Botox has been around for decades and works by temporarily freezing or paralyzing targeted muscles that cause lines, wrinkles, and folds. Increasingly, it has been being used by younger clients for preventative measures. If you can stop lines and wrinkles from prematurely forming—prevention bests a cure every time. Botox can also be used to produce the illusion of a fuller upper lip while masking a gummy smile. This is done via a lip flip, where small amounts of Botox are injected into the upper lip area. Results only last about three months on average since this is a very mobile area. You can also get a small lift in the brow with Botox or use it to help with excessive sweating (which tends to happen in the summer months). Botox is a go-to method for cosmetic and medical uses, and you can learn more about its benefits during a complimentary consultation.

Dermal Filler Fun

Dermal fillers are usually made of synthetic hyaluronic acid (HA), with natural HA already occurring in our bodies. HA draws moisture to the area, making it a very natural-looking filler. You can get fillers injected virtually anywhere in the face, jawline, and tops of the hands. The results last anywhere from 6 – 18 months on average depending on the type of filler, the injection site, and the number of syringes used. Today’s trend is less about getting fillers in just one area, such as the lips, and more about taking a holistic approach to dermal fillers.

Some of the most popular sites for dermal fillers are the jawline, below the eyes (in the hollows), on the temples, and in the cheeks. Dermal fillers can create volume where there never was, but more importantly they address an overlooked sign of aging: loss of volume. When we get older, we lose the good fat in our face that makes us appear young. Dermal fillers can reverse that, making them work very well with Botox. They tackle lost volume while also filling in lines and wrinkles in some instances, while Botox freezes lines and wrinkles at the muscular level.

Kybella for Youth

Anyone can have a double chin regardless of weight or size. If your double chin is caused by a pocket of fat in the submental area, Kybella can help. It requires a series of injections using a “stamping” device that delivers synthetic deoxycholic acid right to the problem area. This acid already occurs naturally in the body and literally melts away fat. You’ll see significant results one month after your first session, with improved results every session after that. Kybella can’t be a “one and done” procedure because your provider needs to be vigilant about not dissolving too much fat. Striking the right balance takes a series of injections.

However, once the fat is melted away with Kybella, it’s gone for good. You can enjoy a jawline that’s stronger, a dissolved double chin, and a younger, more slender, and healthier look. All of these injectables—Botox, fillers, and Kybella—require little to no downtime. Fillers may cause some swelling and all may cause some light bruising, but it’s nothing that will require a recovery period. Start now and end this summer looking and feeling your best. Complimentary consultations are available for all services. Schedule yours today by calling Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care or filling out the online contact form now.

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Botox is best known for stopping lines, wrinkles, and creases in their tracks. This is achieved by temporarily “freezing” the muscles that cause these unwanted signs of aging. Botox is the most-used neuromodulator and results typically last for 3 – 6 months depending on the injection site and number of units used. Younger clients are increasingly using Botox as a preventative measure to train muscles not to create such deep lines in the first place. However, there are also a myriad of off-label uses for this injectable.

Turning Back the Clock

Botox can do a lot more than address wrinkles. It is also an excellent tool for giving a slight arch to the eyebrows. You can also use small amounts of Botox for a “lip flip,” which essentially flips the upper lip outward so that more vermillion shows. This can help hide a gummy smile and provides the appearance of fuller lips without actually increasing volume. However, for those who do want more voluminous lips—or more volume anywhere on the face—dermal fillers are most often the best option.

The majority of dermal fillers are made with a synthetic form of hyaluronic acid (HA). The HA our body naturally produces attracts water, which is why HA is associated with youthfulness and plumping. The results from dermal fillers are immediate, though some slight swelling and redness is common. Fillers, like Botox, are also temporary, but you still want to make sure you get results you love. “Duck lips” and “trout pout” might be short-term, but since most fillers are in highly visible places you want natural-looking results. An injector without the training, skills, and experience might give you an outcome that is poor and very fake looking.

