Would You Like Some Botox With That?

"Would you like Botox with that? How about we make it a super size?"
Sadly, this mentality is permeating the facial rejuvenation community. Botox spas are opening up in local shopping malls and other commercial places. The atmosphere is similar to a nail or hair salon, appointments can be made, but you can also be seen on a walk in basis. This is giving consumers the impression that Botox isn't a medical procedure, and can be done on a whim.
This simply isn't true. Botox is a purified protein form of the Botulism toxin. It has been approved by the FDA, and can only be prescribed by physicians. It works by relaxing the muscles it is injected into, typically in the forehead or around the eyes. Medical training in head and neck anatomy is crucial to correctly administering Botox. Knowing just where to inject is not only a science, but also an art form. Injecting the wrong area could have unwanted results. Does that sound like something that should be ordered off of a drive through menu?
Though many of these clinics and storefronts are "overseen" by licensed physicians, they are not always on site, and often are not the individuals giving injections. When Botox is ordered off the drive through menu, it's hard to know who is actually administering your treatment, and what their actual training and qualifications are.
Another attractive feature of these mall clinics is the low cost. Beware of Botox sold below $10/unit, or at a fixed price for an area. Allergan, the US producer and distributor of Botox Cosmetic, sells their product to only licensed physicians at roughly the same rate. Any purchase below $10/unit is most likely not Botox Cosmetic, expired or, it is not being administered in the proper amounts.
Additionally, when Botox is performed in a medical office with a trained support staff, you can be sure that the environment is appropriately sterile and maintained.
"Your face is your outward representation of who you are. Don't trust it to just anyone." says Dr. Mike Hopkins. "Spend the time, do the homework so you acheive the best results for a beautiful you. If you eat McDonald's three times a day, its going to show up on your body. If you do drive through Botox, the results will be about the same."

The Benefits of Chemical Peels

One of the most effective and least invasive Facial Rejuvenation treatments is chemical peel. This procedure is also called chemexfoliation and derma-peeling. This procedure uses a chemical solution applied to the skin, which then mimics the effects of a sun burn. After several days the skin will then peel, revealing new rejuvenized skin.

Chemical Peels have several fantastic benefits:

• Reduce fine lines around the mouth and eyes


• Treat wrinkles caused by the sun, aging and hereditary factors


• Improve the appearance of mild scarring


• Treat certain types of acne
  
• Reduce age spots, freckles and dark patches due to pregnancy or taking birth control pills (melasma)


• Improve the look and fell of skin that is dull in texture and color.

If you're a sun worshipper, you may consider chemical peels, as they may improve areas of sun damage that may contain pre-cancerous keratoses that appear as scaly spots. Following treatment, pre-cancerous lesions are less likely to appear.

Chemical Peels do not treat bulges, sags and more severe wrinkles. There are other facial rejuvenation treatments to target these complaints.

There are some questions you should ask your physician or aesthetician before choosing a chemical peel.

• Are the desired results I described realistic?
  
• Where is the peel performed and how long will it take?


• In my case, which technique and peel are appropriate?


• How much do chemical peels cost, and if I need multiples, is there a package rate available?


• What is your level of experience concerning chemical peels?


• What level of discomfort will I generally experience during the procedure?
  
• What should I expect post-operatively?
  

You cannot have a chemical peel if you suffer from vitiligo, lupus and other autoimmune disorders, if you have had chemo/radiation in the past year, if you have used accutane in the past year, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Though the benefits of chemical peels are easily described, a picture is worth a thousand words:

FREE Chemical Peels- One Day Event!

Please join us for this one day special event, and receive a SkinMedica Chemical Peel absolutely free! In addition, you will receive a FREE facial rejuvenation consult and service discounts. Please call 727. 733.1175 to RSVP or email colleen@allaboutsmiles.org.

A New Year, A New You!

Please RSVP by calling 727.733.1175 or emailing colleen@allaboutsmiles.org .

Facials, Microderm and Aesthetics Galore! Welcome to our new Medical Aesthetician!

