The term “20 units” is a frequent way to refer to an amount of BOTOX, but it doesn’t mean that you’ll get 20 different pokes with a needle.

Twenty units of BOTOX is just enough for five or six injections of the precious youth-enhancing fluid. Three to four units of BOTOX are injected into the skin at each point, explains Dr. Nicolette Picerno, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon.

It’s not unusual for a patient to need more than 20 units of BOTOX at one sitting.  Because this usually is just enough for the frown lines and more would be needed for browlifting, crow’s feet, forehead or bunny lines. 

BOTOX renders nerves nonfunctional so that the face is unable to wrinkle in precise areas for three to five months. The former wrinkles smooth out in time—taking about two weeks for the BOTOX to show its full effect. And because BOTOX makes it impossible for those portions of the face to crease, the skin looks smooth and youthful on the surface. Repeated injections prolong youthfulness and prevent further aging.

Dr. Picerno uses BOTOX in many areas.  The most common include:: between the eyebrows, on the forehead and in the crow’s feet around the eyes. Highly specific injections of BOTOX in the brow area can recreate the natural arch of the eyebrow which has a “lift” effect, making the eyes look brighter.�
Other less common area for botox injections are the upper and lower lip wrinkles, bunny lines, chin dimpling, neck bands, neck lines and jaw muscles.

Her expert injections mean that the treatment takes only minutes and has very little discomfort if any at all.

For patients with profuse sweating, Dr. Picerno recommends BOTOX injections in the underarms. The quantity of BOTOX used means the procedure costs about $1,000, but for those patients who suffer from heavy sweating, it’s a small price to pay. Underarm BOTOX treatments only have to be done every nine to twelve months versus some facial injections that require re-treatment every to five three months, the Doctor says.

Besides the underarms, BOTOX injections can also be used to stop sweating on the feet and the palms of the hands—both areas that can cause extreme embarrassment to a person suffering from sweat glands that work overtime.

Every Monday and Tuesday at Dr. Picerno’s offices, BOTOX injections are only $12/unit, down from the regular price of $15.50/unit. Appointments are necessary, so call Dr. Nicolette Picerno’s office at 303-744-2300 to make an appointment.

Approved by the FDA in 2007, Perlane® is primarily the same product as Restylane®, but Perlane® contains a larger concentration of hyaluronic acid making it optimum for larger folds, while Restylane® is better suited for smaller wrinkles or to maintain the results of a previous Perlane® injection.

Perlane®, by the makers of Restylane®, allows a person to make their natural facial expressions while simultaneously making their wrinkles and facial folds less apparent.  Most commonly used to soften wrinkles and for facial contouring, Perlane supplements the body’s naturally produced supply of hyaluronic acid that becomes increasingly depleted in the natural course of aging. Since hyaluronic acid is produced naturally in the body, there is no chance of rejection or allergic reaction either.

Dr. Nicolette Picerno explains to patients that Perlane can be used in nearly almost every area in the face and is to smooth facial depressions as well as lip and chin augmentation. Plus, Perlane can be used to fill in the hollows under the eyes and soften the appearance of jowls. Perlane has been successfully applied as a temporary brow lift.
Because Perlane is biodegradable, it is not permanent and lasts about six months to a year, significantly longer than previous collagen treatments lasting only three to six months.

Made of larger-sized hyaluronic acid particle than Restylane—an increased size that reaches deeper layers of the skin—Perlane has the advantage in staying power and the extra lifting power.

Treatments take approximately 30 minutes on average and normally a topical anesthesia cream is applied to ameliorate any pain. In the case of a large amount of Perlane being injected, Dr. Picerno recommends a patient take a prescription relaxant inducing a twilight sleep.

After the procedure, the treated area may be slightly swollen and sometimes slight bruising results, but these after-effects are gone within a few days and there is no permanent scarring or damage. Dr. Picerno recommends that patients take Vitamin C consistently a few days before the procedure to dramatically reduce the healing time and as a method of preventing or significantly reducing any postoperative bruising.

