Common Questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions about our clinic and treatments.

BOTOX®

I want to try BOTOX®, but I’m worried about having an unnatural look.

In expert hands, BOTOX® can provide you with a subtle but highly effective reduction in unwanted frown lines, forehead lines, crow’s feet and upper lip lines. We can also use BOTOX® to give you a nice eyebrow lift as well as less noticeable neck lines and chin dimpling. You’ll keep your same great smile since we don’t relax any facial muscles that affect smiling or general expressivity. That means you’ll see a softer, calmer and more youthful look. Overall, our patients are highly satisfied with their BOTOX® treatments.

Isn’t BOTOX® a toxin? Will it affect the rest of my body?

BOTOX® is slowly metabolized by the body and when precisely injected into small muscles, works only where injected. BOTOX® has been used safely even in children for over 20 years. Relatively small doses of BOTOX® are used in cosmetic treatments. There are no known long-term effects.

Will I be swollen or red after a BOTOX® treatment?

In most cases, no one will know you’ve had a treatment at all! Bruising can occur but is uncommon and usually minor. We use ice to minimize both discomfort and swelling, but most patients are amazed at how simple the treatments are. If there is any redness from the injection, we provide post-treatment touch-up makeup for all skin tones free of charge.

What about “muscle relaxer” creams. I’ve seen advertisements claiming they’re as effective as BOTOX® in reducing wrinkles. Is that true?

Next to a face lift or aggressive laser resurfacing, there is no better treatment available today that can reduce certain lines and wrinkles faster, safer or more effectively for you than BOTOX®. Creams are unable to penetrate deeply enough to significantly affect muscles. Any advertising claims suggesting this are untrue.

Tissue Fillers

What type of tissue fillers do you use in your clinic?

We are currently only using the Juvéderm line of fillers. Juvéderm has five different filler types that range in density. These can be used for softening fine lines, adding volume to cheeks or lips, lifting and pulling downward sagging skin, and providing hydration.

What is Juvéderm® made of?

Juvéderm® is a type of hyaluronic acid filler that is nearly identical to the one your body produces as fluid in joints and other tissues. As we age, we start to lose hyaluronic acid. This non-animal source hyaluronic acid, produced through a culture process similar to the way vaccines are made, is naturally integrated into the tissues to expand the crevices formed by wrinkles and folds. Your skin appears naturally fuller and younger.

What are the side effects of fillers?

Generally, the side effects of dermal fillers are pretty minimal. They include things like swelling, redness and minor bleeding near the injection points. These symptoms generally last for a few days before they resolve. Bruising may also occur, but applying an arnica cream or other bruise-reducing serum can help to minimize these.

If any of these symptoms persist, contact your practitioner for advice.

How long do Juvéderm fillers last?

The longevity of each filler depends on a few different factors. Firstly, the type of Juvéderm filler used will determine how long it lasts. They range in consistency from thin and watery (Volite) to dense (Volux). The thinner the filler is, the quicker it is metabolized. Location of placement is another factor that affects longevity. Fillers in the lips and around the mouth tend to metabolize quicker than more structural fillers along the jaw or other bones. Other factors such as time of year (temperature), activity level of the individual, and the natural metabolism of the individual can also affect how long fillers last.

Medical Grade Skin Care Products

What is Medical Grade Skincare?

Medical grade skincare products are developed for physicians and contain pharmaceutical-grade ingredients with strict quality control. Backed by extensive clinical research, these products have a proven record of cleansing, moisturizing, protecting, and exfoliating the skin. They reduce fine lines, restore glow and tone, protect against solar radiation and pollution, and slow the effects of aging. Medical grade skincare contains higher concentrations of active ingredients such as antioxidants, retinoids, alpha hydroxy acids, and other clinically proven therapies. At Sanders Medical, we carefully select only the highest-quality skincare products for our patients.

What lines do you carry?

Currently, we carry ZO Skin Health, Alastin Skin Care, SkinMedica, Colorescience and TiZo.

How do I know which skin care line is for me?

We offer complimentary skin care consultations where we can review your skin concerns and address these with a customized approach.

Sun-Damaged Skin

What is sun-damaged skin and what can I do about it?

Sun damage occurs over time, primarily from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This radiation breaks down collagen and elastin deep in the skin, leading to sagging, loosening, discoloration, pigment changes, and the appearance of fine capillaries.

Fortunately, sun-damaged skin can be treated with a range of options including medical-grade skincare, Fraxel® laser resurfacing, IPL, photodynamic therapy, BOTOX®, and fillers.

Acne

I don’t like taking pills such as antibiotics or Accutane for my acne. Are there other options for treating acne?

In some cases, a referral may be required to have one of our doctors assess your acne. There may be prescription-based topical products they can recommend, or our medical aesthetics technicians can review various skincare products with you that help treat acne from the surface down. All of our consultations are complimentary.

Does anything cure acne?

There is no known cure for acne. Managing acne means keeping it under control. Accutane, in some instances, does provide for a prolonged remission but recurrences are common no matter what therapy is used.

What are the options for treating acne scars?

We offer a few treatments for acne scars. Depending on the type of scarring you have, the type and number of treatments may vary. An assessment with one of our technicians will be required to give you a good idea. General options include chemical peels, microneedling (SkinPen), or laser resurfacing (Fraxel).

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Photofacials

What exactly is a photo facial?

A photo facial refers to a treatment with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) to reduce many of the hallmarks of sun damage and aging. It works like a laser to safely penetrate through your skin to deeper structures without harming the skin itself. The light works to shrink small capillaries that cause flushing and unwanted redness on your face. It also breaks up age spots and other pigmented lesions caused by photo damage. IPL also stimulates the collagen, a protein in the dermis, to improve overall skin tone and texture. It reduces your pore size and diminishes fine lines to you smoother, more youthful-looking skin.We can also use IPL to treat sun damage on your hands, arms, neck, shoulders and the back. IPL therapy is one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedures in North America for men and women.

Are all IPL devices the same?

There are many different IPL devices on the market. Some spa-grade IPL devices are under-powered and can’t perform as promised. Not all IPL devices work equally at eliminating capillaries and brown spots. The makers of the Lumenis Vasculight-invented IPL technology and their IPL devices remain among the best on the market today. We use the Lumenis Vasculight Elite to give you a superior treatment and results your friends and family will notice instantly!

Surgical vs. Non-surgical Procedures

What are non-surgical cosmetic procedures?

These are procedures that do not require incisions, general anesthetic or healing time. They’re usually painless, have little or no recovery time, and are generally not associated with significant complications such as scarring or infection.

Do I need to see a plastic surgeon for a cosmetic procedure?

You need to see a surgeon only if an operation is required. Non-surgical procedures such as BOTOX® or Restylane injections are best performed by physicians with expertise in injection techniques who have a keen eye for artistic facial symmetry and who are passionate and committed to their work. Laser and IPL therapies can theoretically be provided by non-physicians, but they won’t be qualified to medically assess your skin. It’s best to seek a physician-run clinic with the best available equipment and well-trained staff.