Finally! A new video blog to help navigate the types of hyaluronic acids for lip injections!
Xoxo, LK
(I have like 15 half finished videos 🙊 I’m going to be posting more regularly-I swear!) check out my before and afters on instagram @EstheticsCenterNE
How To Get A Bigger Butt
Over the past 10 years the number of legitimate butt implants has increased over 140% according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The number of fat grafting buttock lifts (Brazilian Butt Lift) is climbing at similar rate to implants. Again, the Kardashian's influence over society.
On the one hand, they really have opened the medical aesthetic market and probably saved it from collapse (there's an implant joke in here somewhere). They do offer a lot of information to the public (although they manipulate the information they give so always remember–unless you are talking to an ACTUAL expert, information about plastic surgery, injectables, or skincare has no validity or reliability!) They are however… idiots, for lack of a better word and are grossly miseducating the public on procedures. I'm not sure if I owe them royalties or not, but hopefully people who are planning on booking appointments in my office will have a better understanding of the procedures I offer.
There are 3 legal, safe, FDA-approved options to achieve that "Brazilian Butt Lift" (I mean BESIDES squats all day long).
Butt Implants
Personally, I don't find this route to be the most aesthetically pleasing, and only know ONE person who has had a butt implant and been extremely happy and had no complications with this procedure (and this particular person does not have the most natural looking result, but they are happy with it!). There can be extreme complications with putting a silicone implant in an area that is either in motion or bearing large amounts of weight (or both). Recovery is extreme and painful, and should there be a complication (this surgery has a very high infection rate) you're looking at up to 6 months out of work. Even with a smooth procedure, long term complications such as the development of infection and shifting of the implant are possible.
Surgical Butt Implants should be performed by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Implants can be different sizes, shapes, and put in different places to achieve the aesthetic outcome the patient is looking for. Be sure to discuss your expectations for projection, size, and proportion to other areas of your body (like hips!).
Fat Transfer
In order to transfer fat, you must HAVE fat to transfer. Plan on needing to be 10-20 lbs over the appropriate weight for your body prior to transfer (your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will tell you exactly what you need to weigh for the treatment). This is a hard concept for a lot of my clients to understand. You have to actually be able to grab the fat away from the vital organs that it protects. Skin is not fat. It can be just as hard for some people to gain weight as it is for others to loose it. If you have a hard time gaining weight, a fat transfer may be a waste of money for you.
Immediately post transfer, expect a dramatic result, but do not expect that as the final result. Remember, not all the fat will graft, and there is a signfiant amount of swelling post transfer. It is important not to overfill the buttocks when doing a transfer, even though you might think you should to get more fat to graft. The increased pressure from overfilled, stretched skin may actually cause the fat to die. Recovery time is minimal, and you should follow any post-treatment instructions given to you by your plastic surgeon.
I do think this is a great option (I personally do not do ANY surgical procedures in my office, but have seen MANY excellent fat transfers–I especially see great results for Brazilian Butt-Lifts in Miami! If this is something that interests you, I'm happy to pass along a great board-certified MD–the experience of the Dr. matters! Do not do this procedure with a general surgeon!
Non-Surgical Options
This is what I have to offer to the mix. I have been injecting Sculptra for it's intended FDA-approved use for about 8 years, and over the past 2 years, I've been doing TONS of it. I've always found it to be one of the best investments anyone can make in their skin, but it the hardest treatment to explain in terms of investment value. Sculptra is not immediate, it takes multiple vials, and multiple treatments which correlate to the amount of collagen loss the patient had to start, and what their expectations are. Although it is a commitment of time and money upfront, it is much more cost effective and natural looking than fillers. My mother has had sculptra treatments, and personally I would love to be injected with sculptra (I can't inject myself). If you are a yoga person or a runner, sculptra is FOR YOU!
Anyways, back to butts…
Sculptra Aesthetic is made with biocompatible, biodegradable, synthetic material called poly-L-lactic acid, which is gradually and naturally absorbed by the body and helps to rebuild lost collagen through a series of treatments. The specialist injects treatment within the deep dermis, where strands of collagen support your skin’s structure. For significant volume increase, a session of sculptra for the buttocks is 6-10vials, and 2-3 treatments 6-8weeks apart are required. The low-end cost for one treatment is about $6,000 and can be up to $12,000 PER TREATMENT.
