Texas Cosmetic Dermatology Blog

Botox is a purified toxin obtained from bacterium Clostridium botulinum, the organism responsible for Botulism by releasing the toxin in large amounts. Botulism is a serious illness and can be potentially fatal by causing paralysis.

Botox obtained legally in US, used in Cosmetic Medicine for facial expressive wrinkles and for hyperhidrosis of underarms and palms is quite safe when used by an experienced Physician.

How Does Botox Work?

Botox blocks nerve signals to the muscles weakening muscle contractions, which causes relaxation of the wrinkles.
In my office I use it for forehead lines, crow's feet,frown lines and to enhance eyebrow arch.

What to expect during a treatment?

Botox Injections are done in Physician's office and take only a few minutes.
I use tiny needles in 0.3 cc syringes to inject very small amount of Botox with each syringe. This keeps the needle sharp and I have noticed I need fewer units of Botox to treat a relatively larger area.
To reduce discomfort and bruising, my assistant uses a Zimmer chiller to cool the skin during the injection.
I also advise my patients to consider Arnica to reduce bruising.
It generally takes three to seven days for the effect, I offer a follow up visit in 7 days for a touch up if needed.

How Long Does the effect of Botox Last?

The effect from Botox usually lasts four to six months. As muscle action gradually returns, the lines and wrinkles begin to re-appear.

What Are the Side Effects of Botox injections?

• Transient bruising is the most common side effect of Botox.
• rarely headaches, can occur which usually resolve in 24-48 hours
• A tiny percentage of patients may develop eyelid drooping. This usually resolves in three weeks. I tend to "under dose" Botox and advise my patients to not rub the area or lay down for a few hours

If you are interested in learning more about Anti Aging Skin Treatment options in or around South lake, Colleyeville, Keller, Grapevine, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Arlington, Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Denton and other areas around Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, Please call our office at 888-210-9693 or visit our website at www.nailamalikmdskin.com

Botox is the brand name of toxin from bacterium Clostridium botulinum.
The FDA approved Medical use of Botox in the late 1980s for conditions like strabismus and blepharospasm. Botox has been used for years to soften expressive wrinkles and was FDA approved for wrinkle treatment in April 2002

Are you a candidate for Botox?

Botox is injected into the muscle underneath the skin to relax (stretch ) the muscle. It does not have any effect on skin.
If you have expressive lines which disappear upon stretching of skin, you will likely have good results.
If you have had strong expressive lines for a few years and they have become a permanent indentation in skin, then Botox will only have modest effect. Stretching your skin does not completely eliminate these lines.
If you are looking to enhance your eyebrow arch, an experienced Physician can inject Botox strategically to achieve this.

Who is not a candidate for Botox?

You should not get Botox injections if:
You have allergy to Botox.
If you have an active skin infection at the site of Botox injections, Viral or bacterial.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you have a neurological disease.

If you are interested in learning more about Anti Aging Skin Treatment options in or around South lake, Colleyeville, Keller, Grapevine, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Arlington, Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Denton and other areas around Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, Please call our office at 888-210-9693 or visit our website at
www.nailamalikmdskin.com

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information on this Web site is provided by Naila Malik MD for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician. Only your doctor can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Site!
THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.

Weight Loss is an ongoing battle for most people. Here are a few things to consider to get a victory:
1. Set Realistic Weight Loss Goals

For mild to moderate excess weight, it may be as simple as cutting down portion size and adding a bit of daily physical activity. I see a lot of patients in my Office with weight loss goals of 10-20 pounds who have tried cutting down calories and increasing activity with only minimal success. We have had good results with our Hcg program for these patients. Almost all are able to reach their goal weight within 6 weeks.

For moderate to severely overweight , Consulting with a Medical weight loss Physician is a better option right from the start. Patients with concurrent medical conditions such as hypertension and hypercholestrolemia especially do very well on the program. I just finished seeing my 40 some year old caucasian female Southlake patient with hypertension, hypercholestrolemia and 75 pound weight loss goal. Today was the end of week 2 on the program. So far she has lost 17 pounds, she feels great, has lot of energy, her Blood pressure has been very well controlled (better than before starting the program). We plan to have her on the program for 3 months to get close to our goal weight. At that time we plan to have her on the maintenance diet plan.

