How Many Units Is Needed for Botox Lip Flip to Get the Best Results?

Lip augmentation is a great way to add that final touch to your look, and with all the top celebrities now getting in the lip game, lip augmentation is becoming more popular than ever. But a new lip trend has picked up steam over the last few years – instead of just lip fillers, patients are now asking for the Botox lip flip, where Botox is used to create the illusion of fuller and sexier lips.

So how many units of Botox are used when to get the ideal Botox lip flip? Patients can expect up to 10 units of Botox with every Botox lip flip to achieve the full, maximum volume look. Compared to other Botox procedures in the face, that’s not too much Botox, making the Botox flip one of the more affordable and quicker Botox treatments.

What is a Botox Lip Flip?

A majority of lip augmentation procedures are typically done with hyaluronic acid-based fillers. Popular examples of these fillers include Restylane, Vollure, Volbella, and Juvéderm.

Botox has traditionally been used to freeze up the muscles underneath the face, for the purpose of erasing wrinkles by relaxing the skin-deep micro-muscles causing them; on the other hand, fillers have been used to plump up and add volume to the lips and face.

But a recent trend that has been making the rounds over the last few years is the Botox lip flip, in which Botox is used to magnify the lip pout, either alone or with the help of certain fillers.

How exactly does this work? The Botox flip flips the lip line outward, forcing the lip to subtly roll out, creating the illusion of a sexier and more voluminous pout. The mouth is encircled by a muscle called the orbicularis oris. The tightness from this muscle keeps our lips held in place, even when we are naturally relaxed.

By injecting the top half of the mouth’s muscle with Botox, the muscle holding the upper lip relaxes, loosening its hold on the upper lip. This allows the upper lip to slightly roll upward, creating the illusion of it being more defined and voluminous. Patients who undergo this procedure also benefit from secondary benefits of Botox around the mouth – the erasure of the vertical lip lines above the upper lip.

Lip Flip Botox VS Lip Filler: Which Should I Get?

With the Botox lip flip growing in popularity, patients now regularly ask whether they should go for the lip flip or the more traditional filler procedure. The choice is really up to you, because unless you only have the budget for one procedure, it’s not one or the other. In fact, there is nothing stopping you from getting both procedures for the fullest effect.

You have to think about the way both procedures work. Both procedures add to your overall look of a pouty and full pair of lips. Lip fillers do this by literally adding volume and plump to your lips with the hyaluronic acid-based injectables.

On the other hand, the Botox lip flip is more of an illusion – the Botox injection makes the lip look bigger by relaxing the orbicularis oris muscle, forcing the lip to flip outward. While the Botox lip flip is definitely not as much of a dramatic lip augmentation as the lip filler, it’s a great option for those who want something more on top of their filler, or just want a slight, subtle adjustment to their lips.

Both procedures are absolutely safe and wear off several months after the procedure. This means that if you aren’t happy with the results, they naturally disappear in a few months; if you do like them, a simple touch-up treatment every few months will keep them going on for as long as you like.

How Many Units of Botox Does it Take to Flip Your Lips?

Now we come to the important question: just how much Botox do you need for the so-called Botox lip flip? This procedure requires roughly 10 units of Botox, sometimes less. This is because the treated area is very small compared to other uses of Botox on the face.

Here’s a quick comparison of the number of Botox units required for various injections around the face:

Injection Area	Average Units of Botox
Frown lines	25
Forehead	15
Crow’s eyes	12
Lip lines	6
Cheeks	20
Lip flip	10

As for the number of lip injections required to administer 10 units of Botox during a Botox lip flip procedure, this depends on the type of Botox used by the doctor. The number of units of Botox per syringe depends on how diluted the Botox is, so it can be hard to say an exact number.

However, patients can expect anywhere from 3-6 injections of Botox during the typical procedure. Consult your doctor before your procedure to understand everything you want to know.

Lip Flipping Round-Up

Where is the lip flip injected: Above the upper lip, to relax the top half of the orbicularis oris muscle that surrounds the mouth.

How much does the flip cost: Prices vary depending on your location and the expertise of your doctor. You do not want to have any Botox injected by a doctor or spa with little expertise and unknown history.

Is a lip flip better than lip fillers: Both procedures work towards augmenting the look of your lips, but the Botox lip flip is more of an illusion while lip fillers literally augment the size of your lips. If you are looking for dramatic results, lip fillers would be best for you; if you want a subtler change or something to add on top of your lip fillers, the Botox flip fits the bill perfectly.

Have Your Botox Lip Flip and More Done at Ethos Spa Today

With a procedure where you can be done and out in just 20 minutes, the Botox lip flip is a great way to give your lips that extra touch and sparkle a few days before any big date or event coming up. And like with any Botox procedure, you never want your Botox injected by an amateur, or else you add tons of unwanted risk to your experience.

At Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center in Summit, New Jersey, we are proud to call ourselves the premier Botox providers in all of New Jersey. We have helped countless patients with Botox injections, lip fillers, and more.

Achieve your ideal results by booking your Botox consultation and appointment on our website today.

The post How Many Units Is Needed for Botox Lip Flip to Get the Best Results? appeared first on Ethos Spa.

from Ethos Spa https://www.myethosspa.com/botox-lip-flip-how-many-units/
via https://www.myethosspa.com

Fraxel Laser VS Microneedling

Your skin deserves only the best. When you finally decide that it’s time to say goodbye to your acne scars, wrinkled skin, age spots, or any other facial skin issue, it’s in your best interest to make sure your skin gets only the best treatment available. And in the world of cosmetic facial treatments, two procedures stand out: Fraxel laser and microneedling.

So what is the difference between Fraxel laser and microneedling? Both procedures inflict micro-injuries on the patients, forcing the body to produce collagen, a skin-repairing protein. Fraxel fractional lasers penetrate the skin more deeply than microneedling, making the Fraxel treatment better suited for patients with major skin issues and microneedling better for mild skin issues.

What are Fraxel Laser and Microneedling Used For?

Fraxel and microneedling are similar types of procedures, which is why patients generally have to choose between one or the other. These two procedures are both used to improve the texture and tone of the skin when it has become damaged.

