Frequently Asked Questions About Botox, Restylane, and Latisse : Available In Our Tampa and Brandon FL locations

Latisse

What should I do if I experience eye itching?
Eye itching may occur immediately after use, but should usually last only for a short period of time (one to two weeks during initial use). Eye itching alone is not an allergic reaction, and doesn’t mean that your eyes are being harmed. Consult your doctor if the itching persists or you notice other symptoms as well.

Why do the directions say to only apply LATISSE™ solution to the base of the upper eyelashes?
A clinical trial of LATISSE™ was conducted on patients who applied the product to the base of their upper lashes only. Applied nightly, the transfer of LATISSE™ solution from the upper to lower eyelid may occur naturally because the eyelids are closed and the eyelashes touch each other. Over application may increase the chance of experiencing side effects. To ensure safety and maximize effectiveness, please follow the directions provided.

What should I use to apply LATISSE™?
You should always only use the FDA-approved sterile applicators to apply LATISSE™ solution directly to the base of your upper eyelashes. The applicators have been specially designed and manufactured to meet FDA standards, and ensure that the correct dose of LATISSE™ is applied.

Could LATISSE™ cause the color of my eyes to change?
Increased brown iris pigmentation has occurred when similar medications were instilled directly into the eye to treat elevated intraocular pressure/glaucoma. Although iris pigmentation was not reported in clinical studies with LATISSE™, patients should be advised about the potential for increased brown iris pigmentation which is likely to be permanent.

What should I do if I experience eye redness?
Eye redness may occur immediately after use, but should usually last only for a short period of time. Eye redness alone is not an allergic reaction or inflammation, and doesn't mean that your eyes are being harmed. Please use the LATISSE™ applicators as instructed to help to minimize the occurrence of eye redness

What is elevated intraocular pressure (IOP)?
This is a condition where the pressure inside the eye is higher than normal. LATISSE™ may decrease IOP. So talk to your doctor if you are using IOP-lowering medications. Concurrent administration of LATISSE™ and certain IOP-lowering medications in ocular hypertensive patients should be closely monitored for changes in intraocular pressure.

What is skin hyperpigmentation?
This is a common, usually harmless condition in which areas of skin become darker than the surrounding skin color. This occurs when there is an increase in the melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, in the skin. Skin hyperpigmentation is a possible side effect of LATISSE™, but may be reversible after discontinuation of the product.

What are the ingredients in LATISSE™?
Active ingredient: bimatoprost. Inactive ingredients: benzalkonium chloride; sodium chloride; sodium phosphate, dibasic; citric acid; and purified water. Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid may be added to adjust pH. The pH during its shelf life ranges from 6.8 — 7.8.

Who should NOT use LATISSE™?
Do not use LATISSE™ solution if you are allergic to one of its ingredients.

What should I do if I get LATISSE™ in my eye?
LATISSE™ solution is an ophthalmic drug product. If any gets into the eye, it is not expected to cause harm. The eye should not be rinsed.

What are the possible side effects of LATISSE™?
The most common side effects after using LATISSE™ solution are an itching sensation in the eyes and/or eye redness. This was reported in approximately 4% of patients. LATISSE™ solution may cause other less common side effects which typically occur on the skin close to where LATISSE™ is applied, or in the eyes. These include skin darkening, eye irritation, dryness of the eyes, and redness of the eyelids.

Can I get a prescription for LATISSE™ from any doctor?
First, ask your doctor if LATISSE™ is right for you. Although any doctor can prescribe LATISSE™, some may be more familiar with this product than others. When making an appointment, be sure to tell our receptionist that you want to find out more about LATISSE™.

What happens if I stop using LATISSE™?
If you stop using LATISSE™, your eyelashes are expected to return to their previous appearance over several weeks to months.

What if I forget to apply one night? Or a few nights?
If you miss an application or a few, don't try to catch up. Just apply the LATISSE™ treatment the next evening and stay on schedule.