We would like to welcome our new medical aesthetician, Barbie Winterbottom. Barbie comes to us from a Medi Spa, and has completely revolutionized our facial aesthetics practice. Her deluxe facials include microdermabrasion and customized skin treatments. Barbie is primarily based out of the Tampa location of Bodywork by Roger C. Medrano, but travels frequently to our Dunedin location. Barbie's treatments are the perfect compliment to enhance and prolong the effects of Botox and Juvederm therapies. For more information, please call 727.733.1175 or visit us on the web at www.allaboutsmiles.org/facial.php

SkinMedica Holiday Gift Set Now Available!

SkinMedica's 2009 Holiday Gift Set is here! It features two of our favorite products: TNS Night Eye Repair and TNS Lip Plump. Normally priced at $143, this special edition set is available for $110, and includes an adorable bonus case. This is a perfect gift for your loved ones during the holiday... give the gift of beauty!

Call us today at 727.733.1175 or visit us on the web at www.allaboutsmiles.org to find out more about these wonderful products.

Dunedin Clearwater Dentist Offers FREE Facial Rejuvenation/Cosmetic Consultations!

"Pretty is something you're born with. But beautiful, that's an equal opportunity adjective."

Here at Hopkins Aesthetic & Reconstructive Dentistry, we're committed to helping each patient not only feel their best but look their best too.

Cosmetic dentistry can correct cracked, chipped and discolored teeth, using crowns and bridges, veneers, ZOOM Advanced Power Whitening and Invisalign invisible braces. After you've acheived your movie star smile, why not showcase it in a glamorous setting?

Our office believes Facial Rejuvenation is a natural extension of cosmetic dentistry. We are committed to helping you look your best through the magic of Botox and Juvederm. Dr. Hopkins is on the cutting edge of the Liquid Lift procedure, and can use it to take YEARS off of your appearance. We also offer Facials and Microdermabrasion to help maintain a youthful appearance. SkinMedica products are dispensed for aftercare on all procedures.

If your interested in improving your appearance, call us today for a complimentary consultation, 727.733.1175 or visit us on the web at www.allaboutsmiles.org for a complete listing of services.

Dunedin Cosmetic Dentist Hosts Night of Beauty

On October 15th at 6pm, Dr. Mike Hopkins will host a "Night of Beauty" in his office at 1952 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin, Florida. The event will focus on facial aesthetics, and feature a brief presentation by Dr. Hopkins on the new "Liquid Lift" treatment, using Botox and Juvederm. Heather Goodchild of SkinMedica will also be on hand, and will briefly highlight some of SkinMedica's great new products. A generous, exclusive discount will be given to all attendees. There will hors d'ouevres and wine served, as well as fabulous goody bags for all who attend. Attendance is free, but a reservation is required as space is limited. To secure your seat, please call 727.733.1175 or email colleen@allaboutsmiles.org.

Cosmetic Dentist to Host Night of Beauty/Gold Party!

After the phenomenal success of their first three Nights of Beauty, Hopkins Aesthetic & Reconstructive Dentistry will for the first time ever host a joint event with Philipson's Jewelry of Clearwater on June 11, 2009 at 6:00 pm. The evening will feature a brief presentation on Facial Rejuvenation and SkinMedica products, as well as opportunities for guests to sell their unwanted gold jewelry to Clearwater's most respected jewelers.

Facial Rejuvenation Services will be discounted at 10% that evening, and SkinMedica products will be discounted at 20%. RSVP required, please call Colleen at 727.733.1175.

A Night of Beauty

Hopkins Aesthetic & Reconstructive Dentistry Introduces SkinMedica

Last year we at Hopkins Aesthetic & Reconstructive Dentistry were proud to add Facial Rejuvenation to our list of services.

For those unaware of our Facial Rejuvenation Services, they consist of microderm abrasion, Botox, Juvederm and Restylane.

We are now pleased to introduce a skin care line to compliment these procedures. As of the time of this blog we are pleased to announce we are an official SkinMedica retailer. For detailed information on SkinMedica products, please visit their website: www.skinmedica.com .

We have decided to offer these products in order to enhance and compliment the effects of not only our Facial Rejuvenation services, but our cosmetic dental services as well. After all, a million dollar smile shines only as brightly as the setting it is in.

SkinMedica is a pharmaceutical grade luxury skin care line available only through physicians. Its stregnth lies in its concentrated active ingredients, which work to rebuild aging damage. These products will be available for sale in our office beginning the week of August 11, 2008. For more information, please contact us at 727.733.1175 or visit us on the web at www.allaboutsmiles.org