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At What Age Should I Get BOTOX?

BOTOX Cosmetic softens fine lines and wrinkles on various areas of your face. These wrinkles are formed by facial expressions that repeatedly fold the skin If you are in your 20s or 30s, you may wonder if you’re too young for BOTOX. The answer is, not necessarily!

There are certainly reasons to consider BOTOX at that age:

Correct early wrinkles from facial expression if they have already appeared
Prevent the worsening of existing expression lines
Control negative facial expressions, such as frowning, to have a more approachable and open facial appearance
Results are temporary, so there’s no risk in seeing how you like the effect

Getting “Preventive” BOTOX before any skin creases appear won’t necessarily achieve any benefit for you in the years ahead. A one-on-one consultation with Dr. Diwan is necessary to find out.

If you are in your 20s and thinking about enhancing your facial appearance, talk to Dr. Diwan about your options. She will examine your skin and facial anatomy, and look for the presence of any fine lines. BOTOX is just one of the many treatments that may be right for you. It could also be that you will benefit simply from doubling down on a sun protection routine and skin hydration to keep your skin looking youthful, healthy, and refreshed. You may benefit from dermal fillers to enhance certain contours, or it could be a combination of treatments that are a good match for your goals. Dr. Diwan is here to help you decide!

Rejuvenate Your Facial Appearance At Any Age

Whether you’re in your 20s, your 80s, or somewhere in between, Dr. Renuka Diwan can help you find the combination of treatments that will achieve your goals. To arrange a consultation with Dr. Diwan to discuss BOTOX Cosmetic in the Cleveland region, please call the Laser and Skin Surgery Center at 440-871-9832.

What Are Dermal Fillers and How Do They Work?

Dermal fillers are injectable gels that smooth wrinkles, define facial contours, plump thin lips, and restore lost volume beneath the skin. They are some of the most popular cosmetic treatments today because they are convenient and involve little to no downtime.

What Dermal Fillers Are Made Of

Dermal filling is most often the result of treatment from one of the following:

Hyaluronic acid
Poly-L-lactic acid
Calcium hydroxylapatite

Hyaluronic acid is one of the most popular and commonly used injectables. Hyaluronic acid, or HA, is also found naturally in your body, in the joints, eyes, skin, and elsewhere. HA binds with water molecules and keeps tissues supple and lubricated. Juvederm and Restylane are hyaluronic acid fillers.

Hyaluronic acid adds volume when it is administered into the skin as a dermal filler. This volume not only smooths creases and wrinkles, it can also improve depressed scars. When injected under the skin, the appearance of various hollows and shadows caused by the natural age-related loss of tissue under the skin is improved. In this way, fillers restore a refreshed, more youthful appearance.

Am I A Candidate?

You may be a great candidate for dermal fillers if you want to address any of the following:

Nasolabial crease (extending from the outer corners of the nose down to the corners of the mouth)
Marionette lines (creases reaching from the corners of your mouth down to your chin)
Vertical creases above and below the upper and lower lips
Thin lips
Hollows and shadows across the face, especially around the cheeks, temples and chin, and dark circles under the eyes.
A weak chin
Stronger jawline

Hyaluronic acid fillers are a good option if you are interested in immediate results without surgery or downtime. For most of these injections, you will be able to get right back to your day after the appointment is complete. Many people like the convenience and simplicity of injectable dermal fillers.

Even though fillers are non-surgical, it’s really important to choose an experienced, qualified provider to minimize injection risks. Dr. Renuka Diwan has an extensive understanding of facial esthetics, anatomy and aging, and how the loss of volume changes the overall appearance of your face. She tailors results to your face and your goals, and makes sure the final results look naturally beautiful, never artificial or overdone.

Schedule a Dermal Filler Appointment

If you are interested in dermal fillers and want to schedule an appointment in Westlake, please call Cleveland’s Laser and Skin Surgery Center at 440-871-9832. Dr. Renuka Diwan will listen to your goals, examine your face, and describe all of the treatment options available to you.

What is AQUAGOLD® Treatment?

AQUAGOLD® is a microneedling device that uses 24K gold microneedles to rejuvenate your skin. This minimally invasive treatment can be completed in about 20 minutes and has beautiful results.