Is LATISSE™ (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03% different from nonprescription products that indicate eyelash growth?
LATISSE™ solution is the first and only prescription treatment approved by the FDA for inadequate or not having enough eyelashes, growing them longer, fuller and darker.

Is LATISSE™ a replacement for mascara?
No, LATISSE™ does not work in place of mascara. LATISSE™ is a solution treatment for inadequate or not enough lashes and requires a prescription from a doctor. However, mascara can be used on your eyelashes in addition to LATISSE™.

How soon will I see results?
LATISSE™ users may see results starting at 8 weeks with full results at 12 to 16 weeks. The growth is gradual overnight, over time.

How do I apply LATISSE™?
LATISSE™ solution is a once-a-day treatment you apply yourself each evening to the base of the upper eyelashes. See the full instructions in How to Apply, and apply as instructed by your doctor.

How does LATISSE™ work?
LATISSE™ is believed to affect the growth (anagen) phase of the eyelash hair cycle in two ways: first, it increases the length of this phase; and second, it increases the number of hairs in this growth phase. The exact way it works is unknown.

What is hypotrichosis of the eyelashes?
Hypotrichosis is another name for having inadequate or not enough eyelashes.

What is LATISSE™ (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.03%?
LATISSE™ solution is a prescription treatment for hypotrichosis used to grow eyelashes, making them longer, thicker and darker.

Restylane

What is Restylane?
Restylane is an injectable gel that should always be administered by a trained, medically qualified practitioner. Restylane enhances your natural looks by restoring your skin’s volume, creating softness and revitalizing your appearance.

Who makes Restylane?
Restylane is produced by Q-Med AB. Q-Med is a Swedish biotechnology/medical device company with headquarters in the city of Uppsala, near Stockholm, and offices all around the world. After a decade of clinical use, more than 10 million treatments worldwide, continuous research and safety as top priority, Restylane has today been proven to be safe, effective and long lasting. The company continues to invest in research and development in the interests of further improving patient safety.

What are the benefits of Restylane?
Restylane can instantly soften telltale aging lines or improve your looks by enhancing your natural features, such as your cheeks or lips. RESTYLANE restores volume, improves skin elasticity, and smooths lines and imperfections. Long lasting but not permanent, Restylane allows you to stay in control of your looks.

What is the clinical experience behind Restylane?
Restylane is one of the most tried and tested dermal fillers available today. It is the benchmark for clinical excellence in its field. Its safety and efficacy are clinically proven and supported by robust clinical data, spanning 10 years. Research and development is continuous.  

How does Restylane work?
Restylane is a crystal-clear gel produced biotechnologically using stabilized, non-animal hyaluronic acid and water. The hyaluronic acid is a tissue-friendly substance closely resembling the hyaluronic acid that occurs naturally in the body. By replenishing nature’s supply of hyaluronic acid, Restylane revitalizes and plumps up the skin, instantly diminishing the appearance of lines and giving a softer look.

What does Restylane treatment involve?
Restylane is injected into the skin in small amounts using a very fine needle. The gel provides hydration and structure and gives natural volume to smooth away the appearance of lines, enhance facial shape, or create fuller lips. The treatment is very quick and often takes less than 30 minutes. The treatment benefits can normally be seen instantly and Restylane does not affect facial expression. No skin test is required because Restylane does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. 

What areas can be treated?
Restylane treatments can be used to smooth out facial lines, create fuller lips and shape facial contours, such as cheeks and chin. It is a subtle approach to enhancing looks naturally.
The most common areas treated are:

• from the nose to the angle of the mouth (the nasolabial folds)
• lips (enhancement)
• cheeks and chin (shaping)
• between the eyebrows (the glabellar lines)

How much does a Restylane treatment cost?
During your pretreatment consultation, you should discuss the cost of the treatment with your practitioner.