The Latest in Injectables

There are a few dermal “fillers” that aren’t fillers at all. Instead, they work via collagen induction. Results are not immediate, and it can take up to six months to see results, although slow and steady improvement in volume will be noticed during this waiting period. The benefits of such fillers are that they tend to last longer (up to two years on average compared to the 6 – 18 months offered by HA fillers). Plus, a handful of clients prefer an “all natural” approach to volume improvement. You can also achieve collagen induction with a myriad of other treatments, such as microneedling. Non-HA fillers are less common and newer than HA fillers.

Another recent development in the world of injectables is Kybella. This procedure relies on a series of synthetic deoxycholic acid injected using a specialized stamping device. It treats unwanted fat in the submental (under-chin) area. On average, about 3 – 6 cycles spaced one month apart are needed for most clients. Conservative injections are given because it’s crucial not to over-correct. Once fat is gone with Kybella, it’s gone for good. Nearby fat cells can expand if weight gain occurs, but the specific cells burned with Kybella will not return. It’s important to know if double chins are caused by fat, sagging skin, or both. This can be discussed during your consultation, which is always complimentary. If sagging skin is also a problem, this can be addressed with a variety of in-office skin tightening treatments.

Scheduling Your Consultation

If you’re interested in learning more about injectables and the many other treatments available in our office, schedule your consultation with our expert providers today. It’s not too late to get beautiful skin and results in time for summer vacation. Let’s work together to create a plan just for you. Call Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care during business hours or, for the quickest response, complete the online contact form today.

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Double chins can happen to anyone, regardless of weight. They can be exacerbated by a “weak jaw,” which is genetic, and tend to develop more as we get older and skin laxity occurs. In other words, a double chin can be caused by excess submental fat, loose skin, or both. If submental fat is the cause, Kybella can help.

Kybella uses a series of synthetic deoxycholic acid injections. This acid is the body’s natural fat buster, but a synthetic version injected directly into the double chin area can dissolve this fat while the body naturally absorbs and expels the cells. Most people need 3 – 6 Kybella injections spaced one month apart for optimal results, but many see significant results before their second injection. Once this fat is gone, it never grows back, so a conservative approach from a skilled injector is a must. Also, a Kybella “injection” is a bit of a misnomer. This isn’t like Botox or dermal fillers, which use a single needle. Instead, Kybella is injected with a special “stamp” so that several needles can inject the acid at once. This makes for a quicker and more comfortable experience.

Is Kybella for you? Here are three reasons it beats the old-fashioned way of trying to get rid of double chins, such as surgery, diet, and exercise:

1. There is no surgical risk or downtime. Kybella is considered a minimally-invasive procedure because needles are required. However, it is much safer than a surgery (like liposuction) because no general anesthesia is needed. Plus, there is no downtime, though the area might be a bit red and swollen immediately after the treatment. There are also no incisions, which means no scars. When it comes to surgery, anesthesia is typically the riskiest part of the procedure, but you can avoid that risk with Kybella. Still, just like with surgery, fat cells removed via Kybella are gone for good! So you get similar results without the cost, pain, and risk of surgery.

2. Kybella lets you spot reduce. Whether you try to “lose fat” from diet, exercise, or both, you can’t pick and choose which fat is lost. That isn’t the case with Kybella. Deoxycholic acid is injected exactly where you need it—the submental fat area. Many people try to get rid of their double chin by “losing weight,” but that often doesn’t help. Even very slender, fit people can have a double chin. If you are struggling with pockets of fat in specific areas, diet and exercise won’t work—you need body contouring treatments like Kybella.

3. “Face yoga” and other facial exercises produce limited, if any, results. Yes, facial exercises and face yoga is “having a moment” and it’s true that the face (including below the chin) has a complex structure comprised of several small muscles. Could “working out” your under-chin area help tone and tighten, resulting in a less obvious double chin? Maybe, but just like any strength training routine there are limits and you need to keep doing these exercises to maintain the results. Simply put, it’s faster, easier, and much longer lasting to choose Kybella for double chin treatment instead of a workout.

