Learn More About Cataract Surgery
Are you experiencing night driving problems? Are colors fading? If you are over the age of 50 years old you may be experiencing the onset of cataracts. Our doctors are skilled board certified cataract surgeons located in Portland, Maine. Our doctors take great pride in educating patients about their best options for success after cataract surgery. Please feel free to review our website to learn about new technology lens implants.
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Take Our LASIK Self Test
If you are seeking LASIK in Portland, Maine we are happy to help you learn about LASIK and your candidacy potential for this eye surgery. Please feel free to take our short LASIK self-evaluation test to get on the path to better vision. After taking this test you will be contacted by Maine Eye Center if you meet the pre-requisite requirements. All LASIK candidates will be required to undergo a pre-operative eye exam before candidacy is approved.
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Aesthetics
BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA)
Why Get Treated with Botox Cosmetic?
Since the approval of BOTOX® Cosmetic by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002, Allergan has virtually changed the face of medical aesthetics. Men and women between the ages of 18 to 65 now have the ability to choose science-based, non-invasive medical aesthetic solutions, including BOTOX® Cosmetic and the JUVÉDERM® family of dermal fillers, to achieve their own results. Since its approval, BOTOX® Cosmetic has been the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States.
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a simple, non-surgical procedure for temporarily reducing the appearance of moderate to severe glabellar lines - the vertical frown lines between the eyebrows that look like an "11" - in adult women and men aged 18 to 65. BOTOX® Cosmetic reduces the activity of the muscles that cause the "11s" to form by blocking nerve impulses that trigger wrinkle-causing muscle contractions, creating an improved appearance between the brows. Results can last up to four months and may vary with each patient. Ask your doctor if BOTOX® Cosmetic is right for you.
Botox Cosmetic may work for you.
When it comes to selecting a physician-administered aesthetic treatment, chances are you’ll want proof, not just claims. The proof for BOTOX® Cosmetic is in the numbers.
- In clinical trials, nearly 90% of men and women surveyed rated the improvement in the appearance of frown lines between their brows as moderate to better 1 month after treatment. Results vary.
- Results can last for up to 4 months, and may vary.
- BOTOX® Cosmetic was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002 for the temporary treatment of moderate to severe frown lines between the brows in people ages 18 to 65, and almost 3 million procedures were performed in 2008 alone.
- The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery ranked BOTOX® Cosmetic as the most popular physician-administered aesthetic procedure in the United States for the seventh year in a row (surgical and nonsurgical combined).
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What To Expect at the Doctor's Office.
Before you try and schedule your first BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment consultation, you probably have some questions, such as: How long will it take? How long will the results last? Will it hurt? Will I still be able to make facial expressions?
Here's what you might expect at the doctor's office from the moment you arrive until your procedure is done. (Please note that although this experience is typical, the routine at your doctor's office may be different.)
The day of your appointment. Allow time before your appointment for filling out forms and for consulting with the doctor or a member of his or her staff. If it's your initial visit, you may first meet with your doctor personally or a staff member. Many doctors have on-staff licensed aestheticians or nurses who are trained in skin care and skin care procedures who can answer many of your questions.
You may also be asked about your expectations for treatment and if you have any allergies or any condition that wouldn't make you a good candidate for BOTOX® Cosmetic.
Before the procedure. You'll probably be seated in a reclining chair, much like you find in a dentist's office. No anesthesia is required, although your doctor may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream.
The procedure. Your doctor will determine where to administer the injections by examining your ability to move certain muscles in your brow area. The entire BOTOX® Cosmetic injection procedure takes approximately 10 minutes.
After the procedure. There's no recovery time needed. You're ready to get on with your day! The most common side effects following injection include temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection. Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects.
Seeing results.Within days, you may notice an improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows that can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.
BOTOX® Cosmetic For Maine Provided Courtesy of Simply Radiant and Maine Eye Center
Most commonly referred to by brand names like
Radiesse, Restylane, Juvederm, and Perlane
Dermal Fillers are substances designed to enhance volume, erase wrinkles and restore the youthful contour of the face. There are many filler choices. Hyaluronic acid is found in Restylane, Juvederm, and Perlane, a naturally occurring human protein responsible for cushioning the skin. Other fillers such as Radiesse are meant to fill a larger volume loss such as sagging cheeks, deep lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial folds) and lines from the corners of the mouth to the jaw line (marionette lines).
