The skincare world can be overwhelming. Between the brands, the products, and everything in between, there’s so many options – but how do you know which is the best product for your skincare routine, and more specifically the right eye cream for you? The eye area is one of the most sensitive areas of the body, so it’s important to know what active ingredients to look for to make sure you’re using an eye cream that is most beneficial to treat the skin around the eye.

What Ingredients to look for In an Eye Cream or Under Eye Patch?

• Hyaluronic Acid: Hyaluronic Acid is naturally in our skin and joints and has been shown to have topical surface benefits  , including hydrating and rejuvenating the skin. Moreover hyaluronic acid has been associated with improved skin elasticity, softness and even the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
• All-trans Retinol: at the appropriate level for the delicate eye area assists to improve firmness and elasticity. Retinol overall helps to increase our skin cell turnover while also exfoliating skin and stimulating collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, reversing signs of aging and giving skin a younger appearance.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that also helps slow early skin aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, dark circles, and acne.
• Caffeine: Caffeine has been associated with its anti free radicals effects and anti aging , increasing skin circulation and reducing inflammation. Caffeine is very popular in skin care products.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E has been associated with anti-inflammatory antioxidant and skin barrier protective properties. By protecting from environmental toxins, hydrating the skin, it may reduce the appearance of aging.
• Green tea: Green tea is another strong, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. It also helps skin protection from UV radiation and pollution. Moreover, green tea is associated with antimicrobial effects, aiding certain skin conditions and acne. Green tea may also reduce the effects of enzymes that caused the breakdown of collagen, which leads to promotion of improve skin, elasticity, and less wrinkling
  • READ MORE: Do Tea Bags Help Under Eye Bags? 
• Arnica: Arnica is associated with anti-inflammatory, and reducing bruising – thought to be by inhibiting the inflammatory process and increasing blood flow and lymphatic drainage. By increasing blood flow and improving the lymphatic drainage  it is believed to aid in the reduction of swelling and bruising.
• Ceramides: Ceramides are popular in that they are thought to aid in the skin barrier – protecting against environmental toxins and reducing dehydration of the skin.
• Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide): Vitamin B3 is an aid in improving elasticity and increasing the skin barrier as well as improving pigmentation and discoloration of the skin.

When choosing the “best eye cream”, it is best to seek an evaluation and recommendation from a skin specialist (dermatologist) to ensure you’re using a product with the best ingredients.

What If Using Eye Cream Isn’t Helping the Skin Around My Eyes?

The skin around your eyes is a very sensitive and difficult to treat area. Applying eye creams, moisturizers and eye mask patches or sheets may provide a temporary fix.  In many cases topical eye creams and under eye patches can’t get rid of puffiness, dark circles, or under eye bags. If this is the case, under-eye filler treatments such as EyeRise™ may be the best route for you. Using a customized combination of cosmetic fillers, it treats the tear trough with specialized Hyaluronic Acid fillers such as Belotero and addresses volume loss in the mid-face with a firmer filler like Radiesse, which doesn’t cause water retention. This approach treats the entire area and leverages the balancing effects of multiple dermal fillers, but it’s best performed by an experienced cosmetic injector with a medical practice solely dedicated to injectables with a core practice in treating under eye bags non-surgically.

If you believe you are a good candidate for tear trough filler, schedule a consultation with Dr. Stephen Bracci. To make your consultation, call us at (212) 355-1705 or book online by using our online booking system. 

Ozempic is a medication approved to treat diabetes and is prescribed off-label for weight loss. This medication is similar to a natural hormone in the body, GLP-1, and it works to slow down digestion time and suppress appetite; which causes people to eat less and lose weight. While taking this medication many people have extreme, and noticeable weight loss in the face , leaving them with a gaunt appearance, a phenomenon popularly known as Ozempic face. It is suspected, but not proven, that the weight loss in the face is disproportionate to the weight loss in the rest of the body.

Why do people lose excessive facial fat while taking Ozempic? There are several explanations.

