Botox post-pregnancy is safe if breast feeding?
Sep. 23, 2011 by Lisa, Texas
Botox and Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
In general, Botox is considered safe once you are not pregnant OR breast feeding. So, if you are breast feeding, just wait until you are done to go ahead with Botox.
In general, Botox is considered safe once you are not pregnant OR breast feeding. So, if you are breast feeding, just wait until you are done to go ahead with Botox.
Can someone please advise me of what is the best gentle and natural way to make it disappear faster with giving it another hyaluronidase injection, and can someone tell me while it is worn off, do your lips get sagging after it is gone? I am really worrying about it now.
Sep. 23, 2011 by Ajja, UK
Use Hyaluronidase sparingly
Firstly, Hyaluronidase is NOT FDA approved for the indication of dissolving restylane or other hyaluronic acid fillers. It is FDA approved for other reasons though. I have had to use it only a few times my career thus far (seven years in practice and hundreds of patients injected) and studied it extensively before doing so. The hyaluronidase that is available in the US is of porcine origin (from pigs) and therefore, can cause an allergic reaction. Because this is the case, a small amount should be injected as a test spot and observed for AT LEAST ten minutes to see that you do not have an allergic reaction prior to having it injected for the purpose of dissolving hyaluronic acid. Then, when it is injected, LESS IS MORE! You do not want it to digest your own naturally occuring hyaluronic acid. So, it is best to have too little of it injected and to have a little filler left and WAIT than it is to be impatient and have too much injected.
When I do need to use hyaluronidase, I am sure to explain very thoroughly to my patients that it IS NOT FDA approved for the purpose of dissolving fillers and that there are inherent risks associated with its use.
Firstly, Hyaluronidase is NOT FDA approved for the indication of dissolving restylane or other hyaluronic acid fillers. It is FDA approved for other reasons though. I have had to use it only a few times my career thus far (seven years in practice and hundreds of patients injected) and studied it extensively before doing so. The hyaluronidase that is available in the US is of porcine origin (from pigs) and therefore, can cause an allergic reaction. Because this is the case, a small amount should be injected as a test spot and observed for AT LEAST ten minutes to see that you do not have an allergic reaction prior to having it injected for the purpose of dissolving hyaluronic acid. Then, when it is injected, LESS IS MORE! You do not want it to digest your own naturally occuring hyaluronic acid. So, it is best to have too little of it injected and to have a little filler left and WAIT than it is to be impatient and have too much injected.
When I do need to use hyaluronidase, I am sure to explain very thoroughly to my patients that it IS NOT FDA approved for the purpose of dissolving fillers and that there are inherent risks associated with its use.
Hello, my name is Samantha. I have a son who is almost 4 years old. I am told that he is allergic to the sun. He breaks out in bumps on his sun exposed area. Then they turn in to extreme hives. I know he is allergic to the sun, but is there some kind of suit he could wear to help keep him hidden from the sun if he needs to go somewhere. He gets them when it is extremely hot out side too. If he is outside and it is cold and the son is out side it happens too. I never let him go out, but our daycare won't follow keeping him in out of the sun. He is also allergic penicillin and any penicillin based medication, or spin off medications. The dermatologist and the dr don't agree with each other. One tells us one thing and the other tells us not to do what the other says. I'm drained from dealing with the situation. I read about you in a story online about a girl who has to wait until the sun goes down. And how she burns extremely easy. Our son has to wait until the sun is sleeping, that is what we tell him, but he breaks out in tiny bumps and extreme hives. We tried and kinds of creams but they make it work. We have to give him predinsone. and an antibiotic that he is not allergic. But the hives can last a week to two weeks, and a lot of times the prednisone doesn't work. the hives are red and his skin is raised. It hurts and itches really bad. I don't think I would ever be able to go to utah, but I'm hoping that you might be able to respond to me. Thanks for letting me post a comment.