These procedures are ideal for both men and women between the ages of 25 and 60 who seek to treat the following:

• Fine lines
• Acne scars
• Texture issues
• Traumatic scars, including injuries, burns, and surgical scars
• Age spots, brown sunspots, and any uneven skin tone
• Stretch marks

Microneedling is an older and more traditional procedure, with cases of dermatologists administering it on patients dating back to the early 1900s. Fraxel fractional laser, however, is more recent and advanced, with first uses of non-surgical lasers for general facial rejuvenation occurring in 2000.

What Causes Skin Damage?

Millions of people suffer skin damage, with thousands suffering it to an extent that they require significant treatments such as microneedling and Fraxel. So what are the most common causes of skin damage?

• Excessive exposure to the sun: The sun’s ultraviolet rays break down the skin’s natural collagen and elasticity, allowing for the quickened development of brown spots, age spots, and wrinkles
• Alcohol and cigarettes: Alcohol leads to general body dehydration; dehydrated skin ages quicker, leading to wrinkles and loss of elasticity. Cigarette smoke leads to constricted blood vessels, leading to a lack of nutrition and oxygen for your skin
• Chemical irritants: Laundry detergent, cleaning products, and other chemical household items can lead to skin irritation. Repeated irritation leads to long-term skin damage and pigmentation changes
• Unhealthy diet: Having a bad diet is one of the most common reasons for unhealthy skin. Less vitamins and nutrients in the body leads to a weaker immune system, leading to general dry skin more prone to skin damage
• Face strain: Muscle strain on your face with excessive facial expressions can lead to wrinkling and fine lines 

Understanding Microneedling

The Science Behind Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a dermaroller with tiny needles. Also referred to as collagen induction therapy, microneedling is most often used to treat stretch marks and acne scars. It is also used in conjunction with other anti-aging procedures, such as sun spot treatment and eyelid surgery.

Microneedling works by forcing the skin to produce additional collagen, which is the body’s most abundant protein that leads to the redevelopment of new cells. Microneedling increases collagen production by injuring the skin with the dermaroller, which has hundreds of tiny needles.

The skin is pricked at a superficial level, meaning no real damage is done to the patient, but just enough damage is done to start collagen generation. The new collagen repairs the skin, replacing the previously damaged skin with new skin.

The Microneedling Process

After consultation, the microneedling doctor asks the patient to lie down or sit. A small pen-like tool known as a dermaroller is then applied to the skin. Small pricks are made to the skin by the dermaroller; while there may be slight pain, the patient should be relatively unharmed and relaxed during the procedure.

To decrease any pain, the doctor may apply a topical anesthetic to the skin prior to the procedure. The procedure should take about 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much of the face is treated.

Microneedling Risks / Side Effects

Side effects or risks of microneedling include:

• Bleeding
• Irritation
• Peeling
• Infection
• Bruising

Patients who fall under the following should not be considered for microneedling:

• Pregnant
• Easily scar
• Have open wounds
• Have skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis

Microneedling Results

Recovery time for microneedling is minimal since it is a minimally invasive procedure. In most cases, patients may expect no recovery time at all and also should be able to get back to their normal routines immediately after the procedure.

Skin rejuvenation starts as soon as the procedure is done, but patients should expect to wait several weeks before seeing best results. Multiple sessions of microneedling, as well as other treatments to increase its effectiveness, should be expected for best results.

Understanding Fraxel Laser

The Science Behind Fraxel Laser

Fraxel is a type of microscopic non-invasive procedure that encourages elastin and collagen growth through skin penetration, similar to microneedling. A type of fractional skin resurfacing treatment, Fraxel only focuses on a fraction of the targeted treatment area at a time.

The common Fraxel treatment is the Fraxel Dual, which uses two different wavelengths to address texture issues and discoloration issues. With these wavelengths, Fraxel laser treatment creates tiny micro-injuries on the skin, creating a specific grid pattern from the fractional lasers.

Unlike microneedling, Fraxel laser treatments penetrate the skin at a deeper level. There are two kinds of fractional resurfacing with Fraxel laser treatments: ablative and non-ablative. Ablative laser treatments are more aggressive, requiring longer recovery and downtime and creating more significant results.

The Fraxel Laser Process

The procedure begins with the doctor’s team numbing the skin; for extreme cases of skin resurfacing, the patient has the option to be sedated.

During the procedure, the lasers are beamed directly at the skin. These lasers destroy the epidermis, or the most outer layer of the skin with micro-injuries. While this is happening, the second layer of the skin, the dermis, is also heated up, leading to increased collagen production. This treatment can last up to 2 hours depending on the size of the treatment area.

Fraxel Laser Risks / Side Effects

Risks and side effects of Fraxel laser resurfacing include:

• Redness, itching, and swelling
• Slight risk of permanent scarring
• Pigmentation changes in patients with darker skin tones
• Slight risk of infection
• Messing with your skin during recovery can lead to slight acne

Fraxel Laser Results

The recovery process after a Fraxel treatment can be unnerving to some patients. The skin will be left intensely swollen and red immediately after the procedure, with countless micro-injuries spread across the face.

The skin recovers slowly over the next 10 days, however results will continuously improve over the next few weeks. Patients should expect to see dramatically improved skin after a successful Fraxel treatment.

Which Treatment Works Better: Microneedling VS Fraxel Laser Resurfacing

Patients can expect to see results with either treatment, microneedling or Fraxel laser resurfacing. However, as the Fraxel laser technique penetrates the skin at a deeper level, it is better suited for patients who have more serious skin problems, whereas microneedling is better suited for patients experiencing light to mild problems.

On its own, Fraxel laser is a much more effective treatment for patients looking for dramatic skin rejuvenation results. Microneedling is often partnered with another treatment or a series of cosmetic treatments to create an overall improved appearance.

Treat Your Look With New Jersey’s Premier Skin and Laser Center: Ethos Spa

If you are interested in learning more about microneedling, Fraxel laser, or any other type of skin and laser cosmetic procedure, contact or visit us at Ethos Spa today. We are the premier provider of skin and laser cosmetic treatments in the New Jersey area and have helped thousands of patients reach their physical potential.

Book your appointment and get 10% off your first visit!

