Blog - Live Young Medical

How Men Can Stay Competitive in a Workplace That Increasingly Values Youth.

February 26, 2020

Staying ahead in today’s competitive workplace by appearing youthful is an experience some men are facing at a surprising young age.

The 2019 Hiscox Ageism in the Workplace Study found 21% of those over 40 had experienced ageism in the workplace. Among workers aged 40 and over, there is a perception that they are somehow, “washed up professionally” and that they are seen by their younger co-workers as being “set in their ways, not tech-savvy and unmotivated.” While unjustified, this trend applies to both men and women and may be present in some sectors more than others, such as tech.

Men are increasingly looking for solutions to project an image of youthful vitality. Staying fit, mentally nimble, and socially current are among the strategies. Building on the benefits of physical maintenance are non invasive, age correcting treatments for the face, neck, body and skin. The number of men undergoing non surgical procedures more than doubled between 2000 and 2016. Rather than looking weary or worried when in stressful high demand situations, these treatments make it possible to appear fresh faced, relaxed and naturally expressive.

At Live Young Medical we are seeing an increase in the number of men seeking anti-aging treatments and skincare. They are discovering how easy and discreet it is to obtain clear, taught skin and a more attractive, defined look with minimal downtime. Below are some effective options for natural results.

Dr Sweeney is a firm believer in a holistic approach to aging. Using the DESSERT strategy for a healthy lifestyle, managing good stress and sleep practices, and maintaining youthful healthy hormone levels are the cornerstones for feeling your best and to slow the aging process internally. Optimally men will be looking after both internal and external aging influences and typically when you feel good on the inside you want your outward appearance to reflect that.

BOTOX COSMETIC®

Botox® is a common 1^st treatment choice because it is a non invasive and relatively painless choice of treatment to effectively treat aging concerns around their eyes, forehead and brow to lift the brows for a more alert appearance and to smooth frown and worry lines and crow’s feet.

JUVÉDERM® Dermal or Soft Tissue Filler

Dermal fillers are used to address age related changes such as sagging and hollowing in the cheek, temples and other parts face that cause a tired or haggard appearance. They are also used to define the chin and jawline, to lighten under-eye circles and manage hardness and frowning around the mouth.

IPL Photorejuvenation

Photorejuvenation is a mild laser treatment that addresses sun damaged and aging skin by treating excessive brown pigmentation and redness from broken blood vessels. An even skin tone goes a long way to making the skin look vital and younger. Most commonly treated areas are the face and neck.

Fractional Resurfacing

The SmartXide Dot is a laser peel that does more than treat skin discoloration. It is used to address dull, wrinkled, and leathery skin. This is a more in-depth treatment than other peels and IPL; typical recovery time is 5-7 days. It can be used on the neck and hands as well as the face.

Profound® Radiofrequency/Microneedling and BELKYRA ™

Profound® Radiofrequency/Microneedling and BELKYRA ™ are two procedures Dr. Sweeney uses to treat a double chin or “submental fullness.”

Profound® Radiofrequency/Microneedling is a treatment that combines the benefits of deep micro-needling with radiofrequency to reduce the fat layer that causes a double chin and to tighten the overlying skin by generating new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid within the skin. It is also used more widely to tighten the skin in the mid and lower face and neck and for mild to moderate face and neck lines.

BELKYRA ™

Bel ykra ™ is another treatment used to treat a double chin. It is a naturally based solution that is injected directly into the chin fat pad to dissolve fat cells and creates a more defined chin and jawline. It works as a treatment series.

Aging is a fact of life, and it doesn’t discriminate however looking your best is an option. The best next step to fighting back is to find out more about what steps are best for you by booking a consultation.

BOTOX COSMETIC® and JUVÉDERM® Dermal or Soft Tissue Filler

January 30, 2020

I am seeing changes in my appearance that don’t reflect how I feel. Are Botox®, Juvederm® or both right for me?

You feel great but are starting to look tired or saggy, losing your edge or assets. We are living longer and enjoy healthy, active lifestyles, so is it a surprise that we want to look the way we feel?

The media offers endless ideas to help us maintain a healthy, youthful appearance. There is so much information that it is easy to become confused, especially when considering a medical aesthetic approach possibly with BOTOX COSMETIC® and dermal fillers.

BOTOX ® treatments have changed the landscape of cosmetic medicine with over 5 million treatments performed each year in North America. According to Real Self, Botox® was the most searched cosmetic procedure in 2019 and 2018 and JUVÉDERM® the third.

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of each and answer the most commonly asked questions.

BOTOX COSMETIC®

What is BOTOX COSMETIC®, and how does it work?

BOTOX ® is a form of Botulinum toxin A that is purified, so there is no risk of contracting botulism. It has been in cosmetic use for 20 years with a track record for reliability and safety.