What if you have both loose skin and pockets of fat in this area? You can combine skin tightening treatments with Kybella. Thermage FLX is one of the best options for skin tightening, and most people need just one treatment for optimal results. Thermage FLX is non-invasive and uses heat energy to stimulate collagen production. Results are dramatic and can last for several months.

Not sure what the cause of your double chin is? Let’s find out together during a consultation. Discover all of your options to achieve smoother, more taut, youthful skin including in difficult areas like under the chin. Connect with Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care today by calling the office or completing the online form to book your consultation.

The post 3 Reasons Kybella is Better Than Lipo, Diet, AND Exercise appeared first on Palo Alto Laser & Skin Care.

Botox

No injectable regimen is complete without this popular neuromodulator. However, Botox can do much more than freeze lines and wrinkles. Increasingly, younger clients are using it as a form or pre-juvenation, training the muscles that cause wrinkles to be too weak to form them in the first place. Botox has long been used as a tool for stopping excessive sweating and preventing migraines, but it’s also in high demand for treating gummy smiles.

The lip flip requires extreme preciseness and an expert touch. This procedure calls for small amounts of Botox to be injected along the upper lip line. This causes the lip to “flip” upward and out, providing the appearance of a fuller lip while hiding a gummy smile. Maintenance sessions are required every three months since this is a hyper-mobile area. Of course, if you’re interested in real fullness in both lips, dermal fillers might be the solution for you.

Dermal fillers

Most fillers are made of a synthetic version of hyaluronic acid (HA), which means that results are immediate (while results of Botox and the lip flip can take 3 – 7 days on average). Dermal fillers are appropriate in virtually every part of the face as well as the tops of the hands. While lip fillers remain popular, increasingly there has been a more holistic approach to dermal fillers. Gone are the days when most clients benefitted from “just” fillers in one area. Experts are looking at the whole face and how fillers can create stunning, organic results.

One of the most popular current approaches for facial fillers is in enhancing the heart-shaped dynamic. This typically calls for fillers in the temples, cheeks, and along the jawline and/or chin. These are all common areas where we lose “good” fat as we get older, as well as definition. Take a look at photos of elders and you will see a clear loss of volume in these regions—as well as below the eyes, tops of the hands, and lips. With HA dermal fillers, we can reverse this process and restore volume you’ve lost (or add volume where you’ve always wanted it).

Kybella

You don’t have to be overweight to have a double chin. Many people struggle with this, which is often the result of genetics. Kybella actually dissolves the fat that causes a double chin in a series of injections. Using synthetic deoxycholic acid, 4 – 6 treatments spaced one month apart are recommended for most clients. Kybella uses a “stamp” tool so that you receive multiple injections at once, which drastically minimizes appointment times and discomfort. You will start to see dramatic results after one month, but full results take some time. Start your Kybella journey now and you’ll see full results by the year’s end.

Of course, if double chins are caused by a combination of fat pockets and skin laxity, you may need to pair Kybella with Thermage FLX, laser skin rejuvenation, or some other form of skin laxity treatment. We will examine your skin during your consultation and put together a custom action plan based on your needs and goals.

These three injectables are fast, relatively comfortable, and provide stunning results. Downtime is minimal, though some redness, swelling, and bruising may occur in the days following the treatment. Most people get right back to their day, but you should plan on scheduling these treatments at least one week before a big event. To find out more and book your complimentary consultation, contact Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care today by calling the office or filling out the online contact form now.

The post Just 3 Injectables to Totally Transform Your Aesthetic appeared first on Palo Alto Laser & Skin Care.