This procudure is certainly not affordable to the average person, BUT this product doesn't need to be done singularly. For patients who have previously had a fat transfer, and need more defined sculpting done in certain areas, this can be a great adjunct treatment. If there is a small area of indentation, assymetry, or concavity that bothers you, sculptra might be a cost-effective option.
Combination Therapy For Butt Augmentation
Sculptra should be discussed with anyone who is planning on undergoing a fat transfer prior to thier surgical appointment. Just like any other aesthetic investment, managing expectations are vital, and although the expectations of the treatment are explained and discussed during Informed Consent, the patient should also have an idea of what follow up treatments they may require and their cost.
As of publication of this post, these are the ONLY safe, FDA-approved (but still considered off-label) procedures you should even CONSIDER undergoing. Yes, all of these options are expensive, but if you cut costs and receive something other than these 3 options, there is a high chance you will have severe complications such as necrosis (tissue death), limb loss, or even ACTUAL death. But first you'll pay up in hospital fees, because complications of elective, non-FDA approved procedures–insurance will not be covering those costs. PLEASE do not put anything in your body that isn't safe!
How to Get Rid of Cellulite
Guess what! A variation of this procedure gets rid of cellulite. Treatments for cellulite have traditionally been disappointing for the consumer, but this treatment is awesome! Stay tuned for more blog posts on sculptra for cellulite reduction!
Although not a new technique, this skin care treatment is certainly the hottest trend right now. This procedure, also known as Micro-Needling, is clinically-proven for treating aging, pigmentation, and scar tissue, and recently, stretch marks.
This minimally invasive procedure uses a sterile, automated, micro-sized needle device system to build up the connective tissue in the lower skin layers (dermal layers) while keeping intact the protective layers of the skin (epidermal layers). In fact, CIT is the only skin rejuvenation treatment to target and regulate all 3 skin cells (keratinocyte, melanocyte and fibroblast) without compromising the integrity of the epidermis.
Controlling the depth, angle, pressure, and speed of the needle is imperative to the safety and outcome of the treatment, and cannot be done effectively with manual rollers (dermal rollers).
How Does It Work?
Collagen Induction Therapy works by creating a controlled “injury” to the skin, resulting in a systematic interaction of complex cellular events. In order to work effectively, the mechanical stimulation of the dermis must activate a wound healing response, but the wound must close quickly or scar tissue will form.
CIT can penetrate the skin anywhere from 0.5 mm to 2mm depending on the depth of the skin condition needing remediation. The skin bleeds slightly but for only a short period (seconds). When the dermis is penetrated by the needle, the skin activates the complex cascade of growth factors that eventually result in collagen production.
By inducing the healing response system in a controlled manor, scarless healing and normalized collagen structures result. The growth factors released stimulate regenerative healing (collagen forms from the base upwards) resulting in type III collagen or healthy collagen as opposed to the growth factors released when the epidermis is damaged by ablative or heat methods, which result in cicatricial healing (collagen forms from the top down) and is type I collagen or scar collagen.
As the collagen matures and remodels, it tightens the skin. A thickening of the epidermis by as much as 40% has been observed.
Because there is no heat involved in the process, there is a low risk of post-inflammatory hyper-pigmentation, making it safe for all skin types.
Enhanced Product Penetration
The “wounds” created by the needles also act as channels through the skin layers, and therefore a product will penetrate deeper into the skin when applied topically. Large molecules that cannot typically pass through the epidermis alone, such as hyaluronic acid, will penetrate very effectively through the channels.
Although channels should close 15-20 minutes post-treatment, it is imperative post-care involves using ONLY the topical products instructed by the provider to avoid any reactions.
This makes a great treatment with Platelet Rich Plasma…. Blog coming soon!
Micro-Needling VS. Alternative Treatments
This system has many benefits compared to other more invasive and painful treatment options.
Basically, it was so impressive that after reading about it and seeing it done on a surgical scar, I tried to buy it an hour later. It’s been the longest three weeks of my life. 😒. But my new employee HAS a micro-needling system. So for your viewing pleasure…. I had it done (and I skipped out on Pure Barre I wanted to do it so bad!). (Also… I was planning on going to the Container Store… As I mention in the video–totally worth it!).
Although I am very red in the video, by the time I left the office it only looked like a slight sunburn.
A few hours later my face peeled like crazy. I was sloughing off layers of skin while I applied hyaluronic acid. I thought I eould continue to peel, and didn’t immediately take a picture. By the time I woke up the peeling had subsided.
