Treatments

Neurotoxin is a toxin/drug that is used to treat fine lines and wrinkles but can also treat other medical conditions. It is made up of Botulinum toxin.

There are a number of neuromodulator brands available in Canada. The mechanism of action of each brand is similar as they block the signal that causes muscles to contract. Where the brands differ is in the small proteins that are used to make up each toxin. Botox® was first to market in Canada and thus is widely known by many. The other key differentiator is price. By nature of the brand recognition and popularity, Botox® injections are considerably more expensive.

At Ambrosia MD, we offer Dysport® and Letybo® injections.

When the neuromodulator is injected, it blocks the signal (acetylcholine) from being released at the neuromuscular junction. This means that the signal from the nerve to the muscle cannot be transmitted, and, as a result, the muscle will not contract. Once this signal is blocked, the muscle is effectively paralyzed, which provides an overall smooth look to the skin with little to no wrinkles.

Neurotoxin lasts on average for 3-4 months for fine lines and wrinkles. It usually takes about 10-14 days to become fully effective. At about 6-8 weeks, your treatment will be at its strongest (i.e., will have the best muscular block). From 8 weeks onwards, the neurotoxin will begin to degrade, and your muscles will begin to move more and more.

For the treatment of TMJ disorders and hyperhidrosis, it is common for the treatment to last up to 6 months.

Some temporary side effects include bruising, headache, mild pain, etc. In rare cases, during treatment around the eyes, patients may develop ptosis (eyelid drooping) or double vision. This rarely lasts longer than a few weeks and is usually due to abnormal anatomy. Your injector takes care to assess your anatomy and treat you accordingly to avoid these side effects.

Many will recall that botulism toxin was derived from the infamous puffer fish. If one were to eat a pufferfish which was improperly prepared, they could suffer paralysis of their respiratory muscles, which can be quite dangerous.

In contrast to the botulism toxin in puffer fish, the neurotoxin used for cosmetic treatments is of a much smaller dose. Furthermore, the injection is administered directly into the muscle that is being treated. In this case, there are no systemic (bloodborne) side effects to the body. We are careful to monitor both the dose and location of the injections to avoid any negative side effects.

PRF stands for platelet-rich fibrin. It is produced by spinning a sample of a patient’s blood and isolating the platelet-rich fibrin layer. This layer contains concentrated growth factors, platelets, stem cells, and white blood cells.

Growth factors produced by platelets include:

• FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor) – Stimulates collagen secretion by fibroblasts.
• EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor) – Stimulates epidermal healing and regeneration.
• VEGF (Vascular Growth Factor) – Stimulates the creation of new vascularization to allow the arrival of stem cells for tissue renewal.
• TGF b1 (Transforming Growth Factor) – Induces type 1 collagen synthesis.
• PDGF-ab (Platelet Growth Factor) – Regulates stem cell migration and survival.
• IGF (Insulin Growth Factor) – Cell-protective agent.

Other cytokines include:

• TNF-alpha (Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha) – Stimulates fibroblast remodelling.
• IL 1 (InterLeukin1) – Increases collagen synthesis by fibroblasts and limits the production of protein-degrading enzymes.

PRF is known as second-generation PRP. While both procedures require a blood draw, the end product varies between the two methods. PRF includes fibrin, platelets, white blood cells, stem cells, and growth factors. PRP includes platelets and growth factors.

PRP is processed at a higher centrifuge speed, while PRF is spun at a slower speed. The slower spin speed allows us to isolate and include fibrin, stem cells, and an increased concentration of growth factors in the final product. Fibrin acts as a scaffold to help hold the PRF product in the injected area to allow for a controlled release of the growth factors over days. PRP does not include fibrin, and as a result, the growth factors may disperse from the area much quicker.

Additionally, PRF requires no additional anti-coagulant to be mixed into your blood, whereas PRP requires the use of sodium citrate to avoid blood clotting. This effectively allows PRF to remain natural and chemical-free.