BOTOX ® reduces and even eliminates dynamic wrinkles by blocking the nerves that contract muscles. A dynamic wrinkle is one that appears when you move specific parts of your face – for example, when you frown, smile, or squint. Over time these repeated movements create lines and wrinkles where the muscles fold the skin. The most common areas are the deep lines between the eyebrows (glabellar) lines, wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet), and lines around the mouth.

BOTOX ® can lift! By strategically injecting BOTOX ® into specific regions of the face and neck the treatment can “lift” the corners of the eyes, brows, mouth or jawline (The Nefertiti, Lift).

BOTOX ® affects the impression we project converting a sad, tired, stressed or unapproachable appearance to one that is more relaxed, rested and friendlier.

See our gallery of LiveYoung patients’ results after receiving BOTOX COSMETIC®.

How long does it take BOTOX COSMETIC® to work? How long does it last?

The effects start 3-4 days after treatment and may take up to 14 days for full effect. Relaxation of the treated muscles lasts 3-6 months. For best long-term results retreatment is typically recommended every 2-4 months.

What age should you start using BOTOX COSMETIC®?

BOTOX ® has its highest success when started before sagging is advanced. Patients typically start in their 30-40’s when it is possible to also benefit from the preventative value of regular treatments. At Live Young patients between age 20 and 90 have been happy clients.

Is BOTOX COSMETIC® safe?

It’s essential to have BOTOX ® injected by a physician who is experienced in the procedure. Both the aesthetics (ensuring a natural look), and safety are paramount in guaranteeing a successful treatment result. With 20 years of use in millions of users, product safety is established. BOTOX THERAPEUTIC ®, which is identical to BOTOX COSMETIC®, is approved for use in children as young as 2 years.

JUVÉDERM® Dermal Fillers

What is JUVEDERM®?

JUVÉDERM® soft tissue or dermal fillers are safe, engineered products that consist of hyaluronic acid, a sugar-like molecule that is found naturally in skin and other tissues. It is a gel which is injected to smooth wrinkles, lift sagging skin and restore facial volume and youthful contours. Common treatment areas are the forehead, under-eye hollows, cheeks, chin, lips, and jawline.

Dermal fillers can also be used to reduce the appearance of some scars, to reshape the nose and ear lobes and for plumping up aging boney hands.

At Live Young Medical, Dr. Sweeney uses JUVÉDERM® VOLBELLA®, VOLIFT®, and VOLUMA® and the newer addition VOLUX ™. Typically, VOLBELLA® is used in the lips to hydrate and plump, VOLIFT® to fill in grooves such as nasolabial folds, VOLUMA® in the cheeks and temples to lift, and VOLUX™ to contour the jawline and chin.

How is the treatment done? Does it hurt?

JUVÉDERM® is delivered in a comfortable setting by injection. The procedure takes about 60 minutes. Live Young patients rate the discomfort as mild. JUVÉDERM® contains a small amount of pain-reducing lidocaine, which will help minimize any pain or discomfort you feel during treatment and make it go away quickly. Dr. Sweeney may also apply a skin numbing cream before treatment.

How long will it take to see the results of a JUVÉDERM®, treatment?

You will see results right away and typically look even better a month later as the gel implant softens and integrates with surrounding tissues. Results last from 12-24 months depending on the type of JUVÉDERM® and its placement.

Will I look overdone?

In the right hands, results are natural both at rest and on animation. Dr. Sweeney has been treating patients with BOTOX ® and dermal fillers since 2003. With years of experience, you can trust that she will provide a treatment that suits your needs and ensure you keep looking like the best version of you.

Better Together? Which procedure is better, BOTOX COSMETIC® or JUVEDERM®?

Neither treatment is better. Each is used in different areas and have different effects, as outlined above.

BOTOX ® is used most often in the upper 1/3 of the face and JUVEDERM® in the lower 2/3rds. Rather than relying on any single technique or product, results are better with a combination of BOTOX COSMETIC® to smooth frown lines, and crow’s feet and JUVEDERM® to restore youthful contours, refresh lips and fill in lines and folds. The combination is called The SOFT LIFT®.

By combining products and using a global approach a more integrated and natural result is achieved. By treating the face as a whole the results are symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing.

View this LiveYoung procedure to see how effective BOTOX COSMETIC® and JUVÉDERM® can work together.

We hope this post answers some of your questions about BOTOX COSMETIC® and dermal fillers. You will find more information along with “before and after” images on our website gallery.

If you’re ready to refresh your youthful, vibrant image, put yourself in the hands of Dr. Maureen Sweeney and the LiveYoung team of professionals.

You deserve the best.