The post Fraxel Laser VS Microneedling appeared first on Ethos Spa.

from Ethos Spa https://www.myethosspa.com/fraxel-laser-vs-microneedling/
via https://www.myethosspa.com

Why Do I Need to Keep Away from the Sun After Laser Hair Removal?

Keeping your skin safe and healthy after every laser hair removal treatment is crucial towards achieving best results, and one of the major rules you always hear is to avoid sun exposure after your treatment.

But why exactly should you limit sun exposure after laser hair removal? Simply put, your skin needs time to heal following a laser treatment, as it becomes extra vulnerable to UV rays. Direct and prolonged sunlight can lead to a number of unwanted skin conditions, including hyperpigmentation and skin cancer.

Can you go out in the sun after laser hair removal?

Unless you are willing to risk your skin experiencing sun damage, then you should definitely not go out in the sun following a laser hair removal treatment. There are several reasons for this, but it primarily falls down to keeping your skin as safe as possible while it’s extra vulnerable post-treatment.

Laser hair removal works by exposing your skin to blasts of concentrated beams of light, which turn into heat when absorbed by the pigmentation of your skin, thus destroying the hair follicle. While this process causes little to no pain during the treatment, it does leave your skin vulnerable and sensitive for an extended period of time.

Following every laser hair removal session, your skin is extra sensitive to UV rays. Being exposed to UV rays during the vulnerable stage can lead to skin damage, such as hyperpigmentation, in which certain parts of the skin become permanently or semi-permanently darker than the rest of it.

There is also the possibility of your skin having difficulty healing post-treatment, if exposed to the sun’s UV rays immediately afterwards. It is important that your skin heals thoroughly and fully following every treatment of laser hair removal; exposing your skin to sunlight can prevent this healing, making your skin permanently more sensitive moving forward.

Remember: hyperpigmentation isn’t something you want to have happen to your skin, and that can also be the least of your worries. Other possible results from unchecked sun exposure after your laser treatment include various skin conditions, as well as skin cancer.

Keep your skin healthy so you can enjoy the best results of your laser hair removal with the best skin possible.

How long should I stay out of the sun after laser hair removal?

After every laser hair removal session, your skin will be hyper-sensitive to the sun’s UV rays for around 2 weeks, and sometimes up to 3 weeks. We advise that you stay out of direct and exposed light for 3 weeks following every session to keep your skin as healthy as it can be.

But remember: this 3-week rule applies for every single treatment of laser hair removal. For the best laser hair removal results, doctors typically recommend anywhere from 5-10 sessions, depending on the area being treated and other factors.

Since it is also recommended to avoid the heat for about 2 weeks prior to every session, this means that you need to schedule any beach trips or long days in the sun accordingly.

For best results, avoid prolonged sunlight exposure for 2 weeks before every laser hair removal session, and 2-3 weeks afterwards. With each treatment around 6-8 weeks apart, this means that you have a window of 3-4 weeks between your laser hair removal sessions where it is absolutely safe.

Some patients make the mistake of believing that since they’ve already had a few laser hair removal treatments, then their skin is less vulnerable and prone to skin damage. This isn’t true. Treat every laser hair removal session as if it were your first, and be just as cautious and vigilant with your skin for the same 2-3-week recovery period afterwards.

This should continue until your final recovery following the completion of all your treatments.

Can I go to the beach after laser hair removal?

We understand that asking patients to avoid the sun for 2 weeks before a treatment and 2-3 weeks after a treatment can be constraining, especially during the spring and the summer when everyone is at the beach. And avoid tanning beds at all cost!

If you insist on going to the beach during the summer season, then we suggest that you only have laser hair removal performed on areas that are typically covered, such as your underarms and your bikini area. It will be easier for you to keep these areas safe from direct exposure, and still enable you to share the beach experience with your friends.

If you have the hair removal laser procedure performed on areas that receive direct sun exposure, such as the exposed upper lip area and the legs, you run the serious risk of causing severe damage to your skin, such as hyperpigmentation and, in worst-case scenarios, skin cancer.

We highly advise that you avoid going to the beach if your targeted area is anything aside from your underarm and bikini areas.

Tips to Protect the Skin

Of course, it can be impossible to avoid sunlight completely for 2-3 weeks following every treatment. But staying in for so many days after being treated can be an impossible experience.

Even if you don’t go to the beach, you will still have to leave the house, whether to go to work, to class, or anywhere else during the day. So what can you do when you need to leave the house during the day but still need to protect your skin?

Thankfully, though your skin is extra sensitive during the recovery period, it can still take slight levels of sunlight, as long as you provide it with adequate protection.

Here are some ways to protect your skin:

• Every time you leave the house, slather the treated area and surrounding areas with a broad-protection sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Search for the highest SPF sunscreen available
• Wear the appropriate clothing to keep your skin safe and shaded. This includes nothing tight-fitting – long-sleeved, loose shirts and loose-fitting pants, giving your body that extra comfort and shade it needs. A nice sun-hat or any kind of hat with an extra wide brim can also help. If you want more protection, carry an umbrella as you walk
• Limit your sunlight to a few minutes at a time. If you need to go out in the sunlight several times a day, then try to keep it limited to a few minutes here and there. This gives your skin more time to breathe and process

Ready for Your Laser Treatment? Contact Ethos Spa

Laser hair removal is one of the best treatments you can give yourself – as long as you get it done right by trusted experts. Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center, is the number one provider of laser hair treatment and other beauty procedures in New Jersey. We have helped countless patients reach their beauty and body hair goals, and can help you do the same.

Search no more for your preferred laser provider. Contact us for your safe and pain-free laser treatment today!

Read more: Which Treatment Should I Do First: Laser Hair Removal or Varicose Vein Removal?

The post Why Do I Need to Keep Away from the Sun After Laser Hair Removal? appeared first on Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center.

from Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center https://www.myethosspa.com/keep-away-from-sun-after-laser-hair-removal/
via https://www.myethosspa.com

What to Expect After Your First Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Treatment

Mentally preparing for your first laser hair removal treatment can be intimidating; worrying about how much pain the procedure will inflict and how your treated area will feel afterwards can be a challenge. And for a full treatment in your bikini area – also known as Brazilian laser hair removal – you might be extra concerned about possible pain and discomfort.