Ultimately, these key differences allow PRF to be more effective and provide better results.

PRF therapy is very safe, and there are very few reasons one cannot receive the treatment. Those who are looking to improve hair loss, skin texture, scars, fine lines, volume loss, and wrinkles would benefit from the procedure. Given that PRF is made from your own blood products without any additives, it is completely natural and reactions to treatment are extremely rare.

Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding, and have active blood disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer are not candidates for treatment. If you have any questions about your candidacy for PRF, please contact us.

Dr. Maghera will discuss the medications you may be taking. Stop all anti-inflammatory medications 1 week prior to the procedure (Advil, Aleve, CBD, Toradol, Ibuprofen, ASA, etc.). Certain supplements can also affect the quality of PRF and should be stopped 1 week prior to the treatment. Some of these include omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, and ginger. If you have questions about this, please reach out to our office prior to your appointment.

Please make sure that you eat and drink lots of fluids prior to your appointment. This will make the blood draw quicker and more effective.

Recovery after PRF is generally mild and manageable. You may notice a slight inflammatory response or redness over the areas treated, and this should resolve within a few days. Try to avoid washing your hair or face the same day of your treatment.

Avoid ice packs, saunas, and exercise for 24 hours after the procedure. Wait approximately 48 hours prior to resuming your regular hair-care products or skin-care products. Avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications/supplements for another 1 week, as this can blunt the PRF response.

At the outset, it is recommended that we start with 3-4 treatments every 4-6 weeks. Maintenance treatments may be required to maintain results. This will be discussed with you in greater detail during your consultation.

Microneedling is effective for most men and women. However, people with active acne should not be treated until the skin has healed. Furthermore, patients with open sores and active infections should not be treated until they are healed. It is also not recommended to receive microneedling sessions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The provider will freeze the area with a numbing cream for microneedling to make it comfortable. You may have minor pain after the procedure, but that should go away within a day.

Microneedling is not a quick fix because the body heals itself after the procedure. It will take approximately 3-4 sessions completed 4-6 weeks apart to begin to see results. It is important to ensure that you are taking care of the skin with a good skincare program to see the best results.

Most people will require 3-4 treatments every 4-6 weeks to start. After that, the area can be maintained with 1-2 treatments a year as required.

Microneedling is a safe procedure, and any side effects are temporary. You may experience temporary redness, swelling, and flaking. Skin is more sensitive after treatment, and a mineral sunscreen is recommended in the first few days following treatment. There is also a small risk of infection, given that we have created small holes in the skin. While this is rare, it is imperative to keep your skin clean and follow the post-care instructions after your treatment.

While the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is minimal, there is still a small possibility, and your provider will discuss it with you. Unfortunately, most cosmetic facial treatments performed on patients with darker skin tones have an underlying risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and the risk is never zero. With that being said, given that the SkinPen does not introduce heat, the risk is greatly reduced.

Because of their regenerative properties, exosome treatments accelerate and augment the healing response and overall appearance and health. Exosomes work to signal your own cells to further stimulate the growth and repair of skin/hair cells. At Ambrosia MD, we utilize exosome-based facial procedures via microneedling, which can deliver growth factors directly into the outer layer of dermal tissue. This leads to a wound-healing process with improved collagen and elastin production.

Exosome treatment is excellent for those looking to enhance their results after procedures such as microneedling. The application of topical exosome treatment accelerates and enhances the effects of microneedling, including but not limited to: recovery, skin texture, skin integrity, skin pigmentation, scar treatment, and more. The combination of microneedling and exosomes ultimately results in more effective results. For those who are interested in stimulating further repair, we can combine microneedling, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and exosome technology for the greatest benefit.

This combination can bring much better results in just one sitting when added to other treatments like chemical peels, microneedling, and PRF therapy.

