Quick Fixes

When you look your best, you feel more confident. When the daily stresses of life begin to leave their telltale signs, perhaps we can help create a more refreshed, more relaxed look.

Our non-surgical cosmetic procedures can positively contribute to your appearance. We recommend these treatments because we have found them to be effective and safe. Patients with busy schedules often enjoy having non-surgical alternatives to maintain their appearance with minimal or no down tim

Nonsurgical Facelift with Fillers or Fat

If you are beginning to see the signs of aging but not yet ready to have surgery, then you may be a candidate for a nonsurgical “lift” with dermal fillers. Using a combination of different injectable fillers, depending on your specific needs, Dr. Bigelow can restore the three dimensional volume to your face that has been lost with age by plumping out, filling and lifting the overlying facial skin. In addition to the areas typically treated with dermal fillers, such as the nasolabial (cheek) folds, corners of the mouth, and lips, this fullness can be achieved along the eyebrows providing a browlift, over the chin and cheek bones providing increased prominence and contour, along the jowl line to reduce the irregular contour and sagging, along the lower eyelids to conceal both small fat pads, and to fill the tear trough crease that runs along the nose. This restores the attractive “fullness of youth”. This is an in office procedure that takes about an hour and is done with local and topical anesthesia and a relaxing medication. Other than possible bruising, there is no downtime. You must avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and Vitamin E for 3 weeks prior to the procedure and the use of cold compresses on the treated area afterwards will minimize the bruising. This nonsurgical, volume lift will last at least six months and in many cases for a year. Specific information about the injectable fillers we commonly use can be found under the section below "Cosmetic Fillers".

This nonsurgical “lift” can also be achieved with fat to restore the youthful fullness of the face. For those who prefer to not use dermal fillers, we can harvest fat from your hips or thighs and this fatty tissue around the muscles of face. The fat is placed in the same areas as noted above. The recovery time is longer (swelling and bruising) and it does cost a bit more. The longevity varies from patient to patient lasting from a year to several years. This is a better option in those who prefer to use their own body tissue or those who are already planning to undergo a liposuction procedure and want the face rejuvenated.

Cosmetic Fillers

Many different types of fillers have been developed through the years. Some have fallen by the wayside and others continue to be popular and used regularly providing long lasting and satisfying results. The most current frequently used fillers are Restylane®, Juvederm®, Perlane®, and Prevelle® Silk.

They are dermal fillers made of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic is a natural substance that already exists in the human body. They provide volume and fullness to the skin.

The most commonly reported side effects were temporary redness and swelling at this injection site. Studies have shown that the average treatment results last six months or even longer.

Restylane® / Perlane® / Juvederm® / Prevelle® Silk

Restylane® / Perlane® / Juvederm® / Prevelle® Silk is a cosmetic dermal filler made of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that already exists in the human body. All three are a crystal clear gel and are used to provide volume and fullness to the skin.

It is safe and requires no pretesting for allergies, but you should take a few precautions before being treated. Avoid using aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John's Wort, or a high dose of Vitamin E Supplements prior to treatment, because these may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site.

The most commonly reported side effects were temporary redness and swelling at the injection site. Studies have shown that the average treatment results last six months or even longer. Hyaluronic acid lasts twice as long as collagen and the affect is immediate.

Radiesse®

Dr. Bigelow also uses Radiesse®, which is ideal in certain situations. Radiesse® is a completely synthetic compound comprised of microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite combined with an aqueous gel. Calcium is a natural substance already in the body, so Radiesse® causes no allergic reactions or inflammation. When injected, the cream-like texture of Radiesse® feels soft and natural. Unlike temporary treatments that must be repeated frequently, Radiesse® provides up to a year or longer of rejuvenation. It is gradually replaced by the body’s own tissue, and slowly dissolves away time. You will see results immediately and allergy testing is not required.

Before Restylane®

After Restylane®

Before Restylane®

After Restylane®

Before Juvederm®

After Juvederm®

Before Juvederm®

After Juvederm®

Botox® and Dysport™ for Frown Lines & Crow's Feet

If you would like to get rid of your wrinkles but are not ready for surgery, you might benefit from Botox® . Some facial wrinkles are caused by contractions of the underlying facial muscles every time you smile, laugh, or frown. Botox® is a purified form of the botulinum toxin that works by blocking impulses from the nerve to the facial muscles that cause these expression lines. Botox® relaxes those specific muscles so that they can no longer contract. This results in smoothing of the skin wrinkle. The most common areas treated with Botox® are the frown lines between the eyes, Crow's feet, forehead lines, and vertical neck bands.

Botox® treatments are safe and have been used for more than 15 years. The treatments are done in the office with minimal discomfort. No sedation or anesthesia is required and you can resume normal activities immediately. The effects of Botox® become apparent in 3-5 days after treatment and last for 4-6 months. Most patients return for treatments 2-3 times per year. After repeated injections, the results may be even longer lasting.