You may be a good candidate for microneedling with AQUAGOLD® if you want to address:

Redness and flushing
Dark spots
Crepey wrinkles
Uneven skin texture
Enlarged pores
Oily skin

AQUAGOLD® microneedling is performed with a microneedling device that has a glass vial attached directly to hollow microneedles. The contents of the vial may include Botox, hyaluronic acid, stem cell growth factors, lightening agents or a combination of these, customized to the specific needs of your skin. As microneedling is performed, the contents of the vial are evenly infused in tiny quantities, directly into the area of skin treated, for an overall improvement of pore size, redness, oiliness, crepey lines, etc. The treatment is minimally invasive. It works by creating tiny needle pricks in the surface of the skin. The needles are about the thickness of a strand of hair, and the channels created in the skin are very fine and small. These tiny needle punctures cause the skin to produce more collagen in the weeks following treatment. As you may know, collagen is the foundation of supple, smooth, and youthful skin!

You may feel a little discomfort, but most people are able to tolerate the treatment without a problem. Dr. Diwan can usually complete the treatment in 20 minutes.

The treated areas of your face will be pink or red (like a mild sunburn) for a day or two. Skin care products or make up should be avoided for 24 hours after your treatment. You may start to see the initial results in 48 hours. The results will only get better over time as the effects of the infusions become apparent over the next two weeks, and new collagen and elastin form over the next few months.

Get Started on the Path to Refreshed Skin

If you are ready to schedule an AQUAGOLD® appointment in the Cleveland area, please call the Laser & Skin Surgery Center in Westlake at 440-871-9832. Dr. Renuka Diwan is a board-certified dermatologist with decades of experience. She is passionate about helping each of her patients achieve vibrant, beautiful skin.

When Can I Work Out After BOTOX Injections?

Many of the guests of our practice lead active, healthy lifestyles. As such, they often wonder how cosmetic treatments will impact their exercise routines, and for how long. Although BOTOX® Cosmetic is known for its minimal downtime, it is advisable to postpone certain physical activities for a little while after the injections.

Exercise may involve pressure on Botox injection sites causing the effect of Botox to spread to other muscles in the region and unintended effects. Dr Diwan recommends avoiding pressure on the eyebrows after Botox injection of muscles that create the vertical creases between the eyebrows (commonly known as “elevens”). Pressure on these muscles can lead to Botox spreading to other nearby muscles that help to raise the upper eyelid or eyebrows and create unintended effects. Such pressure can be the result of swim goggles or ski goggles that press on the eyebrows. There is no clear evidence to recommend avoiding exercise after Botox.

On the other hand, exercising the injected muscles for an hour can lead to quicker effects of Botox.

Other movements during exercise could also create unintentional stress on injection sites. Your consultation with Dr. Renuka Diwan will include a discussion of do’s and don’ts. Once Dr. Diwan knows exactly what activities you like to do, she can provide customized precautions.

Ready for Your BOTOX® Appointment?

To learn more about BOTOX® Cosmetic at our Westlake, OH, practice, please call the office of Dr. Renuka Diwan at 440-871-9832. Millions of people have used BOTOX® Cosmetic to soften the signs of aging and restore a refreshed look. The only way to know if you are a good candidate is to discuss your options with Dr. Diwan. The downtime is very minimal and you will be able to get back to your routine very quickly.

Is Liposuction a Good Way to Lose Weight?

Liposuction is a great way to trim excess fat from your body, but it is not a weight loss method. The goal of liposuction is not to reduce overall body weight but to remove stubborn pockets of excess fat to improve the shape of your body.

It may seem like a fine distinction, and in some ways it is. But it is important to know that liposuction isn’t capable of reducing someone’s weight. One’s body weight depends on the balance between the calories consumed as food and the calories used by daily activity including exercise. Any excess calories are stored in the body as fat and lead to weight gain. Even if you have fat removed by liposuction the body weight does not change unless there is a reduction of the calories stored by the body (by eating less and exercising more).

Think of liposuction as a way to chisel and fine-tune your physique. If you are already near your ideal body weight, but there is some fat clinging to your abdomen, thighs, back, etc., then liposuction is a great way to reveal a more toned, defined body contour by eliminating that fat.

How Does It Work?

Dr. Diwan uses the tumescent liposuction technique with local anesthetic. Tumescent fluid containing lidocaine (the numbing medicine) is injected into the treatment area and numbs it for painless removal of fat. Dr. Diwan can perform liposuction on many different areas of the body, including:

the abdomen
knees
thighs
back
hips
buttocks
chin and neck

Liposuction requires small incisions. Dr. Diwan removes the fat through these incisions using a narrow tube called a cannula. The incisions will be as minimal as possible, and whenever reasonable are placed in areas that are well-concealed from view. Although the scars will be red at first, they get lighter in color over time.

