Spider Veins
What are spider veins?
Spider veins, also known as telangiectasias, are abnormally dilated blood vessels in the skin. They usually appear on the legs but can also occur on the face, chest, arms, hands, and back. Although usually a cosmetic issue, spider veins can cause the same symptoms as much larger varicose veins, including:
• Itching
• Burning
• Heaviness, and
• Fatigue in the legs
What causes spider veins?
Spider veins may develop in two ways:
1) Tiny pre-existing veins can enlarge and become dilated over time.
2) Or your body actually grows new veins where it doesn’t need them – in the skin. Pregnancy, estrogen-containing medications, and fluctuating hormones may also stimulate spider vein appearance; thus, spider veins are more common in women.The tendency to develop abnormal veins is largely hereditary, and there is not much you can do to prevent them. Support hose, exercise, and dietary supplements are helpful for symptoms, but do not prevent new spider veins (or varicose veins) from appearing. In some cases, spider veins may indicate larger diseased veins underneath the skin.Dr. Lee may use ultrasound to search for any hidden diseased veins. If larger diseased veins are found, they will need to be treated first or spider vein treatment will be ineffective.
How are spider veins treated?”
Spider veins are not essential and abnormal appearing veins. Sclerotherapy is a standard treatment for spider veins. A medication is gently injected into the abnormal veins causing them to shrink and disappear.Dr. Lee uses “Asclera” for sclerotherapy because it is very gentle and literally painless, compared to saline injection. Blood is re-routed into nearby healthy veins. Immediately following treatment, spider veins may get inflamed and/or bruised.This resolves with time as the body absorbs the veins. Typically 2-3 treatment sessions are necessary for optimal lasting results.
Are cosmetic spider vein or hand vein evaluation and sclerotherapy treatment covered by insurance?
Dr. Lee charges a small consultation fee for cosmetic spider vein and hand vein evaluation. Cosmetic sclerotherapy procedures are not covered by health insurance. Dr. Lee’s charges are very competitively priced, and Dr. Lee is an expert in this procedure and she personally performs the procedure to assure safety and excellent results.The cost varies based on amount of veins treated and amount of medication used (determined at the consultation visit). Dr. Lee also posts special promotions in emails, Facebook, and Twitter when they are available.
Dermal Fillers
Who is a candidate?
Men and women who are 21 years and older and are interested in reducing the appearance of visible signs of aging due to volume or collagen loss may be candidates for this injectable dermal filler. Dermal fillers can be placed to lift and repair hollow or thinning areas such as the temple, undereye, cheek, nasolabial/smile folds, lines around the mouth, jowl, jawline, and lips. Dr. Lee will review your medical history, medication list, general health, and goals for treatment, and determine if dermal filler is right for you. If you are a candidate, she will help create a customized treatment plan that best fits your desired results and budget and she also performs the actual treatment (typically on a separate visit, unless scheduled otherwise).
What types of dermal filler do I need and what is their cost?
Dermal fillers have different consistency, filling/lifting effects, and indications. In general, Restylane is ideal for treatment under the eye because it is the “thinnest” filler so it will not show through the thin skin at the eye area. Contrary, Radiesse is a denser filler that contains calcium, so it is very effective in lifting the heavier tissue in lower face to repair the droopy mouth corners and jowls. Juvederm is a popular filler for lip treatment and will give an appropriate plump and smooth appearance. Voluma is gel filler specifically designed to lift and augment cheeks. At your consultation, Dr. Lee will carefully evaluate your facial anatomy to determine which dermal filler will best help you achieve your goals. Our dermal filler cost ranges $750-900 per syringe which includes the physician fee, anesthetic, and products. And we will customize a treatment plan that will best fit your budget and beauty goals. A deposit will be collected in order to schedule treatment.
What should I do before treatment?
During your consultation, be sure to inform Dr. Lee about any medications you are currently taking. It’s best to avoid taking any medications which may thin the blood for 1 week. This includes prescriptive blood thinners, aspirins, ibuprofens, vitamin E, and fish oil. You may take Tylenol which is NOT a blood thinner. We highly recommend taking a supplement called Arnicare Tablets (available on Amazon) 3-4 times a day, starting 2 days before treatment to help prevent bruising. There is no dietary or activity restriction before Dermal Filler treatment.
What is treatment like and how long will it take?
Please be prepared to be at our office for 1 ½ to 2 hours. After photos are taken, we will apply topical numbing cream for 30 minutes. Actual treatment times are around 45-75 minutes. All our dermal fillers are formulated with lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to reduce any discomfort associated with the treatment process. Dr. Lee is known for her gentle touch and she personally performs all treatments. She uses the “blunt cannula technique” that provides the gentlest treatment without causing much trauma or bruising. Patients typically feel only pressure and just a few small pricks. For lip treatment, Dr. Lee will perform a “mini-dental block” after numbing gel is applied. With this method, the lips are numbed for the duration of the treatment which is about an hour, but you will still be able to move the lips and talk.
What could I expect after treatment and are there any restrictions?
