While Botox has FDA approval for use between the eyebrows, on the forehead and on the outer corners of the eyes, many other off-label uses also have been identified for this neuromodulator. In this blog, plastic surgeon Dr. Ary Krau discusses some of the other issues that can be addressed with Botox.

Migraines

Research has found that Botox can help to reduce the incidence of headaches for chronic migraine sufferers. Although it is not entirely clear why, the operating theory is that botulinum toxin can interfere with the pain signals that are transferred to the brain. Since injections can be placed in the same areas where wrinkles form, Botox can simultaneously be a cosmetic and pain reduction treatment.

Excessive Sweating

Botox offers relief to many patients who suffer from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating). The toxin can block the same chemicals that trigger a perspiration response from the body. A typical treatment includes about 20 injections to the armpits, which reduces sweat for about three months. Some patients have even found success using Botox on their palms, scrotum or soles of their feet. Even better, some insurance plans may cover Botox treatment for excessive sweating after more conventional treatments have failed.

TMJ

Botox can also be effective at minimizing jaw pain. Patients who deal with TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder find that Botox not only helps to block the pain signals in the jaw, but also relieves jaw tension, which can improve the mobility of the jaw.

Acne

Some dermatologists now offer Botox as a treatment for preventing acne outbreaks. They inject Botox on the parts of the face that produce excess sebum, an oil that can trigger acne. Botox has the added benefit of minimizing the appearance of acne scars: by freezing facial muscles, the acne scars do not pucker when the face makes expressions.

Schedule a Consultation

Dr. Krau is a board-certified plastic surgeon with a reputation for being Miami’s top aesthetic doctor. If you are interested in learning more about how Botox can improve your flaws — aesthetic or otherwise — please book an appointment online or by calling (305) 861-6881.

The post Exciting Off-Label Uses for Botox appeared first on Ary Krau MD.

If you have lost cheek volume with age, or are naturally thin and concerned about angular facial features, consider getting cosmetic dermal filler injections with Dr. Ary Krau and our team.

We use Voluma, a cheek filler from the tried-and-true Juvéderm family of products. This hyaluronic acid-based filler is the first filler approved by the FDA for cheek enhancement. When administered by an experienced injector, Voluma sculpts beautiful cheeks and lifts the cheekbones. Side effects are minimal and the results can last up to two years.

Look a Lot Younger With a Little Voluma

Voluma can be administered during a short office visit. The first step is for the injector to evaluate your natural facial anatomy and note the areas of your midface that you would like to improve. For example, maybe you want higher, more prominent cheekbones or greater fullness around the apples or apex of your cheeks.

Prior to the injections, your face will be numbed with ice or a topical cream to make the process more comfortable.

Then, the injector will strategically place the Voluma injections, depending on where you need volume and lift. You may receive a few injections in the apples of your cheeks or on the high points of your cheekbones. As an added benefit, the volume from the filler can lift and soften visible nasolabial folds and marionette lines around your mouth and chin.

You should be able to see slight improvements almost immediately after the injections. Initially, the results may look a little sharp or angular; rest assured that over the next few days and weeks, those angles will soften and your cheeks will look plump and beautiful.

How Long Does Voluma Cheek Filler Last?

Like other Juvéderm fillers, Voluma is formulated with a proprietary crosslinking technology called Vycross. This feature allows for a filler that is highly moldable for natural-looking results; it is also designed to make Voluma last longer than other cheek fillers. Thanks to Vycross technology, you can enjoy your Voluma results for up to two years.

Contact Us Today

If you are interested in plumping up your cheeks or defining your cheekbones with a minimally invasive solution, Voluma may be right for you. To find out more, contact the Miami plastic surgery practice of Dr. Ary Krau today.

The post Plump Up Your Cheeks With Juvéderm Voluma appeared first on Ary Krau MD.

Luckily, Dr. Ary Krau can soften your RBF and give you a more pleasant and approachable expression to better reflect how you feel on the inside. Furthermore, he can often complete the treatment during a single office appointment that does not require surgery, incisions or anesthesia! Read on to learn how.

Creating a More Pleasant Expression With Botox and Fillers

Dr. Krau can use a combination of injectable Botox and filler products to address the areas of your face that look unapproachable or angry. The key is knowing which features to refine, and which to preserve for the most natural-looking result. Dr. Krau will perform a comprehensive analysis of your facial features, bone structure and skin quality before mapping out a plan of treatment.

Your treatment will be tailored to your unique needs, and could include any of the following elements:

Smoothing out marionette lines: Dermal filler injections can fill in and minimize the appearance of marionette lines, which are the lines that extend from the corners of the mouth down to the chin. This can help to give the lower face a more neutral and relaxed expression.