Call us at 250-654-0383 to book your consultation or, book an appointment on our website.

Profound® RF Microneedling – is it right for your aging skin?

January 8, 2020

What is Profound® Radiofrequency Microneedling?

Profound® Radiofrequency Microneedling is an energy-based face, neck, and body treatment developed to build new elastin, collagen, and hyaluronic acid (HA) which are lost in the skin with aging and are the foundations of youthful skin’s firm and smooth appearance. Profound® can also be used in the underlying fat layer for volume reduction. Profound® delivers radiofrequency energy into the deeper skin layers using a revolutionary method of microneedling to distribute the energy where it is needed to lift, tighten and add volume to the skin without surgery.

These benefits are long lasting because your body has made its own building blocks to give the skin its “SNAP BACK” quality. To learn more about the science of making your skin look and feel younger longer visit www.bringthesnapback.com.

How is Profound® RF different from Fractionated CO2, fat sculpting, and related treatments?

Studies show up to 5x the elastin, up to 2x the collagen and increased hyaluronic acid with the dermis after a single Profound® treatment. Other RF technologies have not been shown to increase dermal elastin production. The elastin is what gives skin its “SNAP BACK” quality.
Profound® RF’s unique technology treats aging skin and reduces fat. Other treatments typically can treat one or the other. Coolsculpting® and Belkyra® are well recognized non-surgical treatments for localized fat reduction however they do not improve the skin’s elastin, collagen and HA and may actually increase the skin sagging as the fat layer is reduced.
Rather than treating just the superficial layers of the skin, Profound® penetrates the deep dermis using the microneedling system, delivering the RF energy exactly where and for how long it is needed to be most effective in reducing wrinkles and improving skin elasticity, and firmness by triggering collagen, elastin, and HA production at the precise depth to make a difference.
Compared to laser treatments such as Fractionated CO2 most skin types can be treated safely and effectively and patients can be treated at any time of the year – even with suntanned skin.

What is a Profound® RF treatment like?

The treatment time is 60 minutes or more depending on the scope of treated areas and if the fat layer is also a target.
Pain is managed using lidocaine anesthetic. People frequently listen to music during the procedure.
It is minimally invasive with downtime mainly due to swelling and bruising the severity of which differs from patient to patient and lasts on average 5-10 days. We take measures to reduce the risk of bruising, which we discuss during your consultation.
Other effects include possible redness, warmth, and numbness lasting 2-5 days. Temporary changes to skin-sensation can persist for weeks.
Production of new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid begins in the following weeks and months as your body begins the dermal remodelling process. Visible benefits are typically seen at 3 months and build over the next 3-9 months.

How many Profound® RF treatments will I need?

Typically you will need only one treatment to rejuvenate your skin with Profound®. There is no need to schedule multiple office visits to achieve optimum results as with other related RF technologies. The patient will often have another treatment after 6-12 months to build on the benefits from an earlier treatment.

Let us help you decide.

Live Young recommends an in-depth consultation with Dr. Sweeney before making any decision about treatment is best suited to your individual needs.

Start your journey to looking younger longer. Contact us today for an appointment.

Holiday Party Wear is Fun – But Not On Your Face!

December 13, 2019

Just follow these essential tips to power-up your glow again and you’ll charge straight through the Christmas season and into the New Year looking fantastic.

If you are planning on having some late, but fun, party nights which include a few of those ‘just one more’ flutes of festive champagne and plates of delicious sweet and salty nibbles you are not alone.

After all, it is the holiday season; a time to dress up, sparkle and enjoy time with family and friends.

It’s not all parties of course. There is Christmas shopping, cookie baking, feasts to prepare, gifts to wrap, holiday travel, entertaining and for some, finding things to entertain the young kids who are home from school.

It is no surprise that, although the holiday season is magical, all the busyness, late nights and delicious festive over-indulging can mean our personal care routines can fall by the wayside.

Follow these easy to incorporate tips to help you stay on track.

Maintain your skincare routine. Make your skincare a priority this season. This means that even though you are sleepy or have travelled to be with family and friends, the basics are better than nothing at all; cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize and protect. Extra holiday makeup and sparkle can be extra hard to remove and can deplete your skin’s natural oils.

Hydrate. Hydration comes in many forms, not just water. Consider coconut water, herbal teas and fruits and vegetables which also contribute to overall hydration. The best strategy is to keep a steady infusion throughout the day and evening and especially when consuming alcohol, and starchy and salty foods.

Keeping your face and body’s cells adequately hydrated will keep things functioning at their prime and help with detoxification. Your skin will look more smooth and have a better canvas for your next event.