• With any rapid weight loss whether it be surgical or medication related, people tend to have visible weight loss in the face.
• People on Ozempic may feel empowered to eat poor quality junk food. Knowing they will eat less, a person on Ozempic may feel that they have a free pass to choose a bagel or chips, instead of a healthier option like salad at a meal. Poor nutrition choices combined with rapid weight loss, may explain the extreme facial changes.
• Although not proven, Ozempic may cause disproportionate fat loss in the face compared to other body parts. We know other medications such as antivirals, and certain steroids that cause body fat shifts.

Cosmetic fillers are very effective and a natural way to replace the lost volume in a person’s face seen with weight loss. However, the correct filler must be chosen in the right amount. An experienced provider, preferably one who devotes their entire practice to cosmetic injectables, will have the experience needed to choose the right filler and achieve natural looking results.

1. Facial and eye wrinkles may start before you even reach perimenopause so consider starting neuromodulators such as Botox or Xeomin early. Some start as early as their 20s and 30s. When you start to see forehead, crow’s feet, and 11 line wrinkles, a little Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, Juveau, and Daxxify will go a long way to smoothing the existing wrinkles and preventing future wrinkles.
2. As you start to see deeper lines such as nasolabial folds, under eye wrinkles, under eye bags, or marionette lines develop, you may want to start or add cosmetic filler injections to your existing beauty regimen. Cosmetic fillers will lift and re-support the lost tissues under the skin. Namely the muscle, bone, and fat that is lost with age that causes the skin to sag. I recommend Radiesse as part of most treatments for these areas because it is a firmer filler that provides not only more natural appearing results but the results also persist for a longer period of time compared to other fillers. Ultimately, these procedures are personalized and your physician injector will provide the best long term plan just for you.
3. To get the best results find an expert injector that is solely dedicated to injectables with a lot of experience you can work with long-term. Working with a physician who knows your face and tracks the changes and treatments throughout your aging process from your 30s to perimenopause to menopause and beyond, will give you the best, natural looking results. Referrals, experience, and viewing a thorough before and after gallery showing natural results will help you select the right provider.
4. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical to ensuring the success of your cosmetic injectable treatments. Eat a mostly plant-based diet, exercise, get a consistent and good night’s sleep regularly, don’t smoke, and limit or eliminate your intake of alcoholic beverages.
5. Hormone Replacement Therapy is one of the most discussed treatments for menopause. Whether it is right for you should be researched with an OBGYN that you trust in providing the most current scientifically-based solution customized just for you. One of the benefits of hormone therapy is it may assist in slowing down the wrinkling process and provide better and longer lasting results with fillers. Estrogen is a critical element to the skin and maintaining estrogen levels can aid a lot in a youthful appearance.

Recently, there has been a significant amount of attention to menopause and related symptoms in the media. Menopause is no longer a taboo subject, and women are encouraged to explore and discuss all of their options. It’s always best to explore these options with a physician that is highly focused on Menopause, and likewise a Physician that is exclusively dedicated to non-surgical cosmetics to explore options for treating the wrinkling of skin caused by the aging process.

Is makeup healthy for the skin?

Think about it logically, can anything that clogs and fills our pores on the outside really be that healthy for our skin on the inside? Some make-up brands are made from chemicals and materials known to cause dryness and loss of natural oils. These side effects can accelerate aging and prompt women to buy and use even more makeup. The need for makeup is cyclical, the more you wear and damage your skin, the more you need. We understand the new organic, cruelty-free, chemically-free selections of make-up may be a healthier solution, but in the long run, we are still filling our pores with particles that, by nature, probably don’t really belong on the surface of our skin.

What are the negative effects of makeup accumulation on the skin?

Simply put the skin never gets a holiday. People who wear makeup on a regular basis typically have it on even after using makeup remover. As a result, pores remain clogged and the skin never gets a holiday. This damages the skin in the long run and accelerates the aging process.

What is the best advice on makeup usage from an aesthetic physician?

