Collagen
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein that provides support to various parts of the human body: the skin, the joints, the bones and the ligaments. Injectable collagen is derived from purified bovine (cow) collagen. The purification process creates a product similar to human collagen. Injectable collagen received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in 1981. It is produced in various thicknesses to meet individual patient needs.
The collagen is injected using a fine needle, and it is inserted at several points along the edge of the treatment site. If a local anesthesia has not been used, you may feel some minor stinging or burning as the injections are administered. However, most preparations of collagen are combined with local anesthesia.
The target injection site are wrinkles, lines, and scars on the face and sometimes the neck, back and chest where the collagen restores fullness and tension to the skin. Collagen implantation works best for wrinkles around the eyes and mouth; it may also be used to give the lips greater fullness.
Botox
Botox treatment is a revolutionary approach to reversing the affects facial wrinkles. Crow's feet, worry lines and laugh lines can all be a thing of the past. These are referred to as dynamic wrinkle lines and all are treatable with this procedure. Cosmetic denervation is the process of injecting botox into the tiny facial muscles that create the wrinkles.
The Botox Procedure
Botox injections are performed without anesthesia because it is virtually painless. Only a very small sting is felt when the injections are made. The effects are not permanent and may need to be repeated two to three times per year to retain the effects. Research has suggested, however, that long term use of the injections leads to a longer duration of each treatment's effect. Patients over the age of 65 may not experience as dramatic of results. Botox is only useful in treating expression lines and cannot be used to repair sagging skin caused by aging.
Sclerotherapy (erasing veins)
Is Sclerotherapy for me?
Many people have small but visible veins, most commonly found on the thighs, around the knees, on the calves and on the ankles, which they consider unattractive. This condition is called telangiectasias but is also known as spider veins, varicosities, broken capillaries or sunburst vessels. These veins do not actually serve a purpose, so can be removed without posing a health problem. The procedure used to treat spider veins is called sclerotherapy.
How is it Done?
Sclerotherapy consists of repeated injections of a solution into the veins which irritates the vein lining, causing a small, inconsequential clot in the vein. With the blood flow stopped, the vein will eventually disappear. This procedure is generally performed on the lower extremities. The solution is usually injected into the veins two or three times over a period of several weeks to months.
The veins will generally begin to disappear within several weeks following treatment, but may take up to several months. This process may need to be repeated, depending on the degree of severity. Our surgeons treat primarily spider veins that are red, pink, violet or blue in color. Varicose veins which are pencil diameter or larger may be treated by a general surgeon or vascular surgeon.
Sclerotherapy is carried out as an office procedure, usually requiring 20 minutes or longer per session. Generally, no more than one to two areas are treated at a time. For extensive vein treatment, several visits may be necessary.
After Effects?
Most patients experience minimal pain during the injection. Any discomfort is usually related to the irritation caused by the substance injected into the vein, but this will subside. Following the treatment, pressure may be applied to the injected area for 24 to 36 hours. Rest is not generally necessary, in fact, daily walking for at least 20 minutes after the treatment is strongly encouraged and normal activity may be resumed.
What Are the Risks?
Most patients are extremely pleased with the results of sclerotherapy and complications are unusual. However, complications may include ulceration of the skin that may heal with scar formation, reddish blotches -- most will disappear in six to 12 months, pigmentation or discoloration and formation of new spider veins or sunburst blemishes.
Diolite Laser
The DioLite laser is the latest in laser technology for the treatment of vascular and pigmented lesions. This treatment does not cause bruising as seen with earlier technologies.
This high technology laser allows treatment of skin lesions such as small visible spider veins, age spots, freckles, vascular lesions as well as a variety of other skin blemishes, in less than 15 minutes.
Patients will like the fact that they can enhance their appearance by removing unattractive skin blemishes quickly, safely and easily. Immediate bruise-free results are evident and only minimal post-operative care is necessary.
Contour Thread Lift™
We all want to look bright-eyed, fresh, and youthful. So as you look in the mirror, instead of repeatedly pulling up the skin on your face wishing it would stay there, Dr. Hopp offers his patients a subtle and natural-looking solution. The Contour ThreadLift™ is an effective minimally-invasive procedure with immediate results; designed to rejuvenate your facial appearance. This involves the first FDA-cleared, self-anchoring thread technology with patented barbs that attach to the subdermal tissue; elevating and fixating the skin in certain areas.
The barbs are made of clear polypropylene – a material that has been safely used in the body for many years in medical devices. Even under fair or thin skin, the barbs are unnoticeable. The Contour ThreadLift™ can perform a variety of functions, such as “lift” sagging eyebrows, adjust asymmetric brows, reposition sagging cheeks, and/or lift drooping soft tissues of the mid and lower face. It can also help to smooth out premature aging skin.
Dr. Hopp does not suggest this procedure as a replacement for a conventional facelift; rather it offers a fast and unique approach towards gaining a youthful appearance. To learn if you are a candidate for the Contour ThreadLift™, visit Dr. Hopp for an initial consultation visit; a time when he will evaluate your goals and specific anatomical consideration. This generally includes your skin quality, the degree of sagging, your underlying bone structure, and the area you would like lifted. Ideal patients for this procedure are men and women between the ages of 30 and 60 who desire long-lasting results with a more dramatic effect than many other popular treatments and procedures.
The Contour ThreadLift™ is a quick, non-surgical procedure that is usually performed under local anesthesia, offers little recovery time, and entails a low risk of complications. Depending on the age of the patient, the degree of sagging, and the number of threads used, results may last anywhere from three to five years.
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