Monthly Archives: October 2014

Neotensil is now Available at Surgical Artistry

Botox for Crows feet now has a companion: Neotensil for under the eyes!

In addition to Botox around the side of the eyes, we now have Neotensil for under the eyes.

Neotensil is a liquid film which tighten under the eyes.
Neotensil is a liquid film which tighten under the eyes.

Info about Neotensil, now available in Modesto, California

The Neotensil info below was put together by Karla, who works in our Modesto Plastic Surgery Office:

Do we have anything nonsurgical that helps under the eyes?  Why yes we do, I’m glad you asked. We have a revolutionary new product called Neotensil.  Neotensil is great because it is a daily invisible film which shapes and tightens the bags and wrinkles under the eyes.  It is the only non-invasive, at-home procedure that reduces the appearance of under eye puffiness and wrinkles.  We saw the results for ourselves, and it’s really impressive.  It’s a great option for patients who are not interested in surgery, but would like eyes that look younger and refreshed.  Neotensil is exclusive to Obagi and doctor’s offices.  It’s only sold by physicians, so you will not find this product at Sephora or Ulta.  Finally, there is a non-surgical solution for the unwanted baggy eyes.  We are excited to be able to offer it to our patients.

How do you use it?  The application process takes about 5 min.  It’s an easy two-step topical application that you can use every day or for special occasions.  You put the products on and it starts tightening after about ten minutes, and it keeps tightening for the first few hours.  So, if you have an upcoming important event, and you’re worried about under eye puffiness, Neotensil will make you look even better in the matter of an hour!  It feels like liquid “Spanx” for your eyes.  The results last 16 hours and you just take it off with your makeup at the end of the day.

What does it do?  It is made with technology developed at MIT and Harvard.  They call it “shape-wear” – which lifts, smoothes, and tightens.  It not only helps reduce under eye puffiness, but it helps tighten the appearance of loose, sagging skin, reduces the appearance of wrinkles.  It also moisturizes up to 2x better than the leading over-the-counter cream, improving hydration.  While you have it on, it hydrates your under eyes and can help improve the hydration of your eyes over time.

How many applications come in the kit?  The kit comes with 50 applications, so it will last you about four months if you use it 3-4 times a week and almost two months if you use it every day.  When used once a week for special occasions, it could last a year.   The kit is $500 + tax.  When your eyes look good, it really brightens your whole face.

Can you wear your own concealer or make up over it?  Unfortunately not, customers are discouraged from wearing make-up under the eyes before or after the application.  Neotensil will improve the appearance of your under eyes but you cannot use your own makeup over it.  The Neotensil concealer has not been released, but check back with us.

How does it compare to Plastic Surgical Eyelid Surgery (blepharoplasty)?  Neotensil will not replace lower lid surgery, but rather is a therapy for those who are not ready for surgery or for some reason are not surgical candidates.

 

For more information about us or Neotensil:

Feel free to visit our Modesto Botox Home Page (www.InjectionArtistry.com).  On that page we have our contact information, please call us for more info!

 

Juvederm Voluma for the Lips?

Interesting Botox Questions and Filler Questions

Question #1 (first of a series I hope to compile).

Today our office got asked the questions from a patient who called the office:  “Can Juvederm Voluma be used for the lips?”  This is a great questions.   Lately it seems that I never have a straight forward answer.  But I’ll try to be straightforward with this Botox/Filler question.  The quick and dirty answer is: “YES.”

Can Juvederm Voluma be used for the lips?

The reason that this is an interesting question is that it is an off-label FDA usage question which can’t be answered legally by the drug company, Allergan who makes Botox, Latisse, Juvederm, etc.  However, I can attempt to answer the question as a doctor who injects Botox and Juvederm of all sorts including Voluma.  I have a practice in Modesto, CA.  And I would recommend that people see me in person before taking any of what I type here as personal advice.  Disclaimer:  The information here is just for general information purposes, it’s not meant to be medical advice.  Please visit my website for contact information so that I can see you as a patient in my office, in person, if you are seeking medical advice.  Website is:  www.InjectionArtistry.com – my Botox injection home page.

In general Juvederm Voluma is used in the cheeks

Cheek volumization with Voluma is the FDA indicated usage.  It has a possibility of lasting up to two years.

Two year indication in the cheeks

This is the main motivation for many people to ask if Juvederm Voluma can be used anywhere else – such as nasolabial folds or marionette lines – areas where Juvederm ultra or ultra plus has been used.  This includes the question about Voluma for lip augmentation.

The Duck Look for lips

If you are looking for very big duck-look for the lips, Juvederm Voluma could possibly be an excellent choice.

Lip augmentation with Voluma? How else could it be done.

There’s also the possibility of diluting down the Voluma with Saline – this would possibly gives the lips a softer look.

