Anthony P. Terrasse, MD

Thank you for your question. While CoolSculpting can help with fat reduction, it may not significantly improve the appearance of sagging skin. I recommend that you schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. They can examine you and talk with you about your concerns, and offer the best treatment options for addressing your concerns. There are a number of body contouring procedures available - both surgical and nonsurgical - that can help you get rid of excess fat and give you the slimmer figure you desire. Good luck!

Thank you for your question. As far as which of the three treatments would be best for treating acne scars, the answer is that none of them will. HydraFacial and microdermabrasion can be used on most skin types and tones to refresh and rejuvenate your skin, so you will most likely see positive results from both of those treatments. However, IPL is not recommended for darker skin types like yours, because it is designed to target pigment in your skin, and can cause darkening and discoloration. As far as treating your acne scars, you have a couple of options. Any treatment that boosts collagen production (like microneedling) can lessen the appearance of acne scars. For deeper scars, you may want to try filler injections. My best advice would be to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon. They can examine you and offer options for addressing your concerns with treatments that will provide you with the best possible results. Good luck!

Thank you for your question. From your pictures, it appears as if you would be a great candidate for CoolSculpting. CoolSculpting is designed to treat areas that have a pinchable amount of fat - enough to be annoying, but not quite enough to warrant liposuction. You should schedule a consultation with an experienced CoolSculpting provider, and they can answer any questions you may have, as well as provide you with information about the number of treatments that will offer you the best possible results. Good luck!

Thank you for your question. Because a HydraFacial is not an abrasive treatment, you are safe to undergo microdermabrasion after about two weeks. However, you may want to wait and see how you feel about the results of your HydraFacial before getting microdermabrasion. I recommend talking to your skincare specialist and board certified plastic surgeon to get their advice on the best way to proceed to get the optimal results for your individual goals and skin type. Good luck!

Thank you for your question. Even though CoolSculpting is nonsurgical, before you undergo any type of procedure focused on that area, you need to be cleared by your doctor. I recommend getting the tumors checked out again, and letting your doctor know that you wish to undergo CoolSculpting. They can then let you know whether it is safe to proceed. Good luck!

Thank you for your question. Since you are very early in the healing process, what you are feeling is most likely tenderness and pain from the natural contraction of the muscles in reactionto the hard turn. If you are worried that damage may have occurred, schedule a follow-up with your board certified plastic surgeon. He or she can examine you and alleviate any concerns you may have, as they are familiar with your physiology, anatomy, and specific case details. Best of luck.

Thank you for your question. While extremely rare, Botox can cause dysphonia, or a raspy voice. That being said, there are a myriad of other causes that are much more likely to be the culprit. First, it is unlikely that the injection penetrated deeply enough in your neck to reach the nerves of the voice box. Second, any reported issues with dysphonia as a result of Botox resolve no more than three months after the injection. As it has been six months, it’s very unlikely that Botox is at the root of your voice issue. My best advice would be to see your general practitioner or schedule a consultation with an ENT. They can examine you and work to discover the cause of the raspiness. Best of luck.

Thank you for your question. The short answer? No, three units of Botox on each side of your jaw will provide very little, if anything in the way of results. The masseter muscles (which is what you are treating) are extremely bulky and strong - they connect your jaw to your cheekbone, and assist in chewing. The minimum amount of Botox you would need to relax those muscles is at least 20 units in each side. My best advice would be to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, or at least an injector who has been trained and has extensive experience in this particular procedure. In the case of Botox and other injectables, the treatment is proven effective, but the results depend entirely on the skill of the person performing it. Best of luck.

Thank you for your question. The short answer is yes - you can develop a resistance to Botox and Dysport, but it is extremely rare. It is possible that you’ve developed antibodies to the botulinum neurotoxin, but that too is rare. Botox is a tried-and-true treatment that has been used successfully for close to 20 years. If your injections didn’t provide the results you are accustomed to, it is more likely that it is because of undertreatment. I recommend that you see a board certified plastic surgeon, or ensure that your injector is trained and experienced in the nuances of Botox. Additionally, you may want to try Xeomin, because while it uses the same neurotoxin, the formulation is slightly different. Best of luck.

Thank you for your question. Because both SculpSure and CoolSculpting rely on your body’s natural processes to work, you typically won’t see results for up to 12 to 24 weeks after your treatment. Additionally, some patients require more than one treatment for optimal results. You haven’t hit the 6 month mark yet, so if you can be patient for another month to see if the SculpSure treatment was effective, you may see more of a visible difference. Make sure that you are seeing a board certified plastic surgeon or a trained and experienced SculpSure or CoolSculpting provider. Best of luck.