How long does Restylane treatment effect last?
One of the great advantages of Restylane is that the effects are long lasting but not permanent. You are always in control of your looks.

• Facial lines and facial shaping: follow-up treatment is usually needed after 6-12 months
• Lip enhancement: follow-up treatment is normally needed in about 6 months
• Skin rejuvenation and deep hydration: after the initial intense treatment of 3 treatment sessions every 2-3 weeks, follow-up sessions are normally recommended around every 6 months

Duration depends on many factors, such as skin type, lifestyle, age, the degree of perfection demanded by the patient and the injection technique of the practitioner.

Does Restylane treatment hurt?
Some people may experience the treatment as a mild discomfort. A local anesthetic cream is often used. Another form of anesthesia, a dental bloc, is used to numb the area when enhancing lips.

Can Restylane be used if I have had laser treatment or a chemical peel?
If you have recently had some kind of cosmetic treatment, it is recommended you wait until the area is totally healed and the skin is back to its normal condition. This usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Is there any downtime with Restylane?
You can expect slight redness, swelling, pain, tenderness, itching and/or bruising following Restylane treatment. This is the same as you might expect with any type of injection. However, the discomfort is temporary and generally disappears after a few days. With lip enhancement, it is wise to choose your treatment time with care since your lips may become swollen and appear slightly uneven for a few days.

Are there any risks with Restylane?
More than 6 million treatments have been carried out since the launch of Restylane in 1996. Some common injection-related reactions might occur after a Restylane injection; they typically resolve spontaneously within one or two days after injection. These reactions include redness, swelling, pain, itching, bruising or tenderness at the injection site. Inflammatory reactions may last for up to two weeks in rare cases. After a lip enhancement, your lips may be swollen for several days.

Are there any side effects with Restylane?
Most people can benefit from Restylane treatment. Restylane should not be used in or near skin sites where there are or have been active skin disease, inflammation or related conditions. Nor should it be injected into an area where a permanent implant has been placed. Restylane has not been tested in pregnant or breast-feeding women. During your pretreatment consultation, you should thoroughly discuss your medical history with your practitioner.

Botox

What is Botox Cosmetic® ?
Botox Cosmetic is a treatment for wrinkles that are caused by repeated movements. The most common treated areas include:
· the lines around the eyes known as crow’s feet caused by squinting or smiling
· the horizontal lines across the forehead caused by raising the eyebrows
· the lines and folding of skin between the eyebrows caused by frowning

Is it Safe?
Yes! Botox Cosmetic® has been available for 20 years, and has been used to treat many diseases. In fact, it is used in children as young as 2 years old to treat cerebral palsy. It has been proven to be very safe through extensive testing and research. Botox Cosmetic ® is an approved drug used to treat patients for cosmetic wrinkles.

Will it give me food poisoning / Is it Botulism?  Isn't Botox Cosmetic® a toxin / poison?
No, it is not toxic to you. No it is not a poison. Botox Cosmetic® is not botulism, and it will not cause food poisoning. To clarify for you, Botulism is an illness. Botox Cosmetic® is a natural, purified protein. It is an approved drug that is used in VERY tiny dosages. It comes from a naturally occurring bacterium – similar to how Penicillin comes from a mold.

How do I know it won't be toxic to me?
Typically, for a cosmetic treatment, you may receive fewer than 100 units. To make someone remotely sick, you would have to receive OVER 35 times this dose all at one time which would NEVER happen (plus it would cost over $42,000 – absolutely impossible!) You are receiving VERY TINY doses.

How does it work?
Botox Cosmetic® works by simply relaxing the muscles underneath the skin to create a smooth and refreshed appearance. It blocks a chemical your muscle needs to contract, so if they cannot contract, they relax.

How long does the procedure take?
Generally, after the consultation, the procedure only takes up to 15 minutes. Since there is no down time – you can do it on your lunchtime – and no one would know you have had it done!

How quickly does it work?
It can take up to 2 weeks for it to take full effect. Usually we ask patients to wait for the 14 days to pass in order to fully see the results.