Snack healthy. These days, health-conscious party hosts realize the importance of offering fresh, simple options as well as rich, decadent and delicious options. Salt and carbohydrates can cause your face to become puffy and increases the likelihood of breakouts. Choosing more of the healthy options will help keep up your internal anti-oxidant supply and help regulate blood sugar.

Rest. Spritz your pillow with a touch of lavender or rosemary, then lie down and close your eyes. Breathe and relax. Just 15 minutes will refresh you enough to keep going.

We recommend the following skincare products to balance the visible signs.

SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic: Not only is C E Ferulic rich in powerful antioxidants that protect the skin from the damaging effects of photodamage, it also improves the appearance of lines and wrinkles and brightens the skin’s complexion.

Apply after cleansing each morning before applying sunscreen.

ZO® SKIN HEALTH Offects Exfoliating Polish: Regularly exfoliating your skin with ZO® Exfoliating Polish will dissolve oil and remove dull, clogged skin cells that will leave you with skin that is hydrated and glowing.

Use twice a week in the morning or evening.

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid 2:4:2: Maximize your moisture and replenish essential lipids to bring your skin back to life. With 2% pure ceramides, 4% natural cholesterol, and 2% fatty acids this ratio of naturally-occurring lipids is ideal for helping skin to restore its natural moisture barrier.

Use daily on the face, neck and chest in the morning and evening.

Skinceuticals A.G.E Eye Complex: The skin around the eyes is delicate and needs extra attention. Skinceuticals A.G.E Eye Complex is specially formulated with anti-inflammatory ingredients to nourish the skin, improve the appearance of dark circles, puffiness and crow’s feet.

Apply once or twice daily under the eyes and around the brow area.

SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense: This is a dynamic duo in that SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense prevents and treats blemishes and diminishes hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and helps in reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

Use morning and evening on freshly cleansed face. Stay glowing, hydrated and fresh the entire season. For more information about these and other products please call our office.

From all of us here at LiveYoung Medical,

Happy Holidays!

Don’t Let Your Hands Give You Away

December 5, 2019

Be ready for your “surprise” engagement ring this Holiday Season by having Instagram-worthy hands.

There will be lots of memory-making photos of the newly engaged couple – and the beautiful ring! Do you have a feeling you are going to be receiving a ring over the holidays? Are your hands ready for all that spotlight?

There’s no question; your hands reveal a great deal about you. Sun damage, nutritional imbalance, your age, your interests, your attention to self-care, and your overall health show on your hands.

You use your hands to communicate, and your hands are often the first part of you that people touch when they meet you.

Is your skin rough or soft? Is it blemished or smooth? Plump or wrinkled?

In this era, the average age for couples to marry is 33. They’ve had time to travel, to build careers, and to prepare themselves to settle down with someone special.

However, beginning as early as your thirties, the backs of your hands start to show signs of aging. With decrease in collagen, the volume is lost, and wrinkles appear. Photodamage from the sun leaves hyperpigmentation and sunspots on your skin.

At LiveYoung Medical, we have solutions and treatments for aging hands that will give you the confidence to show off your new engagement ring.

Juvéderm® Volite:

One of the most effective treatments for restoring youthful elasticity and plumpness to aging hands is Juvéderm® Volite. Part of the world-renowned Juvéderm® family of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, Volite is an injectable gel that, unlike typical dermal fillers, works on improving the condition and quality of the skin.

This skin-quality correcting injectable treatment visibly improves elasticity and hydration in addition to the appearance of crepiness, roughness, and dryness. Results are stunning and last for 6 – 9 months. Treatment is quick and easy. Your comfort level is managed well by topical numbing cream which is applied for a few minutes before your treatment begins.

Photorejuvenation:

IPL (intense Pulsed Light) treatments reverse photodamage (sunspots, age spots, and hyperpigmentation). In as few as three sessions that last about 15 minutes each, your hands will be much more uniform in colour.

Fractional resurfacing with SmartXide DOT:

DOT Therapy is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, acne scars, stubborn pigmentation, enlarged pores, rough texture, and skin laxity. It works by breaking down old, dysfunctional collagen and stimulating the production of new, robust collagen. This CO2 resurfacing laser treatment can lighten deep, stubborn pigment that IPL cannot reach.

Essential Skin Care:

We take time to protect and nourish the skin on our face, neck, and décolleté, but often forget to care for our hands.

The skin on the backs of our hands is more susceptible to UV damage than any other area. Add to that the daily harm caused by hand sanitizers, detergents, household cleansers, and elements in your work environment, and you have a recipe for disaster.

Mitigate the damage and improve your chances for smooth, youthful, blemish-free hands with these tips:

Use a retinol before bed to promote cellular turnover on the backs of your hands.
Slather on a rich peptide cream at night to build collagen and protect from dryness
Use an antioxidant serum to protect your hands against the elements
Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Every day.

