Our staff gets asked this question all the time. With all of the fillers on the market, which one is right for me. First, you have to know that fillers can be categorized by their main ingredient. The most widely used fillers today are based on hyularonic acid, which is a compound that is naturally occuring in our bodies. It is what gives our skin its elasticity. Fillers made from this compound are Juvederm, Restylane, and others. These fillers last anywhere from 6 months to a year. Then, there are are other fillers made of collagen. These are Cosmoplast, Cosmoderm, etc. These fillers typically only last a few months after being injected.
Some of the newer fillers on the market are Radiesse and Evolence. Radiesse uses a calcium-based compound to deposit particles under the skin which then promote the generation of collagen creating a lattice-like structure under the skin. Evolence is a new formulation of collagen which lasts up to 12 months - much more than the traditional collagen-based fillers of the past. Then, there are other semi-permanent or permanent fillers like Sculptra. Most people stay away from these, because these generally cannot be removed once injected and they are not absorbed.
Posted by: Joe in Smartlipo, liposuction on
Oct 2, 2009
There was a recent story in the news about a liposuction case gone wrong that really captured many people's attention (see story at this link: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/weston/sfl-tanning-nurse-b092909,0,3203465.story). This story involves a nurse that had a liposuction procedure performed in a tanning salon/spa by a licensed doctor at a facility that was not licensed. While the details of the case are not clear as to why the nurse has lapsed in to a comma and is now on life support, one thing is clear, the facility was not licensed by the state to perform such procedures. Further, the doctor who performed the procedure was not trained as a surgeon.
This leads me to this thought - if you're going to trust someone with a medical procedure (like SMARLIPO - http://www.pamedspa.biz/smartlipo-laser-liposuction.html), why not check on the credentials? To be sure, in Florida and California there are many fly-by-night operators who skirt the state regulations and perform discounted procedures, but what is the real risk? The real risk is that for a savings of a few hundred dollars, this patient in Florida is now fighting for her life. Is it worth it?
Our approach has always been and always will be that we do not aim to provide the cheapest service. We provide a value based service. We deliver the highest possible value at a fair price without compromising safety or efficacy. Our ability to reduce our prices comes from efficient operations and leveraging our vendor relationships. You, our client, benefit from our expertise, both as a medical practice and as an efficiently run business. We believe this is a recipe for success, not only our business, but ultimately for our clients.