Not everyone will experience peeling, but if you do, don’t pick at it!
Post-procedure care
It is imperative patients follow post-care instructions after professional Collagen Induction Therapy.
For more information…. Stay tuned!
Post Treatment Day 1
Patients have been thrilled with this treatment. For more information, A Girlfriends Guide to Vampire Facelifts a first hand account from Kim as she describes her treatment with me.
or at least look like your Facebook photos!
Ok, so I haven’t yet gone to any of my reunions… I run into people from my High School every now and again (you know… While I’m Botoxing them in my office….). It is always great to catch up with the people who knew you when… Unless you don’t like them. Then it’s great to look better then they do.
As as for the ex-boyfriend factor… Personally, I ran into one of my high school ex’s recently… Ehhhh what was I thinking?!?!?!!!!!! (Dad, you were right about all my boyfriends!). Even so, it can’t hurt to look uber attractive at a big reunion. I just picture Romy and Michelle… Inventing post-it notes. Ugh… And that AWEFUL football player. Insert theme music: time after time. Love that song. Sorry… I digress!
A reunion is as good a reason as any to want to look good. Feeling good about yourself physically boosts your positive self-image and brings out an all-around better you! And what could be more attractive then that?
So get pumped, start that diet, buy some AMahZing shoes, check out my video, and make them jealous. Or just have fun… 🙂
The line that forms between the eyes as we age is called the glabellar crease. Because of the way it looks, it is sometimes referred to as a “1” or an “11.”
I look like my mother.
People always ask me why I’m angry, I’m not.
This line bothers many women as they age, and these two statements are common complaints in my office. Deep lines between the eyes make you look angry, less approachable, and let’s face it: like your mother!
Botox and other neurotoxins will relax the lines between the eyes to give a fresh, less angry look. I consider Botox in this area to be the gate-way drug to injectables.
When should you inject your Glabella?
Actually, it is better to start treatments earlier. If you have a line in this area, you are a good candidate for Botox, no matter how old you are (as long as you’re 18! Or a Kardashian I suppose!). Botox is preventative; it will keep lines from getting worse, and you will actually need less product and fewer treatments.
A Botox treatment between the eyes ranges from 20-35 units typically. The stronger the muscle, the more Botox required to relax it. When using higher doses, the possibility of side-effects also increases. It is more likely to get a drooping eye at larger doses. Large doses also result in a “waxy” or “embalmed” look, a tell-tale sign of Botox that most Bostonians find undesirable.
Will Botox Get Rid of Your Line?
Not always.
If you do not get the correct dose of Botox, your line may not completely go away. If a small dose was injected, you can return additional units 1-2 weeks post-injection, but again this increases the chances of side-effects.
Fillers in the Glabellar Crease
If you stretch the skin between the eyebrows, and you still have a line, Botox injections will not completely get rid of it. In which case, you would require a filler.
If you are told you need a filler, be sure to have Botox injections at least two weeks prior. This freezes the muscle and gives the injector an easier medium to work with. Patients who do not have Botox first often complain the filler looks and feel like a big lump.
Fillers will last a very long time in this area if you keep up with regular Botox treatments.
What Filler?
It depends on what the crease looks like after Botox. I’ve used every type of Hyaluronic acid in the glabellar crease. My preference is usually for Restylane or Belotero, but I have recently tried Restylane Silk, and I think it is a great product for this area as well.
So… If you are feeling happy on the inside, but looking angry on the outside, Botox and fillers may be a good idea!
A New Addition to the Restylane Family
Restylane Silk is now FDA approved for submucosal implantation for lip augmentation and dermal implantation for correction of perioral rhytids (smoker’s lines) and it is currently available on the US market. This product provides a subtle solution to aging signs around the lip and mouth area. It’s greatest quality is subtle enhancement; your lips will not look “done” or “artificial.”
Hyaluronic Acid for Lip Augmentation
Although Restylane Silk is the first product to be FDA approved for lips, we have been using other products for years. Juvederm and Restylane are commonly used to augment the lips in an “off-label” treatment (FDA approval costs millions of dollars and takes many years. These products are all very safe to inject in the lips by a trained professional).
These products, along with Belotero, are all in the hyaluronic acid family. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sugar your body naturally produces; these products are synthetic gels. Because your body naturally makes this sugar, the chances of being allergic are almost zero. This family of products IS reversible, if for any reason, you are unhappy with the results.
