NEUROMODULATORS, DERMAL FILLERS & BIOLOGICS
OUR APPROACH TO INJECTABLES
At the Arbutus Laser Centre, we have been refining our injectable skills since the late 90’s. Our faces are an expression of who we are and we have earned them over the course of our lifetime. Not all lines are necessarily bad and not all lines need to be eliminated. Smile lines simply enhance a beautiful face. Injectables are not only a skill, but an art, and our own team members serve as daily examples of the quality of our work.
Over the past three decades, neuromodulators and dermal fillers have become one of the most popular cosmetic services available. Whether it is loss of volume, troublesome creases or angry frown lines, we offer a wide variety of products to cater to individual needs and preferences. Our goal is always to provide a safe treatment with natural results. All of our injectable services are provided by our expert physicians who are constantly refining their approach and techniques.
"If you look like you’ve had work done, we’ve failed."
NEUROMODULATORS
WHAT are Neuromodulators?
Neuromodulators have been used therapeutically for over 40 years, and cosmetically since the late 90’s when we first added them to our practice. Sometimes referred to as neurotoxins, they are designed to relax facial muscles. Neuromodulators may also be used for therapeutic uses such as excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), eye twitching and chronic migraines. This family of injectable Neuromodulators are currently classified as prescription drugs in Canada.
Areas of treatment & benefits include:
- Frown lines (glabella, also known as the elevens)
- Horizontal forehead lines
- Bunny lines (bridge of upper nose)
- Crow’s feet (around the eyes)
- Upper lip lines or gummy smile
- Jaw tension (masseter muscles)
- Neck bands (platysmal bands)
- Chin (orange peel skin)
- Downturned smile (DAO- depressor anguli oris muscles)
- Tension Headaches and migraines
- Excessive sweating - hyperhidrosis
Before
After
Glabellar (Between the Brows) Lines
Before
After
Glabellar (Between the Brows) Lines
TREATMENT TIME
DOWNTIME
Results
Frequency
Discomfort
OUR APPROACH TO NEUROMODULATORS
Our practitioners are not only skilled and experienced, but they understand the importance of appropriate personal expression and showcasing that in a natural and rested way.
We have generally treated with a more conservative approach for these reasons:
1) There is less risk of being over treated.
2) If it is over done, we must wait 3-4 months for the product to wear off.
3) If it is over done, patients are left with some facial drooping or muscle weakness for 3-4 months until it wears off.
4) It is much easier to add more a little later as we can not dissolve neuromodulators.
5) Not all lines are bad! A face without expression is unnatural.
Arbutus Laser Centre offers a selection of neuromodulators which expands our ability to cater to individual preferences. Different brands of neuromodulators have slightly different benefits. Please speak to your physician about which product is best for you during consultation.
Considerations
Best results are achieved by having maintenance treatments before the effects have fully dissipated. Neuromodulators cannot erase certain deep, entrenched creases (ie. smile lines- see fillers). Starting with small dosing of neuromodulators at a younger age may help prevent lines from becoming entrenched. Neuromodulators should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.
PRICING
Access
HYPERHIDROSIS
What is hyperhidrosis?
Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating that is not always related to heat or exercise. Sweating can be so severe as to require several changes of clothes per day causing embarrassment and social anxiety.
There are several causes to hyperhidrosis including genetic predisposition and/or neurologic, endocrine or other systemic conditions. Heat and emotions can trigger or worsen sweating.
Neuromodulators have been used for therapeutic uses such as excessive sweating since the late 90’s.
No sweat,
we got you.
TREATMENT TIME
DOWNTIME
Results
Frequency
Discomfort
OUR APPROACH TO HYPERHIDROSIS
Neuromodulators can be used to block the nerves that activate the sweat glands in the underarm area, however, over the counter and prescription strength antiperspirants are typically the first choice for treatment and our initial recommendation. If the initial options fail, Neuromodulators can be considered.
Considerations
Neuromodulators should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.
PRICING
Pricing for hyperhidrosis includes the cost of the product as well as the injection fee. Costs of the product may be covered by extended health. Please speak to your provider for more details.
It is always our goal to provide excellent value for this service with highly skilled providers at industry average pricing.
Access
Referral from a GP is needed for hyperhidrosis consultation.
FILLERS
What are Fillers?
Fillers are substances that are injected into the skin to fill in deeper wrinkles, lines, or add volume to certain areas of the face and body. At Arbutus Laser, we have been at the forefront of injectable fillers since the 1990’s.
Initially, our filler practice began with injectable collagen, but because of the risks of allergic reactions and short duration of action, collagen injections were discontinued in the mid-90’s and have generally been replaced with hyaluronic acid fillers.
Areas of treatment & benefits include:
- Cheeks for volume loss or augmentation
- Chin for volume and definition
- Jaws for definition
- Jowls around the mouth to soften creases
- Lips for volume loss or augmentation
- Nasal labial folds (smile lines) to soften creases
- Neck for skin rejuvenation
- Décolleté (chest) for skin rejuvenation
- Hands for volume loss
- Tear troughs (under eyes) for hollowness
- Temples for hollowness
- Upper lip for vertical lines
Before
After
Cheek Enhancement
Before
After
Under Eyes Enhancement
TREATMENT TIME
DOWNTIME
Results
# & frequency of sessions
Discomfort
Healthy Skin,
is Beautiful Skin.
OUR APPROACH TO FILLERS
Arbutus Laser Centre stocks a wide selection of filler products, each with different consistencies and properties. We always consider your individual and unique facial structure, expressions, muscle placement and desired outcomes when choosing appropriate volumes and products.
