Category: Botox and Dysport

The use of neuromodulators such as Botox® and Dysport™ have been in the spotlight for many years for helping provide a more youthful look quickly and easily

Dr. Gerald Bock and the dedicated team in Stockton at the California Skin and Laser Center work closely with new and existing patients to help them achieve a more attractive appearance with non-invasive options. This includes the use of neuromodulators such as Botox® and Dysport™. Both of these treatments are used regularly in our practice to help in reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and folds where muscle tension has caused them to develop.

Botox® and Dysport™ can be used in providing solutions such as a brow lift without plastic surgery. Brow lifts with Botox® or Dysport™ are achieved by injecting the neuromodulators into the muscles that are causing tightening. This tightening can result in lines on the skin, more specifically on the forehead. By reducing muscle tension in this area, the folds on the forehead will relax and the forehead will smooth, providing what may otherwise be considered a brow lift.

A non-invasive brow lift is a great option for patients who are interested in reducing the signs of aging while still looking their best. We encourage patients to consider non-surgical treatments such as this before opting for plastic surgery. There are some risks associated with plastic surgery that patients often want to avoid, and by using treatments such as this instead, patients are able to achieve similar results without going “under the knife.”

Most patients are appropriate candidates for this treatment, which is why we encourage individuals to make an appointment with us to find out more about the advantages of treatment. These injections are done quickly in our practice and can even be done during lunch break for fast and easy rejuvenation without interruption to the entire day!

If you reside in the Stockton area and want to book a consultation visit with our team, contact the California Skin and Laser Center. We can discuss with patients the many ways in which they can achieve a more beautiful appearance without surgery and find a way to address mild to moderate signs of aging with Botox® and Dysport™.

 

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Turning back the hands of time on the face is easier than ever with the use of dermatological solutions such as injectables. Injectables are commonly utilized by men and women who are interested in erasing fine lines, wrinkles, and folds on the face that may contribute to an aging look. Dr. Gerald Bock and the team of the California Skin and Laser Center in Stockton believe that patients should have access to the treatments they need to look and feel their best. For many, this may include neuromodulators such as Botox® and Dysport™.
 
Botox® and Dysport™ are safe, effective, and affordable methods of addressing unwanted fine lines and wrinkles around the upper third of the face. They are best used in areas such as between the eyebrows, on the forehead, and around the eyes. Dr. Gerald Bock administers these injections himself, ensuring optimum care and attention to the job.
 
Botox® and Dysport™ are approved by the FDA. This neuromodulator uses a special medication that reduces contractions of the muscles in which they are injected. The muscles are unable to create dynamic wrinkles on the face and therefore allow patients to turn back the hands of time. Most of these injectables will last three to six months before reinjection is needed, so patients are urged to schedule touch-up appointments to maintain the results they have achieved with their initial treatments. Many patients find that they are able to slow the aging process and enjoy youthful skin longer than ever before by regularly using neuromodulator injections.
 
Dr. Gerald Bock and the staff at the California Skin and Laser Center book new and existing patients at all times in their state-of-the-art dermatological practice. If you want to find out more about the safety and usefulness of injections such as Botox® and Dysport™, contact our team today to book an appointment. We can make recommendations and may even suggest combining these neuromodulators with hyaluronic acid fillers to create the ultimate look with liquid facial contouring.
 
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At the California Skin and Laser Center in Stockton, Dr. Gerald Bock helps patients turn back the hands of time. His practice is committed to providing quality cosmetic treatments that are used in addressing imperfections of the skin, including fine lines, wrinkles, and folds. Using some of the best, most trusted treatment options, he is able to offer non-invasive alternatives to plastic surgery. This includes the use of treatments such as Dysport and Botox.
 
Botox is a name recognized by nearly everyone. This medication is a neurotoxin and it can help in reducing the contraction of specific muscles on the face. By doing this, it can reduce the appearance of existing wrinkles and folds, while preventing new ones from forming. Botox is the ultimate anti-aging solution for patients who want to avoid surgery but seek a way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and folds on the face. It has also been used for a variety of medical conditions over the last few decades.
 