To make an appointment with Dr. Picerno for a consultation about the use of Perlane or other injectables as cosmetic solutions to beauty issues, call 303-744-2300.

One of the aspects of aging that’s not attractive is the increased growth of fine hair on the face. Take a look in the rear view mirror of your car on a sunny afternoon and you might be surprised at the “aura” of fuzz that seems to have occurred overnight.

Dr. Nicolette Picerno has a solution—laser hair reduction offered at her practice in Denver at 950 E. Harvard Ave. and in Lone Tree at 9218 Kimmer Dr.

Using the Harmony Laser will also permanently remove unwanted hair on your upper lip, sideburns, back of the neck, underarms and bikini line. It’s the smoothest answer to unwanted hair and won’t leave a woman’s face feeling bristly like a man’s after a shave!

In only 6 to 8 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart, eliminate unwanted hair. Results are often seen as soon as the second treatment. And it’s almost painless (a momentary sensation like a tiny rubber band snapped against your skin is all you’ll experience) and your new freedom lasts forever.

Hair reduction is something men and women opt for. Men tend to make appointments for back hair removal and in recent years, many men seek chest hair removal. Men and women find that laser hair removal for underarms is more hygienic and attractive than shaving and far less painful than waxing or electrolysis.

For women who like to wear sleeveless sportswear and even that little black dress that’s sleeveless, full arm hair reduction is the solution. You’ll never experience a midsummer night’s chill again that leaves your arm-hair standing an inch high—not so pretty or feminine.

Even legs can be soft and hairless and for some women who find they need to shave daily or for women who prefer not to wear stockings in summer, but favor sheer smooth legs under their skirts or shorts, laser hair removal with the Harmony Laser is the fastest answer to the problem.

Contact Dr. Nicolette Picerno’s office today at 303-744-2300 for an appointment for laser hair reduction. You’ll be smooth and ready for summer ahead! Visit www.nicolettepicernomd.com.

If you dread summer because of sweating profusely, there is a solution.

Double-board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Nicolette Picerno in Denver, Colorado uses BOTOX injections in the armpits to eliminate profuse and embarrassing sweating that many patients suffer from.

Injections of BOTOX into the armpits stops sweating for up to six months or more.  Throw away those dress shields and feel confident when you’re participating in athletics or dressed up for a night on the town. The procedure is especially popular among brides-to-be who are concerned that nerves on their special day will cause them to sweat, unsightly in photos that will last a lifetime.

Underarm injections of BOTOX to treat sweating start at approximately $1,000 although some patients require additional injections for full coverage. Dr. Picerno recommends that on a first-time treatment, the lower dose of injections be performed to assess whether that is adequate to stop the sweating. If it is, then the cost savings to the patient is appreciable. And if more injections are necessary, the patient can visit the office the following week for additional injections without an office call charge.

The procedure eliminates the use of deodorant too, something many patients prefer having heard the widespread rumors on the internet that there is a relationship between antiperspirant use and the risk of breast cancer.

pubmed.com, the national institutes of health, the nation’s medical research agency, published a study conducted at the Program in Epidemiology, Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA.

The study investigated the rumor that antiperspirant use causes breast cancer, a rumor that is widely circulated on the Internet. Although unfounded, there have been no published epidemiologic studies to support or refute this claim. The population-based case-control study at Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center investigated a possible relationship between use of products applied for underarm perspiration and the risk for breast cancer in women aged 20-74 years. Eight hundred and 13 case patients diagnosed between November 1992 and March 1995 were studied in five-year groups and personal interviews. Findings showed that the risk for breast cancer did not increase with antiperspirant or deodorant use. The study further investigated whether the patients shaved with a blade razor or applied products within 1 hour of shaving. These findings also did not support the hypothesis that antiperspirant use increases the risk for breast cancer.