I advise you to wear makeup sparingly, saving it mostly for special occasions. I further advise you to thoroughly remove makeup as soon as you get home. A popular and effective method for removing eye and face makeup is baby shampoo. Apply a small amount of baby shampoo and lukewarm water to a cotton ball. Use the cotton ball to remove the makeup and rinse your face with a dampened washcloth. Makeup is like drinking alcohol – both damage our skin, and both are best done in limited amounts, mainly on special occasions.

If you’re working from home, take this time to give your skin a holiday from makeup – like every organ in our bodies our skin needs proper rest.

What You Should Know If You Wear Makeup And Currently Receive Cosmetic Injections

Makeup is difficult to remove fully on a daily basis. As a result, patients who wear makeup regularly arrive at the injectors office with accumulated makeup particles on the skin. The biggest challenge for cosmetic injectors is thoroughly removing makeup particles before we begin treatments. Full removal of makeup before an injection is critical; if the skin is not fully cleaned, makeup particles can be injected along with cosmetic fillers.

Instead of cutting, cosmetic fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm are injected into the nose to give it a straighter, sculpted, and more refined shape. If you fear surgery and do not want to make permanent changes to your nose, the non-surgical nose filler option may be the way to go. At Verve, we want to help you make an educated decision on whether this procedure is right for you, so, we are answering some basic questions about the procedure.

Am I a candidate for non-surgical nose contouring?

The best candidates for this procedure are:

• People with a dorsal hump, a bump on the bridge of their nose. Applying fillers to the area below and above this bump can be filled in to make the nose appear straighter.
• Patients with curvature on the sides of their nose. Applying fillers to the opposite side of the bend can improve symmetry and make the nose appear straighter and smaller.
• Patients needing adjustments from a previous surgical nose job.

Can non-surgical nose contouring make my nose appear smaller?

Yes, however, the reason why cosmetic fillers can make the nose appear smaller is by changing the shape of the nose. By adding fillers to make the nose straighter and providing more definition on the bridge of the nose, the nose, in turn, appears smaller. The key advantage of cosmetic fillers is their ability to soften small bumps and bends in the nose. This improves the aesthetics of the nose giving it a more refined, natural shape and in turn minimizing its appearance.

What is the limitation of non-surgical nose contouring?

Nose contouring is considered non-permanent, however, the advantage is it can be adjusted in future years. If your goal is to permanently alter the size of your nose by making it smaller or decreasing the size of the nostril, surgery would be a stronger option for you.

Can Nose Contouring Adjust a Surgical Nose Job?

Yes, one of the most common reasons people seek nose filler contouring is to adjust the nose after a surgical nose job. If the surgical procedure results in side to side unevenness, a bump, or a dip in the nose then adjustments with fillers may be a preferred option to repeating nose surgery.

How should select a center for nose contouring

As with any non-surgical aesthetic procedure, for the best results, you should seek a cosmetic medical specialist who devotes their entire practice to non-surgical injectables. A physician who performs only cosmetic injectables (Botox and fillers) will have the experience and perceptual skills to deliver the best results.

We know that this cannot possibly answer all the questions you have about this procedure. Get the answers to your specific questions about nose fillers and nose bridge fillers during a free consultation with Dr. Stephen Bracci, Verve’s Chief Medical Officer in our New York City or Paramus, New Jersey studios. Schedule your visit online or by phone today.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a compound stored in the liver and fat cells of our bodies that helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body.

Why is Vitamin D important?

Research strongly links Vitamin D to good bone health, a strong immune system, and even reduced inflammation. Some studies suggest that maintaining a low level of Vitamin D in the body reduces the risk for certain types of cancers.

What is the recommended amount of Vitamin D in our bodies?

The recommended blood levels for Vitamin D is greater than 30 ng/mL, but some experts have recommended levels at or above 40ng/mL.

What is the best way to get Vitamin D?