Dr. Gerald Bock helps Stockton area patients decide if Botox is right for them. He reviews with patients the benefits of Botox, including fast results, four months of an improved appearance, and the chance to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and folds on the face. It is non-invasive, does not require any downtime, and can help patients avoid scarring and the risks associated with surgery.
 
At California Skin and Laser Center, our doctor administers all injections, including Botox, to ensure it is done correctly and under the skilled hands of a true professional. Many other practices allow a nurse to provide treatment. This is what sets Dr. Gerald Bock’s practice apart from others in the Stockton area.
 
Many men and women who are interested in rejuvenating their appearance are welcome to contact California Skin and Laser Center. Our team of professionals is interested in helping new and existing patients with their skin care concerns, including the unwanted signs of aging. Botox, Dysport, and other anti-aging injectables are readily available in our practice.
 
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If you are seeking a Botox® and Dysport™ provider near you in the Stockton area, we highly recommend you book an appointment with Dr. Gerald Bock at the California Skin and Laser Center located in Stockton. He is a dedicated dermatologist who offers a wide range of services, and administers injectable treatments himself for optimum care and attention.
 
Dr. Gerald Bock is proud to provide neuromodulators such as Botox® and Dysport™, which allow patients to turn back the hands of time without invasive plastic surgeries such as facelifts. Using injectables has become a great way for patients who are dealing with mild to moderate aging skin to seek solutions that fit their lifestyles, their budgets, and their specific needs. These injections are much more conservative and easily attainable through our practice.
 
At the California Skin and Laser Center, we work closely with patients to determine if neuromodulators such as Botox® and Dysport™ are appropriate for their needs. These injections are great for addressing specific problem areas such as the forehead, between the eyebrows, and crow’s feet. These wrinkles and folds are often developed due to muscle contractions of the face, which create dynamic imperfections of the skin. When Botox® and Dysport™ are administered into these muscle areas; they reduce their contractions and therefore smooth out the skin above. This results in a restored look with less wrinkles and folds and often gives men and women more confidence in their appearance. Botox® and Dysport™ are safe and approved by the FDA for cosmetic use.
 
If you live in or around the Stockton community and have been considering the use of injectables to enhance your appearance, contact the team at the California Skin and Laser Center today to book a consultation visit with Dr. Gerald Bock and his team of professionals. We work with patients to find what is best for each patient’s unique situation and provide affordable, effective results.
 
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You may associate Botox with a wrinkle reduction treatment. Applications go beyond cosmetic though. Botox was injected to treat crossed eyes, uncontrolled blinking and facial spasms before it was approved to block signals from the nerves to muscles responsible for lines between and around our eyes or on our forehead.
 
In 2004 the FDA approved this neuromodulator for severe underarm sweating not effectively treated with topical medicines, according to Botox Medical.

What is severe underarm sweating?

Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating. The Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale assesses the severity of each patient’s sweating.
 
Generally, the International Hyperhidrosis Society has established four categories to measure how sweating affects day-to-day activities:

• Sweating is barely noticeable, never interferes with daily activities
• Sweating is tolerable but sometimes interferes
• Sweating often interferes with day-to-day life, is barely tolerable
• Daily activities are always interrupted by sweat, which is intolerable

“Mild” or “moderate” hyperhidrosis may be diagnosed if No. 1 or No. 2 apply. A score of No. 3 or No. 4 indicates severe hyperhidrosis.

How it works

When injected into the affected area, Botox stops the nerves from sending signals to the sweat glands. These signals tell the glands to produce sweat. What results is perspiration even when it’s not needed. This is why those with hyperhidrosis may be perspiring even when it’s cool outside. The condition is worse in stressful situations.
 
Untreated areas of your body continue to produce sweat.