The results from liposuction are long-lasting as long as body weight is maintained. The fat that has been removed is gone for good, but it is of course still possible to gain new weight. The vast majority of liposuction patients feel even more motivated to pursue a stable body weight by eating well and staying active, once they’ve seen their liposuction results.

Find Out If You Are a Liposuction Candidate

If you live in Westlake, Ohio, or the surrounding areas and want to know if you are a good candidate for liposuction, please call Cleveland’s Laser & Skin Surgery Center at 440-871-9832. Dr. Renuka Diwan has decades of experience providing aesthetic procedures and is personally committed to helping you reach your goals.

Does Scar Revision Really Work?

When it is wounded, the skin has an incredible ability to heal itself. The skin produces growth factors that influence skin cells to grow new collagen that mends and repairs the site of the injury. Unfortunately, depending on the depth and severity of injury, the result of this process can be an unsightly scar. Depending on its location, a scar can make a person feel really self-conscious. If you have a scar in an obvious place, you may spend time every day considering how you can conceal it with clothing or cosmetics. Not only can this affect your confidence, but thinking about your scar on a daily basis is frustrating and tiring. Fortunately, there are treatments to help reduce and revise scars.

How well scar treatments work depends on the proper assessment of the scar and selection of the best suited treatment for the particular scar, the severity of the scar, and your end goal and expectations. There are many different types of scars. Scars can be raised, flat or depressed, pink, skin-colored, lighter than your natural skin tone or darkened; large, small, etc. The treatment for each type is different. The first step is to consult Dr. Diwan, who can give you an idea of which treatments should be considered, the nature of the treatments, recovery and care, and what the scar(s) can be expected to look like after a given treatment. In general, scars improve significantly but may or may not completely disappear after treatment, and may require multiple treatments or a combination of treatments over time for best results. It really depends on the circumstances. Because individual results vary, it’s best not to speculate but to consult Dr. Diwan so she can examine the scar. She may recommend:

Dermal fillers
Cortisone injections
Surgical re-positioning or reduction of the scar
Laser resurfacing
Microneedling
Silicone or other creams or ointments

Dr. Diwan has extensive experience with scar treatment and will help you choose the right approach for the type of scar you have, taking your skin’s unique healing response into account, and prepare you for the treatment process.

Most people who are bothered by scarring report high rates of satisfaction with scar revision. Whether the scar is eliminated or dramatically reduced in appearance, scar treatments are often the key to reducing the effort and time needed to cover a scar, changing how you feel about yourself and improving your quality of life.

If you are interested in learning about scar revision in Westlake, Ohio, please call Dr. Renuka Diwan at the Laser and Skin Surgery Center by dialing 440-871-9832. We look forward to providing clear and honest answers about your scar reduction options!

3 Ways to Maintain Your Liposuction Results

A liposuction procedure is a great way to achieve your ideal shape and body contour. However, since liposuction is not a weight loss solution, there are a few healthy lifestyle habits you will need to follow to maintain your new figure. By following these three tips, you can ensure that your liposuction results will be long lasting.

1. Follow a Healthy, Balanced Diet

To keep your weight stable, make sure you eat a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Try sticking to things like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins like fish or chicken. Do your best to limit or avoid saturated fats and refined sugars, which are calorie dense and easy to overeat. Limiting the amount of salt in your diet will also help prevent water retention. If you are having trouble coming up with a meal plan, you can work with a registered dietician to come up with some ideas.

2. Exercise on a Regular Basis

Consistent exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy body and mind. Strength exercises in particular are great because they will keep you tone. Even if you are unable to use a gym because of a busy routine, there are a few things you can do to keep active. If you work at a desk most of the day, try to get up and walk around every 30-60 minutes. While watching TV, try doing some jumping jacks, crunches, etc. to get your heart rate up.

3. Drink Lots of Water

Water is an important factor in maintaining energy levels throughout the day. If you are constantly hungry throughout the day despite eating, you might be dehydrated instead. In general, most adults should drink at least two liters of water per day, depending on their weight and activity level. This will help keep you productive and curb cravings.

Schedule Your Liposuction Consultation Today

If you have a few extra pounds of fat that won’t go away with diet or exercise, call The Laser & Skin Surgery Center today at 440-871-9832 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Renuka Diwan. We are happy to serve patients living in Westlake, Cleveland, and the surrounding areas of Ohio.

What Are the Benefits of a Mini-Facelift?