Wrinkle correction that lasts about 6 months
- Restylane is a safe, natural formulation
- A simple convenient procedure
- Over 4 million treatments worldwide
The answer to long-lasting wrinkle correction is Restylane. Before choosing a wrinkle correction treatment, there are a few things you should know.
What is Restylane?
redefining beauty
Restylane is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth ( nasolabial folds ).
What is Restylane made of?
Restylane is the first cosmetic dermal filler made of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that already exists in the human body and is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane is a crystal-clear gel called NASHA, or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is biodegradable and fully biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid.
How is Restylane different than other hyaluronic acid-based products"?
Unlike rooster-derived hyaluronic acid-based products, Restylane is free from animal proteins. This quality limits the risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction. Restylane contains trace amounts of gram-positive bacterial proteins and should not be used by patients with a history of allergies to such material. Additionally, Restylane lasts about six months.
Is Restylane safe?
Yes. Restylane has been used by dermatologists and plastic surgeons since 1996 worldwide. There is limited risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction. Restylane is fully biocompatible and allergy testing is not required.
Here are a few other things you will want to know. After your treatment, you might have some redness or swelling. This will normally last less than seven days. Sunbathing and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until any redness or swelling disappear. You should not be treated with Restylane if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under 18.
Where can Restylane be used?
In the U.S. the FDA has approved Restylane for facial wrinkles and folds like the ones from the nose to the corners of the mouth. Restylane has been used in more than 3 million treatments in over 60 countries to correct a variety of wrinkles. Your doctor will consult with you prior to your injection regarding common treatment areas.
How long does Restylane last?
Restylane is proven to deliver long-lasting results. Studies have shown that Restylane effects generally lasts for about six months. Restylane's stabilization technology helps maintain the cosmetic effect until the injected material is nearly gone.
Restylane maintains its shape using the body's own moisture. Water holds the key to the long-lasting results you can expect.
How often should I have Restylane treatments done?
Treatments are typically scheduled twice a year. Having a follow-up treatment before the product has fully dissipated may enhance the lasting effect.
What should patients do prior to treatment?
Restylane requires no pretesting, but you should take a few precautions before being treated. Avoid using aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. Johns Wort, or high doses of Vitamin E supplements prior to treatment, because these may increase bruising or bleeding at the injection site. Also, if you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, discuss this with your physician. He/She may consider prescribing a medication to minimize recurrence.
How is Restylane different from Botox Cosmetic?
Restylane is a natural, cosmetic filler that plumps up the skin to smooth away facial wrinkles. In contrast, Botox Cosmetic is a drug that relaxes the muscles underlying wrinkles. Many patients have been very pleased after receiving treatment with both products in different areas of the face.
How is Restylane different from bovine collagen?
Bovine collagen is derived from animals ( cows ) and requires an allergy test with up to a three-week waiting period. Restylane can be administered immediately – no waiting is required.
Do the injections hurt?
Restylane is injected directly into the skin in tiny amounts by an ultrafine needle, resulting in minimal discomfort. The procedure is simple and convenient, and results are practically instantaneous. Some patients may exoerience discomfort around the injection site. To optimize your comfort during the short procedure, your physician may anesthetize the treatment area.
How much do Restylane treatments cost?
Restylane is a customized procedure based on your specific needs, so the cost will vary from patient to patient. You may require more than one syringe of Restylane in your initial treatment to achieve optimal results. In general, the cost of Restylane is comparable to the cost of similar procedures. Because Restylane lasts about six months, it proves to be very economical over the long term. Please consult your physician to determine the best recommendation for your particular needs.
The Next Generation In Longer Lasting Wrinkle Correction
The RADIESSE Advantages
- FDA – APPROVED to safely correct moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles, including Nasolabial Folds.