Feb. 1, 2012
Dear Samantha:
Unfortunately, I cannot diagnose or treat your son over the internet, but I can make some recommendations. I think you should take your son to the Department of Dermatology at the University of New Mexico. I would collect all of his records from his current physicians and forward them to the Universtiy before you get there AND take a copy with you in case they get lost. Your son may have solar urticaria and you could look to see if there is someone at the University who has experience with this. When you call to make your appointment, ask the receptionist to ask the Department Chair who would be best to see in the department for possible solar urticaria. Also, ask if they are able to do phototesting. This is a test to determine exactly what wavelength of light is triggering the problem and may be useful in determining the best treatment and fabrics he can wear to avoid the symptoms. I know there were some clinical trials for solar urticaria (and I AM NOT saying that this is for sure what your son has as I have not seen him in person) in the last few years, but I am not aware of any that are ongoing right now. This communication is not meant to diagnose or treat your son, but only to assist you in getting the help that you need locally in New Mexico. I hope this helps!
Regards,
Dr. Eberting
Unfortunately, I cannot diagnose or treat your son over the internet, but I can make some recommendations. I think you should take your son to the Department of Dermatology at the University of New Mexico. I would collect all of his records from his current physicians and forward them to the Universtiy before you get there AND take a copy with you in case they get lost. Your son may have solar urticaria and you could look to see if there is someone at the University who has experience with this. When you call to make your appointment, ask the receptionist to ask the Department Chair who would be best to see in the department for possible solar urticaria. Also, ask if they are able to do phototesting. This is a test to determine exactly what wavelength of light is triggering the problem and may be useful in determining the best treatment and fabrics he can wear to avoid the symptoms. I know there were some clinical trials for solar urticaria (and I AM NOT saying that this is for sure what your son has as I have not seen him in person) in the last few years, but I am not aware of any that are ongoing right now. This communication is not meant to diagnose or treat your son, but only to assist you in getting the help that you need locally in New Mexico. I hope this helps!
Regards,
Dr. Eberting
Hi- My daughter has a rather large birthmark on her leg and we were advised to have it removed before she hits puberty. It is important to me to have as little scarring as possible so she isn't self conscious throughout life. I have been researching doctors because I don't know who to go to. What kind of treatments do you do for this type of situation? Thank you, Jaimie Moyes
Oct. 3, 2011 by Jaimie Moyes
Jaimie,
Since there are so many variables which come into play in regards to birthmarks without seeing it I am afraid I'd be unable to offer much advice on treatments, etc. You could make an appointment to come in and I could take a look at it and possibly offer more detailed advice. Thanks for your question!
Dr. Eberting
Since there are so many variables which come into play in regards to birthmarks without seeing it I am afraid I'd be unable to offer much advice on treatments, etc. You could make an appointment to come in and I could take a look at it and possibly offer more detailed advice. Thanks for your question!
Dr. Eberting
I am recovering from shingles to my eye, face and head. Can you recommend a skin cream that will help the new skin? Also, should I discontinue using my regular skin care products (primarily anti-aging) on the affected skin?
Dec. 2, 2011 by Cathy Flynn, CA
In general, if you have wounded skin, you never want it to form a scab. Scabs = scars. A thin layer of vaseline is great for this. I advise my patients to avoid things like neosporine, vitamin E, tea tree oil as these all have very allergenic ingredients to them..... the reason they help (when they don't cause an allergic reaction) is because of the oil/vaseline bases which keep the wounds moist.
As for your products. I would stop using them until your skin is all the way healed.
As for your products. I would stop using them until your skin is all the way healed.
I do not see any changes after 7 days of getting IPL on my face, neck and chest. Is this normal?
Sep. 23, 2011 by Sundamaged, Arizona
IPL procedures can be underpowered
It sounds like you may have had too low of a power setting on your IPL OR the IPL that was used is not able to deliver enough power. It is very important to discern your Fitzpatrick skin type and then set the laser accordingly so you will A. not be burned and B. will get an effective treatment. It is a fine line and should be done by someone who is able to do this and who is able to discern if the settings are too low so your money isn’t wasted.
It sounds like you may have had too low of a power setting on your IPL OR the IPL that was used is not able to deliver enough power. It is very important to discern your Fitzpatrick skin type and then set the laser accordingly so you will A. not be burned and B. will get an effective treatment. It is a fine line and should be done by someone who is able to do this and who is able to discern if the settings are too low so your money isn’t wasted.
I have a raised mole on the right side of my face. I don’t know if the mole is malignant, but I really want it removed for various reasons. I want to know, what procedure is best for removing my raised mole and how much will it cost?