Deoxycholic acid is a natural fat-buster, but with Kybella a synthetic form of it is directly injected into the target site. Results are not immediate, but you’ll see significant improvement one month after each procedure. Since it takes time to melt away fat, it’s imperative that a conservative approach is taken—too much fat removal and your jawline with look unnatural. This is why multiple sessions are required. It allows your provider to see how your body responds to each treatment so that the following treatment can be fully customized just for you.

The Kybella Difference

Kybella was approved by the FDA in 2015 as a minimally invasive, non-surgical treatment for double chins. Also known as “submental fullness,” double chins can happen to anyone, regardless of their weight or size. Often genetic, double chins can make you look older and heavier than you are. One need only look to celebrities deemed the most beautiful, such as Angelina Jolie or Ariana Grande, to see that a strong, sharp jawline is part of this desired aesthetic. In the era of the Zoom Boom, when everyone spends hours looking at themselves on video, there has been an increased demand for safe yet effective facial “tweaking” and Kybella popularity has skyrocketed.

Double chins tend to become more prevalent as we get older thanks to a decrease in collagen and elastin in our skin. Plus, fat pockets tend to collect in this area, and there is no way to “spot reduce” with diet and exercise alone. As we get older, “good fat” in our face (such as in our cheeks, lips, and below our eyes) often dissipates while stubborn fat in the submental area stays the same. The combination of lost skin elasticity with fat pockets that look more pronounced alongside the lost “good” fat can create or exaggerate a double chin.

Why Choose Kybella?

When a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid is injected into the area, it breaks down the fat cells, which are then naturally absorbed and expelled from the body in the days and weeks following the injection. In its natural form, this acid is part of the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. Kybella is the latest modality to treat unwanted fat in this area, following on the heels of liposuction and CoolSculpting Mini. CoolSculpting freezes away unwanted fat while Kybella burns it, but Kybella is the most-requested treatment for double chins because providers typically have more control over exact fat reduction with this tool. Considering it is such a small and delicate area, precision is key.

One of the main advantages of Kybella is its simplicity. It’s much safer and less invasive than liposuction, and the treatments are fairly quick. Most patients require just 20 – 30 minutes per Kybella appointment. Plus, once these fat cells are dissolved, they are permanently removed. However, weight gain can still cause nearby fat cells to grow and expand, so Kybella is an addition to a healthy diet and exercise routine, not an alternative.

Combining Treatments

Remember that a double chin can be caused by fat, skin laxity, or both. Kybella does not treat skin laxity, so if you struggle with both you may need to combine Kybella with skin tightening treatments for best results. There are multiple modalities for this including lasers, microneedling, Morpheus8, and more. Using medical-grade skin care products can also help to maximize and sustain results. To find out more about Kybella and all options at Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care, call the office today or simply complete the online form.

The post All You Need to Know About Kybella to Melt Away Double Chins appeared first on Palo Alto Laser & Skin Care.

Many clients want to know why multiple sessions are needed if deoxycholic acid is dissolving fat. Bear in mind that once this fat is removed—whether by acid or liposuction—it is gone forever. This means that conservative measures must be taken in order to avoid over-correction. The results are not immediate. Deoxycholic acid takes about one month to fully dissolve fat cells and it is at this point that results can be seen.

Your injector is personally trained by Zuzana Likar to the highest of standards. They are committed to providing you with beautiful, natural-looking results, and this requires assessing progress about one month after each injection. This is the only way to ensure the best results. Over-correction can lead to an outcome that is arguably worse than a double chin. After every Kybella session, your injector will analyze the results and customize the next injection based on your progress.

How Kybella Works

Unlike dermal fillers and Botox, a single needle is not used for Kybella. Instead, a type of stamp device is used to inject multiple doses into the submental fat area. This minimizes discomfort and makes the process efficient and fast. After all, a double chin caused by fat encompasses a relatively large area. “Stamping” injections also allow for a cohesive, even approach to the treatment.