My personal preference for Lip Augmentation:

I prefer to use either Juvederm ultra or Juvederm ultra plus for the lips.  The XC versions of these products are excellent.  I would prefer not to use,  in my own practice Juvederm Voluma for the lips.  But in the hands of another injector,  Voluma might just be great for the lips.

2 years for the lips with voluma?

I would doubt that Juvederm Voluma would last that long in the lips.  Thus I’m not sure that I’m sold on the idea of using this product in the lip location.  But with the proper dilution, I think we could find ourselves a very versatile product for the the whole face!!

Summary on Voluma for lips:

  • No, it’s not usually used for lips, Voluma is usually used for cheeks
  • No, I don’t think it will last two years in the lips.  Probably more like 7-10 months?  That’s just an educated guess.
  • I think if it’s used on the lips, Voluma could be diluted
  • Voluma, if diluted could be used on many other parts of the face
  • My personal preference for Lip augmentation fillers is Juvederm Ultra or Ultra plus, especially the XC versions of those products.

Parting words

I do have a rambling style of writing – I think.  But this is my blog and I write however I want.  This page is meant to be a discussion about Juvederm Voluma and Lip augmentation.  This is not meant to be an advertisement in any way nor is this deemed to be medical advice of any sort.  And much of the discussion here is off-label FDA usage of Juvederm.

I hope you have found this page to be somewhat useful – especially if you are a colleage Botox/Juvederm injector.  Please feel free to visit my Botox Modesto WebPage.

Botox in Modesto – where to get Botox?

My List of Botox injectors in the Modesto Area

Of course, I’d say, hopefully for your BOTOX injections, you’ll come to me:  Calvin Lee, MD – Botox Surgeon in Modesto, CA.  My website is www.InjectionArtistry.com.

One of my Modesto patients who came to me for Botox, said to me that I must not get very much competition because I’m the only Botox injector she has heard of in Modesto.  I’m flattered, but I think she is very mislead somehow.  As a doctor, I’m always trying to find answers.   So I worked on this question of “who else injects Botox in Modesto?” (besides me and my wife – Dr. Tammy Wu, Plastic Surgeon).   Much of this comes from online sources on Botox-find-a-doctor from Allergan, and other companies who make neuromodulators such as Xeomin and Dysport.  So this is Botox Blog entry is the result of my little online research.

This list may not be complete or may even be out of date.  My source of info is directly from my Botox patients from informal conversations.  I hope this list will be of help if I am not available, etc.

A list of places to get Botox injections in Modesto, California

I’ve included nearby towns such as Oakdale, Ceres and Turlock.  These cities are within 25 miles of Modesto, CA (or more narrowly estimated: 20 mile radius).  The listing is in no particular order except that I had placed us first on the list, just because I’m the one making the list and that this is my BOTOX Blog.  Below is a list of Botox injectors, the list would be longer if I didn’t just focus mainly on Cosmetic Botox injections.  There are also neurological (Botox for Migraines), and urological uses for Botox, such as Botox for bladder spasm.  But these practitioners are not listed here.   On a personal note, I do Botox for migraine headaches and for hyperhidrosis (sweating), but I don’t do any Botox for the bladder.

Modesto Botox Injectors, a rough map from BotoxCosmetic.com. Notice that we're on the top right corner of the Modesto Map.
Modesto Botox Injectors, a rough map from BotoxCosmetic.com. Notice that we’re on the top right corner of the Modesto Map.