So what can you expect after your first Brazilian laser hair removal treatment? The first thing you should be happy to learn is that the patients report no extra pain or discomfort from laser treatment on the groin area.

If you have experience with laser removal elsewhere, you should already have a good idea of what to expect. Post-procedure, you will feel a slight soreness and swelling in the area similar to a post-workout.

Understanding Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a simple procedure, but highly effective. Traditional hair removal treatments such as shaving, waxing, and threading work by removing the hair from the root. This damages the hair bulb underneath the skin, but leaves it intact to regrow hair again.

Laser hair removal works differently – instead of removing the hair, this treatment destroys the hair follicle, meaning the hair can’t simply regrow. The hair follicle must regrow before hair can return to the affected area, which can take several months.

Laser treatments attack the hair follicle by targeting pulses of laser light to the skin. The lasers are attracted to the pigmentation of the hair, and the energy from the laser is converted into heat as it travels down the hair to the individual hair follicles beneath the skin.

What Is a Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Treatment?

A Brazilian laser hair removal is similar to a Brazilian wax in results. Unlike a bikini hair removal, a Brazilin laser hair removal aims to remove nearly all the pubic hair a patient might have. This includes hair on the labia, at the sides, and along and around the bum, while leaving a small patch of hair above the vagina for aesthetic purposes.

We understand that some patients might have concerns about directing lasers on their most sensitive areas around their bikini area. However, when performed by trusted laser specialists, patients can anticipate no extra pain or discomfort during their sessions. At most, you will feel a slight pinching or stinging on the targeted areas.

Preparing for Your Treatment

Preparations are similar to preparations before any kind of laser hair removal session. Keep the following in mind before every appointment:

–       Remove Hair: To ensure your treatment proceeds as smoothly as possible, you will want to remove hair in the targeted area the day before the treatment. This will help you get the most out of every pulse, as the lasers will more effectively penetrate your hair follicles. Remember: shave, don’t wax or thread, and try to avoid creating ingrown hairs while you shave your body. Avoid waxing or threading for 10-14 days.

–       Shower: To minimize awkwardness, maximize hygiene. Shower immediately before your treatment so that your doctor can access your private areas with ease. Only use water and other safe products, as you will want to avoid irritating your results beyond the procedure.

–       Wear Comfy: As for your clothing, stay comfy, stay loose. Loose shorts, skirts, baggy pants, dresses – nothing tight or fitting. Dark clothing can help protect your body from the sun.

–       Avoid Tanning: Laser treatments work best when your skin and hair are at their most natural tone and shade, and sun exposure and tanning can alter this as well as lead to your skin being more vulnerable. Avoid stepping in tanning salons or the beach up to two weeks before your appointment.

–       Don’t Drink: Consuming alcohol the night before your treatment can make the procedure slightly more painful, so for the most comfortable experience, avoid alcohol before every appointment.

During the Procedure

Most patients who experience Brazilian laser hair removal say that there is little to no extra discomfort from lasers directed on the vagina, as opposed to any other part of the body. The first few pulses can seem a bit more painful, but your pain levels should adjust before long, and the rest of your session will be smooth sailing.

By having your procedure performed by trusted laser specialists, you can be guaranteed that they will be equipped with the latest in laser technology, which should have cooling mechanisms to keep your pain as limited as possible. Your bikini area can also be dulled prior to the laser exposure with a numbing cream or gel.

So is a Brazilian laser removal procedure less or more painful than a wax? Most patients report that a wax is actually much more uncomfortable and painful than a laser session, especially without the worry of ingrown hairs. In fact, as you undergo more Brazilian laser treatments, you will feel less pain every time, as your hair will become less dark; lighter and finer with every session.

What to Expect Afterwards

Your first treatment will be the most uncomfortable, more due to the new experience of lasers on sensitive areas rather than the pain itself. For the rest of the day post-treatment, you might feel the following side effects:

–       Soreness: Your groin will typically have a certain soreness all around for a few hours if not the entire day. Those who regularly work out and exercise will feel less soreness.

–       Swelling: For up to three hours after the procedure, you can anticipate a swelling of the entire treated area.

–       Redness: A slight redness of the region will go hand in hand with the swelling.

Reducing Discomfort

What can you do to avoid as much pain as possible? To reduce the discomfort after the procedure, read and follow the tips below:

–       Cool compress against the treated area

–       Avoid sun exposure (before and after every procedure)

–       Do not have your procedure during your period – schedule it a week ahead or after

–       Avoid waxing or plucking

–       If more relief is needed, take a pain reliever such as aspirin

How Many Sessions Do You Need, and When Will You See Results?

For best results, it is recommended to continue laser treatments for 6 months, although some patients continue their treatments for up to 18 months. You may start seeing 7-10 days after your first procedure, with hairs shedding off without regrowth.

Get Your Brazilian With the Pros at Ethos Spa

The best way to ensure you have an awesome experience out of your laser hair removal is by working with trusted professionals with years of experience, and at Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center, you receive the best laser procedures New Jersey offers.

We have worked with countless women for Brazilian laser treatments and treatments on legs, underarms and more, and we would be more than happy to help you reach your desired hair beauty goals. Contact us to learn more about laser treatments, and start your hair removal journey today. After all, beauty shouldn’t be hard.

The post What to Expect After Your First Brazilian Laser Hair Removal Treatment appeared first on Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center.

from Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center https://www.myethosspa.com/first-brazilian-laser-hair-removal-expectations/
via https://www.myethosspa.com

5 DIY Hair Removal Methods That Don’t Work

Do you have sensitive skin? Are you looking for a bikini wax? Do you find it hard to remove your body hair through waxing? You might be tempted to try DIY hair removal methods. With techniques that involve all-natural, painless, non-invasive methods that you can do at home without the need to spend any extra cash, it’s easy to see why plenty of people are choosing home solutions before more legitimate ones.

But do these methods actually work, or do they cause more harm than good? Most (if not all) of the unconventional DIY hair removal methods you will find actually have little to no effect on your hair, and in some cases, can actually lead to negative reactions for both your skin and hair.

Here are some of the most popular DIY hair removal methods out there, how they supposedly work hard for you, and why they are actually not worth your time.