How is it done?
It is injected with a very tiny needle (it only feels like a little pinch).

My Botox Cosmetic® treatment didn't work!
Botox Cosmetic® takes up to 14 days to take full effect.
If your treatment was done LESS than 2 weeks ago, you need to wait until the full 2 weeks has passed and then call if you have any concerns or come in for your follow up appointment. If your treatment has been MORE than 2 weeks ago, you should be assessed by the physician to see if you require a little more product.

How long does Botox Cosmetic® last? Is it permanent?
No - Botox Cosmetic® is not permanent. It lasts between 3-4 months on average but everyone is different. If you follow the Doctor's directions to have your first 3 treatments promptly every 3 months (without waiting in between) your next few treatments will start to last longer than 3 months. Most patients who get their first 3 treatments done “back to back” every 3 months, find that:

· their next treatment lasts 4 months
· then the next treatment lasts 5 months
· and the following treatment lasts 6 months
· Patients who stay on this prompt treatment schedule can stabilize their treatments at   
  approximately 2 times per year (saves you money!)

Does it hurt?
Most patients say the injections feel similar to a little pinch, although everyone is different. We usually hear patients say, “Is that all?”

Is it going to be worse when it wears off?
No! Your face will never get worse if you stop using Botox Cosmetic® or when it wears off. At the very minimum, you will simply return to where you started. If you use Botox Cosmetic ® for a number of years then you stop – your muscles learn to relax and therefore, you will end up looking a little better than when you originally started.

How much does it cost?
The cost of treatment varies by each patient and a personal consultation can give you a specific amount.
We charge $12.00 per unit and the number of units that you will need, can be given to you during a consultation with the Doctor.

I don't want to look like a mask without expression – will that happen?
No. You should get the look you want – as natural as you want. Most people simply want to look NATURAL, RELAXED, and REFRESHED, without looking “done”. In the experienced hands of our Doctor – patients typically say that no one knows they had anything done. Friends simply say that they look well rested and great!

What is a unit?
A unit of Botox Cosmetic® is simply a very tiny measurement. The exact number of units you require (to achieve the look you want) will be discussed with the Doctor.

What are the side effects?
Side effects are RARE and NOT PERMANENT. Rarely, there can be some minor bruising (which is easily covered with makeup) or slight short term headache. Most patients do not experience any side effects at all.

I have heard that you can get a drooping eyelid – is it true?
Side effects are rare and are not permanent and this can include a drooping eyelid. The incidence of these side effects is less than 1% and will last from only a few days to a few weeks. Most patients do not experience any side effects at all.

Where does it go in my body?
Botox Cosmetic® stays local to the muscle where it is injected. After the injection, Botox Cosmetic ® is simply metabolized and broken down into natural byproducts within a few hours.

Why do I have to come back for a follow up appointment?
Botox Cosmetic® has what is called a “Dose Response curve”. This means we need to inject a certain amount of product to get your desired result. The dose is based on our experience and the size and strength of your muscles. If you are slightly under the dose response curve, you will not see the result you want – that's why we want to see you in a couple of weeks because you may need a slight “top up”. We could dose you higher from the beginning but then you might spend too much money.

Is there any medical condition that would stop me from having Botox Cosmetic® ?
Botox Cosmetic ® should not be given to pregnant women, nursing mothers or people who have myasthenia gravis or other muscle diseases.

Is there anything I should not do after receiving the Botox Cosmetic® injections?
You should not touch or rub your face for 4 hours after you have received the injections. You should also not lie down for 4 hours to avoid inadvertently moving the Botox Cosmetic ® into a muscle we did not want to inject.

What should I do after receiving the Botox Cosmetic® injections?
You want to “frown, raise, frown, raise” 30 times or so over the next hour after receiving your product as it helps the muscle pick up the Botox Cosmetic ® and gives a better effect.

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