MODESTO BOTOX  –  Where to get Botox LOCATIONS

Calvin Lee, MD
Calvin Lee, MD
  1. Calvin Lee, MD: Surgical Artistry with Tammy Wu, MD (that’s us!) – Modesto – I am a board certified general surgeon
  2. Tammy Wu, MD Plastic Surgeon Modesto – board certified plastic surgeon
  3. Lisa Hunt – Modesto – may have moved.
  4. Vance Roget – Modesto
  5. Lorenzo Aguilar – Modesto
  6. John Willsen – Dermatology, Modesto, Turlock, Kaiser
  7. David Ruiz – Dermatology, Modesto, Kaiser.
  8. American Laser Centers – Florida Ave in Modesto (I’m not sure if this is in Modesto or Stockton, I’ve heard both, so I listed it here).
  9. Sashi Sood – Modesto Laser Soft – Hair Removal, Veins
  10. Hillock Family Dental – Donald Hillock, Modesto, CA
  11. Lars Enevoldsen – Plastic Surgeon Modesto, Skinfinite Solutions
  12. Theodore Staahl – Modesto – MD Laser Center
  13. Advanced Laser Clinic of Modesto
  14. Juan Del Valle, Modesto
  15. Catherine Biren – Modesto
  16. Kerry Evnin – Modesto – Above Lasers
  17. Purita Villaneuva – Modesto and Concord, CA
  18. Romeo Medical Clinic – Turlock, Modesto
  19. William Anderson – Turlock
  20. Dan G. Anderson – Modesto
  21. James Payne – Plastic Surgeon Modesto
  22. Grace Kwon-Hong – Skin Renew Laser Medical Ctr – Modesto
  23. Patrick Rhoades – Valley Laser Care – Modesto
  24. Dr. 95350 with Patrick Rhoades, Modesto
  25. Michael Schorr – Patterson, Modesto, Oakdale via visits to other doctors offices.
  26. MD Plus Medical Spa Skincare and Laser Center – Modesto – Grady Mixon, MD
  27. Central Valley Dermatology – Manteca
  28. Abbas Kashani – Kashani Facial Plastic Surgery – Manteca
  29. Anil Sain – Manteca
  30. Anjani Thakur – Turlock, Modesto
  31. Juan Del Valle – Modesto Health & Beauty Weight Loss Center Inc.
  32. Gary Wagner – Modesto
  33. Daniel Taheri – LA Laser Center and Skin Center – Modesto
  34. California Cosmetic Head/Neck Assoc -Turlock
  35. Amin Ashrafzadeh, MD – Modesto
  36. John West – Oakdale and Modesto – West Dermatology
  37. Hamid Amirsheybani, MD – Plastic Surgery, Modesto, Sutter-Gould
  38. Charles Suntra, MD – facial plastic surgery, Modesto, Sutter-Gould
  39. Kaiser departments of Neurology, Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, etc – Modesto
  40. Sutter Gould/Memorial Hospital departments of Neurology, Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, etc.  They have borrowed Botox from me in the past. – Modesto
  41. Bettina Harner – Neurology, Modesto Sutter
  42. Sara Hamidi – Turlock
  43. David Fuller – Modesto – Obagi Skin Care, Botox, Laser Procedures
  44. Blake Alexander – Modesto Dermatologist
  45. Wesley Wong, DDS, Modesto Dentist
  46. Corbin Kinser, DDS, Modesto Dentist
  47. Kimberly Cockerham, MD, Modesto, Manteca, Lodi, Tracy, Stockton Ophthalmologist
  48. Priscilla Morris, Modesto Anesthesiologist
  49. Modern Urgent Care, Botox in Ceres, California.
  50. Devinder Makker, Botox in Tracy, California
  51. Serenity Medspa & Chiropractic – Modesto, Michael Niccole (Orange County)
  52. A Perfect Finnish – Edmund Kemprud, Tracy, CA
  53. Janna Brocchini, NP  – Ripon, CA
  54. Gifty Aidoo, NP – Modesto, CA
  55. James J Daley – Ripon, CA
  56. Michael Niccole – Modesto, CA
  57. Joel Felix Ramirez Jr – Riverbank, CA
  58. Alonso Jose Martin Del Campo, MD – Modesto, CA / Serenity
  59. Shirley Van, MD – Dermatologist, Modesto, CA
  60. Nurse Alyssa, – Modesto, CA
  61. Nurse Danielle – Modesto, CA
  62. Nurse Jonna – Modesto, CA
  63. Sheila Dobbins, FNP – Modesto, CA
  64. Kacie Avey, RN – Sacramento, Elkgrove, Modesto – Dr. Enevoldsen’s office, Destination Aesthetics, and lately see below: Tailored Medical Spa in Escalon, CA
  65. Ari Blair, RN – Ripon CA
  66. Linda Tourtlotte – Modesto, CA
  67. Escalon Integrative Health – Escalon, CA
  68. John Bystrom, DC
  69. Urenewed – Ripon, CA
  70. Livewell – Turlock, CA
  71. Kacie Avey – Tailored Medical Spa, Escalon, California founded August 2020.
  72. Edward Joseph Stanford, MD – Modesto, CA with Serenity Med Spa & Chiropractic
  73. Christian Constantin Jones, MD – Turlock, CA – Golden State Dermatology
  74. Dr. Muazzum Aman – Escalon, CA
  75. Dr. Ali – Lodi and Modesto, Medical Director of Lux Beauty

Basically Kaiser and Sutter Gould above make up many different Botox injectors, not just one per group. Thus in general, I would say that there’s more than 35 injectors of Botox in the Modesto area.  35+ places to choose in Modesto to get your Botox injections.

Thus when people ask me where else they can get Botox injections in Modesto, I should tell them that there are more than 35 other places to get Botox in Modesto, and then direct them to this page.  Although I would secretly hope that they would stay or come to my office for Botox.

Sources of info for Modesto Botox injectors (and Dysport and Xeomin)

This list will change from time to time and may not be up to day and may not even be all that accurate.  But perhaps this will be of use to you if you are looking for Botox injections and Botox injectors in Modesto, California!  I’ve also included Dysport and Xeomin into this list in case people are looking for those products as well.