1) Baking Soda with Coffee Grounds

The Claim: One of the most popular supposed DIY hair removal methods is baking soda; specifically, baking soda mixed with coffee grounds. Apparently, by combining baking soda with coffee grounds, you create a mixture that can prevent any future growth by breaking down the hair follicles on the skin.

After making the mixture of baking soda and coffee grounds, you are supposed to remove the hair through your preferred method – shaving, waxing, plucking, or threading – and then, immediately after, continue to rub the coffee grounds and baking soda mixture deep into the skin. This supposedly removes your hair follicles and prevents growth, leading to that perfect waxed or waxing look.

Why It Doesn’t Work: So does baking soda really remove hair? Unfortunately, this has been proven as just an old wives’ tale, and is just a recipe for a DIY hair removal disaster. While rubbing the mixture will lead to the skin looking slightly redder, it won’t do much else.

Hair follicles are too deep in the skin for the baking soda and coffee grounds to do anything effective, unlike waxing or laser treatment. It can actually also continue to make your skin worse, by leading to clogged pores and thus irritating the skin.

2) Turmeric Waxing

The Claim: There are tons of blogs out there claiming the magical removal properties of turmeric, either as turmeric paste or turmeric combined with another substance, commonly papaya paste. Turmeric paste is made of three-parts turmeric powder and one-part milk, mixed until you’re left with a thick paste.

After mixing up the paste, you are instructed to spread it over the area, allow it to dry, and then scrub it off with a washcloth, similar to waxing. By repeating this waxing process 3-4 times a week, the turmeric powder is supposed to lead to thinning growth as well as skin exfoliation.

Why It Doesn’t Work: Does turmeric waxing remove hair permanently? Not only does it not remove hair permanently; it doesn’t really lead to hair reduction at all. What many blogs miss when explaining the turmeric waxing hair solution is how exactly turmeric works to thin the growth, and the reason for this is that it doesn’t.

Follicles will remain unaffected by any turmeric or turmeric-infused paste, although your skin might experience some exfoliation from the waxing which can make you think that you have reduced growth in the area.

3) Pumice Stone Massage

The Claim: Pumice stones are another popular DIY technique that many beauty bloggers, as well as some massage parlors and spas, claim as their preferred body and facial hair treatment, but the science behind it doesn’t really line up.

Pumice stones are common products found in spas and “luxury” bathrooms, but what are they exactly and why do we see them in the spa market? Pumice stones are stones that are made out of volcanic rock, and are most often used for the removal of dead or dry skin cells, as well as callused skin on feet and hands.

The claim is that if the skin is roughly massaged with pumice stone products, the follicles are destroyed in the process, leading to the prevention of future hair growth.

Why It Doesn’t Work: So do pumice stones really work to reduce hair growth? Not at all. Relying on a pumice stones service instead of other methods such as waxing or shaving is a disaster waiting to happen. There has been no true scientific evidence verifying that pumice stone massages remove the follicles in the skin, and it’s not for the lack of trying.

You can achieve raw skin due to pumice stone massages without ever affecting the hair follicles. The problem is that people do not realize just how deep the hair follicles sit inside of the skin; no amount of rubbing on the skin can touch them.

4) Lemon and Sugar Scrub

The Claim: If you’ve ever tried to look up DIY removal techniques, then you’ve certainly stumbled on the lemon and sugar scrub method. The claim is that lemon combined with sugar (or honey if you prefer) creates the perfect wax that lifts away hair from the root.

They claim that natural waxes such as these have been used for hair removal waxing throughout history, particularly in the Middle East. Another popular similar combination is honey mixed with oats, which aims to continue to reduce hair while also increasing the hydration, smoothness, and softness of the skin.

On top of the waxing effect of the lemon and sugar or honey combination, it’s said that lemon juice contains natural bleaching elements, which lead to a significant reduction of dark hairs when applied on the skin. The coarse yet gentle sugar or oats acts as a soft scrub that pulls out the hair and the root without much pain.

Why It Doesn’t Work: Do you find this method hard to believe? That’s because it’s not true. Not only has this “all-natural”, no pain solution never been proven to actually work as a hair reduction method, the lemon in the concoction can actually cause a negative reaction on the skin.

Lemon juice, when regularly applied to the skin, can lead to severe irritation and burning, particularly if the user has sensitive skin.

While it’s true that the lemon juice can make the hair lighter, this won’t lead to any significant physical appearance changes, and doesn’t actually cause any removal. This won’t replace your bikini wax waxing any time soon.

5) Blackstrap Molasses

The Claim: Unlike the other techniques listed above, the blackstrap molasses claim actually acts as a supposed dietary method, as opposed to rubbing a substance against the skin. Blackstrap molasses has a long-standing place in pop health magazines as the best substance to consume for a variety of health benefits, including the removal of unwanted body and facial hair.

But what exactly is blackstrap molasses? Sold in the form of a syrup, blackstrap molasses is a byproduct of the refining process of sugar cane. The hard sugar cane is mashed to create juice, and once the juice is boiled over three times, it leads to blackstrap molasses.

This substance contains a number of essential minerals and vitamins, including selenium, vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Supposedly, the minerals and vitamins help to correct a hormone imbalance leading to excessive hair growth in the legs and other parts of the body, thus reducing unwanted body and facial hair without any chemicals or other non-natural substances.

Why It Doesn’t Work: While too much or too little of certain hormones can lead to more or less body, legs and facial hair, it is incorrect to believe that any changes or additions to your diet can lead to reduced hair growth. This is because once a hair follicle has grown and become active in the skin, it will continue growing hair until it is destroyed and removed.

Even those on the strictest blackstrap molasses diets will see no changes to their hair growth if no other proven methods are used to destroy the active hair follicles. Whether your hair is in your upper lip or your legs or anywhere else, you will be hard pressed achieving the waxed look without removing your hair follicles.

Permanently Remove Your Hair the Right Way: Laser Hair Removal at Ethos Spa

Body and facial hair removal is something you want done and settled immediately, so why waste your time on DIY solutions based on junk science that don’t actually work? With laser hair removal performed by trusted professionals, you are guaranteed a hair removal solution that will actually lead to real results, without resorting to painful and repetitive waxing or shaving.

At Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center, we pride ourselves on being the most trusted provider of reliable, safe, and painless laser hair treatments in the New Jersey area. Our team of professionals have assisted countless patients with laser hair service and other treatments.