At the doctor’s office

Treatment at the California Skin & Laser Center in Stockton takes about 10 to 15 minutes. During the procedure, expect the following:

• An anesthetic may be applied to numb the area to be treated, though Botox for hyperhidrosis is generally well tolerated
• The affected area is injected with a small amount of the Botox solution through a fine needle
• Some injection-related discomfort may be experienced but this side effect is generally mild
• Other injections will be administered to the treatment site during the session, with the number dependent on Dr. Bock and his team’s assessment of each patient’s condition

Results

Botox Severe Sweating reports patients should experience a “significant reduction” in underarm sweating within four weeks of treatment. In a clinical study, the company notes results for half of the patients surveyed lasted at least 201 days.
 
This treatment can be a life-changer, but keep in mind it is not a cure. When symptoms start to come back, then it’s time to schedule another session with Dr. Bock and his staff.
 
Botox may be a good option if you have tried OTC and prescription antiperspirants and other products to no avail. This is also an alternative for those with severe hyperhidrosis who don’t want invasive procedures, such as surgery to remove sweat glands or to manipulate the nerves that trigger the perspiration.
 
The California Skin & Laser Center offers Botox for sweating in Stockton, but is it right for you? Call our local office at [phone] for a consultation.
 
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Limiting exposure to the UV rays and avoiding habits like smoking can minimize damage to the skin that shows up as dark spots, lines and wrinkles. What we can’t control is the natural aging process.
 
As we get older, reduced amounts of fat, supportive collagen and elastin fibers, and natural oils converge with the cumulative effect of repeated facial expressions. The result is loose, sagging skin and lines on the face and other parts of the body. Over time, these lines may become deeper wrinkles and furrows.
 
Over-the-counter creams and other products may slightly improve the appearance of fine wrinkles. Prescription-strength drugs may cause redness and irritation. Chemical peels and dermabrasion treatments, too, may produce prolonged redness and require repeated sessions to achieve desired results.
 
On the other end of the spectrum, those craving a longer-lasting wrinkle reduction treatment may turn to more invasive procedures, such as facelifts. These procedures, too, aren’t a permanent solution. Healing and downtime may require several weeks.
 
Laser treatments represent a minimally invasive yet effective option to reduce wrinkles of varying severity. Advances have resulted in lasers that precisely damage the treatment area to promote fresh, wrinkle-free skin without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. Damage, risks of adverse side effects, and healing time are minimized.
 
California Skin & Laser Center offers a number of laser treatments, many of which can be used to treat wrinkles including:

• Sciton BroadBand Light System
• Sciton Microlaserpeel
• Sciton Laser Resurfacing
• Sciton ThermaScan
• Fraxel re:store laser
• MedLite C6 Laser

Unlike other treatments, laser therapies are versatile. Neuromodulators including Botox and Dysport, for example, may reduce the lines around or between our eyes. Laser therapies, however, can not only stimulate the collagen production that plumps up our skin and diminishes our folds but the light energy can be used to treat discoloration, broken blood vessels, scars, and other skin concerns.
 
Dr. Gerald Bock and his team will identify the best laser for wrinkle reduction in Stockton based on the condition of your skin, and your specific concerns and goals. Call California Skin & Laser Center at [phone] to book an appointment — the first step in the development of a customized treatment plan.
 
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We have all seen at least one “gummy smile” in our lifetime, some of us when we catch our own reflection. When we visualize the most attractive smile, there is proportion to teeth, lips, gums, and nearby structures. The attribute of proportion is something the brain notices, though we may not be conscious of it until we notice that a smile looks a little “off.”
 
In studies on smile aesthetics, participants evaluated images of many different smiles. What was discovered through this research was that an adverse reaction occurred when three millimeters or more of gum tissue was visible in the smile. Typically, we want visible gum tissue to remain at two millimeters or less.
 
Men and women who show too much pink when they smile may feel embarrassed about their aesthetic. New habits may be formed in order to try to smile a little smaller or to hide the smile altogether. Rather than feel dissatisfied with a gummy smile, patients may visit their dentist to address this concern. Individuals who have done so report feeling new confidence when they smile and satisfaction over the complements they receive.
 
There are a number of reasons for excessive gum tissue in the smile. It is possible that teeth are shorter in relation to gum tissue, or gum tissue is longer in relation to teeth. In some cases, the problem is that the upper lip is extraordinarily short. What these causes have in common is that they are genetic.
 