- LASTS LONGER than the former leading filler.
- Stimulates your skin to make NEW COLLAGEN
- IMMEDIATE correction in a treatment that can be performed over a lunch hour!
- FEWER INJECTION sessions.
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What Is RADIESSE?
RADIESSE is a safe, FDA- approved dermal filler that restores a natural, youthful look and lasts longer than the former leading filler. This convenient treatment fills and corrects smile lines, nasolabial folds and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. RADIESSE is made of unique calcium-based microspheres suspended in a natural gel that is injected into the skin through a simple, safe and minimally invasive procedure.
How Does RADIESSE Work?
RADIESSE works with your body, below the skins surface. Tiny calcium-based microspheres form a scaffold to support and stimulate the growth of your own collagen. Over time, the calcium-based microspheres gradually break down and are safely and naturally absorbed by your body. RADIESSE does more than just temporarily fill-in facial folds and wrinkles – it rebuilds your skins foundation and restores your youthful look, without the risks associated with a permanent implant.
How Long Will The Results Last?
The results are immediate. RADIESSE typically lasts a year or more, longer than the former leading filler, saving you time and money. Since results may vary, be sure to discuss your expectations with your doctor.
Is RADIESSE Safe?
Yes. Hundreds of thousands of patients have experienced RADIESSE and more than 4,000 physicians worldwide have been trained to provide RADIESSE treatments. Through years of clinical studies and independent research, RADIESSE has proven to be safe and effective. With RADIESSE, you get FDA-approved, safe, clinically tested reliability.
How Is A RADIESSE Treatment Performed?
RADIESSE is injected into the skin through a simple, safe, convenient procedure. Typically administered in a doctor's office, with the use of a local anesthetic, RADIESSE treatments have little to no downtime, with most patients returning to normal activities soon after treatment.
How Many Treatments will I Need?
Many patients will achieve their desired result after just one visit. Because RADIESSE is a longer-term cosmetic enhancement, and to ensure your satisfaction, your physician might schedule a follow-up visit, where a touch-up treatment may be recommended.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Normal, injection-related reactions, such as mild irritation, swelling, itching, bruising, or tenderness at the injection site may occur. These conditions typically resolve on their own.
Is RADIESSE Permanent?
No. Treatment results are long-lasting, but not permanent. The calcium-based microspheres gradually breaks down and are safely and naturally absorbed by your body so will have none of the risks associated with a permanent implant.
How Much Does It Cost?
RADIESSE treatments are customized for each patient so the price varies. In general, the cost of Radiesse is comparable to similar procedures. And because RADIESSE is long-lasting, you'll also save money…and time. Please consult your physician to discuss your RADIESSE treatment plan.
Juvéderm is the "next generation" of dermal fillers. It is created by Allergan – the manufacturer of Botox®. Juvéderm provides a smooth, long-lasting correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Dermal fillers are used to restore volume and fullness to the skin, giving a healthy, youthful appearance.
How does Juvéderm work?
Juvéderm contains the highest concentration of non-animal, cross-linked hyaluronic acid of any dermal filler currently available. Juvéderm is developed using the proprietary Hylacross technology, a technologically advanced manufacturing process that results in a malleable, smooth gel that flows easily into the skin and creates a smooth, natural look and feel. All other currently approved hyaluronic acid dermal fillers utilize a gel particle suspension formulation. These gel particles can be seen under magnification as opposed to the smooth formulation used in Juvéderm.
How is a Juvéderm treatment performed?
Juvéderm is administered in a smooth-slowing injection, allowing your provider a high level of control for individualized, tailored facial contouring and for achieving a smooth, natural look. The procedure is simple and quick, and the results are practically instantaneous. Numbing cream may be applied before the treatment to optimize your comfort during the short procedure.
How long does Juvéderm last?
Juvéderm typically provides optimal results with a single treatment. Juvéderm is the only hyaluronic acid (HA) filler FDA approved to last up to one year.
What areas can be treated with Juvéderm?
Juvéderm is most commonly used to correct smile lines, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines (lines formed near the chin). It can also help define the lip border and give the appearance of a fuller lip.