Make an appointment today for a consultation with Dr. Nicolette Picerno regarding BOTOX injections by calling 303-744-2300. Her offices are located at 950 E. Harvard Avenue in Denver and 9218 Kimmer Drive in Lone Tree. Or visit her website for more information on the many cosmetic surgery and non-invasive treatments offered at Dr. Picerno’s practice.

Q: Like most people, I’m short on time. And every day that passes, reinforces that fact that time is moving on—it’s evident from the way my skin has aged overnight. What can I do to look younger that doesn’t take time away from my over-booked life? Help!

A: Fillers are the latest innovation in facial rejuvenation. Juvederm is one product that Dr. Nicolette Picerno recommends for its longer-lasting quality plus its ability to mold smoothly and readily into facial folds. One of the places on your face that shows your age most are the “marionette” lines around your mouth. Starting at the nose, these lines run vertically downward and deepen as time goes on. A filler like Juvederm can be injected into the area of the line to smooth away the crease. Interestingly, it can make your smile appear to turn upward as a result. Have you ever noticed older women with a lip line that seems to be upside down as if it’s a frown? This injectable treatment that takes no downtime and shows immediate results will eliminate that unhappy expression.

Q: What about my jowl line? It seems to be lower every time I look in the mirror. When I use two fingers to “lift” my lower half of my face, even I can see the difference in the mirror.

A: A “lift” that is surgical is not something that can be done without incurring some downtime, even though today’s procedures are less restrictive than lifts of yesterday. Dr. Nicolette Picerno recommends that patients with a slightly falling jowl line opt for fillers in the facial area, below the check line. The fillers used can range from injectables like Juvederm to fat transfers, using fat from another part of your body to plump up your cheek area. Part of the aging “look” you’re noticing on your own face is a result of the area under the cheekbone losing volume, or fat, as it takes on a hollow appearance. That happens because as we age, the collagen in our faces doesn’t reproduce like it once did. Once this area of the face is restored to the healthy, plumper look each of us has when we’re younger, you’ll also notice that your jowls are lifted and years are removed from your face.

Q: What about the hollows under my eyes? Can they be corrected with fillers too?

A: Absolutely. Injectables like Juvederm are ideal for this area. And the results are immediate. One thing to note is that the under-eye area is tender, so you may be one who experiences slight bruising around the injection site. You can cover any bruises with make-up and you’re not prohibited from participating in any of your routine activities. But, you may want to schedule a family photo session for your holiday greeting cards for the week following, so that any bruising has passed. And once your relatives get your greeting card, you can be sure they’ll be calling to say you look younger than ever!

Q: I understand that some procedures are not for the lower face, like BOTOX. What areas of the face benefit most by different treatments?

A: BOTOX is used from the forehead to the under-eye area. The purpose of BOTOX injections is to “paralyze” the muscle tissue just below the skin’s surface so that it disallows your regular facial expressions from creating creases and wrinkles that “age” your face. When used properly, BOTOX can give your eyebrows a lift. Dr. Nicolette Picerno has treated patients with BOTOX injections in the eyebrow area so that the arch of the eyebrow stays higher which visually “lifts” the overall look of your face. Injectables, on the other hand, are most effective from the brow area downward. That’s because as we age, our face loses volume. Injectables restore that volume to the facial areas in which volume has been depleted, restoring a plumper, more youthful look to your face. And one benefit of plumping up in this way is that the jowl line is lifted slightly too, enough so that your friends will be asking you what you “did.”

Q. I have heard about a new, all-purpose laser called Harmony. What is the buzz about?

A. The Harmony laser is the world’s most sophisticated, revolutionary platform for aesthetic laser and light treatments. This state-of-the-art technology has gone where no laser has gone before; it boasts seven individual technologies all in one compact unit.

Dr. Nicolette Picerno, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon practicing in Denver and Lone Tree, CO says, “The Harmony laser is truly an all purpose laser. With seven different treatment heads available it can fix anything from hair growth to tattoo removal to skin resurfacing all with one, easy machine.”