Many Choices for your Modesto Botox injections

Once again, hopefully for your BOTOX injections, you’ll come to me:  Calvin Lee, MD – Botox Surgeon in Modesto, CA.  My website is www.InjectionArtistry.com.  But as you can see above.  You have choices.

Botox Usages at Surgical Artistry (my office)

  • Frown lines between eyes (glabellar complex) = 11’s
  • Crows Feet
  • Eyebrow lifting
  • Lower eyelid lines
  • Forehead wrinkles
  • Neck vertical bands
  • Jowel reduction
  • Square face reduction
  • TMJ – jaw pain
  • Headaches – tension headaches and migraine headaches
  • Sweating under arms and in hands = hyperhidrosis
  • Muscular triggerpoints in the back and other muscles such as calf
  • Botox for Neck pain related to muscles

Many of the listed about procedures are considered off-label FDA usage of Botox.  Please consider seeing your own medical doctor regarding Botox personalized injections – everyone is unique and has different Botox needs and requirements.

My website is www.InjectionArtistry.com – hope you will give it a visit!  And more about my Modesto Botox practice at this other link.

Cosmetic Fillers compared in terms of thickness

Each cosmetic dermal filler is like a paint-brush

There are all these terms to describe the different properties of fillers including G prime, lift, thickness, hardness, and much more.

I have some thoughts about the projecting capabilities of the fillers and I feel that it is related simply to thickness.  These are my own thoughts about these cosmetic fillers.  I have been doing Botox and Fillers since 2006.  Please consider looking at other sources if you are seriously needing to compare thicknesses of these fillers.

The empty boxes of the dermal fillers used today
The empty boxes of the dermal fillers used in one day at my office in Modesto, CA.

From thinnest to thickest:  Comparing Dermal Fillers

  • Belotero Balance (Merz product) – thinnest
  • Juvederm Ultra XC
  • Juvederm Ultra Plus XC
  • Radiesse diluted with some added liquid lidocaine
  • Juvederm Voluma XC
  • Radiesse – straight out of the box. – thickest

I know integral lidocaine is currently being considered in Belotero Balance and Radiesse, but at the time of writing this blog – they have not been available.

Radiesse, Juvederm Ultra XC, and Belotero Balance cosmetic syringes - complement Botox injections very well
Radiesse, Juvederm Ultra XC, and Belotero Balance cosmetic syringes – complement Botox injections very well

 

I hope you can visit us at our office in Modesto for Botox and Dermal Filler Appointments.

Botox Related Products at Surgical Artistry

We carry products from Allergan (makers of Botox), Merz, Valeant, and others

We don’t have any contracts with any one company to be exclusive.  Botox belongs to the Allergan family of products: Latisse, Botox, and Juvederm.  These are the products we carry at Surgical Artistry.  We also carry aesthetic products from Merz, Mentor and Valeant.

These are the Botox related products we carry:

Not necessarily made by the Botox company, Allergan.

  • Asclera, injected for vein sclerotherapy.
  • Botox – Botox is supplied to us directly from Allergan USA in the form of 100U vials
  • Juvederm Ultra (without lidocaine)
  • Juvederm Ultra Plus (without lidocaine)
  • Juvederm Ultra XC
  • Juvederm Ultra Plus XC
  • Juvederm Voluma XC
  • Belotero Balance (Merz product)
  • Radiesse Volume Advantage (Merz product, this is 1.5 cc’s)

This list changes from time to time.  Feel free to call us.  Our contact info is at our Botox Home Page.

belotoro balance shelf

Above is a picture of our Belotero Balance Shelf

 

Radiesse, Juvederm Ultra XC, and Belotero Balance cosmetic syringes - complement Botox injections very well
Radiesse, Juvederm Ultra XC, and Belotero Balance cosmetic syringes – complement Botox injections very well

Above picture was taken on our conference table which has that rough texture on top.

We do not currently carry:

  • Xeomin
  • Dysport

Please take time and visit us on the web and in person.  www.InjectionArtistry.com

What does an Allergan Botox bill look like?

Purchasing Botox, Juvederm, and Latisse can be costly.  In case anyone is wondering, this is what a bill looks like.  I usually pay every other month.  Thus this is how much is generated with Botox, Juvederm, and Latisse in two months in my Modesto Botox practice.

However, this of course fluctuates.  Allergan has been generous waiting for repayment.  But I haven’t waited too long; thus I wouldn’t know if there is a late fee.  The graphic below – in case it doesn’t show up – shows 80K bill.

Owing "uncle" Allergan.  It's probably a good idea to pay on time!
Owing “uncle” Allergan. It’s probably a good idea to pay on time!