Choe Center Blog

Question: I used to be a smoker and have those little lines above my lips. Can these be improved with some type of injectable? Answer: Yes. Fillers such as Belotero or Juvederm can help upper lip vertical lines. For more permanent results, dermabrasion is also an excellent option. It’s a procedure where vertical lines/skin is gently sanded down using a […]

Question: I am 59 years old and thin. This makes my face seem rather hollowed out, and I also think it makes me look older. Is there an injectable treatment that can fill in these hollowed areas? Answer: Yes. Fillers such as Juvederm or Belotero would work well for smile lines, marionette lines and tear trough areas. If significant […]

Question: I’m a black woman and I’d like to have surgery to improve my nose. I think the bridge could be narrowed a bit, but what I really dislike is the lower portion of my nose which is much too wide, including the nostrils. Where are the incisions made for this? I imagine that to […]

Question: What sort of doctor can perform a hair transplant? Are all doctors qualified to perform this? I’m in Virginia Beach and looking for a good doctor to perform my hair transplant. Answer: Hair transplant surgery is usually performed by facial plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons. In some states, physicians from other specialties perform this […]

Question: How often are Botox injections administered? Answer: It depends. For most patients, cosmetic use of Botox for dynamic facial lines needs repeated injections every 3-4 months on average. Botox for masseter hypertrophy or hyperhidrosis (under arm) can last up to 6 months or more.

Question: What causes brow droop after Botox injections and can it be fixed? Answer: Contrary to what most people think, brow drop secondary to Botox injection is not from “nerve damage”. Botox works by inhibiting muscle-to-muscle communication. The ‘drop’ you may see with Botox injection is from total muscle relaxation. It is best to avoid it. Unfortunately, […]

Question: Do injection techniques differ with different injectable fillers, i.e. the depth of the injection, the area of the injection, etc.? Answer: Yes. Some fillers should be injected deeper than others. Radiesse, a calcium-based filler that should be injected deeper in the dermis than most of the hyaluronic acid type fillers that are on the […]

Question: Is ultherapy a good treatment for a saggy neck? Answer: Ulthera uses ultrasound energy to stimulate your own collagen production. This will have a positive effect on your skin by firming and lifting your skin. For some patients, the treatment also improves skin’s texture. Patients with loose skin or sagging neck will not see a […]

Question: How much time will I need to take off work for a physician strength chemical peel? I don’t want to go back to work until my face looks 100% normal. Does the peeling/healing process hurt? Answer: TCA 35%-40% peel is performed usually by a physician under intravenous sedation. This type of peel is an excellent […]

Question: Are chemical peels effective in treating actinic keratosis? Answer: It depends on the type of chemical peel and the depth of penetration. A more superficial chemical peel may not penetrate deep enough into the skin to have an effect. A deeper chemical peel such as TCA 35% or 40% peel may work well to treat superficial […]