bags, crow’s feet, and hooding, all which result in a tired and weary appearance, are dramatically reduced. No bruising or swelling to the eyes occurs. 

Many people are thrilled to discover their “turkey neck,” that droopy, saggy skin on the neck area, is tightened and transformed. 

And while Thermage works wonderfully on the face, other areas of the body can be contoured and tightened as well. Thermage tightens and lifts the deep underlying tissues of the skin in the “jiggly” areas of the abdomen, arms and legs. Successful treatment of cellulite occurs as well.  

Even the hands look younger with Thermage treatments. Signs of aging are often first revealed on the hands.  That’s because collagen there deteriorates very rapidly.  With Thermage hand lines and wrinkles are diminished and replaced by a softer, smoother, and suppler appearance. 

How Does Thermage Treatments Work? 

Radiofrequency technology heats up the tissues of the terminus right beneath the skin’s top layer. This control key causes the skin to contract and tightened. As a result the collagen is stimulated and over time new collagen grows and develops. This is significant because collagen keeps our skin tightened and contoured. Once it breaks down wrinkles and a loss of elasticity in the skin is the results. 

What Makes Thermage Different? 

In addition to the fact that Thermage is noninvasive with very little downtime, it’s also ideal for all skin colors. And while laser treatments are useful for tightening the skin, Thermage heats much more deeply. That makes Thermage more effective at treating the collagen that is already there as well as stimulating the production of new collagen. 

If is you’re interested in learning more about Thermage treatments, the Vivia Center of Cosmetic Therapy can give you the details you need. We use the ThermoCool TC, a computer-controlled radio-frequency device, to tighten the skin without any injury to the epidermis whatsoever.  No pain, no wounds, no more saggy skin.

When Ponce de Leon began his search for the elusive Fountain of Youth, little did he realize that 500 years later the search would still be going strong. But now, instead of sailing across the seas, people are turning to their plastic surgeons in their search for eternal youth.

Often the answer is Botox and it is as popular as ever. Since 2002, men and women have turned to Botox to smooth out facial lines and wrinkles. A protein derivative of botulism toxin, when low doses of Botox are injected into facial muscles, the muscles become paralyzed and relaxed. That’s what gives the resulting smooth appearance.

However, there is a new kid on the block and Botox has been given a run for their money. A product called Dysport, also a neuromuscular blocking agent, has made the scene. Once known as Reloxin, it’s been used for about 17 years in over 20 countries. In April of 2009, the FDA approved its use in the United States as well.

Which Is Better?

They’re both basically the same as they are derived from the same botulinum toxin. Both smooth out wrinkles and frown lines by affecting underlying facial muscles so they can no longer contract. This makes the muscle creases lay flat so wrinkles seem to disappear. However, there are a few differences between the two worth noting.

How Do They Differ?

One of the most important differences not only affects facial wrinkles, but also your pocket book. Dysport is considerably less expensive than Botox. While this is good news for consumers, Botox could find itself knocked out of first place.

As for which gives better results, some reports state Dysport has a better spreading radius, meaning an equal amount of Dysport will cover a larger area than Botox. Since it covers a larger area, one treatment should be less expensive for most people.

Also Dysport yields quicker results. Some people have seen major improvement within a couple of days while Botox results aren’t easily apparent for 3 to 7 days.

What Are The Risks?

Of course, they’re always risks, but with both Botox and Dysport, the incidents of risky side effects are rare. It is possible to have an allergic reaction with both Dysport and Botox although Dysport seems to cause less of an allergic response.

If you have pre-existing problems with swallowing, breathing, or speaking, using Botox can make them more severe.

Also, with Dysport, because it has a better spreading effect, it’s possible the toxin could spread to unintended facial muscles. In that case the side effects could be a droopy eyelid. Other side effects include swelling and redness, sore throat, headaches, sinus inflammations, neck pain, fatigue, and others, though rarely reported. If the correct dosage and technique is used, the risks are slight.

Botox has been a huge player in anti-aging for some time, but now that Dysport has arrived, the Botox industry will likely become more competitive with their pricing. Now could be a great time to finally do something about those pesky wrinkles.

If you have questions about Botox or Dysport treatments, the expert staff at the Vivia Center for Cosmetic Therapy would be happy to answer them for you.  Simply call 703-556-8882 to speak to a member of our team of skin care professionals.

In addition to plumping up lips, these cosmetic fillers are part of the ever-growing arsenal in anti-aging skin care. They dramatically refresh and rejuvenate the face by filling wrinkles, folds and depressions, and in some cases they can actually lift the skin.

What are these cosmetic fillers made up?

Dermal fillers are liquid or gel substances that are injected beneath the skin to plump up facial lines and wrinkles, and to hide deeper wrinkles around the mouth such as nasal labial folds–the crevice between the corner of your mouth and nose. They can also be used to fill in depressions that are commonly seen during aging, such as those in the cheeks.

Most dermal fillers are composed of a form of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance already present in your body. HA has the ability to bind with the water in your body, which contributes to long lasting results. Results can last anywhere from six months to a year.

Here are the ingredients in the most popular facial cosmetic fillers:

Restylane™– Hyaluronic Acid

Radiesse™– Calcium Hydroxyl Apatite

Perlane™– Large particle Hyaluronic Acid

Juvederm™– Hyaluronic Acid

Sculptra™– Poly Glycolic acid

How do dermal fillers reverse facial aging?

These filler injections add diminishing plumpness and volume to your appearance. As you age, collagen decreases and your face loses youthful fullness and firmness. This is especially true around the middle of your face and cheek area where deep wrinkles and depressions can occur. When fillers are injected into these areas, the overall appearance of your face is the healthy, fuller and youthful look you had years ago.

Nasal labial lines particularly contribute to a tired and aged appearance. Fillers are a great way to reverse this as they plumb the lines and camouflage the folds.

How safe are cosmetic fillers?

All of the fillers discussed here are FDA approved. Since hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the body, the skin does not react to it. There have only been a very small number of reactions reported. These reactions may consist of prolonged but temporary redness, swelling, itching or tenderness. Most reactions have lasted for a couple of weeks.

Are the injections painful?

There may be some discomfort, as in a prick, but normally anesthesia isn’t necessary.  Most people find the injections relatively painless.  The exception is for lip treatments, which can be rather uncomfortable.  In these cases, a nerve block is normally made.

Immediately after the treatment, there may be a slight redness, swelling, tenderness or itching sensation at the treated area. This is a normal result of the injection and it generally disappears in a day or two.

If you want dermal fillers for plumber lips, then you should expect exaggerated fullness for the first few days. Eventually, your lips will settle down to the luscious full look you’re after.

You can find out more about cosmetic fillers such as Restylane™ at the Vivia Center of Cosmetic Therapy.  In as little as a few days, you can look years younger than you really are.