You might think that our dentists can only care for your teeth and gums, but we also offer services that will improve the health or the appearance of the face. A facial treatment is available at our dental offices for a variety of reasons. Here are the facial services that many dentists provide to patients.
1. Changing the Shape of the Face’s Bones
If a child or an adult has a facial abnormality, then a dentist can often repair the problem. You might need to undergo treatment with customized headgear, braces or dental appliances to alter the size or the shape of the palate, gum ridges or jawbone. This process can take months or years to complete, but it is necessary to improve the appearance of the face and the health of the mouth. In addition, a dental surgeon can perform surgery on the face or the mouth to correct growth problems, birth defects or injuries.
2. Injections of Dermal Fillers to Eliminate Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Dermal filler injections are another type of facial treatment that we can offer to our patients in a dental office. If you have fine lines, wrinkles or folds on your face, then a dentist can analyze the problems to inject a variety of dermal fillers that can make you look younger. Our dentists have extensive knowledge of facial anatomy, making it easy to understand where to inject the dermal fillers for the best outcome. The injections of dermal fillers can improve your appearance for as long as a year, and with a dentist’s approval, you can undergo a new facial treatment.
When you have pain in the jaw’s joints, it is often caused by the temporomandibular joints. These joints can develop inflammation that leads to discomfort in the face, ears, neck or shoulders. Our dentist can examine your face and collect medical images to understand if you have a problem with the joints of the jaw. There are several effective treatments for this problem, including wearing plastic devices on your teeth at night or undergoing orthodontic treatment to repair the alignment of the teeth. At a dentist’s office, you can also have surgery to adjust the jaw to prevent the pain in the joints.
4. Botox Injections to Improve the Condition of the Face
Botox is manufactured in a laboratory for injection into the face for several facial problems, including the reduction of wrinkles and fine lines. Our dentist will analyze your face to decide where to inject the neurotoxin so that the nerves of the muscles become paralyzed. A dentist can inject Botox around the mouth, in the forehead or around the eyes to help you look better. This facial treatment can help you to have a more youthful appearance, but Botox is also useful for other conditions, including preventing migraine headaches or alleviating the pain from temporomandibular joint disorder.
5. Removal of Skin Growths or Discolorations
At our dental offices, we have high-quality lasers that make it possible to remove skin growths or discolorations from the face. If you have age spots, redness or freckles, then with laser facial treatment, it is possible to eliminate these abnormalities so that your face has a more attractive appearance. We can also apply chemical peel solutions or topical creams that can lighten the unattractive discolorations on your face.
Call Our Dental Offices Today
To learn more about a facial treatment from a dentist, you can contact us today in Phoenix or Gilbert. Contact Dental Specialty Associates at 480-633-9977 or 602-795-5995 for additional information.
Microneedling involves rolling tiny needles across your face. With that said, you might be surprised to learn that this process benefits your skin’s health, thanks to something called collagen induction. The derma-roller used in microneedling leaves tiny pinpricks in the top layer of the skin. These injuries, which are too small to be noticeable to the naked eye, stimulates the body’s collagen and elastin production to promote healing. As the skin heals from a microneedling treatment, it’s often looks younger, smoother, and firmer than it did before the treatment. Here are four common skin concerns that can be improved through microneedling.
1. Reduce Fine Lines & Wrinkles
Our skin loses collagen and elastin over time, which is part of the reason why our skin tends to wrinkle as the years add up. Microneedling causes a burst in collagen and elastin production, leaving firmer or smoother skin. After several treatments, it’s possible to reduce the number of visible lines on your skin and literally take several years off your face.
Microneedling can also combat aging by allowing increased absorption of skincare products. The tiny pinpricks in the skin serve as extra channels for serums and creams to penetrate the skin and work even more efficiently.
2. Soften Acne Scars
The boost in collagen and elastin caused by microneedling can also increase cell turnover, which is the shedding and replacing of dead skin cells. This can soften and fade acne scars, making them less noticeable over time.
3. Shrink Enlarged Pores
As the skin becomes plump and firm from increased collagen, it can make pores appear smaller. Enlarged pores will “shrink” when the extra collagen inflates the surrounding skin. While changes may only be noticeable up close, smaller pores can contribute to younger, healthier-looking skin.
4. Fade Sun Sports
Multiple years in the sun can lead to sun spots, which is why these little brown spots on our hands and faces contribute even further to the look of aging. Similar to acne scars, microneedling stimulates the cell turnover that helps these spots fade faster. Microneedling is also a safer and less traumatic alternative to laser therapy, which addresses the same problems but comes with more side-effects.