For those looking to restore the youthful appearance of the face and upper neck with less aggressive surgery, a mini-facelift (also known as a short scar facelift) may be the best choice. A mini-facelift lifts marionette folds and jowls along the jawline, as well as the sagging skin in the upper neck. While Botox and fillers can provide significant improvement by hiding or lifting the jowls, some patients find that a mini-facelift is an attractive option to achieve greater improvement that lasts longer. A mini-facelift helps to rejuvenate the face at a stage of aging when a full facelift is not yet necessary, and the results of the procedure are not obvious to others.

This more conservative procedure has become a popular option for patients who want to safely achieve natural results almost as dramatic as a traditional facelift with a shorter scar and recovery.

Quick Recovery

A mini-facelift patient can return to work and other non-strenuous activities in just one week, the recovery after a traditional facelift is usually longer.

Less Post-Operative Pain

Since a mini-facelift is much less extensive than traditional techniques, it results in less bruising and swelling. Pain or discomfort requires less medication and also resolves more quickly.

Reduced Scarring

The shorter incisions for a mini facelift leave shorter scars which are practically invisible. The incisions and scars from a traditional facelifts are much longer, extending behind the ear and into the scalp.

Lasting Results

In general, the younger you are the longer the results last. No surgery can stop the skin from future aging, but removal of the loose skin during a facelift will help you look younger than you would without the procedure. Patients with more advanced sagging usually need more extensive surgery and may not be candidates for a mini-facelift.

Schedule Your Mini-Facelift Consultation With Dr. Renuka Diwan

If you want to know more about the mini-facelift procedure or any other of our non-surgical facial rejuvenation services, please call The Laser & Skin Surgery Center today at 440-871-9832 to schedule a consultation. Dr. Diwan will create a custom treatment plan that meets your aesthetic goals. We are happy to serve men and women living in Cleveland, Westlake, and surrounding Ohio communities.

Pre-Wedding Planning for Cosmetic Treatments

Whether you are the bride, mother-of-the-bride, or a member of the bridal party, you want to look your best on the big day. At The Laser & Skin Surgery Center, Dr. Renuka Diwan can help you look and feel your best for the wedding with a variety of treatment options depending on your timeline. Like other aspects of the wedding, it’s best to plan ahead. Here’s a guide to give you an idea of how much time it may take for various treatments.

4 Days

If you are looking for a quick way to exfoliate dry, rough skin, remove peach fuzz for soft, smooth glowing skin or improve uneven skin tone, dermaplaning is a great choice. This non-invasive treatment rejuvenates your skin with no downtime. For a flawless red carpet-ready finish that celebrities have before big events, Dr. Diwan offers Aquagold microneedling with microinfusion. Make time for this at least 3 days (preferably 7 days) before your big day.

2-4 Weeks

For those who are on a short timeline and want to reduce the appearance of oiliness, pores, wrinkles or scars, we offer AQUAGOLD® microneedling treatments and dermal fillers like Juvéderm®.

6-8 Weeks

If you have a couple of months to prepare, there are a few more options. Non-invasive facial treatments that provide best results with a series of 6 treatments such as microdermabrasion and chemical peels. BOTOX® for wrinkles and excessive perspiration is ideal in this time frame, allowing time for a second visit for any touch up.

For longer eyelashes, we recommend Latisse®, which helps stimulate hair growth. Finally, if you want to address loose skin, Dr. Diwan can perform a mini facelift. A minimum of 8 weeks is recommended for planning a mini facelift.

3-6 Months

If you have a few months before the wedding day visible veins or sunspots can be significantly reduced with laser treatment, IPL treatment, or sclerotherapy. Excess skin on your upper or lower eyelids, can be removed with a blepharoplasty. Laser resurfacing or a series of microneedling treatments

can provide significant improvement of wrinkles and skin texture and allow time for complete recovery.

6-8 Months

If you’ve started planning even sooner, you’ll have enough time for body sculpting options. Dr. Diwan recommends either liposuction or CoolSculpting® for stubborn fat. Kybella® injections improve a double chin and fullness of jowls. If you’re going to bare your legs, we highly recommend Apollo Radiofrequency TriPolar treatment and other treatments for cellulite.

1-2 Years

Patients who plan far in advance can address most, if not all of their needs. You have enough time for laser hair removal, and tattoo removal.

If you need help preparing for a wedding, call The Laser & Skin Surgery Center today at 440-871-9832 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Diwan. We welcome patients living in or around Westlake and Cleveland, Ohio.

What is CoolSculpting?

CoolSculpting is an innovative procedure that freezes away excess fat cells. To learn more about it and to find out if you are a good candidate for this treatment in Cleveland, Ohio, please call our team at 440-871-9832.