2. Know why you overeat?

People over eat for different reasons:

Impulsive eating: I have one patient from Colleyevile on the plan who does very well during the work week but cannot resist snacking on the weekends. She has lost 2-4 pounds/ week (for 3 weeks). We have her on an appetite suppressant twice a day which does not help her with impulsive eating. She admits she eats on the weekends not because she is hungry, but because she "just cannot help herself" During her last visit we discussed that her best solution is to remove all temptations from her pantry and refrigerator

Mindless eating:
Focus and enjoy food when you are eating. Snacking while you watch TV is the worse! You wont be able to keep track of the number of calories consumed!

Nervous eating:
Anxiety, nervousness, depression leads to craving "comfort foods" generally high sugar, high fat, processed foods.

People who are motivated, disciplined tend to have better self control and do better monitoring their food intake. I have an Azle Tx weight loss patient who baked and cooked all sorts of party food for the superball at her home and did not cheat!!.
I do give my patients the option for an appetite suppressant if they do not have any medical contra indications to such drugs. This group of patients generally does not require appetite suppressant and have no difficulty avoiding temptations.

3.Add Physical activity to your DAILY Routine:

Unfortunately long term weight loss needs lifelong commitment to better lifestyle, both eating and regular physical activity. Interestingly I do occasionally get a patient who does not quite grasp this concept. I remember consulting with one particular 60 something male who asked if he could go back to eating whatever he wants after loosing the weight in 6 weeks? the answer is "NO". you will have to make a few lifelong changes

4. Be committed:

In order to achieve success, make sure you are ready for real commitment and clearly outline the reasons why you need to lose weight.

• Outline your motivation, looking good, controlling your blood pressure,cholesterol, diabetes, better quality of life etc.
• Do not be discouraged with setbacks or plateaus
• Make sure your timing is right and you are not dealing with a major life event at the time, moving to a new house, dealing with a sick parent, changing jobs etc.
• Do it for YOURSELF and not for someone else or to be accepted

For any questions about our Medical HCG weight loss, please contact our Southlake office at 888-210-9693 or check our website

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information on this Web site is provided by Naila Malik MD for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician. Only your doctor can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Site!
THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.

Offer Cosmetic Dermatology, HCG Medical Weight Loss, Anti aging Hormone Replacement in and around Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Grapevine, Fort Worth, Dallas, North Richland Hills Texas

Laser resurfacing is a cosmetic treatment for wrinkle reduction and improvement in skin texture, skin irregularities and acne scars.Read the entire WebMD article here.

The two types of lasers most commonly used are carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium.

What type of skin conditions can be improved with laser resurfacing?

Wrinkles around the eyes and mouth, acne or other scars, poor skin texture and tone not responsive to facelift can be improved with Laser resurfacing.

What are the relative contra-indications to laser skin resurfacing?

Active acne or other active skin infection, Bacterial or Viral. These conditions should be adequately treated before resurfcaing procedure.
Individuals with very dark skin are high risk for post inflammatory hyperpigmentation and caution should be exercised treating this skin type. I use lower settings or pre-treat dark skin before laser resurfacing.

CO2 Laser Resurfacing

This treatment has been used for years to treat skin conditions like wrinkles, scars, warts, birthmarks, rhinophyma, some superficial types of skin cancer and other conditions. It is a very aggressive treatment, usually done with general Anesthesia , has a prolonged recovery period (4-6 weeks) and may be associated with higher incidence of post procedure complications such as infection, scar, pigment changes (hyperpigmentation and hypo pigmentation)

Fractionated CO2 Laser Treatment:

The newest version of the CO2 laser resurfacing uses very short pulsed light energy (ultrapulsed) or fractionated light beams that are delivered to very precisely remove thin layers of skin with minimal heat damage to the surrounding structures.The procedure is done in doctors office with Topical Anesthesia. I usually administer Nerve blocks for added patient comfort. Recovery time from the procedure is about 6-8 days. There are fewer post procedure complications when done by an experienced Physician with proper patient selection.
The procedure should be done by adequately trained and experienced Physicians. If you are considering Laser resurfacing, It may be a good idea to ask for patient reference and talk to other patients about their experience who have had the procedure in a particular practice.
I use CO2 DOT laser resurfacing in my practice for improvement in skin texture, wrinkles and acne scars.