It is thought that millions of people are dissatisfied in their gummy smile, but the number of treatments performed is still rather low. Researchers believe this to be related to the fact that most people are likely unaware that treatment exists at all.

Treating the gummy smile

In fact, treatments to improve the look of the smile have existed for decades. Typically, the gummy smile has been corrected with crown lengthening or with surgery that minimizes the lifting capabilities of the upper lip. The surgical solution could be risky due to the fact that muscles controlling the upper lip were actually severed. Today, we have whole new option in the treatment of the gummy smile.

Botox spreads its wings

Most of us have heard of Botox, the miracle anti-aging injectable medication. Botox and another neuromodulator, Dysport, is offered by most dermatologists and also by dentists who have been specifically trained in its application. One of the off-label uses of these medications recently discovered is their ability to improve the smile aesthetic in some cases of a gummy smile. Efficacy of this use was published in the March 2014 issue of the Aesthetic Surgery Journal. The favorable reviews of Botox or Dysport for the gummy smile further supported a previous study report published in the Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
 
This type of minimally invasive approach to the gummy smile is the treatment of choice for many patients. It is a minimally invasive treatment that takes only a few minutes to complete. The effects of neuromodulators progress over the first week after injections, and last about four months at a time. Due to the affordable cost of Botox or Dysport treatments and the safety of this type of medication, this form of treatment for the gummy smile is gaining all the right attention.
 
To learn more about improving the look of your smile, contact us today on [phone]
 
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The Journal of Psychiatric Research reports that an early study conducted by Germany’s Hannover Medical School found compelling evidence that Botox treatment in the facial muscles responsible for frowning may alleviate the symptoms of clinical depression.
 
When our facial muscles express emotion, feedback signals are sent to the brain, reinforcing those emotions. Professor Tillman Kruger, study investigator, stated that Botox interrupts this cycle. Investigators stated that a positive effect on mood has been observed in those who have received Botox treatment for the frown lines between the brows (glabellar lines).
 
Past psychiatric studies found that even forced smiles led to subjective improvement in mood. These latest findings suggest that incapacitation the muscles that are responsible for frowning has a similar effect.
 
To confirm these findings, Dr. Tillman Kruger and Dr. M. Axel Wollmer of Hamburg Germany’s Asklepios Clinic North Ochsenzoll, conducted a double blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial using Botox injections in conjunction with conventional treatment for depression. Thirty patients with major, treatment resistant, chronic depression received either a single Botox injection or a saline-based placebo. All subjects had responded insufficiently to standard depression treatment.
 
After six weeks, the group that had received a single Botox injection demonstrated a 47.1 percent average reduction in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale compared to the placebo group, which experienced a 9.2 percent reduction.
 
The study suggests that a single Botox treatment in the glabellar area may quickly achieve a strong, sustained reduction of depression in those who failed to find sufficient improvement with previous medications.
 
The study supports the idea that facial muscles not only demonstrates, but also regulates the mood. Dr. Kruger stated that Botox might provide a novel, well-accepted, effective, and economic tool for treating major depression.
 
Two subsequent studies, one headed by Eric Finzi, MD, PhD, and one led by Michelle Magid, MD, have replicated these findings. Dr. Kruger and his colleagues are analyzing three randomized trials to corroborate the potential for this novel approach to treatment for depression.
 
Investigators suggested that other potential advantages to Botox treatment for depression include improved patient compliance, few drug interactions, economical compared to psychotropic medications, and well-documented safety. Researchers are currently studying the potential for Botox treatment in other psychiatric disorders.
 
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Few things disturb a depressed person more than a friend with good intentions urging a smile, because you can’t resolve worry just by pretending to look happy, right? A new study shows that those well-meaning friends might be on the right track. Botox injections, which prevent frowning, could help patients overcome depression.
 
