Dear Dr. Raval,
I had feared that my face would become “expressionless” after a BOTOX treatment.
That has not happened. My eyes are bright, my skin shines (thanks to a facial at Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics), and my smile is as wide as ever. The only difference is that my frown lines are gone . . . and I didn’t need those anyway.
Elise K., Colorado Springs, CO.

Dear Dr. Raval,
Given the choice between grooves in my cheeks that aged me 10 years and a smooth look that makes me seem perpetually contented, I choose the latter. Thank you.
Cynthia D., Englewood, CO.

Dear Dr. Raval,
Show me a woman who says she loves getting creases in her face and I’ll show you a fibber. I’m one happy patient.
Linda F., Denver CO.

Dear Dr. Raval,
Believe it or not, after I had BOTOX on some pretty deep frown lines, my husband decided he looked too old for me. He made an appointment at Raval Facial Aesthetics too. We’re both thrilled with our new, youthful looks.
Sarah N., Aravada, CO.

Dear Dr. Raval,
I had wanted to try BOTOX for months . . . but I’m pain phobic. Surprise! There wasn’t any. Thank you so much for my new look.
Anna G., Denver, CO.

Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics’ newest skin rejuvenation advancement is called the Ultimate Laser Peel, a triple-laser peel that makes three times the difference in a single appointment.

This remarkable new peel treatment means that patients don’t have to schedule up to five repeat sessions in order to attain a glowing, youthful complexion. The revolutionary peel is normally $600, but is now being offered at only $400, explains Jeffrey Raval, MD FACS. As owner and medical director of Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics and Raval Facial Aesthetics.

The Ultimate Laser Peel is performed with the state-of-the-art Sciton Laser and includes a mix of laser treatments to remove brown and red age spots, eradicate fine lines and wrinkles and skin tightening. Down time is minimal, three to five days of pinkness and the results are dramatic.

Unlike the peels advertised for non-ablative, photofacial laser and IPL treatments that require 5-7 months to see significant improvement, the results of the Ultimate Laser Peel are evident immediately. New collagen formation and softer more uniform younger looking healthy skin continue to improve for months after the treatment.

Levulon is the newest technology in hair removal. It’s permanent, painless and can target large areas as compared to procedures involving laser. Jeffrey R. Raval, MD, FACS uses Levulon photodynamic therapy for treatments ranging from skin rejuvenation and now hair removal.

Located in Cherry Creek North, the chic dining and entertainment district in Denver, CO, Dr. Raval is medical director of Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics and has a facial plastic surgery practice at the same location. Dr. Raval named this procedure “Turbo-charging.” It does just what it sounds like—accelerates the treatment and its effectiveness.

Levulon is an ointment that is applied to the skin prior to treatment with light-sensitive lasers. Pulses of light respond to the Levulon gearing up the treatment’s efficiency, whether the laser is being used, as it commonly has as a cure for acne, and now for advanced hair reduction.

No damage is done to the skin. The procedure only takes 30-45 minutes and is recognized by the FDA as a permanent hair removal process. Depending on one’s skin coloring and the melanin in the hair follicle plus the stage of hair growth when the laser treatment is performed, it may require as many as 5 treatments for optimal results. There is no down-time, and the skin may be slightly red the day following treatment.

Step-by-step breakdown:

The hair above the skin is trimmed. Levulon, a cool gel is applied to the skin.  Pulses of light from a photosensitive laser are aimed at the treatment area and the light gravitates toward the Levulon and hits the unwanted hairs. The gel is wiped off gently following treatment leaving patients’ skin smooth and hairless.

To make an appointment at Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics

Jeffrey R. Raval, MD, FACS is a regular on local television including WB 2, KUSA 9 and Fox 31. He’s a triple-boarded facial plastic surgeon and has his facial plastic surgery practice in Cherry Creek North in Denver in companion with his laser clinic, Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics, at the same address.

TV segments in which Dr. Raval have been featured include breakthrough medical technology and the doctor’s application of these advanced medical findings to his patient group. One such surgical advancement is the “Denver Nose Job,” a procedure to smooth out the shape of the nose with sheets of collagen (DermaMatrix).  This procedure can quickly and dramatically improve a profile.  The side profile of your face that is… well, a dating profile too, I guess.

