The Institute for Laser and Aesthetic Medicine

Cosmetic injectables can refresh your look.
By Jeanne Criblear

There are few things certain in life. One certainty is that every day we get older.  Somewhere in our thirties we begin to see the tell-tale signs of aging and how it is making us look (and feel!) older. In our society, image is very important and a more youthful image has always been shown to be preferred to an image where we look our age or older.  After all, today’s 60 is supposed to be the new 50, and 50’s the new 40…

Facial rejuvenation has long been the most desired cosmetic improvement and today there are more options than ever to refresh that aged, tired, lifeless look that you may feel your mirror is portraying. “Patients would prefer no downtime, if possible, and still receive a refreshed, natural look. Cosmetic injectables can achieve a refreshed, quick fix,” says Dr. Glenn DeBias, founder and medical director of The Institute for Laser and Aesthetic Medicine in Doylestown, PA.

Dr. DeBias is internationally recognized for his skin tightening procedures and is one of the most experienced cosmetic injectable physicians in the country. He has performed over 80,000 aesthetic procedures and has three offices located in Doylestown, Bethlehem and King of Prussia. “There are few things more gratifying than walking into an aesthetic physician’s office, having a procedure performed, and leaving feeling refreshed and rejuvenated,” says Dr. DeBias.

Botox: The Most Popular Cosmetic Injectable

According to a report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Botox is the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure for both men and women. The glabellar lines, also known as the frown lines or “angry  11” lines are the most popular area to be treated and only area presently approved by the FDA for cosmetic use. Botox is short for Botulinum Toxin Type A. The overwhelming patient acceptance of the frown lines usage has led to Botox being used in other areas, such as forehead creases and crow’s feet around the eyes.

“The primary effect of the Botox is to offer controlled muscle relaxation up to several months,” says DeBias. “Most patients want to maintain use of their expressive muscle tone so that they still have movement, resulting in a very natural, appealing look.   Most patients don’t want to give away any tell-tale signs of treatment.”

The procedure is usually performed within minutes, and will offer significant results within days, which leads to a level of improvement which lasts for 3-4 months.  “What’s most important is to find a physician who is very experienced in doing Botox injections and devotes a significant part of his practice to cosmetic injectable treatment.  The more prominent cosmetic companies (Allergan and Medicis) have status indicators which inform the prospective patient of the physicians that are doing the most injectables.

Dermal Fillers Offer a “Quick fix”

At one time, a facelift was considered to be the only treatment available to treat wrinkles and sagging—but with that comes anesthesia, downtime, and irreversible results—for better or for worse.  Today, there are a variety of fillers available to “plump up” folds, deep lines, or just soften more superficial lines. The most popular fillers in the country today are hylauronic acid products—Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm and the calcium hydroxylapitite product Radiesse. While Sculptra (polylactic acid) is technically not a filler, it does offer some collagen building complex and anchoring for volume loss and sallow areas of the face. Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm are by far the most popular fillers and target lower face folds and wrinkles primarily. These fillers can last from six months to a year. “Dermal fillers are very popular in our practice—patients receive an instantaneous result from the injection,” says Dr. DeBias.

How to Choose a Cosmetic Injectable Provider

Since there is no “board certification” yet pertaining to cosmetic injectables, you need to ask the right questions.  To find a physician who is skillful and proficient, you should ask the following questions. How long have they been doing this procedure?  How many does the physician do a week? A month? A year? What is their status with the major injectable companies Allergan and Medicis? Does the physician train other physicians in performing cosmetic injectables?

Dr. DeBias is one of only a few physicians in the state of Pennsylvania to achieve top injector status with both Allergan and Medicis as it relates to Botox cosmetic, Juvederm, and Restylane and Perlane injectors. He is in the top 1% in the country by both status and experience. Over the years he has trained many physicians in performing cosmetic injectables.

Cost Factor

Both Botox cosmetic and dermal fillers are affordable today by most patient standards.  It is important to know what you are getting for your hard earned money.  Botox is delivered in units and the injector should tell you how many units you are receiving. The price for Botox varies from office to office, as does the price for a syringe of Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm Ultra or UltraPlus. At present, Dr. DeBias states his price per unit of Botox is $9 per unit and dermal fillers are priced between $350 and $395 per syringe depending on the filler. To obtain the best value, find a provider who can deliver optimal results at a fair price in a comfortable office setting. “Our cosmetic practice has continued to grow despite the current economic condition, due mostly to high retention of our satisfied existing patients, as well as an influx of new patients that have had prior treatments in other practices who have not been happy with their results, the price they paid, or both,” says Dr. DeBias.

The Institute for Laser and Aesthetic Medicine is located at110 Hyde Park in Doylestown; 1030 Continental Drive in King of Prussia, and 1655 Valley Center Parkway in Bethlehem. For office hours, to schedule an appointment or for more information, visit www.ilamed.com or call 1 (866) 48-LASER.

Jeanne Criblear is a freelance writer from Buckingham, Bucks County.