Yes, Preventative Botox is a real thing

Actual 20-something patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after Botox.

In my New York City plastic surgery practice, many patients are interested in Botox (or related neuromodulator injections, Dysport and Xeomin). Not only is Botox the most popular cosmetic procedure in America, but it is also the most effective way to smooth out wrinkles and improve skin texture.

What is the best indication for Botox?

Botox is best used to:

• smooth out facial wrinkles in the forehead, glabella (between the eyebrows), and crows feet
• improve the proportions of facial features, such as the arch of the eyebrows, the resting position of a scowling mouth, and a gummy smile
• soften facial wrinkles while still allowing normal facial expressions

What is the best age to start using Botox?

Botox is best started before wrinkles develop in repose (while the face is at rest). Its main strength is treating dynamic (moving) wrinkles. If you have deep furrows that are present when the face is at rest, you may need an injectable filler like Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, or Voluma to fill in those creases.

Many of my patients start using Botox as young as their 20s. I, in fact, started using Botox in my late 20s as well. Botox at this age is meant to be preventative-- if you don't ever develop the deep facial wrinkles that come with sun damage, genetics, age, and environmental factors, your face will age more gracefully and beautifully over time.

Will Botox freeze my face?

Not if it's done by someone with a light touch, meticulous microdroplet technique, and thorough understanding of facial anatomy. Well-done Botox will relax your face but preserve your ability to make normal facial expressions, express yourself, and feel normal. I do Botox for many people who work in professions where facial expressions are vitally important-- actors, actresses, psychiatrists, therapists, lawyers, politicians, and parents-- all of whom need to express a range of emotions on a regular basis.

If you are interested in Botox, please call my office at 212-452-2400, or email erica@LaraDevganMD.com.

Dr. Devgan Featured in Hamptons Magazine

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Devgan is featured in the current issue of elegant Hamptons Magazine:

"An ingenue in the operating room, she's been ranked the top female plastic surgeon in the city. With her focus on modern techniques and natural looks, we know who we're calling for our facelift (and our breasts and eyes too)!"

Read about Dr. Devgan on newsstands today. If you are interested in coming in for a consultation, please call 212-452-2400, or email office@LaraDevganMD.com.

Reviews from actual patients of Dr. Devgan

There is nothing more helpful to prospective patients than hearing about the experiences of previous patients. To that end, we make every effort to publish independently verified patient reviews from actual patients of Dr. Devgan. In our practice, we believe that patient reviews speak volumes about the care, compassion, and surgical results of the surgeon, and we feel that having satisfied patients is what makes Dr. Devgan one of New York City's top plastic surgeons.

The below reviews came in this week. All have been independently verified by IP address and identity by RateMDs.com.

Dermal Filler Post-Procedure Instructions

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after tear trough fillers

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after lip fillers

A great dermal filler treatment hinges on your provider's technique, but it is also important to understand how to best take care of yourself after a Juvederm, Voluma, Restylane, Belotero, or other filler treatment. These are the instructions I give to the patients in my New York City practice after a filler treatment.

1.      TIMING: It takes 2-3 weeks for full results of dermal fillers to become apparent. Please be patient. Not only are swelling and bruising common after treatment, but dermal filler takes time to rehydrate and attract water molecules to create a soft, natural result.

2.      DURATION: Dermal fillers typically last anywhere between 6 months and 2 years. The duration of effect depends on the type of dermal filler used, where on your face it was injected, how expressive your face is, and your metabolic rate. After repeated use of dermal fillers, many of our patients find that they have nice results that lasts even longer than expected because hyaluronic acid (collagen) based dermal fillers stimulate your body’s own collagen supply.

3.      POSITION: The night of your treatment, sleep with your head elevated on 2 pillows, lying on your back if possible. Do not rub or massage the treated areas after your treatment unless Dr. Devgan has instructed you to do so.

4.      EXERCISE: Do not perform strenuous exercise on the day of your treatment. You can resume all normal activities the next day. Avoid facials or saunas for 4 hours after your treatment. Feel free to shower and go about most other regular daily activities.

5.      SWELLING/ BRUISING: Any tiny bumps or needle marks will go away within a few hours. Bruises or residual marks are common and may be covered with makeup, but please wait for 2 hours and use a gentle touch to avoid rubbing the treated area. Please know that Dr. Devgan takes great care to ensure meticulous symmetry with microdroplet injection. Even still, it is common for temporary bruising and swelling to appear asymmetric in the initial period after injection. This is temporary and will go away on its own.

6.      ICE: Use of ice or over the counter hydrocortisone 1% cream will reduce the risk of bruising and swelling. Icing is recommended immediately following treatment and for the first 2 days after treatment.

7.      PRESCRIPTION ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATION: If you feel that you have severe swelling, or if you have a special event coming up and are anxious for your swelling to go away, you may be a candidate for Dr. Devgan to prescribe you a Medrol dose-pack, a prescription 6-7 days series of pills that quickly brings down swelling in the face and body. Please ask Dr. Devgan or call our office if you are interested in learning more about this.

8.      ALCOHOL/ BLOOD THINNERS: Drinking excessive alcohol within 2 days of treatment, or using blood thinners such as Advil and Aspirin can increase your risk of bruising.

9.      COLD SORES: If you have had cold sores or oral herpetic infection in the past, any treatment to your face can trigger reactivation. We recommend taking an antiviral medication such as Valacylovir in advance of your treatment and for several days afterward to reduce this risk. If this applies to you, please discuss with Dr. Devgan.

10.   FOLLOW UP: Please schedule your follow up visit for 6-12 months from today to ensure best results of long-term facial rejuvenation. You may schedule your follow up visit in person, via email, or over the phone. If you allow your dermal fillers to completely wear off, it is more difficult for Dr. Devgan to evaluate how your individual facial features reacted to your prior treatment.

11.   QUESTIONS: Please feel free to call us at 212-452-2400 or email us at office@LaraDevganMD.com with any questions or to schedule your follow up appointment.

Chin Augmentation- Real Patient Results

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after chin augmentation to lengthen a rounded face and strengthen the profile.

A well-proportioned chin subtly augments facial balance and brings the proportions into a more pleasing, attractive configuration.

Chin augmentation can be performed with injectable fillers, insertion of a chin implant (implant mentoplasty), or moving the bone of the chin forward (osseous genioplasty). In my New York City practice, chin implants and injectable chin augmentation are the more popular of these procedures because they involve less operative time and a faster recovery.

Chin augmentation with injectable filler (typically Voluma) lasts 1-2 years and takes about 5 minutes. There is no downtime, and results can be specifically tailored to your anatomic concerns.

Chin implants can be done under local anesthesia only or with IV sedation (twilight anesthesia). The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes and can be easily combined with rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, facelift, necklift, buccal fat pad excision, or other facial surgery. Results are permanent, natural, and durable.

If you are thinking about chin augmentation, rhinoplasty, or both, please feel free to call my office at 212-452-2400 or email office@LaraDevganMD.com for more information.

Actual patient of Dr. Devgan, before and after chin augmentation