Christmas is the most popular time of year for proposals. If you think this might be YOUR year, make sure your hands are as beautiful as your new ring is sure to be!

Live Young Medical is here to help you achieve your dream of beautiful proposal-ready hands.

Are Spider Veins Forcing You To Hide Your Legs?

November 20, 2019

Spiders like to hide out, but you don’t have to!

Those colourful bursts of spidery veins that adorn the thighs and calves of both women and men as young as 20 can often cause embarrassment.

The wavy lines of purple, red, and blue gradually appear near the surface of the skin and stay there. And they don’t exactly blend in with your skin tone or cover easily with makeup.

Many people who have spider veins feel forced to cover their legs with long pants or skirts. They may slather on self-tanner in an attempt to camouflage them or spend hours in the sun trying deliberately to tan which not only doesn’t work but accelerates skin aging!

Not your best look, is it?

You work hard to look after your health and skin and to keep your legs toned. It doesn’t seem right. Let’s find out what causes vein disease, particularly spider veins, and learn what can be done to help you look and feel better.

The good news is that Dr. Maureen Sweeney treats patients with spider veins at Live Young Medical in Sidney, B.C.

Book a consultation.

How vein disease develops

Your heart pumps oxygen and nutrient-rich blood throughout your body via your arteries. The blood returns to your heart via the veins. Veins have valves that help to regulate the flow in one direction, but sometimes the valves weaken, causing blood to leak back down the vein instead of flowing forward to your heart.

Over time the walls of the veins weaken and cause them to dilate and multiply on the skin surface.

Do you have spider veins or varicose veins?

Spider veins or telangiectasia or reticular veins, as they are known medically, affect 60% of the population, predominantly women.

They usually appear as fine lines just beneath the skin in colours of red or purple and may resemble tree branches or spider webs. Spider veins are most commonly seen on the legs and sometimes the face but unlike varicose veins, they do not make the skin bulge out.

Why me?

Heredity is the most common risk for spider and varicose veins. If your mother or grandmother had spider veins you are more likely to have them too. Before you get upset with your genes, however, there are other ways you could have acquired these colourful but unwanted designs on your skin.

Conditions that restrict your circulation cause veins to swell. A sedentary lifestyle, sitting or standing all day, being overweight, and pregnancy can all affect your venous circulation.

The hormone estrogen may weaken vein valves and lead to varicose veins. This is why it is thought to be more common in women. The high estrogen and progesterone in pregnancy as well as the added pressure in the pelvis are why they multiply at this time. Using hormonal birth control or taking menopausal hormone therapy may aggravate your risk of varicose or spider veins.

What is the treatment for spider veins?

The typical and most effective treatment is to inject these small veins with a solution that irritates the lining of the vein causing it to seal off. This procedure is called sclerotherapy.

Dr. Sweeney administers a series of injections into the veins using tiny needles. The number of sessions needed depends on how extensive the vein matting is. Usually six sessions are necessary with annual retreatment in people who do not have significant deeper varicose veins.

The treated veins will disappear over weeks and months however, about 10% of people may not respond. Retreatment over the years is needed because the underlying vein disease continues and forms new dilated veins. Prevention and slowing the progress of this problem include avoiding aggravators such as prolonged sitting or standing. Some professions and lifestyles make this unavoidable so wearing compression socks or stockings can not only relieve the aching and swelling that can accompany poor circulation in the veins but can also slow progression.

The treatment is mildly uncomfortable. For the best results, you will need to walk after the treatments. Side effects of treatment may include an allergic reaction, redness, itching, bruising, swelling, ulceration, and new telangiectasia, which typically resolve within 6 months.

Although you cannot be pregnant or nursing at the time of treatment, it is no longer necessary to wait until your childbearing years are over to have sclerotherapy.

At Live Young Medical, Dr. Maureen Sweeney provides treatment with sclerotherapy for spider veins.

Book a consultation to find out more.

Learn more about Telangiectasias – Spider Veins

The Real Secret of Beauty Lies In Balance

November 6, 2019

Do you ever gaze into the mirror and pull the loose skin on your face back a bit just to see how you would look if there were more fullness, less sagging – fewer wrinkles?

We all do it. Even celebrities who look amazing in front of the camera pull and tug a little here and there to put everything back to where it was ten years ago.

Ah, the age-old pursuit of beauty.

The cosmetic industry thrives on our innate desire to look good.

Cosmetics go a long way to help enhance our best features, but they can’t do everything – and they shouldn’t have to! In reality, a human being’s perception of beauty is based on facial symmetry and balance and, believe it or not, this is actually something we often process subconsciously.

Simply put, when one’s lower face is in balance with his/her mid and upper face, the overall appearance is perceived as more attractive.

