Once again, news headlines claim that Botox® injections can be lethal. The news reports are not only exaggerated, but inaccurate in that the news stories logged don’t differentiate between injections of BOTOX for medicinal purposes and the injections for cosmetic purposes-a big difference.

“Bottom line, all the reported cases of adverse events using Botox come from injections of BOTOX for medical purposes, not cosmetic,” says Jeff Raval, MD, FACS, American Board certified facial plastic surgeon who is ear/nose/throat board certified too. “The high level of doses of Botox used for medicinal purposes can be too much. For example, there have been cases that doctors injecting Botox in the neck muscle to treat torticollis, abnormal spasms of the neck muscle, have injected too much of the toxin. The patient’s throat can close up and he/she can have trouble breathing.”

But there are no reported incidences of lethal or near-lethal use of Botox for cosmetic treatments, Dr. Raval confirms.

The dangers in Botox use surface in the press every year or so. “There is no truth to the rumor that Botox Cosmetic is dangerous,” adds Dr. Raval.

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.

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.

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 303-985-8520.

Q: While the optimists refer to wrinkles and creases in their faces as “the marks of a good life,” I want them gone. What causes my wrinkles and is there a way to make them disappear?

A: Over time, sun and other environmental factors cause skin to break down. The skin loses its volume and shape and unwanted wrinkles and fine lines appear. With today’s technology, Jeffrey Raval, Md, FACS, a leading Denver facial plastic surgeon, one of only a handful in the state who is triple board certified, uses the latest technology and FDA-approved injectible fillers to reverse the signs of aging and eliminate unwelcome wrinkles. A facial filler like Juvéderm can help smooth wrinkles by adding volume and structure to the sunken areas of skin.

Q: I am constantly bombarded with different cosmetic creams and fillers. What is Juvéderm and how is it different from all of the others?

A: The main component of Juvéderm is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar complex that is already present in all living cells. It is one of the main counterparts of the dermis connective tissue matrix as well as with collagen and elastin. Hyaluronic acid is similar to a sponge; it attracts and absorbs water increasing the skin’s volume and density. Because the acid absorbs water, it promotes duration for up to 6 months or longer setting Juvéderm apart from other dermal fillers.

Q: I have very sensitive skin and have experienced reactions to topological creams previously.  Can I still receive Juvéderm injections?

A: In a word, yes! The main component of Juvéderm, hyaluronic acid is a sugar compound naturally found in the body. Since it is already present, the chances of an allergic reaction are eliminated.

Q: I want to get rid of the wrinkles around my mouth and nose but I am squeamish when it comes to needles. Is the procedure painful?

A: Because of its smooth consistency, Juvéderm gel is injected easily and smoothly under the skin’s surface. In some cases, a mild numbing cream may be applied to the area beforehand.

Q: As an African American woman, not all procedures work for my skin. Can I be treated with Juvéderm without adverse side effects?

A: As the first FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler that is proven safe for use in different skin tones, Juvéderm is extremely safe for all skin tones and colors. While mild side effects such as redness, firmness, swelling, bruising and itching are common they occur in all skin tones.

Q: I want fuller lips, but I’m not up for expensive injectables. What alternatives do I have?
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