Kybella has been FDA-approved as a double chin treatment since 2005. Since that time, it has become a popular alternative to liposuction for treating unwanted fat in this area. In one clinical trial, the vast majority of people (82.4 percent) reported “significantly improved satisfaction” following their Kybella treatment. This trial also deemed Kybella “safe and effective.” Since deoxycholic acid already occurs naturally in the body, a synthetic version means there is little to no risk of an adverse reaction.

Is Kybella for You?

If you are an adult with moderate or severe fat underneath the chin, you might be a good candidate for Kybella. Many Kybella patients previously considered surgery (liposuction), but understandably want to avoid surgery and all the risks and downtime it entails. According to a 2015 American Society for Dermatologic Surgery survey, 67 percent of people in the U.S. are troubled by excess fat under their chin. Kybella is the only FDA-approved injectable to treat an issue that plagues the majority of adults.

You do not have to be overweight to have a double chin. There are many factors that go into creating this common problem, including genetics, asymmetrical fat distribution, and a “weak” jawline or chin. Getting rid of a double chin improves not only aesthetics, but also confidence.

The Kybella Difference

If you are a good candidate for Kybella, little pre- and post-care is needed. During your appointment, your injector will mark the target sites and use a numbing agent and/or ice to maximize comfort. Most sessions require 20 – 50 injections in total, with the stamping device making these quick and easy. You do not need to do anything special following your treatment, though bear in mind that some redness and mild discomfort may persist in the first few days after your treatment. However, given the treatment site, any redness usually goes unnoticed by others.

Do you think that Kybella might be for you? Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care offers complimentary consultations on all procedures in a no-pressure environment. Kybella is best for those who are experiencing pronounced double chin issues and only removes fat—not excess skin. If you are struggling with a double chin caused by both fat and skin laxity, combining Kybella with a skin tightening treatment, such as laser skin rejuvenation, may be the best approach. Let’s work together to create a customized plan just for you, your skin, and your goals. Contact Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care today by calling the office or, for the quickest reply, simply complete the online form.

The post Kybella Gets Rid of the Double Chin Without Surgery appeared first on Palo Alto Laser & Skin Care.

What no provider should ever do is combine Kybella treatments with CoolSculpting. These treatments work in completely different ways to get rid of double chins, and neither offer immediate results—this is important to keep in mind. CoolSculpting freezes away fat, targeting unwanted fat cells. In the weeks and months following CoolSculpting, these frozen fat cells are metabolized and expelled by the body. Kybella works differently. Unlike CoolSculpting, it is minimally invasive and requires a series of injections. Deoxycholic acid is directed into the fat cells, which dissolves them over time. You will not see the full results of CoolSculpting or Kybella for about six months, but you will start to see results about one month after each treatment.

Why Timing Matters with CoolSculpting

You don’t want to completely eliminate fat under your chin. That would result in a gaunt, alien look that is arguably worse than a double chin. This is why CoolSculpting (and Kybella) sessions are spaced about one month apart. This amount of time allows your provider to gauge the progress of your treatment and adjust the session accordingly. If a person undergoes CoolSculpting and Kybella during the same period for a double chin (which no provider should ever do), there is no control over the amount of fat loss. This will almost certainly result in an outcome that is asymmetrical and undesirable.

What this means is that you’ll have to choose, in collaboration with your provider, whether CoolSculpting or Kybella is the best double chin treatment for you. CoolSculpting has been around longer and one of the biggest draws for it is that it’s completely non-invasive. The sensation can feel a bit strange (and cold!) but there are no needles involved. This is a big plus to those who are needle-shy.

When it comes to which works faster, CoolSculpting or Kybella, they are pretty comparable. Fat cells are being killed with both treatments, so it’s just a matter of how this takes place. These cells will still have to be absorbed and expelled by the body, which takes time. CoolSculpting and Kybella may also require the same number of treatments, though CoolSculpting might require 1 – 2 more treatments on average. When it comes to price, the two are also comparable.