Exosome skin treatments have become extremely popular to help you regain control of your skin and hair’s health and appearance. You can expect quicker healing and an augmentation of the skin repair response. This includes better skin texture, colour, repair, and even thicker hair growth (if used over this area).

Exosome therapy can reduce the appearance of age-related pigments, fine lines, and wrinkles and provide a more radiant complexion by offering firming, hydration, and nourishment for the skin. Those wanting to regain a youthful look and healthy glow often undergo exosome treatments. They have a high efficacy in visibly making the skin appear firmer, reducing uneven tone and aging effects.

Exosome therapy has promising potential to deliver a range of hair-related benefits. The treatment delivers rich nutrition to the scalp, hydrating and nourishing skin cells and follicles to promote healthy hair growth cycles. Many patients report improvement in their hair’s texture and overall appearance, making it visibly softer, shinier, and fuller. Over time, you can expect reduced shedding as healthier strands become more resilient. Increased circulation may also lead to thicker and stronger hair, aiding those affected by thinning or loss.

It is recommended that you avoid exercise 12 hours before and 24-48 hours after treatment. The recovery period is important, as this is when new muscle is built. It is important to hydrate after your treatment and ensure your meals are protein-filled for maximum muscle-building potential.

Most people are candidates for this truFlex procedure. Please refer to the truFlex treatment page to learn about any restrictions.

The results from truFlex are not meant to be compared to a surgical butt lift procedure or a Brazilian butt lift. truFlex strengthens the glutes, which in turn lifts, sculpts, and increases muscle mass in the buttocks. There is no downtime, and you can get the treatments completed in as little as 2 weeks and start seeing results immediately (full results may take 8- 12 weeks to appear). While the results may not be as drastic as a surgical procedure, a bigger, firmer butt with no downtime and no risk of surgery or infection is a game-changer for some people.

truBody is suitable for a wide range of clients (both men and women), from those seeking small changes to significant transformations. The procedure can be performed on any skin type but is to be avoided during pregnancy. To ensure it is the right procedure, a consultation is required to discuss your current health and medical history.

The results of truBody, if combined with a healthy lifestyle, can be long-lasting. If you gain weight, it is possible you may need repeated treatments.

truSculpt employs radiofrequency energy to heat the subcutaneous fat layer, which causes the fat cells to undergo apoptosis (programmed cell death). After treatment, the body naturally processes and eliminates the destroyed fat cells, leading to a reduction in fat.

On average, each area will require 4-6 sessions to help stimulate an increase in muscle mass and strength. It is recommended that these sessions be completed over the course of 2-3 weeks. Some people will also choose to continue with a medical exercise membership (treatments at regular intervals) to help maintain their benefits (improve muscle mass, posture, core strength, and more).

Yes, it is possible to be treated with both the truSculpt and truFlex during a single visit. We will start with the truSculpt and finish with the truFlex. Please refer to our truBody section for more details regarding the use of both of these technologies.

Pros

• In addition to aesthetics, our team provides rehabilitation services. Our team is led by Dr. Sonam Maghera, a sports medicine specialist, to provide you with specialized treatment.
• truFlex is a quick, 15-minute nonsurgical treatment and requires no anesthesia and no downtime.
• Some people see results after just two sessions, however, maximum results are seen after 8–12 weeks.
• It can be customized to your fitness level, and intensity can be increased over time as you gain more muscle.
• It allows simultaneous treatment of up to eight body areas, more than any muscle-sculpting treatment. It can also target specific muscle groups, which may lead to better results.
• It’s safe for all skin types and can be performed over tattoos.

Cons

• You will need multiple sessions – 4 within a 2-week period for optimal results, followed by ongoing maintenance treatments every few months.
• While some results can be seen as early as after 2 treatments, it can take 8–12 more weeks to see your final results.
• truFlex can help you reach your body-sculpting goals, but your muscles won’t be visible if they’re hidden under a layer of fat. If you need to get rid of excess stubborn fat, speak to our providers at Ambrosia MD about pairing it with truSculpt.