What to Expect from Your First Microneedling Treatment
During the procedure itself, the esthetician will use a derma-roller or derma-pen to apply microneedling to the skin. Sometimes, a numbing cream or ointment might be used to keep the patient comfortable. After the treatment is applied, skin might feel swollen or sensitive to the touch, which should fade within 24 hours. A single treatment can take 30-45 minutes, and you might notice some small changes right away. Full results appear after about a week and last for several months. Most cases will require two or three individual treatments before improvements can be seen.
Microneedling Aftercare Tips
Aftercare instructions for the microneedling procedure tend to require the patient to avoid sunlight, exercise, and germ-ridden environments for at least a day. Active skincare products, such as alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids or retinol, are potentially irritating to open wounds and should be avoided, as well. The patient may also be instructed to drink plenty of water to fuel their skin’s healing process.
Seeing A Microneedling Professional
Along with proper aftercare, a successful microneedling experience depends on having a trained expert performing it. Consulting with a professional is the best way to determine if microneedling is right for you. Microneedling is also just one of many cosmetic procedures that can improve your appearance. If you’re ready to banish imperfections in your skin for good, contact us at Dental Specialty Associates to start your anti-aging journey today.
In the modern world, we expect men to shave the hairs on their faces with a razor every single day. For some reason, when women do the same thing, a lot of people think it is strange or unnatural. I do not believe this is true. Some of the most beautiful women of all time removed the hair from their faces for a softer and smoother look.
Both Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor preferred the look of a smoother face. Regular dermaplaning or shaving leaves your face with a softer aesthetic. The question is, which one is actually better for your face.
The Benefits of Hair Removal from the Face for Women
You may be among the numerous women who have peach fuzz on their chins or a little bit of hair growing on your upper lip. Both dermaplaning and shaving will enhance the way you look. You may be familiar with the old myth that if you remove this hair, it will grow back thicker and darker. We want you to know this is not true.
The truth is the exact same hair you removed will grow back in the same color, with the same texture and at the same rate. The difference is, there will not be the unsightly stubble you see so frequently on men. Both of these procedures will remove your unwanted hair for a certain period of time while leaving your complexion smooth.
You will most likely start receiving compliments on the way you look. The chances are people will notice you look lovelier, but they will not know why. The reason is simple. Shaving increases the turnover of you skin cells and provides a mild exfoliation. The exfoliation with dermaplaning is more targeted and much deeper.
The Difference Between Dermaplaning and Shaving Your Face
These are the two most frequently used methods for removing your facial hair. The treatments for shaving and dermaplaning are completely different. Your skin is exfoliated by dermaplaning, A sharp surgical blade is used by an expert esthetician to remove your peach fuzz.
When you experience a dermaplaning treatment, the dead skin cells found on the surface will be efficiently scraped off by your esthetician. This provides you with a much better exfoliation than shaving. Your skin will be hairless and smoother and your complexion noticeably brighter.
Is Shaving or Dermaplaning Better for Your Face?
When you want to eliminate unwanted facial hair, a professional dermaplaning treatment is more effective than when you use a razor at home. The oil and dirt that build up in the hair follicles on your face are removed by dermaplaning. This means the exfoliation you receive is a lot better. The final result is a brighter and smoother complexion. Shaving does not offer you all of these benefits. Dermabrasion will:
Brighten the tone of your skin
Soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles
Soften rough skin to leave you with a smoother face
Help soften the look of mild scarring
Improve superficial hyperpigmentation
If all you really want is to remove the hair on your upper lip or eliminate your peach fuzz, shaving may be a suitable option for your needs.
Exfoliating Your Skin
Most of the women we see who are interested in dermaplaning find it a pain-free option to shaving their faces. Two of the best benefits are the procedure is non-abrasive and free of any chemicals. If you desire a soft and smooth face, you most likely already realize you need to eliminate dead skin cells.
When skin cells build-up, the result is whiteheads and blackheads. Dermaplaning is also an excellent option for exfoliating your skin without the use of chemicals. If you have soft or sensitive skin, this non-abrasive technique is ideal for your needs.
Fast and Pain-Free
If you are currently shaving your face, you have most likely knicked your skin. These types of cuts can really hurt. Dermaplaning is fast and pain-free. No chemicals mean no irritations. Since you will not need a numbing agent, you will not have to be concerned about any side effects. There is no risk of cuts because the procedure is performed by an experienced, trained professional.