I Like to combine this resurfacing procedure with a diet rich in protein, "good fats", fresh fruits and vegetable . I also like to add a few supplements to improve collagen production response from the treatment. I do not have studies comparing the results of Laser resurfacing with or without lifestyle modification but it makes sense to combine a sensible lifestyle with this type of procedure for optimum results, since results are determined by your body's ability to heal and generate collagen.

If you are interested in learning more about Anti Aging Skin Treatment options in or around South lake, Colleyeville, Keller, Grapevine, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Arlington, Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Denton and other areas around Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, Please call our office at 888-210-9693 or visit our website at
www.nailamalikmdskin.com

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information on this Web site is provided by Naila Malik MD for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician. Only your doctor can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Site!
THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.

Doctors comparing weight-loss results with HCG injections versus a placebo failed to produce evidence that the hormone was anything special. Read the entire article here

Disclaimer: The use of hCG for weight loss is Off Label. the FDA allows Physicians to prescribe hCG Off label. We are required by law to post the following: The FDA has not approved hCG and there is no substantial evidence that hCG is effective in the treatment of Obesity.

There is a lot of hype about HCG diet and my opinion is based on literature search, conversations with other Physicians who have HCG weight loss practice and my own experience with treating patients for the last few months.

"Other currently popular diets call for cutting back on fat and sugar, consuming whole grains and lean meats, and even indulging in red wine. The HCG diet, in contrast, calls for eating just 500 calories a day while taking daily injections of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). "

After reviewing the literature, HCG seems safe in the small doses given for this diet program so I decided to try it .
I tried the 500 calories/day diet for 2 days with HCG and hated it!!
I felt weak, tired, unable to work out, unable to focus and just not well overall. I subsequently wrote my own diet program which includes adequate amount of lean protein, small amount of "good fats" and lots of greens. The diet ends being around 700-800 calories/day. I have a list of supplements with the diet that help improve glucose metabolism. I have prescribed low dose appetite suppressants to a few patients after careful screening for the first few days, which helps them follow the program.
Here are my findings on my patient population on HDG diet:

PATIENT DEMOGRAPHICS

• My weight loss patients are men and women between the ages of 36 and 60.
• All patients have tried and successfully lost weight in the past, some have been on commercial programs, some have lost weight under medical supervison with the aid of appetite suppressants. All patients have regained the weight.
• The weight loss goals have ranged from 10 pounds to 60 pounds.
• So far, I have used HCG for 40 days only. For patients with bigger weight loss goals, they have been following the diet on their own after the initial 6 weeks without HCG. I have been asked by patients to keep then on HCG for 3-4 months so they can achieve their goal weight. I am considering it.
• More than half of the patients did not use any appetite suppressants
• Out of the patients who did use appetite suppressants, about half stopped the medication after the first week (did not think they needed it)

OBSERVATIONS:

• The weight loss has been rather rapid between 3-11 pounds in week 1 (depending on the total excess weight and how closely they followed the diet) After the first week weight loss has been steady between 2-5 pounds/week.
• Most patients said they "felt great", "full of energy" . Only two patients had a hard time keeping with the program because they had irresistible urge to eat, not because they were hungry or weak. These two patients later did fine with addition of low dose appetite suppressant.
• On average, patients have lost more weight in the lower abdomen, love handles, thigh area while retaining their muscle tone of face and arms. I am not sure if this is due to the type of foods or if HCG has an effect on inches like the proponents of the diet claim.
• Some patients especially the ones close to their ideal body weight, who were having a hard time losing weight on their own did remarkably well. One of them is a 37 year old female who was only 8 pounds away from her goal weight and has already lost 5.5 pounds in the first two weeks, which she could not achieve with diet and exercise alone.
• One of my earlier patients lost a total of 35 pounds and has kept it off for almost 6 months, which is different from her previous weight loss experiences.