Sep. 23, 2011 by Roland, Illinois
Raised mole removal
The size, color, and depth of a mole determine how is can be removed. Your skin color and whether or not you are trying to get rid of the mole because it has hair growing out of it also determine how it can be removed. In general, there are two appropriate ways to remove a mole. One it so shave it flat, or flush, with the skin. If done well, this method can lead to a scar-less mole removal. These moles sometimes will slowly re-grow several years down the road and they can be removed again if they do. If you are dark-skinned, this type of mole may pigment when you go in the sunlight–so you would then have a flat, dark mole rather than a light, raised mole or a dark, raised mole. If you are dark-skinned and you want NO pigment (i.e. no flat mole either) or if you are trying to get rid of the mole because the hair that grows in it drives you crazy, the mole will need to be excised. This entails numbing it up and excising it followed by a careful closure with layered sutures so the scar is minimized (unless it is teeny tiny and a single-layer closure is appropriate). This type of mole removal will leave a scar, but can often be very small and hardly noticeable–especially when on the face. Areas off the face tend to scar more than the face does. It is ALMOST never appropriate to have a mole “lasered off”, “burned off’ or “frozen off” because the mole cannot be sent in for pathology if it is destroyed this way. If the mole is completely benign appearing, and is normal under dermatoscopy (or dermoscopy) then only ONLY a BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST is trained to determine if it is okay to remove a mole that way. You do not want a skin cancer to be “lasered off” without pathology and margins being checked on the specimen and that is impossible to do if it is lasered, burned or frozen off. There are some moles however that are completely benign appearing and are at extremely low risk for malignancy and could be relatively safely removed with a laser.
The size, color, and depth of a mole determine how is can be removed. Your skin color and whether or not you are trying to get rid of the mole because it has hair growing out of it also determine how it can be removed. In general, there are two appropriate ways to remove a mole. One it so shave it flat, or flush, with the skin. If done well, this method can lead to a scar-less mole removal. These moles sometimes will slowly re-grow several years down the road and they can be removed again if they do. If you are dark-skinned, this type of mole may pigment when you go in the sunlight–so you would then have a flat, dark mole rather than a light, raised mole or a dark, raised mole. If you are dark-skinned and you want NO pigment (i.e. no flat mole either) or if you are trying to get rid of the mole because the hair that grows in it drives you crazy, the mole will need to be excised. This entails numbing it up and excising it followed by a careful closure with layered sutures so the scar is minimized (unless it is teeny tiny and a single-layer closure is appropriate). This type of mole removal will leave a scar, but can often be very small and hardly noticeable–especially when on the face. Areas off the face tend to scar more than the face does. It is ALMOST never appropriate to have a mole “lasered off”, “burned off’ or “frozen off” because the mole cannot be sent in for pathology if it is destroyed this way. If the mole is completely benign appearing, and is normal under dermatoscopy (or dermoscopy) then only ONLY a BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST is trained to determine if it is okay to remove a mole that way. You do not want a skin cancer to be “lasered off” without pathology and margins being checked on the specimen and that is impossible to do if it is lasered, burned or frozen off. There are some moles however that are completely benign appearing and are at extremely low risk for malignancy and could be relatively safely removed with a laser.
If I Have Ms Can I Still Get Botox I Had It Since 1975
Sep. 23, 2011 by C.T., Commerce Township
If I had MS, I would not get Botox
Because we do not know the cause of MS and because it is still considered to be an autoimmune disease of sorts that could possibly be triggered by something in our environment, I would not get Botox for cosmetic reasons if I had MS. In fact, if my patient or their family members have a lot of autoimmune diseases, I will usually discourage them from seeking treatment with Botox–just not worth it when we don’t know what is causing these horrible autoimmune things.
Because we do not know the cause of MS and because it is still considered to be an autoimmune disease of sorts that could possibly be triggered by something in our environment, I would not get Botox for cosmetic reasons if I had MS. In fact, if my patient or their family members have a lot of autoimmune diseases, I will usually discourage them from seeking treatment with Botox–just not worth it when we don’t know what is causing these horrible autoimmune things.
IPL hair removal – how does it work? What makes it different from other hair removal methods?
Sep. 23, 2011 by Stacey, Brampton
IPL for hair removal
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. Depending on the wavelength of the IPL system that is used for laser hair removal, it can be very effective. If the wavelength is the appropriate range, the light targets the pigment in the hair follicle deep in the skin. The light is attracted to the pigment in the follicle and heats it up and most-likely kills the stem cells in the bulge region of the hair follicle that make it possible for new hairs to be formed in the future. So, once those cells are gone, no more hairs can be made and you have hair-less skin!