Cosmetic Dermatologist, Eric Finzi, and a professor of psychiatry at Georgetown Medical School recount their results in the Journal of Psychiatric Research. A random portion of the study group of 74 patients with major depression received Botox injections into the muscles of the forehead. Botox interrupts signals from nerves that tell muscles to contract, so these individuals were physically not able to frown. The remainder of the group received placebo injections of harmless saline.
 
After six weeks, 52 percent of the Botox subjects experienced relief from depression, while only 15 percent of those injected with saline saw similar results. Although about half of the Botox subjects correctly guessed at their treatment, it appeared to have no effect on their response.
 
This study supports results of research conducted by Michael Lewis at Cardiff University a few years ago. He found that subjects injected with Botox above the eyes frowned less and reported feeling better than those who did not receive treatment. At the University of Basel, M. Axel Wollmer also saw mood improvement in depressed subjects treated with Botox.
 
The notion is not farfetched. While we tend to think that the brain controls emotional state, there is much evidence that the current flows both directions – physical expressions can have a powerful influence on mood.
 
We believe we smile because we are happy, cry when we feel sad, and act in violence as a result of anger. Maybe not. Long ago Charles Darwin observed that control of facial expression is a factor in manipulating response. He felt that emotions are the result (not the cause) of bodily actions. For example, we feel happy because of the physical act of smiling; angry as the result of throwing a punch; sorry because of the flow of tears.
 
The Botox studies suggest that the brain monitors facial expression and responds accordingly. So, by controlling expression, we may be able to alter mood. It’s too soon to say with certainty that Botox is effective treatment for depression, but one of the challenges will be reversing the conventional thought process.
 
If the connection is confidently illustrated, it will pose an interesting question. Botox is one of the most popular procedures, with millions of patients receiving treatment each year. Have they unintentionally avoided depression through an investment in enhanced appearance?
 
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Dr. Gerald Bock is a Board certified dermatologist. He has devoted his professional career to helping patients in Stockton, Lodi, and surrounding areas enjoy gorgeous, healthy complexions. Every day, Dr. Bock and his team at California Skin & Laser Center answer questions like these about a common concern of patients – wrinkles (and what reduction treatments are available).

What causes wrinkles and folds?

Babies, children, and teens have taut skin plumped with internal moisture, and smooth facial contours. A combination of factors occurs over time, resulting in wrinkles and folds. We gradually lose facial volume in the form of hydration, fat, muscle, and bone. The loss of volume causes skin to drape into lines and folds.
 
Over the course of a lifetime, we repeat the same expressions, such as frowning and squinting, many times. As facial muscles contract repeatedly, they create permanent creases .
 
At the same time, the body’s production of collagen and elastin slows down. Those proteins provide the meshwork that supports skin, they hold hydration, and they keep the dermis (outer layer) thick. Skin becomes thinner, dryer, and lax.

Can wrinkles be prevented?

Sleep habits, poor nutrition, sun exposure, and smoking accelerate signs of aging on skin. Fortunately, they can be controlled to a large degree to keep wrinkles at bay. Repeated facial expressions, however, are more difficult to restrain since most happen involuntarily.

How do neuromodulators help?

Neuromodulators are FDA approved purified proteins that go by trade names such as Botox and Dysport. Dr. Bock has a wealth of training and clinical experience in administering neuromodulators for wrinkle reduction. He also has a naturally artistic eye, which aids in determining optimal placement for each patient. He injects the neuromodulator into facial muscles at precise points in a brief, in-office procedure.
 
In Dr. Bock’s capable hands, “elevens” between the eyebrows, horizontal brow lines, and crow’s feet are effectively softened for a natural, refreshed look. The product interrupts signals from nerves that tell muscles to contract. As the muscles relax, they provide a smooth foundation for skin, reducing wrinkles. When combined with the judicious use of fillers the lines can be virtually eliminated.
 
Neuromodulators are just one of the options in wrinkle reduction treatment available to patients of California Skin & Laser Center. Call [phone] to learn more.
 
Fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse and Sculptra can correct wrinkles, folds and hollows and, when used along with neuromodulators, can result in a noticeably more youthful and attractive appearance.
 
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