Dysport™ was recently approved in the U.S. for use of treatment of the frown lines. Used for the same purposes as Botox®. It is thought by some that its onset of action is quicker and that it last longer.

Before Botox®

After Botox®

Before Botox®

After Botox®

Treatment of Leg Spider Veins

Sclerotherapy treats spider veins, tiny purple and red blood vessels, that develop on the legs. The procedure involves a series of micro-injections which instills a solution into the veins using a very tiny needle-- so fine that you can barely feel it. This solution acts to eliminate the blood vessel. The body then replaces these vessels with a band of tissue without harming circulation.

The procedure is done in the office and requires no sedation or anesthesia. Your treatment may last from 15 - 45 minutes depending on how many veins you wish to have treated in one session. Those with only a few tiny veins may need only one treatment. Usually the vessels disappear over a period of two weeks to two months. If the veins are larger, each will likely need two to three treatments to totally resolve. The treated veins will not return but you may develop new spider veins in the future.

Patient below demonstrates treatment for spider veins after only one treatment.

Before

After

Facial Spider Veins & Rosacea

Candela Pulse Dye Laser — This laser delivers an intense but gentle burst of light to the skin. It is designed to rid patients of benign vascular lesions and can effectively treat the following:

Rosacea

Facial Veins

New Scars (redness)

Warts

Red Birthmarks such as hemangiomas and port wine stains

Angiomas

Some Leg Veins — small/pink color

Poikiloderma of Civatte (uneven coloring of neck)

Venous Lake

Can help in treating new stretch marks

Periorbital Wrinkles (around the eyes)

Dyan Bryant, RN, Clinical Skin Care Specialist-Dyan has had extensive training And experience in assessing and treating aging skin, sun damage, acne-adult and teenage onset, rosacea, and other skin imperfections. Our goal is to help you achieve appearance enhancement as well as maintaining optimal skin health. This can be achieved in a variety of ways including chemical peels, regular use of medical skin care products, and solar protection. In addition to skin care, she also specializes in micropigmentation (permanent makeup) and vascular laser treatments using the Candela V-Beam pulse dye laser.

The most common request for treatment from patients using this laser are Rosacea, facial spider veins, and redness of neck.

Before

After

Age Spots

Do you have brown spots, commonly called "age spots" or "liver spots" that are distracting from your skin's natural beauty? These pigmented lesions may be present at birth, but most occur with age or as a result of overexposure to sun rays. These lesions are dark in color due to a high concentration of melanin in that specific area. These lesions can be successfully lightened or removed with modern laser technology.

Our laser emits an energy of light that is absorbed by the abnormal concentrations of melanin. The melanin is broken down leaving the treated skin looking uniform in color and texture. This treatment is done in the office and no anesthesia is necessary. The laser pulse feels similar to the snap of a rubber band and afterwards the skin will feel similar to a slight sunburn.

The treated area may be pink for two to four weeks and then return to its natural smooth coloring and texture. The most commonly treated areas are the chest, hands, and face. Most lesions are completely removed or significantly lightened after just one treatment. A second touch up treatment may occasionally be necessary. These lesions will not recur, however, continued exposure of unprotected skin without sunscreen will result in further damage and new pigmented lesions.

Pigmented lesions, or age spots, on the face may be best treated with skin care products that you use at home. Depending on your specific problem, a chemical peel may be the recommended treatment.

Before

After

Permanent Makeup

Micropigmentation, or permanent makeup, is a procedure that implants a colored dye into the skin to enhance your natural features.  Micropigmentation can be used to enhance the lips, eyes and eyebrows by giving them more definition and color.

Micropigmentation is ideal for a wide variety of people. Those who wish to have more defined features with more color and do not want to put on makeup every day will love the convenience of micro pigmentation. People with allergies to cosmetics, or those with visual problems or arthritis find that this procedures enhances the quality of their lives. Micropigmentation is the perfect option for those with an active lifestyle as it is completely water-proof! This procedure is also the solution for those who have had the loss of eyebrows or eyelashes due to disease, trauma or aging.

The procedure involves precisely depositing the pigment into the skin.  Much like a traditional tattoo, the color is placed using a specially designed instrument with a sterile needle that deposits the dye. Once you decide to have micropigmentation, you will have a consultation to choose the look and color that you want. Our specially trained nurse is skilled in selecting colors so that you look natural. During the procedure you will be given a topical anesthetic so that you will not feel any pain. Most patients are able to resume their normal activities within one day. In many people, the color will last forever, like a tattoo. Some people may experience fading of the color after several years, and will require a simple touch-up procedure.

So throw away your lipstick and eye pencils.  Around the eyes, permanent eyeliner can give the appearance of a fuller lash line. Eyebrows can be filled in to give a thicker appearance or totally recreated so that you no longer have to paint them on every morning. Lips can be better defined, while an entire lip pigment procedure can provide long lasting color over the entire lip. While we offer a wide range of colors to choose from, our expert nurse will help you select a natural color and look that is right for you and your skin tone.

Without Permanent Lip Color

With Permanent Lip Color

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