Making the Decision To Get Rid of the Double Chin

The best way to know which double chin treatment is right for you is by scheduling a complimentary consultation. We will discuss your goals and preferences, which will inform the plan of action. If you get started right now, no matter which treatment you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy full results by the summer months. And if you think your double chin is derived from both fat pockets and skin laxity? Don’t worry; you can combine submental fat treatments with skin tightening treatments like laser skin rejuvenation.

It can sometimes be difficult to figure out exactly what is causing that double chin, and that’s what our resident experts are for. Every member of our staff is trained by Zuzana Likar, so you can rest easy knowing only the most skilled and experienced providers are taking care of you. Whether you opt for CoolSculpting or want to try Kybella, celebrities love both of these treatments. They are both proven methods of blasting away fat—and once fat cells are killed, they can never regenerate. However, do keep in mind that nearby fat cells can grow and spread should weight gain occur.

Ready to say goodbye to your double chin in 2022? Contact Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care today to book your CoolSculpting consultation. Call the office at (650) 565-8683 or, for the fastest response, complete the online form.

The post Should You Get Kybella or CoolSculpting to Vanquish a Double Chin? appeared first on Palo Alto Laser & Skin Care.

Broadband light therapy, or BBL, is the second iteration of the intense pulsed light (IPL) technology. Suitable for all skin tones, BBL can help with a variety of common skin complaints such as redness, hyperpigmentation, fine lines and wrinkles, and acne scarring. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just lines and wrinkles that make you look tired or older than you are. The skin is the biggest organ you have and it shows signs of aging and sun damage in a myriad of ways. BBL is a comprehensive treatment that reverses the signs of aging on a holistic level.

Most Popular Holiday Skin Care Picks

Of course, Botox is still on top when it comes to the most-requested treatments. It’s been the most popular treatment for decades because it’s fast, easy, and it really works. You can use Botox to “freeze” the muscles that cause unwanted furrowing and wrinkles, providing a smooth and relaxed facial surface. Plus, Botox even helps train these muscles to get weaker (in a good way) so they won’t be capable of creating deep lines and wrinkles in the future—though of course clients do need to schedule routine maintenance sessions to sustain their results.

Botox can also be used for off-label purposes, such as reducing migraines and stopping excessive sweating. Many clients depend on Botox for a combination of results, like keeping their headaches in check while also smoothing the angry elevens between the brows or achieving a slight arch of the eyebrows. Let us help you discover the many ways Botox can benefit you.

Fillers and More

Dermal fillers offer immediate and natural-looking results. Many clients are surprised to find that maybe wrinkles weren’t their first sign of aging, but rather the loss of volume and “good fat” in the face and tops of the hands. We have all of the best, most effective filler brands so that you can get organic-looking and beautiful results. Whether it’s volumizing the lips, defining the jawline, filling in the undereye troughs or marionette lines, or even returning a youthful plumpness to the hands, we have the dermal filler for you.

Kybella

Another common sign of aging is the appearance of a double chin—even on otherwise slender clients. This submental fat is often genetic and makes it look like you’re heavier and older than you are. Avoid surgery with Kybella, a minimally invasive procedure. Kybella injects a synthetic deoxycholic acid into the under-chin area, which naturally dissolves the fat over time. Most clients need 3 – 6 total sessions, as it’s very important not to overuse Kybella. Once the fat is dissolved, it’s gone for good.

Tattoo Removal

Some people are lucky enough to still love their first tattoo years or even decades later. There are many reasons you may want to erase the past (especially when it’s glaringly obvious on your skin). We offer the unprecedented PicoWay tattoo removal treatment, the best technology to remove even old, deep, and multi-colored tattoos. Multiple sessions are required for optimal results. You can use tattoo removal to get back your clear skin, proudly wear any type of outfit you choose, or even make room for more (and much better) tattoos in the future.

Connect with us today to learn more about our holiday glowup options and schedule your consultation or appointment. Call Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care at (408) 688-2082 today and squeeze in some pampering appointments before the new year.

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