The Harmony laser’s assortment of treatment heads include:

• Advanced Fluorescence Technology (AFT)—Light based treatment for skin rejuvenation, pigmentation lesions, hair removal and acne.
• Near Infrared Technology—Intended for deep dermal heating and for the treatment of lax skin in the face, neck and underarm.
• Long-Pulse 1064nm: YAG Technology—For the treatment of facial wrinkles as well as facial and reticular leg veins. 
• Q-Switched Nd: YAG Technology—For the treatment of tattoos and dermal-pigmented lesions.
• Erbium YAG Laser Technology—Indicated for minimal ablative resurfacing procedures including wrinkles and scar revision.
• Long-pulse 1320nm: YAG Technology—Indicated for non-ablative treatment of facial wrinkles and improving the appearance of aged skin.
• Pixel 2940nm Er: YAG Technology—The treatment head used for fractional ablative skin resurfacing

Remove Hair, Tattoos, Spider Veins and Tighten Skin

Q. I have heard a lot about this new laser called the Harmony laser? Do you offer it and what are its uses?

A. Yes, we do offer the Harmony laser. It is our most high-tech laser that has multiple uses. With its ability to be an aesthetic laser as well as used for light treatment, the Harmony laser is a versatile, compact product. According to Dr. Nicolette Picerno, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon, “The Harmony laser can be used for virtually any treatment, It is an extremely versatile machine that is constantly improving.”

The Harmony laser has more than 60 FDA-approved uses including hair removal, skin reduction, tattoo removal, vein and skin pigment treatment and removal of lax skin.

Is Newer Better for Lasers?

Q. What are the perks with the Harmony laser over other older lasers like the CO2 or Erbium laser?

A. The Harmony laser’s versatility and compactness gives it an edge over other lasers. According to Dr. Nicolette Picerno, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon, “The Harmony laser enhances skin on multiple levels with comprehensive results and less pain than ever before.” The downtime and risks associated with cosmetic surgery are tremendously reduced with the revolutionary Harmony laser compared to those of the older, less technologically savvy lasers.

How Much Downtime are you up for?

Q. What is the downtime after receiving a treatment with the Harmony laser? I want results without gruesome side effects.

A. There is virtually no downtime after treatment with the Harmony laser. According to facial plastic surgeon Dr. Nicolette Picerno, “One of the advantages of the Harmony laser is a fresh, rejuvenated appearance without looking like you had anything done.” After the treatment, your skin will only be red for 1-3 days. The laser is so mild that there is no anesthesia necessary and makeup can be applied immediately after the procedure. 

Erase Your Skin’s Imperfections with Harmony

Q. I have intense acne scarring on my face as well as brown sunspots. I have been to two different doctors and they have told me two different things. One says to use the Harmony laser and the other recommended the Prolite II. I cannot afford both treatments, which one will give me the desired results for the least amount of money?

A. While scarring and skin discolorations are embarrassing and bothersome, they can easily be made less noticeable. According to Dr. Nicolette Picerno, “The Harmony laser is the best option. The newest addition to the Harmony laser is a special Pixel hand piece. This piece is specifically designed for the erasure of scarring, wrinkles and skin discoloration.”  The results seen so far using the Pixel hand piece have been beyond satisfactory. The Pixel laser can be used on a plethora of things such as fine lines, pore size, skin texture, skin discoloration and acne scars.

Q. I have heard about a new injectable cosmetic filler, Perlane®. What specific issues does this new filler tackle?

A. Dr. Nicolette Picerno uses this new product, Perlane, used to correct a multitude of facial problems. It is most commonly used to soften wrinkles and for facial contouring but has many other uses such as lip and chin augmentation, filling the hollows under the eyes, softening the appearance of jowls and is even used as a temporary brow lift. Perlane is also used in patients who have experienced a loss of facial volume, something that happens to us over the course of time. Perlane is injected into the areas where they most need it to give them a refreshed, healthy appearance. 