Do NOT touch or manipulate the injection areas in order to let the product set and to avoid infection. Please do NOT apply makeup to treatment area for 24 hour which can cause infection if it gets into the injection sites. You may expect temporary swelling and possible bruising around the treatment area for a couple days. We advise to not commit to special events for few days. Continue Arnicare tablets for 2 days after treatment or until bruising resolves. We recommend Cover FX (available at Ulta) or DermaBlend (Sephora/Dillard’s) to conceal more visible bruising should that occur. There is no dietary restriction except for after lip treatment. Avoid hot food or liquid after lip treatment until numbness is worn off. You should not work out or sweat same day after treatment. You may return to normal routines and exercise the following day.
When will I see results?
Dermal filler provides an immediately visible improvement to the treated area with final results that develop in about one week, with the exception of undereye area. Undereye treatment may require a touchup so final result may be achieved about a month after initial treatment. Dr. Lee uses a conservative approach to help patients to achieve a natural, rejuvenated, more youthful appearance without looking “done”. Some patients may benefit from additional treatment sessions in order to achieve their goals of treatment.
How long will my results last?
Results can last 9 to 14 months depend on treatment zones and products used. And you should continue to receive treatments in regular intervals of 1 to 2 for maximal benefits.
Botox® Cosmetic and Dysport®
Who is a candidate?
Botox® Cosmetic and Dysport® is a prescriptive medication that is used to relax the expression muscles in the upper face. When these overly expressive muscles are relaxed, they don’t crease as easily and therefore don’t create wrinkles. For younger patients in their twenties, the treatment will not only smooth out the wrinkles for short term results, but it can also have long term impact by preventing wrinkles from further developing. For patients who already notice visible lines without movement, the treatment can help reverse some wrinkles. The most common places for it to be used are:
• The forehead
• Frown lines between brows
• Around the eyes (crow’s feet)
• The top of the nose (bunny lines)
• Treatment zones can also be combined for brow lifting effect
You’ll notice that you still look the same, but you look more relaxed and “brightened” especially in photos. Your skin will appear smoother and will bring out a more youthful you. The only time you cannot receive treatment is if you are pregnant, nursing, or if you have any muscular disorder. Dr. Lee will review your medical history, medication list, general health, and goals for treatment, and determine if Botox® Cosmetic or Dysport® is right for you. If you are a candidate, she will help create a customized treatment plan that best fits your desired results and budget and she also performs the actual treatment.
What is the difference between Botox® Cosmetic and Dysport®?
Botox® Cosmetic the brand name for a specific type of botulinum type A toxin, called onabotulinumtoxinA (ONA). Dysport® is the brand name for another type A botulinum toxin called abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO). Botox® Cosmetic was first approved for cosmetic use in 2002, and Dysport® in 2009. While the two products are very similar and do similar things, they aren’t exactly the same. Sort of like Coke and Pepsi. Some studies have suggested that Dysport® works quicker, lasts a little longer; however, the trials were sponsored by the manufacturer of Dysport® and these results should be interpreted with caution. We have found results can vary with individuals. Some patients prefer Botox® Cosmetic while others may prefer Dysport®. The products also have different dosing. 30 units of Botox® Cosmetic does not equal 30 units of Dysport®. The lowest recommended dosage should always be used when first using a botulinum toxin product. During your consultation, Dr. Lee will explain the differences between the two products to you and will help you decide which product is best for your beauty goals and prescribe the lowest effective amount for you.
What is the cost?”
Everyone has different expressions. Dr. Lee will prescribe the correct dosing of Botox® Cosmetic or Dysport® that is appropriate for your expression and desirable results. In general, forehead treatment cost may range from $83 to 138. The brow muscles are stronger and treatment cost may range from $165 to 275. Crow’s feet treatment cost ranges from $165 to 220.
What to do before treatment?
It’s best to avoid taking any medications which may thin the blood for at least 3 days. This includes prescriptive blood thinners, aspirins, ibuprofens, vitamin E, and fish oil. You may take Tylenol which is NOT a blood thinner. However, the treatment is not very invasive. Therefore, treatment can still be performed if you didn’t stop the above medications. You may or may not have tiny bruising. You may wear make up before or after Botox® Cosmetic/Dysport® treatment. There is no dietary or exercise restriction before treatment. But we do recommend to avoid strenuous exercise immediately afterwards as it may cause delayed bruising.
What is treatment like and how long will it take?
Consultation may take 10 minutes to customize your treatment plan. The actual treatment only takes 10-15 minutes. Dr. Lee personally performs all treatments using very tiny needles so there isn’t a need for any anesthetic. She also uses an ice cube to “numb” and distract the area so you may only have minimal, if any, discomfort. It’s very common to have treatments done in between work and home, or while you’re already out. And you will be able to go back to work or out to dinner.
What to expect after treatment?
The area will have light redness and swelling (like a mosquito bite) for 5 minutes and it will completely disappear without a trace. You may wear makeup before or after Botox® Cosmetic/Dysport® treatment. There is no restriction after treatment except to avoid strenuous exercise immediately afterwards as it may cause delayed bruising. Bruising is rare with our Botox® Cosmetic/Dysport® treatment especially with the ice used. However, you can take Arnicare tablets before and after treatment if you are particularly prone to bruising.
When will I see results?
Results are generally seen in a few days but aren’t fully realized until about two weeks after treatment. Dr. Lee is known for her customized conservative regimen to help patients to achieve a natural smoother and youthful appearance without looking frozen. Some patients may require touchup couple weeks after initial treatment so she can get to know your response. Results typically last about 3 months and you should continue to receive treatments in regular intervals of 3 to 4 months for maximal benefits.