Contact us to find out exactly why laser hair removal is right for you, and begin your path towards removing your unwanted body hair today!

Read more:

8 Reasons Why Laser Hair Treatment May Not Be Working For You

Can Anyone Get Laser Hair Removal?

The post 5 DIY Hair Removal Methods That Don’t Work appeared first on Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center.

from Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center https://www.myethosspa.com/diy-hair-removal-methods-that-dont-work/
via https://www.myethosspa.com

Get Your Cheeks Plumped with Injectable Cheek Fillers

Feeling like your cheeks are a little thin? Maybe you wish your cheeks would be more angular, or cast more of a shadow, or just have a bit more volume to them. No matter what you do, you might just not have the right bone structure, or age might leading to volume loss in your cheeks. That’s why you need injectable cheek fillers.

Injectable cheek fillers are growing in popularity, and it’s no surprise why: more and more patients are seeing the value in having their cheeks shaped and volumized to perfectly complement the rest of their face.

In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about cheek fillers and the cheek filler procedure.

What Are Cheek Fillers?

Cheek fillers are essentially dermal fillers that are specifically injected into the cheeks. Dermal fillers are gel-like, soft injectables that are injected beneath the surface of the skin. They are used for a variety of common cosmetic applications, such as smoothing lip lines, volumizing lips and nasolabial folds, lifting cheekbones, reducing circles under the eyes, volumizing the hands, and of course, filling in the cheeks.

Dermal filler products come in both synthetic and naturally-occurring formulas. The most popular formulas use hyaluronic acid or HA as their base substance. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that is produced by the body, helping the skin with rejuvenation, augmentation, hydration, and general skin health.

How Do Cheek Fillers Work?

When injected into the skin, the dermal filler process is determined by the formula of the product. In most formulas, particularly those that are made with hyaluronic acid, the gel sits underneath the skin, spreading in the area around the injection site.

After a period of six months or longer, the filler is gradually and safely absorbed into the body, after which another treatment is required to maintain results and beauty.

With the gel injected into the cheeks, the hyaluronic acid or similar compound used in the formula acts to increase the volume and hydration of the cheeks, giving the cheeks a natural and healthy augmentation and fullness.

A major benefit of using injectables made with hyaluronic acid is that hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved by certain safe solutions. This means that if a patient is unhappy with their cheek filler, the provider can follow it up with a solution to force the filler to dissolve, rather than waiting for the filler to be naturally absorbed by the body.

Other safe and popular options are made out of polymethyl methacrylate, poly-L-lactic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, and autologous fat, which is fat that is sourced from the patient’s own body and injected into the treated area.

While each substance brings its own advantages and disadvantages to the table, hyaluronic acid fillers are the most popular choices due to their risk-free and immediate results.

Why Are Cheek Fillers Important?

While popular applications include injections around the lips and the eyes, most people are less aware of the potency of treatments around the cheek areas. So what exactly do cheek injectables accomplish?

Cheek injectables have a singular goal: defining the patient’s cheekbones. Many plastic surgeons and dermatologists agree that defined cheekbones are the foundation of a prominent and attractive facial bone structure.

When an individual has prominent cheekbones, their face automatically has a more elevated and lifted look, while the central shadow underneath the cheekbone creates a slimness and youthfulness to the upper and mid-face.

This treatment is also surprisingly customizable. While other treatments can be slightly more limited in how they are used, cheek injectables offer individuals many different choices in application. For example, people with round faces can customize the treatment to give them an angular face; people with thinner faces can focus on plumping their cheeks.

With the cheek treatment, here is more art to it than just adding volume to the treated area. The goal of the doctor or provider should be to complement the face with the cheek filler, to achieve a right and left facial symmetry, creating harmony out of the patient’s natural facial beauty.

Read more: Can You Combine Lip Fillers With Other Facial Treatments?

What is the Best Filler for the Cheeks?

How Do You Choose the Best Doctor?

Some doctors like to refer to cheek fillers as a “contouring treatment in a syringe.” However, it is important that you use the right compound, as well as the right technique. As we said above, strong cheekbones are the foundation of an attractive facial bone structure, but the cheekbones are a delicate area which can be easily overtreated.

If the patient and doctor use a cheek filler that is too harsh or overly effective, you run the risk of achieving a too-angular look, making the face look weird instead of attractive.

The best cheek fillers to choose are those with formulas that contain a hyaluronic acid base, as well as fillers that have a higher viscosity. High viscosity options are more difficult to spread as they have greater firmness. When treating the cheeks, you want fillers that will stay in their intended injection site, to create the cheekbone prominence that you are looking for.

Most doctors recommend Juvederm Voluma for cheek fillers, as Juvederm Voluma is made with hyaluronic acid and is known for its high viscosity. Individuals who are treated with Juvederm Voluma see their cheeks lift up without becoming too angular, which could possibly resemble a plastic facial implant.

The Ideal Candidate for Cheek Fillers

As these are a noninvasive and nonsurgical treatment, most people can be safely and successfully treated with injectables around the face, including the cheeks. The ideal candidates for cheek fillers are those who:

• Don’t smoke
• Are physically healthy
• Completely understand the filler process, and the potential results and expectations afterwards
• Are aware of proper after-care methods after the treatment
• Have faces that can be complemented by cheek fillers (consult your chosen provider or doctor about whether or not a filler treatment is appropriate for you)

Price: How Much Does It Cost for Cheek Fillers?

The exact price of your cheek filler treatment will depend on a number of factors, including the expertise of your provider or doctor, the location of your treatment, and the amount of filler required for your cheeks.

On average, you can expect a range of $1000 to $4000 for a complete filler treatment.

Non-Filler Treatments for Defined Cheeks

Dermal fillers are by far the easiest and least invasive way to increase the prominence of your cheekbones or to add volume to your cheeks. Cheeks and cheekbones are a difficult area to treat with other methods, and the only other treatment to volumize deflated cheeks is a facial implant.

Facial implants provide permanent beauty results, but they also require long and tedious surgery, which is why many individuals these days opt for cheek fillers instead.