CONCLUSIONS (SO FAR):

• I need a much larger patient base to make accurate comparison
• Ideally it would be great to compare two identical demographic groups of patients on the same diet with or without HCG for better comparison. (i am not sure if I will be able to do this!)
• I believe weight loss in pounds might be the same with or without HCG injections.
• So far, it seems HCG might help lose preferentially fat weight in the midsection while preserving muscle mass. (I do body fat measurement with Tanita in my office and see improvement.)
• It seems patients who have lost weight in my practice have managed to keep it off so far, part of this may be due to an improved lifestyle , which I emphasize at every visit and the types of food choices in the program. I will keep you posted on my patient progress in one year!! At this moment, there is no MIRACLE CURE for Obesity! In the end it boils down to better lifestyle and a permanent change in relationship to food. HCG may help jump start this food relationship. Whether HCG "resets' the hypothalamus to change your metabolism for a short while, nobody knows. If there is a small chance that HCG can correct some of the metabolic problems leading to weight gain, considering that low dose HCG has no side effects, I am willing to try it out, because like most of you, I am tired of going through this weight gain /weight loss cycle!!

  My fear is, like most other hypes too many "weight loss clinics" are offering HCG diet without close Physician supervision and even more scary is that people are able to purchase "HCG" without prescription online. These type of practices could lead to undesirable side effects which will discredit the potential use of HCG even more!!

  I think role of HCG in weight loss needs more research and is worth looking into.
  
  If you would like more information on our HCG Medical weight loss program in or around South lake, Colleyeville, Keller, Grapevine, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Arlington, Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Denton and other areas around Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, Please call our office at 888-210-9693 or visit our website at
  www.nailamalikmdskin.com

  LEGAL DISCLAIMER

  The information on this Web site is provided by Naila Malik MD for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician. Only your doctor can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Site!
  THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.

  
  

23 Ways to Reduce Wrinkles read the full story here
Worried that your skin looks older than you feel? Here are 23 ways to reduce wrinkles - starting now!

This Web MD article outlines some of the most common methods used to combat the effects of aging. I incorporate most of these in my practice for may patients.
I like to divide the anti aging measures into the following categories:

• LIFESTYLE CHANGES


• TOPICAL SKIN CARE


• MEDICAL TREATMENTS

LIFESTYLE CHANGES 1.Avoid sun exposure. Photo-aging is the number 1 cause of aging skin. Avoid direct sun exposure between 10 am till 4 pm .Wear sunscreen minimum SPF 15 EVERY DAY. Adequate intake of anti-oxidants like Vitamin C ensures some protection against sun induced damage.

2. Do not smoke. Cigarete Smoking causes reduces blood flow to skin and breaks down collagen and elastin resulting in rough texture, poor color, wrinkles and poor healing.

3. Get the right amount of restful sleep. This ensures adequate production of Human Growth Hormone which keeps the skin thick and supple. Chronic sleep dprivation leads to excess cortisol, a stress hormone that reduces skin blood flow, breaks down skin cells.

4. Sleep on your back. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) cautions that sleeping in certain positions night after night leads to "sleep lines -- wrinkles that become etched into the surface of the skin and don't disappear once you're up. Sleeping on your side increases wrinkles on cheeks and chin, while sleeping face-down gives you a furrowed brow. To reduce wrinkle formation, the AAD says, sleep on your back.

5. Don't squint. Any repetitive facial movement, like squinting, frowning, leads to wrinkle formation. Get reading glasses, wear sun glasses. Take break from staring at computer screen and practice relaxation of eye muscles.
6. Eat more fish. particularly salmon. Fish is rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids which help skin retain moisture.

6. Eat more fruits and vegetables The antioxidant compounds in fruits and vegetables fight free radicals which combats photoaging.

7. Take Vitamin and anti oxidant Supplements: Vitamin D 3, B vitamins, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Co-Q-10 all have a role in slowing down all aspects of aging including skin aging. Check with your Physician before starting any new supplement.

TOPICAL SKIN CARE

1.Use the right facial cleanser. Pick a cleanser most suited to your skin type, dry sensitive or oily acne prone.Tap water strips skin of its natural moisture barrier.

2.Pick the right skin care ingredients.
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) These natural fruit acids lift away the top layer of dead skin cells, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around the eyes. New evidence shows that in higher concentrations, AHAs may help stimulate collagen production.