The molecular structure of Silk is smaller, and the product flows to where it is needed. It doesn’t over bulk, and is a perfect finishing agent for fine lines.
Which product is best is really dependent on who the client is, and what result they want. If you are looking for subtle and natural lip augmentation, Restylane Silk is the product for you!
My Experience
At the beginning of March, I was told this product would be available and I was so excited to try it. Lip augmentation has always been a specialty of mine, and I was told “I would love this product for the vermillion border” (where the color changes from pink to skin-toned).
I was excited to try it, but my idea of an “ideal” client for this product was way off! I first tried it on a 24 year-old patient. She (and I for that matter) were not impressed, it looked like nothing was done. Then I realized I was supposed to be using it for a whole different population of client. The older patient who didn’t want to look like anything was done! Oops… Probably should have read the email about the product FIRST.
So then I tried it on an employee in her 50’s. The results blew me away! Like always, the pictures do the results no justice. 
The final result is very natural looking. It is hard to see from the picture, but the before has a defined ridge above the lip, which is SO much improved with the Silk injections. (The spray tan and make-up can throw you off in the after pictures.)
The technique used to inject this product is VERY different than previous products used to treat lips. If incorrectly injected, the product will not give you the best results, cause swelling, and has been reported as painful by patients. This product requires the knowledge and expertise of a skilled injector.
I had a few clients trial the product (including my awesome mom!). They sent me their after pictures via text. Again, not the greatest quality pictures, but every client was extremely happy with the results and gave great feedback. (Thank you ladies!).
Final Thoughts
Because the typical Silk client is older, make sure you consider timing in booking an appointment for this procedure. Like any injectable product, swelling and bruising are always a possibility. You want to avoid icing post-procedure to allow the product to smoothly integrate into the tissue. If you have a big meeting at work the next day, you probably should reschedule (…the meeting OBVIOUSLY! Who wants to wait for such amazing results! Plus, then the meeting will go better with your new confidence!).
How long will a bruise last? Remember everyone is different. Some people don’t bruise at all. Check out my blog on bruising info.
Other Uses
I read Silk was also a fabulous filler to use in the glabellar crease… Blog post coming soon!
For questions or to book an appointment with me, call my office at 781-235-4957. You can also book online at http://www.LauraKimberleyRN.com.
Don’t worry! You can be fixed!
There are plenty of scary things on the internet about aesthetic injectables gone wrong, and although I hate to add fuel to that fire (because majority of the time the result is amazing!), I had a client come see me over the holidays who was having one of such situations (not from me!). She allowed her pictures to be used, so should someone else experience a similar situation, they would hopefully find her story!
Remember, no one is every perfect, and filler is meant to improve your natural beauty.
I have had many people contact me about tear troughs. Belotero is a game changer for this area, and I LOVE the results from it. I am very experienced with this area and this product. If you are seeking tear trough augmentation, make sure you seek out someone who specializes in it!
Because Photoshop doesn’t work in person… only on the internet!
Want a good photographer? Everyone should have one! Check out one of my favorite fashion photographers, Alyssa Silvestri.
More info on Belotero? Check out my previous blogs!
Check out my video blog on YouTube:
One of my favorite procedures to do since the introduction of Belotero Balance in the United States last October.
The tear trough is a grooved demarcation where the cheek skin meets the much thinner and highly vascular eye skin. Because of the anatomy of this area, a thinner hyaluronic acid like Belotero is the perfect product (Belotero: The Buzz.). It does not last as long as the more viscous hyaluronic acids, but it also has fewer complications.
Treatments in the middle third of the face, which contains the eyes, nose, and cheeks, require an aesthetic eye and advanced knowledge of facial anatomy. Filling the tear trough area often requires cheek augmentation as well in order to look natural. The cheeks can require a large amount of product depending on the degree of volume depletion. Make sure you discuss this with your injector prior to injections!
This is a very advanced procedure, make sure you check out before and after pictures before being injected! Many practioners do not offer this procedure because of the advanced training and skill it requires. When done correctly, it looks AMAZING. I’m not even a very good iPhone photographer, and I have some great before and after’s on my Pinterest and in other blog posts:
I hope you enjoyed my video. They are really hard to make!
The 40-52 year-old age group continues to be the majority of Botox recipients, but injections continue to become increasingly popular amongst younger clients (ASPS 2013 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report).