The Cheek Filler Experience: Everything You Need To Know

Before the Procedure

Choosing a Trusted Provider

Before any treatment, it is important that you choose a doctor or provider that you can trust. Due to the high cost of this treatment, there is a growing black-market dermal filler presence, for DIY usage as well as practitioners who provide the treatment for much more affordable costs, but use questionable products.

Anything that is injected in the skin should be FDA-approved for absolutely safety, as there can be dangerous complications that arise when unsafe products are used during treatments by untrained practitioners. In some cases, off-brand gels are made of nonsterile substances (commonly hair gel or plastic compounds).

Hair gel based fillers or plastic compounds can often lead to skin cell death, dangerous infections, wildly allergic reactions, and in some cases, embolism, which can cause blindness.

If you are tempted to purchase an off-brand derma filler or have your treatment done by an unlicensed and more affordable practitioner, note that the FDA has released an official warning, advising consumers to avoid Internet options as they might be contaminated and harmful.

Consultation

Once you have chosen a trusted provider or clinic, a consultation will be set up between you and your doctor prior to the treatment. During this consultation, you and your doctor will discuss:

• Your goals and expectations with the filler treatment
• Any existing allergies, medical conditions, and ongoing medical treatments
• Any medications or supplements that you might be on
• Any drug use, alcohol, or smoking
• The expected results, as well as how they will last
• What the treatment will hope to accomplish, and how the injectable will be used to actively shape and contour your face

During the Procedure

The procedure itself is quite simple. The patient will come in on the scheduled day of the treatment, and the procedure begins with the patient’s face being numbed, to avoid any pain from the injections. The numbing process should take no longer than five minutes.

After the face has been numbed, the cheeks will then be drawn on, so the doctor can position the exact injection sites for proper filler placement. The injectables are then injected into the cheeks and surrounding area; this process should take no longer than five to ten minutes.

You should not expect to see results immediately after the procedure.

After the Procedure

Possible Side Effects

After the procedure, it is typical for a patient to experience minor swelling around the injection sites. To reduce the swelling, you can apply ice to the swollen areas, however this should not be necessary as the swelling will naturally go away after just a few days. After the swelling, any previous volume loss should start to improve.

It is important that you have your treatment performed by an experience and trusted professional, as serious side effects only generally occur when the treatment has been incorrectly performed. As stated above, some serious possible side effects when treated by a non-professional include:

• Embolism
• Skin cell death
• Allergic reactions

How Long Do Cheek Fillers Last For?

The lifespan of the filler dermal in your cheek depends on a number of factors, most importantly on the natural metabolic rate your body breaks down and absorbs the hyaluronic acid gel, which can slightly vary from person to person.

However, typically a patient can expect a dermal filling injection to last and continuously improve for as little as 6 months, to an average of 10 to 12 months, with some individuals even still seeing results 18 months after their procedure.

While this might disappoint some readers, note that there is nothing stopping you from getting a treatment again once your results begin to fade. Many patients choose to book a treatment every nine to ten months to maintain their ideal beauty structure and volume results in their cheeks.

Set Your Cheek Filler Appointment with Ethos Spa Today

It is crucial that you have your cheek fillers done by a trusted professional, and at Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center, we are home to one of the most trusted dermal filler teams in the New Jersey area. Search no further for the ideal cheek filler provider close to you!

We have performed countless cheek filler procedures on patients young and old, and can help you craft the ideal facial structure with your cheekbone and face shape. We do more than just volumize your cheeks – we understand the art of contouring the face to make it the best version of itself it can be. We treat all parts of the face to increase a patient’s beauty – lips, nasolabial folds, eyes, and more.

Call or message us today, and begin your journey to your ideal treatment with doctors you can trust. Let us help you with your search for maximum beauty. Your perfect close up is just days away.

The post Get Your Cheeks Plumped with Injectable Cheek Fillers appeared first on Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center.

from Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center https://www.myethosspa.com/injectable-cheek-fillers/
via https://www.myethosspa.com

Lip Fillers Comparison: Restylane vs Juvederm

The two most popular choices of dermal fillers for lip treatments are Restylane and Juvederm, but how do you know which lip filler is better for you? Picking the right lip filler can define your entire lip filler experience, from your results to the side effects to the cost.

So which dermal filler is better for the lips, Restylane or Juvederm? Truthfully, there is no clear answer – Restylane and Juvederm are both highly rated hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that provide their own solutions to common lip issues, such as vertical lines and thin lips.

In this article, we discuss the differences between these two dermal fillers, helping you understand which dermal filler is best for you.

Why It’s Important to Choose the Best Lip Filler For You

If it’s your first time getting a lip filler, you might just think that all lip fillers are the same, or that it doesn’t matter which one you pick, but this actually isn’t true. The differences between lip filler types and lip filler brands are huge, and can change your entire experience with getting a lip filler.

Your choice of lip filler can shape a number of factors in the outcome of your treatment, such as:

• The stiffness of the filler
• The area most influenced by the filler, whether the lip border (also known as the vermillion border), the lip shape, or the lip body
• The down time after the treatment
• The time it takes for best results to show
• The cost
• The possible side effects

Like most potential patients, you might be tempted to ask your lip filler doctor or provider, “What is the best filler for lips available?” While this might not be a case of one-size-fits-all, there are two popular brands that most patients pick: Restylane and Juvederm. So which will work best for you: Restylane VS Juvederm for lips?

What is the Difference Between Restylane and Juvederm?

Restylane and Juvederm are similar in certain ways – both are dermal fillers which contain hyaluronic acid to plump up the lips and reduce wrinkles around the area. These dermal fillers can be applied to the patient in noninvasive (nonsurgical) methods.

There are a few crucial differences between Restylane and Juvederm. The main difference is their results – while Restylane Silk is known for treating lip lines and increasing lip augmentation, Juvederm Volbella XC is most commonly used for giving lips a mild plump and reducing any vertical lines right below the nose; Juvederm Ultra XC is most commonly used for plumping up the lips and contains lidocaine.

Restylane and Juvederm are both composed of the same foundational ingredients, however they show differences in side effects, cost, results, and terms of use. Below we compare each of their differences:

1. Effects

Restylane Effects – The Restylane product used for lip treatments is known as Restylane Silk, which was the first FDA-approved fillers in lips in the US. Restylane advertises itself as the best dermal filler option for patients looking for smooth, silky, and natural lips.

