Cosmetic / Aesthetic Procedures

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BOTOX

Botox is the number one cosmetic procedure in the country. Botox is a wrinkle reducer. Botox reduces wrinkles created by dynamic muscles. Through minimally invasive Botox injections into the facial muscles, the muscle’s action is blocked. By blocking the muscle action, Botox prevents the repetitive actions that cause fine lines and wrinkles. Cosmetic Botox is made from Botulinum toxin, a therapeutic muscle relaxing agent approved by the FDA to reduce frown lines.

Botox can be used to treat frown lines between the eyebrows, forehead lines, and crows feet around the eyes. After treatment, Botox causes little down time. Patients can go back to work.  Botox takes up to 10 days to have its desired result. Typically patients need only one treatment of  Botox. Sometimes additional areas need to be treated to get optimal effect.  Botox lasts from 3-6 months. Most people find that they need Botox treatments every 4 months.

Dr. Keamy has been using Botox for 10 years. In fact, ophthalmologists were among the first physicians to use Botox for blepharospasm and ocular muscle disorders.

What can I expect from my Botox treatment?
A typical Botox treatment will take 10 minutes. Dr. Keamy will clean then skin, and then administer several tiny Botox injection in areas desired. There is no downtime; patients can go back to work after Botox.

Are there any side effects of Botox?
Botox can cause an over or under correction. Risks include bruising, swelling, ptosis of the eyelid, and headaches. A full description of side effects can be found at www.botoxcosmetic.com. To minimize bruising from Botox injection, it is recommended that patients avoid aspirin, NSAIDS ( Motrin, Aleve, Advil), fish oil, flax seed oil, and garlic for 10 days prior to treatment.

Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery)

As patients age, the skin of the upper eyelid becomes loose and droopy.  The lower lids may also become puffy and tired looking. Blepharoplasty ( eyelid surgery) can rejuvenate the eyelids. Blepharoplasty involves removing excess skin, muscle, and fat from the upper and lower eyelids.  Sometimes the removal of excess skin on the upper eyelids, can even improve vision by lifting the droopy lids out of the patient’s field of vision.

Where is Blepharoplasty performed?
Cosmetic Blepharoplasty for upper lids is usually performed in the office or surgery center with local anesthesia.  It usually takes 45 minutes.

Lower lid blepharoplasty is usually performed in a surgery center since monitored anesthesia is usually necessary. Incisions are made in inconspicuous places. Upper lid blepharoplasty  is performed with an incision on the eyelid crease. Lower lid blepharoplasty usually has an incision below the lashes.

How do you prepare for Blepharoplasty?
It is important to reduce bleeding during blepharoplasty and bruising after blepharoplasty.

Aspirin, NSAIDS like Motrin or Advil, Fish oil, Garlic, and blood thinners  should all be stopped 10 days prior to the procedure. Some patients start Arnica Montana, an herbal supplement, 48 hours prior to the procedure, to minimize bruising.

What are the complications of Blepharoplasty?
Complications from the procedure are uncommon, and can include: infection, reaction to anesthesia, double or blurred vision for a few days, temporary swelling of the eyelids, tiny whiteheads, and difficulty closing eyes while going to sleep.  Uneven healing, scarring, pulling down of the lower lid are very rare but may require surgical correction.

Patients with thyroid problems, dry eyes, high blood pressure, detached retina, glaucoma or other health problems should consult with Dr. Keamy.

What is the healing process?
Blepharoplasty healing process is very individual. Some bruising is expected. Aspirin, NSAIDS, Fish oil, garlic should be avoided for 72 hours following surgery. Tylenol should be used for any pain. Arnica Montana supplements and pineapple juice or help reduce post operative swelling.  Patients should ice as much as possible every hour for the first 48 to 72 hours Activities should be limited for the first week to avoid re-bleeding. Swimming should be avoided for 3 weeks. Contact lenses cannot be used for 2 weeks.

Stitches dissolve and most people return to work in 1-2 weeks. During the first few days, the eyes may be sensitive. Dr Keamy prescribes an antibiotic ointment to be applied on the wounds and inside the eyes. Everyone heals at a different rate. The incision at the lid crease  fades over many months, but it  is not noticeable with eyes open. By one month after surgery, most people look good.

Soft Tissue Fillers

When you smile, laugh, frown, or look puzzled, you contract the muscles of your face. Over time, these contractions produce permanent furrows and deep wrinkles in the skin, especially around the eyes and mouth, between the eyebrows, and on the forehead. These lines can make you look older, sad, angry or tired. Dermal fillers can not only prevent you from deepening these lines during natural facial movements, they can also erase these marks of aging, leaving you looking younger and refreshed.

Dermal fillers are FDA-approved and safe for use by most patients. Many of the fillers are made from substances found naturally in the body, or synthetically made to mimic natural substances or stimulate collagen production. These fillers are injected directly into the skin of the targeted area to restore volume and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. At Keamy Eye & Laser Centre, we offer patients several different dermal filler options in order to provide the best possible results for their individual needs.