Idebenone, Thiotane and other anti-oxidants. These compounds are related to coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)is a super-powerful anti oxidant. The fight free radicals and reduce photodamage

Growth factors. When applied topically, may reduce sun damage and decrease lines and wrinkles by inducing collagen production.

Pentapeptides. The results of a study supported by the National Institutes of Health suggested pentapeptides can increase collagen production in sun-damaged skin.

MEDICAL TREATMENTS

1. Botox.The number one requested cosmetic treatment at Docotor's office. Botox injections consist of injecting purified Botulinum Toxin into the expressive muscles under the skin, leading to muscle relaxation and wrinkle release. Very effective, very safe when administered by a trained Physician using legally obtained Botox from Allergan in US. The result is apparent in 3-5 days.

2. Wrinkle fillers. there are many different types of wrinkle fillers available, I have tried many types but prefer to use Juvederm or Restylane in my practice. Both are hyaluronic acid fillers, have fewer side effects (allergic reactions, natural looking results etc.)

3. Intense Pulsed light treatments: ( photorejuvenation). This type of treatment uses an Intense Pulsed light source to target sun induced skin lesions in the superficial skin layer. The treatment is non invasive with minimum to no downtime, minimal discomfort and effectively treats photodamage such as brown sunspots, superficial blood vessels and Rosacea. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is done with use of photosensitizing agents like ALA to treat deeper skin lesions such as Actinic Keratosis. PDT is also effective in management of Cystic acne and Rosacea.

4. Laser Skin resurfacing. Many different types of lasers are available for skin resurfacing . I use CO2 fractional laser (DOT system) for my patients. A laser removes the top layer of skin, causing a noticeable skin "wounding." This stimulates skin's natural collagen-production system into high gear, resulting in smoother, more wrinkle-free skin. This type of treatment can smooth pitted scarring, textural irregularities and superficial brown discoloration (not melsama).

5. Chemical peels. A chemical acid (instead of laser) is used to "burn" away the top layer of skin, creating damage that causes the body to respond by making more collagen. You end up with younger-looking, smoother skin. It is harder to control penetration of chemicals for deeper peels and can lead to scarring and pigment irregularities in experiencd hands. I use superficial medicated anti inflammatory peels mostly to treat acne and acne scars. occasionaly I may use a custom peels to treat hyperpigmentation in resistant cases.

6. Micro- Dermabrasion. can be achieved with a vacuum suction device used in conjunction with mild chemical crystal or a Diamond tip. Micro dermabrasion helps remove the top layer of skin cells and bring new, more evenly textured skin to the surface. Repeated Micro-dermabrasion at regular intervals increases skin circulation and may induce some collagen synthesis. In the process, fine lines and wrinkles seem to decrease. I use Medical micro dermabrasion in conjunction with comadone extraction and topical Retin A for treatment of moderate papulopustular acne and scars.

If you are interested in learning more about Anti Aging Skin Treatment options in or around South lake, Colleyeville, Keller, Grapevine, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Arlington, Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Denton and other areas around Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, Please call our office at 888-210-9693 or visit our website at
www.nailamalikmdskin.com

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information on this Web site is provided by Naila Malik MD for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician. Only your doctor can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Site!
THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.

Creams Offering Lighter Skin May Bring Risks. Click to read the entire article in New York Times.

Skin lightening cremes are commonly used to lighten dark spots caused by acne and other inflammatory skin conditions or melasma,

Typically skin lightening cremes contain a combination of Hydroquinone and Topical steroids. These cremes can have potentially dangerous side effects and should always be used under Physician supervision. Long-term use of topical steroids can lead to localized effects on skin such as skin thinning, formation of new blood vessels, increased incidence of localized infection and acne. Long term use of topical steroids especially on larger areas can lead to systemic side effects such as hypertension, elevated blood sugar and suppression of the body's natural steroids.

Some studies link long term use of Hydroquinone 4 percent to increased incidence of skin cancer, it is prescribed for short-term use to lighten skin pigmentation but should be used with Physician supervision. Hydroquinone 4% has been banned in Europe. Over-the-counter versions contain 1.9 percent hydroquinone, but bootleg versions are being sold with 4 percent or even higher concentration.