Doctors generally recommend Restylane for patients most bothered by lip lines and in need of lip augmentation. While there are other Restylane products for the lips, Restylane Silk is the most common choice for fillers in the lips.

Juvederm Effects – Unlike Restylane, Juvederm has two products for its fillers for lips line: Juvederm Volbella XC and Juvederm Ultra XC with lidocaine. Juvederm Volbella XC is best used for slight increase to lip volume and washing away vertical lines above the upper lip; Juvederm Ultra XC is specifically formulated to provide filler lips augmentation with lidocaine.

When using either Restylane and Juvederm, it is important to remember that your side effects can also depend on the type of lip treatment you get. A lip plump can lead to bruising and other symptoms that can last up to two weeks, while lip line treatment side effects might just last a week with or without pain.

2. Procedure Time

Restylane Procedure Time – A lip filler treatment involving Restylane injections should take anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes per procedure. You can expect lip treatments to require shorter procedure times as compared to procedures on other parts of the face simply because there is a much smaller injection area to treat.

Juvederm Procedure Time – Juvederm and Restylane should take the same injection treatment time, anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Results

Restylane Lip Results – Restylane results can take a few days to start to show, but once they appear, ideal results will settle in almost immediately. Patients can expect results to last 10-12 months before they begin to fade.

Juvederm Lip Results – Unlike Restylane, patients can expect to see immediate results with Juvederm. Your ideal results should provide you with 12 months Juvederm lip results, before you can begin to see it fade.

4. Best Candidates

While both treatments might have FDA approval, they aren’t necessarily made for everyone. Both Restylane and Juvederm bring risks to the table that the patient should be prepared to deal with.

Restylane Best Candidates – For Restylane, patients should be at least 21 years old. They should also have no history of illnesses or medical complications that might lead to issues upon injection. These include bleeding disorders, any history of allergic reaction to lidocaine or hyaluronic acid, and any inflammatory conditions of the skin, including rosacea and eczema.

Juvederm Best Candidates – Juvederm’s candidate criteria are similar to Restylane’s – the dermal filler should only be injected to patients at least 21 years of age, and they should have no history of skin or bleeding disorders, and no allergic reaction to lidocaine or hyaluronic acid.

5. Dermal Filler Cost

The first thing you should be aware of is that health insurance does not cover dermal fillers. This is because dermal fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are categorized as aesthetic procedures, particularly when they are used to fill in the lips.

While this might limit some potential patients, the good news is that these treatments are much more affordable than surgery and demand zero downtime.

The exact cost of your procedure will depend on a number of factors, including your area, the expertise of your provider or doctor, and any other specifics of your treatment. In general, the average cost of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers as recorded by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons falls at $682 for a single procedure. Contact your chosen provider for a more relevant quoted estimate.

Restylane Average Costs – When dealing with the cost of a dermal filler procedure, patients should be aware that they are paying per syringe of dermal filler. Restylane Silk can cost anywhere from $300 to $650 per syringe, depending on the location of your treatment and where the filler is injected.

Juvederm Average Costs – Juvederm products tend to cost slightly more than Restylane products. While some providers price their Juvederm for lip treatments at anywhere from $500 to $600 per syringe, other providers can be seen pricing their injections at $600 to $900 each.

While it might seem like a better idea to select Restylane due to its more affordable cost, note that Juvederm tends to last slightly longer than Restylane, meaning you would need fewer treatments, saving you money in the long run.

6. Side Effects

Many patients make the mistake of believing that noninvasive procedures are risk-free, simply because no surgery is involved. However, noninvasive treatments such as Restylane and Juvederm can still possibly lead to minor side effects.

Side effects as a result of dermal fillers are typically caused by a negative unexpected reaction of your skin to the formula. Some formulas simply don’t work well with some people, leading to issues such as scarring or irritation.

Restylane Possible Side Effects – Patients who undergo Restylane treatment in their lips can possible experience the following mild side effects:

• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Redness
• Swelling

More rarely, serious side effects can occur as well. These include:

• Death of the skin tissues around the injection point, also known as necrosis
• Infection
• Skin color changes, also known as hyperpigmentation

Patients who have inflammatory conditions of the skin, bleeding disorders, smoke, and any other relevant medical history should inform their doctor or provider prior to the procedure.

Juvederm Possible Side Effects – Juvederm generally brings about the same possible mild and serious side effects, including swelling, redness, tenderness, and bruising, as well as necrosis, scarring, and hyperpigmentation.

Some patients also occasionally report numbness, slight pain, and dry skin around their lips, however this should only last up to a few days after the treatment.

Remember: it is crucial that you pick a provider or doctor with years of experience providing successful dermal filler treatments to patients. While some complications are caused by a negative reaction between the patient’s lips and the dermal filler, most problems are caused by inexperienced providers with improper injection technique.

Want to Avoid Side Effects?

If you want to make sure that your lip filler experience is as easy and pain free as possible, there are a few steps you can take to prepare your body for the procedure. These include:

• Avoid extreme temperatures after the injection procedure, until minor side effects such as swelling or redness are gone (Juvederm encourages patients to avoid excessive sun exposure, and Restylane encourages patients to avoid cold temperatures)
• Avoid alcohol, tanning beds, and strenuous physical activity for 24 to 48 hours after the injections, as these can possibly add stress to your body during its initial healing
• Minor side effects such as redness and swelling are normal, and should fade away after 1-2 weeks, or just a few days. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact your provider or doctor immediately

Which Filler Is Best for Lips? Ask the Experts

There is no clear winner here – as we said above, the best lip filler is the one that fits you and what you are looking for most.

If you are still struggling to pick your desired lip filler, it might be time to make an appointment at Ethos Spa, Skin and Laser Center, home of the most trusted dermal filler experts in New Jersey. We have assisted countless patients with lip fillers as well as other cosmetic procedures, and can help you figure out which lip filler will work best for you.

Contact us and let us help you choose your ideal lip filler today!

The post Lip Fillers Comparison: Restylane vs Juvederm appeared first on Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center.

from Ethos Spa Skin and Laser Center https://www.myethosspa.com/lip-fillers-comparison-restylane-vs-juvederm/
via https://www.myethosspa.com