Sonoma Valley Doctors

Is Botox Safe To Use In My Face If I've Had Bells Palsy?

I am 33 year old and I had a bell’s palsy around 15 years ago and still I have left with a few residual drooping in my left eye and eyebrow. I want to have botox for cosmetic purpose to reduce my face wrinkle especially around my eyes and frown line, I want to know is botox injection risky for my face or not? Could it cause my problem to come back again? My wedding is September and I am so afraid if something bad happen to me. Please help me.

I have had great success treating a patient of mine who had Bells palsy about 20 years ago. She is a Ford model and no one even comments on her asymmetry! I have been able to reduce her asymmetry with Botox by treating a few overacting muscles and avoiding treating areas with persistent weakness. She and I are both very pleased.

Ashley A. Smith, MD

Sonoma Valley Dermatologist

Does Dermik Offer Sculptra Programs?

I had four Sculptra treatments and they worked very well. It has been a little over three years since my last treatment and my cheeks have sunk back to where they were.

Does Dermik offer any other program other than the initial one?

Lindsay in San Diego

Sculptra works great to build up cheeks hollows and recently got its FDA approval for Aesthetic uses with a duration of 25 months. Sculptra works by building up your body's collagen. Over time you break it back down or you lose more volume in your face and you need to build up more. You can have another series of three or more injections and in the future do one or two sessions a year to keep it up rather than letting it all go back to baseline. As with anything there is maintenance, with Sculptra there is just less.

Victor Lacombe, MD

Sonoma Valley Facial Plastic Surgeon

Bruising After Juvederm on Lips?

While my lips aren't too swollen anymore from Juvederm, the bruising inside and outside make me look like I was hit in the mouth. Makeup is not doing the trick. Can you give me some insight and suggestions please? Thank you.

For bruising on the face or lip border, a vascular type laser can be used to break up the bruising and have it disappear in 24 hours. Only physicians with the proper knowledge and equipment can do this type of treatment. It works wonders to break up the bruising right away. On the red part of the lip it would probably be too hot, but for around the mouth would work well. Remember not to take any NSAID's or vitamins that increases the risk of bruising before your next treatment.

Victor Lacombe, MD

Sonoma Valley Facial Plastic Surgeon