Maybe you’ve always had a small chin or receding jawline and thought that a little more something in that area of your face would help.

You could be right. A face, whether it be male or female, falls out of harmony as a whole when the chin is too short, too narrow, or recessed.

Studies show that a strong chin is viewed as beautiful or handsome, and socially attributed to strength and confidence. A less-defined chin is perceived to convey weakness, especially in men.

Ouch. Does that mean the only fix is a surgical chin implant or jaw reconstruction?

Dr. Maureen Sweeney of LiveYoung Medical has the (happy) answer to that question:

“Historically, aesthetic medicine focused on surgical solutions to achieve facial balance, particularly for structural regions such as the chin and jawline. Now we have an effective, safe, non-surgical solution that provides natural and individualized results with virtually no downtime and only minimal recovery needed.”

Non-Surgical?

Yes.

If you haven’t heard of JUVÉDERM® VOLUX™, it may be because it was just approved for use in Canada in June 2019.

Dr. Sweeney, who has been working with the JUVEDERM® family of dermal fillers since 2004, believes that JUVÉDERM® VOLUX™ is a significant addition to her treatment protocol.

“JUVÉDERM® VOLUX™ offers lift and projection while remaining elastic and mouldable, qualities that are necessary for results that look and feel natural.”

Dr. Sweeney approaches her patients with an aesthetic eye. There is both artistry and skill in achieving a balanced face.

“In women, the ideal lower face shape displays a defined curve of the jawline with a clear distinction between the jaw, chin, and neck. The appearance is one that is soft but distinct, not too square or round. The chin should be firm and toned, with a smooth finish, nothing hanging, not too pointed, and delicately rounded. The face can be oval, round, heart, or diamond-shaped, but it should be balanced.

This hyaluronic acid dermal filler, JUVÉDERM® VOLUX™ is designed to contour, shape, and sculpt the chin and jawline using carefully injected and placed volumizer gel. Depending on a patient’s anatomy and wishes, injections of JUVÉDERM® VOLUX™ can add length and projection to the chin and also contour the definition of the jawline,” said Dr. Sweeney.

The results are excellent and last up to 24 months.

Patients are thrilled with their non-surgically balanced and symmetrical looks. Satisfaction rates are 94% after three months and remain high at 80% at 18 months post-injection.

That is a lot of happily balanced faces!

Would you like to learn more?

It is essential to book a consultation to plan treatment and review recovery precautions.

The same considerations apply to treatment with JUVDERM® VOLUX™ as with the other JUVÉDERM® hyaluronic acid dermal fillers.

Treatments are individual, and results can vary. Adverse effects are typically mild and short-lived and may include bruising with discoloration, tenderness, and swelling. Patients, however, rate discomfort on average as very manageable.

Facial Rejuvenation with BOTOX COSMETIC® and JUVÉDERM® Dermal Filler- a Global Approach.

October 23, 2019

In this post, Dr. Maureen Sweeney describes her consultation with and treatment of Iris, the Live Young Medical administrative assistant and person everyone meets when they come to the clinic.

During their consultation, Iris explained to Dr. Sweeney that her tired demeanour contradicted her inner feelings of vibrancy and youth.

“The way I looked did not reflect the youthfulness I felt inside. Preferring a ‘fresh’ face, I found myself wanting to ‘cover-up’ with makeup, which did not help. I started to feel more and more invisible, and I began to feel self-conscious about putting myself out there.”

Iris wanted to look fresher and younger, but she did not want a surgical facelift. Dr. Sweeney provided an excellent non-surgical alternative, a complete facial rejuvenation with BOTOX COSMETIC® and JUVÉDERM® dermal filler.

Dr. Maureen Sweeney describes the procedures and treatments:

We start all treatments with a thorough evaluation, beginning with a global assessment of a patient’s full face and upper neck. The first step involves assessing balance and proportion by dividing the face into the upper, middle, and lower thirds. We consider factors such as: are the patient’s facial features in balance, or is one part – such as the chin – too small or recessed? Is the face too square or gaunt?

I ask what are the patient’s assets? These can be features such as lips or eyes that we want to showcase.

I also ask about a patient’s emotive aspects – How do they feel? What do they project to others with their facial expressions, both at rest and with movement?

Does the patient appear tired, sad, angry, saggy, worn out, unapproachable?

We ask, too, which areas are of the deepest concern for the patient? What does the patient want? It is common for us to focus on lines, wrinkles, and folds, but ultimately what we all want is to look relaxed, tighter, slimmer, more attractive, happy, and approachable. Women often want to look softer and more beautiful, and men more firm and masculine.

A comprehensive treatment approach is broken down into the following components and I will typically address each of these in separate treatment sessions.