The most efficient way to get Vitamin D is through direct production in our skin, a process stimulated by exposure to sunlight. Research shows that many places in the world with the longest life expectancies have some of the greatest exposure to the sun. Certain foods including fatty fish, fortified cereals, dairy products, and mushrooms grown with UV light also provide Vitamin D. Taking oral supplements may help to increase Vitamin D levels, but if supplements are your main source of Vitamin D you may not receive all the health benefits associated with the compound.

How much sun exposure do I need to maintain my Vitamin D levels?

Sufficient levels of Vitamin D can usually be obtained with moderate sun exposure. Having the arms legs and face exposed to the sun for as little as 10-20 minutes twice weekly may be sufficient for lighter skin types, but longer exposure times are required for darker skin types. The bottom line is that some limited sun exposure can actually be healthy.

How Do Master Injectors Price Under Eye Fillers?

Master injectors are focused on getting optimal results for their patients. Therefore providers will charge a set fee based on the work needed to achieve those results and not charge for the amount of filler applied. Often a master injector will include a follow-up visit several weeks after the initial treatment to add more results to get the best outcome.

What Causes Under Eye Bags?

Under-eye bags form when the skin under the eyes sags and folds. When we are younger the foundation below the skin made up of bone, muscle, and fat supports the under-eye area, preventing the formation of under-eye bags. However, as we age the foundation erodes causing the skin to sag and fold and the under-eye bags to appear.

How Do Under Eye Fillers Work?

Under-eye fillers add back support below the skin, replacing the lost foundation. Replacing the foundation lifts the skin back towards its original position, eliminating or reducing the appearance of under-eye bags.

What Are The Benefits of Under Eye Fillers?

In the hands of a master injector, the results of treatment should be the elimination or a significant reduction in the appearance of under-eye bags. Fillers do not permanently alter the face, and results can be adjusted to match the ongoing changes we see as we age.

What Are The Side Effects of Under Eye Fillers?

Under-eye, fillers are technically difficult to master. Providers who use the same technique for each patient or apply only one filler type tend to produce puffy and unnatural results. Most providers work with Hyaluronic acid fillers like Restylane, Belotero, Juvederm, and Versa to treat the area. However, HA fillers must be used sparingly, injecting too much will cause the Tyndall effect, under-eye darkening, and puffiness. Firm fillers like Radiesse and Sculpture can also be used to treat under-eye bags and generally cause much less darkness and puffiness. However, firm fillers cannot treat the areas closest to the eye, the tear trough. Combining both HA and a firm filler is the most effective strategy for treating the complete under-eye area including the tear trough while reducing side-effects.

What Are The Most Important Factors To Consider When Purchasing Under Eye Fillers?

When you purchase under-eye fillers the desired cosmetic outcome is of more importance than the substance injected. To get the most for your investment, it is best to select a physician whose entire practice is dedicated to injectable arts. When consulting with the physician or reviewing their website view their portfolio of before and after photos. Viewing these photos is the first step in understanding what you will look like after treatment.

Juvederm Voluma is a hyaluronic acid cosmetic filler that is used most commonly to restore lost volume in the mid-face and cheekbone areas. The pricing of Juvederm varies, and patients frequently wonder what the best price is and how to get the best value for their money. There are two common pricing models for Juvederm, by the syringe and by treatment area. Getting the best value for your money also means choosing not only the best price, but the right provider.

The Two Pricing Models for Juvederm Voluma

The first pricing model for Juvederm Voluma is pricing per syringe. In New York City, that cost of Juvederm Voluma is generally anywhere from $800 to $1200 per syringe. Some providers will discount this price if multiple syringes are applied.

The second pricing model is pricing by treatment area; in this model, there is a set cost per area being treated and this method is not dependent on the number of syringes required. Under this pricing structure, the price is based upon getting results and the provider aims to reach a satisfactory result. If you require multiple syringes, paying for treatment by area may be cheaper than paying for each syringe individually.

Wondering how many syringes it takes to treat a particular area? A study on Juvederm’s effectiveness, longevity and safety demonstrated an average of 6 syringes were used per patient. By using multiple syringes there is bound to be a better response and one that lasts longer, but at a higher cost.