IPL stands for intense pulsed light. Depending on the wavelength of the IPL system that is used for laser hair removal, it can be very effective. If the wavelength is the appropriate range, the light targets the pigment in the hair follicle deep in the skin. The light is attracted to the pigment in the follicle and heats it up and most-likely kills the stem cells in the bulge region of the hair follicle that make it possible for new hairs to be formed in the future. So, once those cells are gone, no more hairs can be made and you have hair-less skin!
Is It Dangerous for Someone with Lupus to Get Botox Injections?
Sep. 23, 2011 by Bamagirl, Alabama
Botox and autoimmune diseases
In my opinion, it might be. We do not know what causes lupus or other autoimmune diseases, but we do know a few things that are associated with autoimmune diseases like lupus and type-one diabetes. We do know that autoimmune diseases are familial in many cases. There are several known genes that can be inherited and can give someone an increased likelihood of getting an autoimmune disease. Despite this however, everyone who has these genes does not get an autoimmune disease. We also know that Africans in some parts of Africa have almost no autoimmune diseases, but when those same populations of people live in the United States, they do get autoimmune diseases. We DO NOT know what it is that is that is causing this. Is it the preservatives in our food, and the products we apply to our bodies? Is it all the chemicals that we use in our homes and businesses to clean with? Is it all the chemicals that we inhale with our air-fresheners and the like? Is it all the preservatives in the prepackaged foods that we eat? Is it the antibiotics or other medications that we take? Are genetically modified foods chemically different in such a way that if affects our immune systems? We do not know. It is however, possible that all of these thousands of chemicals that we are regularly exposed to here in the U.S. are triggers to our immune systems that lead to the dysregulation. There is a correlation between demyelinating diseases and Botox. Whether these diseases are related to other autoimmune diseases is unknown. So, in general, I think that if you have a strong personal OR family history of autoimmune diseases, I would not use Botox.
In my opinion, it might be. We do not know what causes lupus or other autoimmune diseases, but we do know a few things that are associated with autoimmune diseases like lupus and type-one diabetes. We do know that autoimmune diseases are familial in many cases. There are several known genes that can be inherited and can give someone an increased likelihood of getting an autoimmune disease. Despite this however, everyone who has these genes does not get an autoimmune disease. We also know that Africans in some parts of Africa have almost no autoimmune diseases, but when those same populations of people live in the United States, they do get autoimmune diseases. We DO NOT know what it is that is that is causing this. Is it the preservatives in our food, and the products we apply to our bodies? Is it all the chemicals that we use in our homes and businesses to clean with? Is it all the chemicals that we inhale with our air-fresheners and the like? Is it all the preservatives in the prepackaged foods that we eat? Is it the antibiotics or other medications that we take? Are genetically modified foods chemically different in such a way that if affects our immune systems? We do not know. It is however, possible that all of these thousands of chemicals that we are regularly exposed to here in the U.S. are triggers to our immune systems that lead to the dysregulation. There is a correlation between demyelinating diseases and Botox. Whether these diseases are related to other autoimmune diseases is unknown. So, in general, I think that if you have a strong personal OR family history of autoimmune diseases, I would not use Botox.
I’m going back on Wednesday for a follow up but the girl who injected me said she would add more for free to even it out if it needs it but it looks crazy and I feel like it’s a bad idea to have the same person fix it after making it look like this =( I’m really sad because I’ve always had low self esteem, especially about my lips, but now I’m even more self conscious about it! I feel like I just want it gone but I’ll probably have to pay for that!
Sep. 23, 2011 by Bill, Oregon
I’m going back on Wednesday for a follow up but the girl who injected me said she would add more for free to even it out if it needs it but it looks crazy and I feel like it’s a bad idea to have the same person fix it after making it look like this =( I’m really sad because I’ve always had low self esteem, especially about my lips, but now I’m even more self conscious about it! I feel like I just want it gone but I’ll probably have to pay for that!
A: Why do people continue to go to doctor-less Medi-spas?!