Treatment of dynamic characteristics
Foundation
Contour
Refinement

We develop our treatment strategy by first addressing a patient’s most prominent, dynamic characteristics– those movements that cause not just wrinkles and lines but unintentional communications such as appearing stressed or unfriendly.

When Iris’s facial features are at rest, she looks tired and sad, and her skin appears saggy, but when she smiles, all of these expressions are reversed. This reversal is an asset that tells us that if we limit her negative dynamic expressions, such as frowning and pouting – she will look less sad. Also, elevating her brows and opening up her eye area will make her look refreshed and less saggy around her eyes.

We can achieve this improvement with BOTOX COSMETIC® treatment.

“I was excited to know that there was something other than a facelift that would help me. I trusted Dr. Sweeney to use what she felt was the best approach to helping me feel and look my best.” -Iris

Foundation:

The next steps in a full face rejuvenation use JUVÉDERM® dermal filler to further address our patient’s concerns and feelings about looking less tired, sad, and saggy.

Foundation treatments are those that create the most impact, as they build the structure of the face in the same way that foundations and framing define the form of a home.

Typically, in foundation treatments, JUVÉDERM® dermal filler is placed in the cheeks, temples, and portions of the chin. The cheeks and temples lift the brow, midface, lower face, and chin placements address facial proportion and shape. JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA® is the dermal filler best suited for treatments such as this, where we want lift. Foundation treatments are usually completed in session two.

Contour:

The next step, usually completed in session three, is to improve the contours of the cheek, jaw line, and chin and further address facial proportions. In both women and men, this can include defining the jaw line, improving the projection of the chin, building further height in the cheekbones, and softening remaining hollows, thus recreating the natural fullness of a youthful face.

JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA® has also been the usual treatment choice for facial contouring.

Where we need even more structure and projection such as for the jaw line and chin, we use JUVÉDERM® VOLUX^TM .

“As excited as I was to have everything done all in one session, I also appreciated the staging approach. It allowed me to notice how each treatment made me look fresher than before, and I saw how the procedures supported each other. Each stage was subtle, yet enough for my family and friends to say, ‘What’s different? You look really good.’ And I felt good, too!” -Iris

Refinement:

Refinement treatments add the finishing touches treating areas such as under-eye hollowing, lips, and nasolabial folds. Refinement is also the stage where we address asymmetry. This is often completed in the fourth treatment session.

Here, the range of choice available within the JUVÉDERM® suite are an advantage, offering softer fillers such as JUVÉDERM®, VOLIFT®, and VOLBELLA® that are best suited for the finishing touches.

In Summary:

We achieve non-surgical and natural-looking results by addressing the whole face, using a global treatment approach rather than focusing on one or two features such as nasolabial folds or marionette lines which are common bothersome areas.

Iris’s BOTOX COSMETIC® treatments targeted her forehead frown lines, crow’s feet, chin pebbling, and the muscles that pulled down the corners of her mouth.

Foundation treatments included treating with JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA®, over her cheekbones, temples, and chin. Contour treatment involved using a combination of JUVÉDERM®, VOLUMA®, VOLIFT®, and VOLUX^TM facial fillers for further lifting her cheekbone – also known as the “top model” look, filling in lost fat in her mid-cheek area, and further defining her jawline.

The refinement touches included adding another layer to her cheeks, filling the nasolabial folds and under-eye hollows, and plumping her lips using JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA®, VOLIFT®, and VOLBELLA®.

“I feel happier about myself now because maturing gracefully, to me, means taking care of my mind, body, spirit, and appearance so that I feel the best I can at every age.” -Iris

Testosterone Is the Key To a Man’s Optimal Health and Quality of Life

October 11, 2019

Testosterone’s reputation for being abused by bodybuilders and athletes and promoting aggressive behaviour frequently eclipses its more critical role in wellbeing and its function in fostering good health.

As we all know, testosterone contributes to what “makes a man a man”, and it is essential to healthy development and reproductive function. It also continues to be critical throughout the lifespan in preserving health and influencing factors important in the quality of life, such as energy, drive, mental capacity, and mood.

Testosterone decreases with age and environmental factors

Testosterone levels fall with age, on average, about 1-2% per year; The Massachusetts Male Aging Study found a 23% decline in free testosterone for each decade.¹

Additionally, recent research tracking men through 1987-2004 indicates that testosterone levels are falling at increasing rates beyond what can be explained by age alone.² This reduction may be due to several factors, including rising obesity rates and the widespread exposure to the hormone-disrupting effects from the many chemicals in our industrialized environment.

Between ages 43 and 70 men can lose, on average, 2 inches in height, 15% of bone density and 10-20 pounds of muscle. These are the outward signs; On the inside, blood sugar and insulin rise, and unhealthy cholesterol levels develop as the body coats the organs in visceral fat, causing the arteries begin to thicken and then clog.