The Anti-Aging Properties
We want you to understand why an anti-aging solution is effective. These formulas will not prevent your skin from aging. They simply stop further damage while decreasing the look of the damage already in existence. This leaves your skin looking more youthful and fresher.
Dermaplaning results in a similar effect. Professional dermaplaning will shave off the top layer of your dead skin. This decreases the appearance of fine lines, acne scars and hyperpigmentation. You are left with revitalized and fresher skin providing you with a more youthful appearance.
If you have not yet experienced dermaplaning, we urge you to consider giving it a try. There is no doubt in my mind you will love your results.
Have you ever heard of “dynamic wrinkles?” Well, if you have prominent lines on your forehead or between your eyebrows, you probably already have them. Not all wrinkles are created equal. Dynamic wrinkles are the type that is formed from underlying facial muscle contractions, like squinting or raising your eyebrows. This makes them a perfect treatment target for Botox injections.
Botox injections make a great alternative to traditional cosmetic procedures. Although traditional surgery is certainly effective, Botox injections are known for being quick, painless and largely free of side effects.
If you are considering Botox, you will need some solid information on how it works, who makes the best candidate for treatment, and what to expect during your appointment. You may also want to know how long your results will last.
What Is Botox?
The Botox product itself consists of an injectable liquid. This liquid contains something called botulinum toxin. Do not be alarmed; Botox is completely safe. The product is manufactured within a controlled laboratory environment.
What Does Botox Treat?
Botox treatment is most often used for:
Horizontal forehead lines
Lines around the eyes
Nasal squint or scrunch lines
Frown lines
Botox is sometimes used in tiny amounts in other areas of the face, depending upon your unique facial expression. It can be used to raise part of an eyebrow when it is sagging, lift mouth corners and smooth cobblestoned or dimpled chins. It is not typically used in the mouth area, since this could lead to difficulty with speaking and eating.
You may be surprised to hear that Botox treatment is also given to sufferers from migraine headaches. It can even be used to treat a medical condition called hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating.
How Does Botox Work?
Botox works by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles that form dynamic wrinkles. When the activity of these muscles is reduced, they no longer create dynamic wrinkles. What is really happening is that Botox acts as a nerve block to prevent the transmission of nerve impulses from the treated person’s brain to their injected muscles. This reduces the appearance of wrinkles formed by repetitive facial muscle contractions.
Product Safety
Botox treatment has an excellent safety profile. Both the company that manufactures it and the product itself have a very safe reputation. It is important to keep in mind that the effects of Botox injections will eventually wear off, and facial muscle movement will eventually return.
Another key point is that when Botox is injected, it stays at that location and does not travel elsewhere within your body. Some people mistakenly believe that Botox will numb their face. You will experience full sensation in the area of treatment. The only difference is that the muscles in the treated area will be temporarily relaxed.
Ideal Candidates
Botox injections have been proven safe for the typical patient. The treatment is designed particularly for anyone wishing to eliminate dynamic wrinkles. The procedure actually works best on younger people, and is advised for those who are between the ages of 18 and 70. If you are older, you will probably take part in a consultation with us to determine if you have enough skin elasticity to be responsive to the treatment.
Although Botox works for most people, it is not for everyone. It is not advised for anyone with allergies to bovine products, weakened facial muscles, or anyone on blood thinners or antibiotics. It may also not work as well for those with non-dynamic wrinkles that are due to sun damage, skin infections or gravity.
What To Expect
There are a few precautions that you will need to take prior to your Botox injections. You will need to avoid taking products containing aspirin, ibuprofen and vitamin E to minimize your chances of bruising after your treatment.
Patients appreciate the fact that Botox injections are quick and painless. We will apply a topical numbing agent to your skin a few minutes before your treatment. Then we will deliver as many as eight injections into designated muscles. Some temporary skin redness and irritation is normal for a few hours after injections.
Right after you receive your Botox injections, you will need to make a number of facial expressions. This is to ensure that the liquid is evenly distributed around the injection sites. Your physical activity will be somewhat limited for a day or two after your Botox treatment to encourage the product to settle into the correct location.
Your Results
Patients normally find that their Botox injections last up to about six months. It is normal to experience a slight return of muscle movement after three months. This is when most patients undergo follow-up injections to maintain their results.