Getting The Best Value For Your Money

Choosing the right provider for your Juvederm treatment is the best way to ensure you are getting the most for your money. The goal of treatment is to reach the patient’s satisfaction level, meaning the results look good and last a long time. Knowing how to place fillers is an artistic visual skill, and we recommend choosing an expert in aesthetic injectables medicine. A physician who devotes their entire practice to this specialty is often a good choice. Expert providers are well versed in getting the best result by treating the whole face with a combination of different types of fillers, in as little as a single session.

Common Mistakes That May Affect The Cost Of Juvederm

There are a couple of common mistakes clients make when purchasing Juvederm Voluma treatment. These mistakes may cost more in the long run. Client’s who choose to purchase one syringe per session over multiple sessions may pay more over time. Another common problem is “provider discount or online coupon shopping” or consistently changing providers just to find the best price at the time. Unfortunately, treatments by multiple providers may result in something called “stacking.” Stacking occurs when hyaluronic acid fillers are injected in the same place and plane on the face multiple times by different providers which in turn may result in puffiness and a less than natural result. You will most likely get the best results and save money if you remain with the same provider who knows your face and cosmetic filler injection history.

To get the best price and best value for your money, choose a provider who has experience in providing a complete result and speak with them about your ultimate goals. Ask to see before and after photos; these photos should demonstrate results in the entire face, not just your desired treatment area.

If you are interested in a Juvederm treatment at a Verve Medical Cosmetic studio in New York City or New Jersey, you can schedule a free consultation with master injector Dr. Stephen Bracci. Click here to schedule your consultation.

Before you start spending money on over-the-counter under eye bag treatments, concealers and tea bags, it is important to understand the cause of under eye bags and the medical treatments options available.

1. What Really Causes Under Eye Bags?

The main reason we develop under eye bags is a loss of supportive foundational structures below our skin including muscle, bone, and fat. The loss of support and foundation causes our skin to fold and crease differently leading to eye bags.

2. What Are The Key Medical Treatments for Treating Under Eye Bags?

The two main medical treatment options for under eye bags are a plastic surgical procedure called lower Blepharoplasty or non- surgical cosmetic filler injections. Dr. Stephen Bracci’s trademark procedure EyeRise is one such non-surgical cosmetic filler treatment.

3. How Does Surgery For Under Eye Bags Work?

During a Blepharoplasty procedure, the skin and tissue near the eye bags is cut, removed and/or repositioned. The goal of cutting and repositioning these tissues, is to modify the appearance of the creases and the bags under the eyes. The advantage of Blepharoplasty surgery is a more long term modification of the eye bags. However, the trade-off is the permanent change itself, due to the fact that the skin is cut and tissues are moved. Moreover additional surgeries may be needed in the future because you will continue to lose support below the skin as you age. Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon specializing in the procedure with an extensive portfolio is a good way to ensure the best outcome.

4. How Do Non Surgical Injection Procedures Work?

The goal of cosmetic filler procedures is to modify the appearance of creases and folds without cutting the skin, but rather to move the skin back to its original position. During the procedure, cosmetic fillers such as Belotero, Restylane and Radiesse are injected below the skin to fill in and add back lost support . These injections in turn lift the skin from underneath and move it towards its “original” position, not a “new” position. The main reason people choose cosmetic fillers over surgery is they prefer a more natural-look result and do not want cutting or surgical downtime. People choosing under-eye fillers should understand that future yearly visits are recommended to keep the under-eye appearing constantly refreshed. The reason people choose this ongoing approach is that they wish to avoid surgery and they like the flexibility of adjusting the results each year as you continually age. The physician you choose to work with should have extensive experience in both treating the under-eye area as well as proficiency in using a specialized injection instrument called a cannula. An experienced injector will use a combination of fillers and properly treat the entire under-eye area comprehensively. Costs for a comprehensive treatment are based upon both a more extensive treatment and better cosmetic outcomes.