The balloon sinuplasty is one of the latest new surgical advancements, and for those with sinusitis, greatest progressions in the ear, nose and throat field.  It is designed to free passageways from congestion allowing drainage.

Dr. Raval knows more than noses. He specializes in a ProFractional laser tattoo removal.  And the best part is, it won’t leave you scarred.

The other liberating service Dr. Raval offers is alleviation from sleep apnea.  It is a minimally invasive procedure that will perfect the palate allowing you (and your significant other) a good night sleep.  Rest assured.

Sun damage to your skin is something you don’t want to be in the dark about.  Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics has the technology to digitally analyze your skin and the damage it has endured in order to tailor a skin-care regiment specifically for your needs.  Each person’s skin is different and requires different treatments and maintenance accordingly.  You will be able to see the change you are in for on the Visia system.

Injectables are the fastest and easiest way to refresh your look.  Dr. Raval uses Restylane, Radiesse, Botox and Juvederm depending on your skin and desired results to improve the face.  Procedures range from filling wrinkles and plumping lips to mini facelifts and nose augmentation.

Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics also gives back to the community. Dr. Raval participated in a charity benefit in which he donated 10 percent of proceeds from Botox customers to Inner City Health Center.  It feels good to do something for yourself and it feels even better when doing so helps others too.

As a professional in the cosmetic surgery field, Dr. Raval explained how to select a cosmetic surgeon on Colorado & Company, a popular segment of KUSA.

Call for an appointment at Raval Md today, 303-381-FACE (3223) or reach Rocky Mountain Laser Clinic by calling 303-985-8520. The practices are located at 250 Steele St. on the second level, in Cherry Creek North, Denver, CO 80206. You can visit his offices at www.rockymountainlaser.com and www.ravalmd.com.

Gifts of Botox have replaced jewelry for Bridesmaids and the wedding party

No longer are too-taut celebrities like Joan Rivers the poster children for Botox.  Even Olympic athletes are now endorsers. Romanian gymnast and five-time Olymic gold medalist Nadia Comaneci and seven-time swimming gold medalist Mark Spitz have joined in the campaign for injections to achieving a younger look.  Hey, maybe Michael Phelps will be next in a few years.  Read about the eyebrows this is raising in the New York Times. At age 48, the ever-fabulous looking Simon Cowell is so accustomed to Botox injections he told People magazine, “To me, Botox is no more unusual than toothpaste.”

It’s not only celebs that are getting their fill of Botox.  With the median age of brides on the rise, bridal-party botox is the rage.  Honestly, as a 35-year-old taffeta-flaunting bridesmaid knowing your photo will be on your sorority sister bride-to-be’s facebook page within 24 hours, would you rather have a key chain engraved with the date of her special day or a quick fix for your face?  Caution for brides:  when suggesting Botox to the bridal party (especially to your new mother-in-law) be sensitive.  The number one rule is don’t make them feel like they need it (no matter how deep their winkles may be)!  Make it a fun outing.  It’s a modern spin on gal-pals getting their hair done together for the big day.  Just say it’s something you’d like to do to pamper yourself and you would love to have them join you if they like.  For more on “Bridal Beauty Buffets” read this article from the New York Times.

But when it comes down to it don’t choose Botox because it’s en vogue, but because of how it will make you feel. Treatments are popular for a reason.  Read an account of a first-time Botox user in Marie Claire.  It was a gift to herself for her 29th birthday and it gave her much more of a boost than any designer shoes could have.

Women of all ages—Botox can work wonders for you.  For women in mid 20s to late 30s  it can subtly maintain your young face and act as a preventative measure.  And of course ladies, the older you are the more you can benefit.  Go ahead and look and live as young as you can get away with.  Let your age be your little secret.

Contact Dr. Jeffrey Raval for a consultation to see if you are a candidate for Botox injections to look younger and refreshed with no downtime by calling 303.381.FACE (3223). Or call Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics at 303-985-8520 and schedule an appointment today.

Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics Now using BOTOX to stop sweating

You’re nervous. It’s your first date. Or maybe your first day on a new job. You’re wearing silk. Or maybe your jacket is taffeta. Nothing is more embarrassing than rings of sweat under your arms. It’s distracting to others and makes you self-conscious.

Now there’s an option to pinning armpit liners into your clothing.