Another side effect of hydroquinone is blue-black darkening of the skin, more common in individuals with darker skin types.

If you need more information on treatments to lighten dark skin spots or Melasma, call our office 888-210-9693 or visit our website .

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information on this Web site is provided by Naila Malik MD for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician. Only your doctor can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Site!
THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Botox and a similar injection should come with stronger warnings following reports of 16 deaths after the botulinum toxin spread inside the body, a U.S. consumer group said on Thursday. Read the entire article here

Public Citizen asked U.S. authorities to require the strongest possible warning, highlighted in a "black box," on Allergan Inc's Botox and Solstice Neurosciences Inc's Myobloc.

Botox is widely used for smoothing facial wrinkles and is approved for treating cervical dystonia, or rigid neck muscles. Myobloc is used only for the neck condition.

Both injections are made with botulinum toxin, which blocks nerve impulses to muscles causing relaxation.

Public citizen, a consumer group, examined 180 reports submitted to the Food and Drug Administration by manufacturers of Botox or Myobloc. The reports listed cases of muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing or aspiration pneumonia.

Sixteen of these cases were fatal, including four involving children under 18, Eighty-seven patients were hospitalized.

Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group, said such problems can occur if botulinum toxin spreads from the injection site to places such as the esophagus, causing partial paralysis.

I definitely agree with stricter regulations and better patient education programs so patients are familiar with the potential dangerous side effects when considering any elective procedure.

I do not agree with creating mass hysteria so someone can manipulate the situation for their own gain. I have seen an onslaught of pop up ads promoting "Botox alternatives" and calling this treatment "poison".

All treatments carry some risk and these should be carefully weighed against the potential advantages of treatment. I have performed cosmetic Botox in my office for many years with No Complications aside from occasional bruising.

Most common complications with Botox injections are pain, bruising and mild swelling at injection site. Drooping of eyelids can occur with too much Botox. I avoid this with "under dosing" and let my patients know we can always inject more if needed.
Unequal eyebrow raise and triangular eyebrows can commonly occur but can easily be corrected at follow up visit. I schedule my patients one week out for a follow up.

With careful technique, use of smaller needles, cleaning the area thoroughly, using less Botox these complications can be minimized. I use Zimmer chiller during my injections which keeps the area cool thereby reducing pain, bruising and swelling.

A few of my patients asked about the possibility of Botox causing Death and its important to know the facts. The FDA said the deaths it is investigating so far all involve children, mostly cerebral palsy patients being treated for spasticity of legs.

In rare cases, the Botulinum toxin can spread beyond the injection site to other parts of the body, paralyzing the muscles used for breathing and swallowing, a potentially fatal side effect. Early symptoms include dry mouth, difficulty breathing or swallowing, slurred speech, drooping eyelids and muscle weakness.

In summary legally obtained Botox made by Allergan (approved in US) used by an experienced Physician with proper injection technique for Cosmetic treatments (usually small doses) is very safe.

In addition to treating forehead wrinkles, in my office I use Botox to manage hyperhidrosis of underarms and hands safely and effectively.

For more information on Cosmetic Botox for wrinkles and and Hyperhidrosis please visit our website or call our office at 888-210-9693

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information on this Web site is provided by Naila Malik MD for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician. Only your doctor can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Site!
THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.

Cosmetic Dermatology, HCG Medical Weight Loss, Anti aging Hormone Replacement in and around Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Grapevine, Fort Worth, Dallas, North Richland Hills Texas

Laser hair removal is a technique that uses lasers to target the dark pigment (Melanin) in the hair follicles. The laser energy is absorbed by pigment in the hair follicles and destroys the hair. Laser hair removal is the second most commonly requested cosmetic procedure in the U.S , first being Botox Injections.

Advantages of laser hair removal :

Predictable Results: Almost ninety percent of patients have permanent hair reduction after an average of six to ten sessions.