Plumping up pursed lips: Fillers can also be used to plump up thin lips that appear pursed or grim. Adding volume to the lips is especially helpful if the corners of the mouth turn down in a scowl.

Minimizing forehead creases: Botox injections are perfect for minimizing forehead creases and wrinkles that give the face a scowling appearance. Botox can also soften furrows between the eyebrows, also known as the “11 lines,” for a more neutral facial expression.

Elevating low brows: Botox is also effective at giving low or furrowed eyebrows a subtle lift, which opens up the eyes and brightens the facial expression.

Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Krau Today

If you are tired of being misinterpreted by your RBF and want a more pleasant, approachable appearance, Dr. Krau can help. He has the skills and experience needed to revitalize your expression and help you look like your best self. Call or email our office today to request an appointment with Dr. Krau.

The post Softening “Resting Bitch Face” With Injectables appeared first on Ary Krau MD.

Injectable dermal fillers are a popular means of achieving a smoother, more youthful appearance among both men and women.

If you’re interested in getting dermal fillers and want to learn more about what you can expect after the procedure is done, Dr. Ary Krau discusses what you need to know below.

Quick Recovery with No Downtime

While every patient is different, most people make a full recovery within 1 to 2 days. How quickly a patient recovers depends on where the fillers were injected and the extent of the procedure.

In most cases, zero downtime is needed and patients can get back to work and their regular activities right away.

However, patients should avoid strenuous physical activity and drinking alcohol for the first couple of days post-treatment. The fillers need time to settle, and to minimize bruising and swelling, the injection site needs time to heal.

Little to No Discomfort or Side Effects

Dermal fillers are virtually pain free, and no general anesthesia is needed. However, some doctors do like using either a local anesthetic or a topical numbing cream.

After the procedure is done, patients may experience some tenderness at the injection site, lasting up to a week. Other potential side effects include bruising, redness, some bleeding, and hypersensitivity or numbness.

Side effects are generally mild and clear up quickly, and many patients experience no side effects whatsoever. Any discomfort can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers.

Infections do sometimes occur, but they are rare, and the risks are low as long as the patient is treated by a qualified, experienced doctor.

Immediate Improvement in Appearance

With some non-invasive facial procedures, patients need to receive multiple treatments to see results. But with dermal fillers, patients see a noticeable improvement in their facial lines and wrinkles after just one treatment.

Facial areas treated with fillers can sometimes look swollen or over-filled immediately post-treatment. But as swelling subsides, results improve. This typically takes no more than a couple of days.

Get in Touch

If you’ve been thinking about getting dermal fillers, call or email the office of Dr. Ary Krau to schedule a consultation.

The post What to Expect After Your Dermal Filler Treatment appeared first on Ary Krau MD.

It is a common practice for doctors to use cosmetic injectable products, such as neurotoxins or dermal fillers, “off-label.” You may have even had a doctor recommend using one of these products off-label to treat your specific anti-aging need or another type of medical condition.

But what does off-label mean, and is it legitimate? Dr. Ary Krau explains more here.

“Off-Label” Uses

Using an injectable product “off-label” means using a drug that is approved for a specific use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in another, non-approved way.

The FDA’s goal is to protect and reassure consumers that the drugs and medical devices their doctors use are safe and effective. Companies spend years trying to receive approval of their products from the FDA. They must prove that their product is safe and effective for its intended use and present clinical data to back up these claims. The seal of approval confirms that the benefits of using a product outweigh the potential risks.

Once the FDA approves a product for a specific use, doctors are able to use it for off-label uses as they see fit, based on their experience and knowledge of the product.

Sometimes doctors recommend using approved drugs for non-approved uses to treat a specific condition. Perhaps there may not be an approved drug to treat the specific condition; or, perhaps the doctor has tried all of the approved drugs but they have not produced the desired outcomes.

A great example is Botox Cosmetic, which is currently approved by the FDA to treat forehead lines, crow’s feet lines and glabellar lines (short vertical lines found between the eyebrows). But many doctors recommend using Botox to treat other noticeable signs of aging, such as bands on the neck or downturned corners of the mouth.

Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox, can’t formally advertise these off-label uses, and doctors in private practice may be hesitant to publically promote off-label uses in their marketing materials. However, it is common practice for doctors to suggest those uses during consultation, after they have evaluated you and discussed your specific needs. Also, it’s perfectly appropriate for you to inquire about a doctor’s experience in using a product off-label, and whether they would recommend it for your goals.

Contact Dr. Ary Krau

If you have a question about the approved or off-label use of a specific injectable, feel free to set up a consultation trusted Miami plastic surgeon Ary Krau.

The post What Does It Mean to Use an Injectable “Off-Label”? appeared first on Ary Krau MD.