Please speak to one of our physicians about which products might be right for you during your consultation.
The most commonly used fillers are made from a gel-like substance called hyaluronic acid (HA). Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring complex sugar molecule produced by your body and distributed widely in connective tissue that helps maintain moisture and structure in the skin.
HA products used include JUVEDERM®, RESTYLANE® and BELOTERO®. These products do not require skin tests, have few side effects, and tend to be long lasting.
We also offer a unique product composed of Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) called RADIESSE® which is used for specific applications, providing immediate contouring plus stimulation of collagen and elastin production. RADIESSE® is used for smoothing moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds (the creases that extend from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth). RADIESSE® is also commonly used for correcting volume loss in the back of the hands and smoothing out crepiness on the neck and chest. Radiesse is in our family of BIOSTIMULATOR products.
Our physicians are continually improving their practice through training seminars, conferences and one-to-one training with each other and outside educators. Our priority is always your safety while ensuring we are providing natural results that will accentuate your best features.
Considerations
Fillers should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.
PRICE
Pricing for dermal fillers are based per vial. A vial of filler or biostimulator ranges from $750 to $1000 per syringe. This is mainly based on the type and brand of product used. Our injectors have a talent for placing less filler strategically to maximize your desired outcome.
It is always our goal to provide excellent value for this service with highly skilled providers at industry average pricing. Please speak to our physicians about which products might be best for you during consultation.
Access
Our Physicians charge $175 for all Injectable consultations. Consultation fees may be applied towards services for suitable candidates. Payment for Injectable consultation fees are taken at time of booking.
BIOSTIMULATORS
WHAT ARE BIOSTIMULATORS?
What we typically refer to as fillers are hyaluronic acid products which are injected to create instant volume replacement. The benefits typically last for 1-2 years.
Biostimulators, on the other hand, are products which are injected to stimulate your body to build more of its own natural collagen and elastin, creating biologically thickened and revitalized collagen replacement over a period of 1-3 months. With these unique products, the original biostimulator is broken down to its natural elements, while the new collagen remains. Biostimulators are typically used to replace volume and elasticity in the temples, cheeks, lateral face, and jawline in the face. They also reduce fine lines, laxity, and improve skin thickness. They are also very effectively used to replace lost volume on the tops of the hands. The benefits typically last for more than 2 years.
If you like the idea of your body naturally creating volume replacement for a longer period of time, biostimulators are an ideal consideration. At Arbutus Laser, we use two industry leading options for biostimulators – Sculptra® by Galderma and Radiesse® by Merz.
HYPER-DILUTED Radiesse®
When Radiesse is thinned with a sterile saline solution mixed with lidocaine, it becomes easily spreadable over larger areas such as the neck and decollete resulting in a remarkable improvement in texture, tone and elasticity.
PRP
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is an autologous platelet and fibrin processing system, which extracts collagen stimulating plasma from your own blood. PRP will provide a gradual increase in volume by helping stimulate your body’s own collagen production. It can be injected into facial and necklines or it can be applied topically after a fractional skin resurfacing procedure, to enhance the effects of the resurfacing.
HA Microdroplets
Aging leads to the natural loss of hyaluronic acid (HA), affecting skin smoothness and hydration. HA Microdroplets, using a gentle HA injectable, enhances skin texture, elasticity, and appearance. It boosts hydration, stimulates collagen production, and reduces fine lines, yielding firmer, healthier-looking skin. Patients report high satisfaction, with results lasting around 9 months. Each treatment takes less than 15 minutes, providing smooth, hydrated skin for all types with minimal downtime. HA Microdroplets, offered with industry-leading options like SkinVive® and Restylane Skin Booster®, ensures long-term deep hydration for a refreshed, radiant look.
QUESTIONS? WE’VE GOT ANSWERS
Q: What is the difference between neuromodulators and dermal fillers and biologics?
A: Neuromodulators are muscle relaxers that essentially block nerve signals from the brain that tell muscles to contract. The main use of neuromodulators in cosmetic medicine is to soften fine lines by relaxing the facial muscles on the forehead and around the eyes. Although, it can be used for therapeutic purposes as well.
Dermal Fillers on the other hand are made of hyaluronic acid, a component that exists naturally in the body and are injected to replace lost volume. Dermal fillers are used to safely and effectively soften lines, sculpt facial contours and restore lost volume to revitalize the face.
Biologics are products which are injected to stimulate your body to build more of its own natural collagen and elastin, creating biologically thickened and revitalized collagen replacement over a period of 1-3 months.
Q: What are dermal fillers?
Q: How long do dermal fillers last?
Q: Are dermal fillers and neuromodulators safe?
Q: Do dermal fillers hurt?
Q: Can dermal fillers be used for lip augmentation?
A: Yes, dermal fillers can be used to enhance lip volume and shape. They can help create fuller lips or address specific concerns like asymmetry or fine lines around the mouth.
Q: Are there any side effects associated with neuromodulators?
A: Common side effects of neuromodulators may include temporary redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. In rare cases, muscle weakness or drooping can occur but is usually temporary.
Q: Can anything be done about bruising from injections?
Q: Can dermal fillers be used to treat acne scars?
Q: How soon will I see results from neuromodulator treatments?
Q: Are dermal fillers and neuromodulators reversible?
A: Some dermal fillers can be partially or fully reversed using an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which breaks down hyaluronic acid fillers. Neuromodulators, on the other hand, cannot be reversed but gradually wear off over time.