Safety: The right type of laser with experienced medical personnel can selectively treat dark, coarse hairs with little or no damage to surrounding skin. Darker skin types should ALWAYS ask about Physician's and technician's experience with treating dark skin before signing up. I usually perform a "Test spot" on very dark skin before starting a full session to determine the suitability of Laser hair removal. Cooling skin with built in skin coolant or ice packs helps reduce incidence of skin burn and pain.

Speed: Newer lasers can accomplish a large area in a relatively short time. In my practice we treat each area two to three times for better results. The treatment area varies with each laser. Smaller areas such as the upper lip treatment may take three to five minutes, larger areas, such as the back or legs, may take up to an hour. This includes cooling skin with built in skin cooler and or ice packs.

Pre-procedure Skin care for Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that may be associated with potential risks and requires adequate training to perform safely and effectively. Laser Hair removal should be supervised by a trained Physician. Before any procedure, you should thoroughly check the credentials of the Physician and technician performing the procedure.

I advise my patients to refrain from plucking or waxing for six weeks before their laser hair removal. I also advise my patients to limit direct sun exposure for six weeks before and after the treatment.

What to Expect During Laser Hair Removal?

We ask our patients to shave the area the day before their Laser hair removal. This makes the hair available just at the skin surface. For sensitive areas like underarm and bikini, we offer our patients a prescription numbing medication which they apply one hour prior to arrival. Upon arrival, your eyes are protected with the appropriate eye protection, we clean the area, apply ice packs and choose the laser settings. Our laser has a built in cooling head which further cools and protects the skin as we treat. Cool ultrasound gel is applied to skin and area is treated with the laser.We do two or three passes on each site depending on the area, hair and skin color

Post-Procedure Skin Care:
We clean the gel, apply aloe and SPF to the area and you can apply your make up in the office to tha area treated if needed. We sometimes use anti-inflammatory creme especially for darker skin types.Follow up session is scheduled between four to six weeks depending on the area .
For further information please visit our website call our office at 888-210-9693

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

The information on this Web site is provided by Naila Malik MD for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician. Only your doctor can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Site!
THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.

Offer Cosmetic Dermatology, HCG Medical Weight Loss, Anti aging Hormone Replacement in and around Southlake, Colleyville, Keller, Grapevine, Fort Worth, Dallas, North Richland Hills Texas

Phys Ed: How Exercising Keeps Your Cells Young, Read thefull article here
In a recent study German Scientists compared cell life spans of different groups of subjects. The first group consisted of professional runners in their 20s, The second group consisted of sedentary young individuals, the third of middle aged sedentary people and finally a group of middle-aged longtime runners ( average age of 51) running on average 50 miles per week.

Dr. Christian Werner, an internal-medicine resident at Saarland University Clinic in Homburg noted the striking difference in appearance. The active middle aged group looked remarkably younger than the inactive counterpart.
The findings at the cellular level were even more striking. While the white blood cells from each of their subjects in both the active and sedentary young adults had similar-size Telomeres, the Telomeres in the sedentary middle aged group were significantly shorter than the active counterpart.

Telomeres are small end caps on the DNA strands. With each cell division, part of the telomere cap is snipped to repair the rest of the DNA strand. With repeated cell replication telomeres get shorter and shorter until the cell dies or is unable to repair or replicate itself. Telomere length is widely accepted as a reliable marker of cell age.

Exercise has many benefits, increased Aerobic capacity, better Muscle tone, slimmer Physique, but the effect of regular exercise on cellular aging could be astounding. Thomas LaRocca is a Ph.D. candidate in the department of integrative physiology at the University of Colorado in Boulder, who has just completed a new study on the effects of exercise on aging cells. In Mr. LaRocca's study, people were tested both for their V02max (Maximum aerobic capacity) and their white blood cells' telomere length. In subjects 55 to 72, a higher V02max correlated closely with longer telomeres. The fitter a person was in middle age or onward, the younger their cells.

How does activity affect the DNA? we do not know the answer yet, however Dr. Werner found that his older runners had more activity in their telomerase, a cellular enzyme postulated to help protect and lengthen telomeres. Exercise may have an effect on activity of telomerase and not directly telomeres .

No one knows how much exercise is needed to lengthen cellular lifespan. Any amount of regular physical activity helps keep you healthy, strong and young.
If you have health problems please consult with your physician before starting any exercise program.

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