It’s Never too Soon to Start Botox!
One in four women over the age of 30 is interested in learning more about Botox injections. It is around this age we start to really notice fine lines on our faces. It is actually better to start treating the fine lines of the face at a younger age, preventing the fine lines from becoming deeply etched “railroad tracks,” as one patient of mine in her early 30’s, L.M., so lovingly called her forehead.
There is no specific age that is “perfect;” it’s never too late to start, and so long as you’re over the age of 18 and you have wrinkles forming at rest, you are a candidate for Botox injections. I have a few clients in their lower 20’s with the skin of a 40 year old. The scale we use to determine the age your skin looks is called the Glogau Scale.
Does your skin look the age it should according to the Glogau Scale? If you think your skin looks older than it should don’t put off trying Botox because you think you need to wait to be a certain age to start. Botox will prevent the premature advancement of mild to moderate wrinkles to “railroad track” status. Botox will completely erase mild to moderate lines with small “natural” looking doses. As lines progress into the advanced to severe stages, higher doses are necessary to soften the lines. At a certain point, Botox will not completely get rid of deep wrinkles, and fillers are needed in conjunction with Botox treatments. Yep… starts to get expensive. Starting early means less Botox needs to be injected, and if you keep up with it regularly, the amount you need will decrease in number of units and periods between treatment times, due to muscle atrophy (your muscles become weaker and more sensitive to the product. And your metabolism slows down… the one good thing about that is that the body doesn’t metabolize your Botox as fast. Or cake. Unfortunately. 😦
Being preventative is always the best approach to your health. SUNBLOCK is your first line of defense! But if you feel like your skin is looking older than it should, a lil Botox never hurt anyone.
I’d say a majority of my patients are in the 20-45 year old age range. It’s becoming more acceptable to openly talk about doing Botox amongst younger people. (Although there’s always that one person who has to put their negative opinion in the mix when it comes up. THEY would NEVER do it. Yea… I’ll see them in five years, when all their friends are doing it!).
L.M. started doing Botox a few years ago, and doesn’t regret it at all! Her cousin started coming with her to see me, who then brought her friends and her sisters. These women are all starting in their early 30’s, and they look amazing. You would have no idea they are doing Botox unless they told you. They are all health-conscious and hard working (ie not Desperate Housewives!). It is also such a bonding experience to share amongst your close friends. Nothing says friendship like a needle to the face… Errrrr…
If you’re thinking about doing Botox, talk to a professional about whether or not it’s right for you. And if there’s one quote I’ve heard over and over again it’s
No one ever regrets having kids, getting divorced, or doing Botox.
I wrote this post MONTHS ago… And I just made a corresponding video. So if you prefer the sound of my voice to actual reading Botox and Bruising vBlog. It does contain different information then the rest of this blog post. So feel free to read on!
A few months ago, Alyssa Sylvestri (a famous photographer/videographer), Sarah Victor (a super famous youtube make-up artist), and I (just plain super) had a business related girls day that was SUPER fun. This blog will prove it.
Sarah did my make-up. Then I injected her lips with Restylane and her forehead with Botox Cosmetic. She is now an addict and will be attending “I’m Young and Beautiful Forever Anonymous.”
Sarah asked me what kind of things my clients were interested in learning about when it came to make-up applications. Easy. You all HATE under eye circles (which I fix with Belotero and it’s so amazing, check out my Pinterest before and afters!). The other thing I thought of was how to cover a bruise.
And for some reason I cannot insert the link to this right now….
Moving on….
Bruising can happen. Period. End of Story. It’s the most likely “complication” when it comes to aesthetic medicine. I put the word complication in quotes because it’s not really technically a complication, but to some women it’s the worst possible thing that could happen to them. Ever. (These are called dramatic patients). Kidding! Kidding! But in all seriousness it sucks, but it will go away. I PROMISE.
A bruise is caused by blood leaking into the interstitial tissue. It can happen from any trauma. When you pierce the skin with a needle, you are creating trauma. But it’s totally worth it in the case of Botox and Fillers.
There are ways to prevent bruising.
AVOID THE FOLLOWING FOR 24-48 HOURS BEFORE AND AFTER INJECTIONS:
TAKE THE FOLLOWING FOR 24-48 HOURS BEFORE AND AFTER INJECTIONS:
DO NOT:
If you have more questions, make sure you consult your injector.
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