What are the most popular injectable fillers? What is fat transfer?

We offer a lot of fillers here at Glow Medical Spa in Dallas. The most popular brands across the country tend to be Restylane and Juvederm, which are two products made out of hyaluronic acid and are used in many areas of the face. We also offer other fillers such as Perlane, Artefill, Radiesse, Sculptra, Hylaform, and Cosmoplast, which all have different recommended uses, durations, and prices.

For example, Juvederm and Restylane can last several months, ranging to Sculptra (made from poly-L-lactic acid), which lasts for years.

These injectable products take a different angle on diminishing the appearance of aging: rather than paralyzing muscles that cause the wrinkles (like Botox or Dysport), they add volume to facial tissue to make up for the loss of collagen and elastin from aging.

Sometimes both Botox and a filler are used simultaneously in different areas of the face to get the desired result. This is what is often referred to as a "liquid facelift."

Dermal fillers can be used around the nasolabial folds, mouth, smile lines, and can also plump up the cheeks and lips. I sometimes inject below the eyes to diminish baggy eyes and tear troughs.

Something new we're doing here in Irving is fat transfer, where we use fat collected from the patient's own body, and inject it into the face as a natural filler. We can either harvest the fat in a simple procedure, or we can collect it during our SmartLipo liposuction procedure.

Botox still most popular medical spa procedure, both in Dallas and the entire country

Here at Glow Medical Spa and Salon, our most popular minimally invasive procedure has always been Allergan's Botox, which was joined recently by Dysport, a similar product from Medicis (previously known for making products such as Restylane and Perlane).

This was backed up on a national level by statistics from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. They polled over 14,000 doctors who perform cosmetic procedures, and found that the most popular procedure in 2009, by far, was Botox/Dysport, which was performed over 2.5 million times nationally.

Even though the economy is not doing well, there was still a 3% increase in Botox/Dysport treatments from 2008. I definitely have seen this in my practice, because instead of only seeing patients in their late 40s and over, we're actually seeing 30-somethings who want to preserve their look and prevent wrinkles from forming.

Right now, people are coming in for Botox to prepare for spring and summer vacations, wanting to look their best. Its effects generally last about 3-4 months, but after repeat injections that can increase.

Another reason that Botox is so popular is its versatility. I use it to perform a non-surgical lateral brow lift, which can help raise the outside of the eyebrow and have a more "open" look for patients' eyes.

We also use it to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), and it can address the problem in areas like the armpits, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet. The condition is especially problematic in a warm city like Dallas, so patients are very happy with the results.

I'm also experienced with injecting Dysport. However, if a patient has had good results with Botox, I recommend sticking with it.

Speaking of Botox: Mother's day is just around the corner, and if you join my Facebook page and tell us why your mother is special to you, she could win a Botox treatment on Saturday! She would have to be able to come in on Saturday to redeem her prize. Good luck!

Rizwan Bukhari, M.D.
Glow Medical Spa and Salon
Irving, Texas
http://www.liveloveglow.com