Unfortunately, your filler has not been injected anywhere close to correctly. The longer I am in practice, the more crazy stuff I see and the old adage continues to be impressed–you will get what you pay for. Fillers are not an easy thing to do and they can actually be quite risky and do come with a list of potential complications. When you decide to have such a procedure done, the first thing to do is
A. Go to a BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST or PLASTIC SURGEON who spent 12 years learning how to do this stuff.
B. Don’t go to a “girl” who went to a two-hour training. You are putting your health and your appearance on the line. If its $50 bucks more to get it done right, then get it done right.
A: Why do people continue to go to doctor-less Medi-spas?!
Unfortunately, your filler has not been injected anywhere close to correctly. The longer I am in practice, the more crazy stuff I see and the old adage continues to be impressed–you will get what you pay for. Fillers are not an easy thing to do and they can actually be quite risky and do come with a list of potential complications. When you decide to have such a procedure done, the first thing to do is
A. Go to a BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST or PLASTIC SURGEON who spent 12 years learning how to do this stuff.
B. Don’t go to a “girl” who went to a two-hour training. You are putting your health and your appearance on the line. If its $50 bucks more to get it done right, then get it done right.
My doc charges by area. I had my forehead treated and 10 days later I still have wrinkles in the upper part. I called the doc about touch ups. He said touch-ups are done by other offices because the Botox used is weak and I would develop antibodies bit infected more than 4 months. Is this right?
Sep. 23, 2011 by John, North Carolina
Botox touch ups really shouldn’t be necessary very often
Botox touch ups should not be necessary very often if your Botox is done correctly in the first place. Yes, it is possible to under treat a patient —and this is the favorable adverse outcome rather than having too much, be too frozen, or droopy in places you didn’t want to be. I try to find what bothers my patients the most about their wrinkles and to treat accordingly. I also use the concept of “you can always add a little more latter, but you can’t take any out”—so, if you do need a touch up, you may need to pay for two to four units, but that is only because I won’t give you more than you really need in the first place. I think it is absurd to charge “by the area” for Botox as you have no idea what you are paying for. As a physician, I have to purchase and pay for Botox by the unit and I pass that same pricing structure on to my patients so they know exactly what they are getting for their money. Stay away from anyone who charges by the area.
Botox touch ups should not be necessary very often if your Botox is done correctly in the first place. Yes, it is possible to under treat a patient —and this is the favorable adverse outcome rather than having too much, be too frozen, or droopy in places you didn’t want to be. I try to find what bothers my patients the most about their wrinkles and to treat accordingly. I also use the concept of “you can always add a little more latter, but you can’t take any out”—so, if you do need a touch up, you may need to pay for two to four units, but that is only because I won’t give you more than you really need in the first place. I think it is absurd to charge “by the area” for Botox as you have no idea what you are paying for. As a physician, I have to purchase and pay for Botox by the unit and I pass that same pricing structure on to my patients so they know exactly what they are getting for their money. Stay away from anyone who charges by the area.
Thanks in for your time and courtesy on answering my questions. I had my first treatment of Botox for a line that goes across the bridge of my nose (between the eyes). My Dr gave me 2 quick shots of Botox on Dec 2. It is now January 11 and movement has returned in the area. Also, the line I wanted treated never disappeared. It was always there even after the Botox. How long does Botox last? What determines how long it will work for me? Should I be asking my Dr for a specific strength?
Sep. 23, 2011 by S.S., New York
You might need a little more Botox
In this case, I would consider the following:
A. You may need a few more units of Botox
B. You may not have had the muscles that were causing the problem injected with the Botox (i.e. it was injected into a less effective place).
Hope this helps.
In this case, I would consider the following:
A. You may need a few more units of Botox
B. You may not have had the muscles that were causing the problem injected with the Botox (i.e. it was injected into a less effective place).
Hope this helps.
Why is it Bad to Have Laser Treatments if you’ve Taken Accutane?
Sep. 23, 2011 by Cocoanative, Florida
Accutane and Laser Treatments: Accutane affects sebaceous glands and the production of the oils in our skin. It also might affect collagen production, or the decreased sebaceous production may affect collagen production. Because this is the case, problems arise in the first 6 to 12 months after taking Accutane if you have any sort of ablative procedure done (resurfacing, fractional resurfacing, micro-laser peels, TCA peels etc.) IPL procedures on the other hand are thought to be safe after about two months of discontinuing Accutane.