BOTOX injections are now being used to stop sweating in the armpits, according to Dr. Jeffrey Raval, owner and medical director of Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics located in the Cherry Creek North district in Denver, CO. Injections to stop sweating start at $1000 and depending upon the extent of one’s sweating tendencies can rise to $2,000.

But it’s a fee patients are more than willing to pay, sometimes twice a year, in order to put an end to the embarrassment.

Women and men seek BOTOX injections for sweating problems, says the Doctor, triple-board certified in facial plastic surgery, head and neck surgery and ear/nose/throat by the American Board. Women, in particular, are increasingly getting BOTOX injections to protect against nervous sweating for their weddings. With so many popular wedding dresses being strapless and sleeveless, it becomes ever more important to stop the sweating before it starts, which is exactly what BOTOX does.

BOTOX injected into the underarm area paralyzes the sweat glands, making them inactive in the location of the injections. The treatments last approximately six months. And some patients find that the frequency with which they have to get the injections decreases over time.

Profuse sweating can be caused by any number of things: hormonal changes, growth spurts in teenagers, nervous sweating, to name a few. While antiperspirant tames limited to mild sweating and deodorant controls the scent of the sweat, nothing stops the body from manufacturing sweat like BOTOX.

In fact, says Jeff Raval, MD, FACS, the use of BOTOX to control sweating has changed the lives of many clients he’s treated. “We’ve had patients who’ve lived their lives suffering from sweating that limits their social interaction. With BOTOX injections, they’re relieved of the problem and can wear the clothing they want to without fear of staining it or drawing attention to themselves in a negative way.

If you suffer from the embarrassment of sweating, call Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics for an appointment for BOTOX injections today. The number is 303.985.8520.

How does a tattoo-removing laser work?

Whether it was once upon a time or only last year that you thought it was a good idea to have your body stamped with a unicorn, help is available. If it’s because you are making a professional career move or because the person whose name is etched into your neck broke your heart, it does not mater why you need the tattoo removed.  What you need to know is that there is an eraser for all that ink, regardless of the color or intensity. In 10 minutes to 1 hour the laser can significantly lighten and reduce the tattoo by breaking down the ink.  A dramatic difference can be seen after only one treatment and complete removal can be achieved over time. Contact our office at 303.985.8520 today for an appointment.

I was a rebellious 18-year-old (although at the time I thought of myself as hip). Some of the things I did—stay out late, dye my hair black—were more about getting a rise out of my conservative parents than anything. They had their rules and I was going to show them that they didn’t apply to me. So one weekend I got an outrageous tattoo on the nape of my neck that included two dolphins and my boyfriend’s nickname, “Ace.”  Two months later we broke up and I suddenly realized Ace would be a part of every relationship I had going forward. I’d meet guys and they’d all ask what Ace stood for. It was kind of creepy having to start out a new relationship talking about an old, failed one. I hated it. When I went to college and met a whole new crowd of people, I would tell them I got the tattoo when I was in Vegas after a lucky gambling spree, all the while wondering how to get rid of it. By the time I graduated from college, the pendulum had swung back to middle, and I found I was more conservative at heart than I had ever imagined, even getting my degree in accounting. When I landed my first job at an accounting firm, I either had to wear turtlenecks all year round including summer or Ace had to go. Luckily, I found Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics in Cherry Creek North has lasers to remove tattoos. The first session only lasted about 40 minutes and made a dramatic difference.  I will keep going back until it’s entirely gone. I’m looking forward to wearing sundresses by the end of the season.

- Jaycee, 26, resident of Denver, CO.

Every summer since college, I become self-conscious of the biggest mistake I ever made during College Spring Break—a tattoo. With slinky sundresses and swimsuits, it makes it nearly impossible to cover up this reminder of my younger years. Help!

At the Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics we only use lasers meant specifically for tattoo removal versus lasers that are more effective for other cosmetic improvements, like hair removal or wrinkle removal. For tattoo removal we rely on the MedLite® laser, a Q-Switched laser Nd: YAG laser, which is top of its class for this purpose. With this laser, virtually any tattoo can be significantly lightened or completely eradicated. The Medlite laser breaks the ink particles down so they can be flushed through the body’s system naturally and the best part is, it leaves the surrounding tissue virtually untouched. The tattoo reduction procedure takes anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the size, location and color of the tattoo. Since not all colors respond the same, multiple lasers may be used for optimal results.