5. Will Under Eye Treatments Stop The Aging Process?

No, neither surgical nor the non-surgical cosmetic filler injections procedures will completely stop the “regular aging process” You will continue to lose the supportive structures under your skin as you age. However Cosmetic fillers may aid in making the actual skin appear better since they aid in collagen stimulation.

Cosmetic filler injections procedures such as the EyeRise, exclusively available at Verve Medical Cosmetics in New York and New Jersey, are intended to aid in collagen stimulation to help the skin’s appearance as we age. In addition Eyerise is intended to adjust for ongoing age-related changes on a consistent basis and maintain results. As you age, EyeRise improvements are maintained and adjusted to meet your changing needs as you age, and to keep a rejuvenated and refreshed natural appearance.

Combining both botox and fillers is the most comprehensive way to treat moderate to severe forehead wrinkle lines. Botox works to block the wrinkles from movement (dynamic wrinkles) and fillers work to fill in the wrinkles seen at rest (static wrinkles.)

Every time you show your true face to the world and change your facial expression the skin on your forehead wrinkles due to the movement of the frontalis muscle. The movement of this muscle causes dynamic wrinkles (movement wrinkles). Dynamic wrinkles (movement wrinkles) are visible every time you make a face and the frontalis muscle moves. However over time static wrinkles (resting lines) develop due to the damage to the skin from movement. These wrinkles develop over time due to the loss of collagen from the repetitive movement of the frontalis muscle. Just as static and dynamic wrinkles have different causes, they have different treatments, Botox and cosmetic fillers. Understanding how and when the two treatments are used will allow you to show your true face to the world without worrying about the consequences to your forehead.

Treating Dynamic Forehead Wrinkles With Botox

When you are younger, before static wrinkles form, treating mild to moderate dynamic forehead wrinkles (movement wrinkles) with neuromodulators, may be enough. Neuromodulators, including Botox, Juveau, and Xeomin, are muscle relaxers and prevent the frontalis muscle from bending as frequently and as severely. When you make a facial expression after treatment with a neuromodulator, the frontalis muscle will not move as much and fewer wrinkles will appear. Treating dynamic wrinkles with Botox early may help prevent the formation of static wrinkles later on. Neuromodulators are not an effective treatment for static wrinkles.

Treating Static Forehead Wrinkles With A Combination of Botox & Cosmetic Fillers

The most effective treatment for static forehead wrinkles (wrinkles at rest) is cosmetic fillers. Cosmetic filler injectables re-support the collagen lost by repetitive, long term movement of the frontalis. Cosmetic fillers, including Restylane, Belotero, Voluma, Juvederm, and Versa, fill in the lines where the skin is most damaged, smoothing out static wrinkles. Combining cosmetic fillers and neuromodulators will treat both static and dynamic wrinkles at the same time.

How Often Should I Get My Forehead Wrinkles Treated & How Long Do Treatments Last?

It is important to remember that the frequency of treatment varies from person to person based on individual needs and desired results. For most people whom Dr. Bracci treats at Verve studios in New York City or Paramus, New Jersey, Botox is administered 3-4 times a year to treat dynamic wrinkles. The effect of a single treatment can last approximately three months.

The combination of cosmetic fillers and Botox to treat dynamic and static forehead wrinkles is usually done once a year. The filler component of treatment may last anywhere from six months to several years, depending on the severity of the forehead wrinkles and how consistently the Botox treatments are applied. The effect of filler treatments will persist longer if Botox is in place to prevent the movement of the frontalis muscle from moving the skin so much.

No matter what Botox or dermal filler injectable treatment you choose, it should be administered by an experienced provider. An experienced provider will ensure the personalization of treatment and the best possible natural-looking results. Learn more about treating your forehead wrinkles at Verve with advanced injector Dr. Stephen Bracci, right here on our website.

Note: use of fillers in the forehead to treat wrinkles is considered off label.

If you are interested in Botox, you may be interested in the following quick-read articles and videos:

Reasons Why Celebrities Look Fake

Why Botox Sometimes Doesn’t Work