Q. I heard that the same company that makes Restylane®, also makes Perlane. What is the difference between Perlane and Restylane?

A. You’re right, the same company manufactures Perlane and Restylane, but there are significant differences between the two. Dr. Nicolette Picerno explains that Perlane has much bigger hyaluronic acid particles than Restylane. Because the particles are bigger, they reach the deeper layers of the skin and last longer than Restylane, sometimes up to a year. Perlane also has much smoother results than other fillers.

Q. I want fuller lips. Is Perlane an option for me?

A. In a word, yes. Unlike collagen, which is extracted from bovine, the hyaluronic acid in Perlane is a natural substance that is found in the human body. Over time, the natural levels of hyaluronic acid in the body are depleted and wrinkles form. Since Perlane is already naturally produced in your body, there is no chance of experiencing an allergic reaction and a skin test is not needed.

Q. I want to make my wrinkles disappear but I also don’t want to lose all facial expressions. Does Perlane work like Botox or is it different?

A. The two, BOTOX® and Perlane, have entirely different applications. BOTOX paralyzes the facial muscles at points on your face that tend to contract creating wrinkles, crow’s feet, frown lines on the surface of your skin. BOTOX injections stop the muscle from contracting and thereby eliminate the opportunity for your wrinkles to “work.” Perlane is an injectable filler that plumps up the area it is injected into, filling in frown lines and wrinkles that have become creases if you will on your face.

The two treatments are often used in companion to achieve a younger, more refreshed facial appearance. And don’t worry, Dr. Nicolette Picerno, is very attentive to the fact that no one wants to look overdone like they’ve had major plastic surgery that has gone too far. Instead, Dr. Picerno has mastered making patients appear to be natural and younger looking using a variety of injectables and maybe a little BOTOX too.

Q: I’ve heard there is a new laser that doesn’t leave your face raw and red for days? Is that true?

Dr. Nicolette Picerno: At Faces First we use the Harmony Pixel Laser, an erbium laser that treats only 20% of the skin’s surface at any one time unlike previous generation lasers that treat the entire skin’s surface. The difference with the Harmony Pixel Laser is that we apply three passes of the laser to achieve deeper penetration and longer lasting results. But since only 20-40% of the skin is treated at once, there is no raw skin oozing and minimal redness—leaving more of a tanned look to the skin. The skin is completely healed in 3 – 5 days without any downtime. And the procedure is painless.

Q. How does this new laser compare to other lasers.

Dr. Nicolette Picerno: Compared to similar lasers on the market such as the Fraxel Laser, the Pixel takes about the same number of treatments—3—but the Fraxel is painful and requires topical analgesia, costs about $1,000 dollars for each treatment, takes one hour and requires that a blue dye be applied to your face as part of the procedure. The Harmony Pixel Laser, on the other hand, requires no dye, no topical gels or creams, and is not painful. Plus treatments which run about 20 minutes each are only about $675 per treatment. We offer a 10% discount when patients purchase the recommended three treatments.

Q: I have acne scarring. Are there treatments for that?

Dr. Nicolette Picerno: There are very few effective treatments on the market to remedy acne scarring, but the Harmony Pixel Laser is one of them. The Harmony Pixel Laser also tightens and rejuvenates the skin, evens out the tone and texture leaving your face fresh and youthful looking. The three treatments are given two weeks apart and the results are long-lasting. In fact, it takes between six to nine months to see how improved your skin becomes as new collagen generates under the skin.

Q: What age is best for skin resurfacing?

Dr. Nicolette Picerno: Patients between 30 and 60 years old experience the best results from laser skin resurfacing using the Harmony Pixel Laser. The laser is built to respond to hydration in the skin and between these ages, patients generally have not lost all of the hydration in their skin yet and thus see better results—fewer wrinkles and tightening of lax skin—from the treatment. Of course, treatment to remedy acne scaring can be done on younger-aged patients and the results are among the most impressive available today.