While I was blessed with Mediterranean skin, eyes and my grandma’s prowess in the kitchen, I also have her unsightly abundance of body hair. During the summer when my wardrobe is barer than normal I become extremely self-conscious of the hair on my lower back. Is there a painless solution to hair freedom?

At Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics, we use two different forms of laser to customize a flawless hair reduction treatment depending on your specific skin’s color and needs. With these two forms of laser hair removal as well as electrolysis at your disposal, you’re guaranteed smooth, silky skin.

Recent advances in hair removal technology ensure a safer, gentler and faster solution to unwanted hair. Using the Cynosure laser, the medical technician passes a gentle beam of energy through the skin and into the hair follicle. The energy is then transformed into heat which damages the hair follicle and prevents it from future production of hair. This unusually effective hair removal treatment is used on all parts of the body except the area immediately around the eyes. Fair skinned patients with dark hair are ideal candidates as this particular treatment is unresponsive on those with darker skin.

A second hair-reduction removal laser used at Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics is the Apogee Elite Laser. This laser has all of the fast-acting perks of the Cynosure laser and as well removes small facial veins and spider veins. It also works on all skin types, even dark and tanned skin.

A third hair removal alternative is Electrolysis. Our electrolysis expert at Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics has perfected this procedure, having performed it for nearly two decades. We provide her with the finest hand-held electrolysis equipment on the market. Electrolysis kills the papilla and loosens the hair shaft for easy removal and ensuring that hair will never be able to grow in that area again. Internationally, electrolysis has been proven to be the only truly effective total hair removal technique on the market today.

Jessica Santi, Clinical Director for Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics, reports that men and women make appointments for hair reduction and hair removal at the clinic, especially before swim season, so make your appointment soon by calling the clinic at 303-985-8520.

After years of squinting in the sun I have noticed small wrinkles developing around my eyes. I know wrinkles are supposed to be the mark of wisdom but to me they scream my age. Is there a way to tastefully remove these pestering smile lines?

With Botox, your bothersome smile lines can be diminished. In a simple 10-minute treatment, a series of injections are administered around your trouble spots with results lasting up to four months. Botox is the only treatment of it’s kind to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The Botox is injected into the muscle tissue to the wrinkles that can be perceived as anger, stress or age in both men and women.

Botox is a simple treatment without any anesthesia or downtime. Slight inflammation, bruising and tenderness may occur with the injection but all side effects should subside within 3-4 days.

Time is one of the most precious commodities in today’s world. Families have more on their schedules than ever before. The workplace is more competitive than it’s ever been. Career and home demands leave little time to luxuriate let alone take whole blocks of time to recuperate from elective cosmetic surgery.

To that end, Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics offers minimally-invasive injectable treatments that can rejuvenate your face—the first thing people notice when they see you—without having to take time off of work.

The most popular injectable in the world is BOTOX® which eliminates the frown lines in the forehead, between the eyes and the crow’s feet around the eyes. As the first injectable on the market just a handful of years ago, BOTOX has gained acceptance in men and women patients who seek to eliminate the frown lines that make them look angry or tired.

Other injectables are used to smooth away lines by filling in creases and wrinkles.  Restylane® is used to eradicate deep creases in your skin and have younger looking lips. Unlike some injectables, Restylane is a totally non-animal product eliminating the possibility of allergic reaction. And when totally absorbed, Restylane turns into water and carbon dioxide and disappears from your body without a trace. To date, more than a million Restylane treatments have been successfully administered in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Juvéderm™ is an injectable gel filler that instantly smooth out those wrinkles or folds along the side of your nose and mouth. Results aren’t just instant, they’re so smooth and natural, everyone will notice but no one will know. Juvederm comes in several formulations and Dr. Jeffrey Raval, Medical Director of Rocky Mountain Laser Aesthetics, or your Medical Esthetician can tell you which is right for you-JUVÉDERM™ Ultra injectable gel, optimally formulated for versatility in contouring and volumizing wrinkles and folds, or JUVÉDERM™ Ultra Plus, a robust formulation for volumizing and correcting deeper wrinkles and folds.

Radiesse® is called a next generation filler because it can restore facial volume as well as correct smile lines, nasolabial folds and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. 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, the results can last up to a year.

Make an appointment today to find out which injectable is exactly right to correct the lines that age has left on your face. Remember, your face is the first thing anyone notices when they meet you. Call the RMLA at 720-985-8520.