The signs and symptoms of falling testosterone are often attributed to “normal aging” – weight gain, loss of energy, and interest in being physically active, thinning skin, declining libido, and erectile function.

If low testosterone is corrected, however, these problems improve.

Although low testosterone is not the sole contributor to these age-related problems, its loss is a significant accelerant.

How blood testing reveals testosterone levels

Testing blood levels is an accurate way to measure testosterone values both as a baseline and as a means of tracking improvement.

The most precise tests are the bioavailable testosterone (BAT) and the free testosterone (FT).

In interpreting testosterone levels, overtly low levels occur in about 12% of men in their 50s and decrease with each decade to about 50% by age 80.³ But if symptoms are present, it’s not necessary to wait until testosterone drops below the normal range.

Optimizing testosterone improves men’s quality of life

Restoring testosterone to the mid to upper end of the range can be achieved through direct replacement of testosterone or indirect hormone boosting; this decision depends on a patient’s age. The most effective approach for men over 50 is testosterone replacement. This can be done with gels or patches where the hormone is absorbed through the skin or by weekly injection.

Lifestyle measures may also boost testosterone levels by about 10%, and this may be enough when the decline in testosterone levels is mild. Dietary changes such as losing weight, eating more protein, less sugar and refined carbohydrates, working out strenuously with heavy weights, and getting a solid night’s sleep may all help.

As with estrogen replacement in women, testosterone optimization works best to offset the physiologic and psychological effects of aging when combined with a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Maureen Sweeney, Age Management Medicine

Live Young Medical Clinic, Sidney, BC. www.liveyoung.ca

¹ Massachusetts Male Aging Study
² The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism January 1, 2007 vol. 92 no. 1 196-202
³ Harman SM, Metter EJ, Tobin JD, Pearson J, Blackman MR. Longitudinal effects of aging on serum total and free testosterone levels in healthy men. Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001; 86(2): 724-31.

Summer’s Over: Here’s How to Plan Your Aesthetic Wellness for Next Year

September 27, 2019

The sunny season has ended and the cooler autumn and winter months are beginning, but that means we get to prepare for next summer! The time indoors gives us the opportunity to prime and pamper our bodies until we can shed all the layers off again. It’s time to up the ante and take next year by storm.

If you have any questions about our services or would like to set up an appointment, at LiveYoung Medical, please contact us either by phone or email. Thirty-minute cosmetic consultations are always complimentary.

BOTOX COSMETIC®

JUVÉDERM® Dermal or Soft Tissue Filler

IPL Photorejuvenation

Fractional Resurfacing

Profound® Radiofrequency/Microneedling and BELKYRA ™

I am seeing changes in my appearance that don’t reflect how I feel. Are Botox®, Juvederm® or both right for me?

BOTOX COSMETIC®

What is BOTOX COSMETIC®, and how does it work?

How long does it take BOTOX COSMETIC® to work? How long does it last?

What age should you start using BOTOX COSMETIC®?

Is BOTOX COSMETIC® safe?

JUVÉDERM® Dermal Fillers

What is JUVEDERM®?

How is the treatment done? Does it hurt?

How long will it take to see the results of a JUVÉDERM®, treatment?

Will I look overdone?

Better Together? Which procedure is better, BOTOX COSMETIC® or JUVEDERM®?

How is Profound® RF different from Fractionated CO2, fat sculpting, and related treatments?

What is a Profound® RF treatment like?

How many Profound® RF treatments will I need?

Let us help you decide.

Just follow these essential tips to power-up your glow again and you’ll charge straight through the Christmas season and into the New Year looking fantastic.

Follow these easy to incorporate tips to help you stay on track.

We recommend the following skincare products to balance the visible signs.

Juvéderm® Volite:

Photorejuvenation:

Fractional resurfacing with SmartXide DOT:

Essential Skin Care:

At Live Young Medical, Dr. Maureen Sweeney provides treatment with sclerotherapy for spider veins.

Ouch. Does that mean the only fix is a surgical chin implant or jaw reconstruction?

Non-Surgical?

Yes.

Dr. Sweeney approaches her patients with an aesthetic eye. There is both artistry and skill in achieving a balanced face.

That is a lot of happily balanced faces!

Would you like to learn more?

Dr. Maureen Sweeney describes the procedures and treatments:

A comprehensive treatment approach is broken down into the following components and I will typically address each of these in separate treatment sessions.

Foundation:

Contour:

Refinement:

In Summary:

Testosterone decreases with age and environmental factors

How blood testing reveals testosterone levels

Optimizing testosterone improves men’s quality of life

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