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October Newsletter - Promotions Oct 04, 2009
 Newsletter |
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| What makes us unique |
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Did you know that Dr Truong teaches other physicians on how to use Radiesse filler on the face?
Did you know that Dr Truong is one of the only physicians in the Valley that does his own cosmetic injections?
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| Corporate Partner |
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Gold's Gym
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Dear Peter,
We would like you to welcome Amee Yescas to our team at Faces! Amee is graduated from Heald College with an Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting. She is very knowledgeable, warm and friendly and will be taking over Marie's position. Marie departed on good terms and will be returning to help out on surgery days.
We are running a special on Latisse for this month. It takes about 2 months for the lashes to grow so if you want to have amazing lashes for the holidays, come on in.
Regarding the Dysport (pronounced like "Deesport") rebate, do you realize that you could essentially try the Dysport for free since there is no minimum amount required? It is a good product. Some patients who have been on Botox for years have told me that Dysport seem to kick in sooner (like the next day).
I am attending the Fall Meeting of the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery in San Diego from 10-1 to 10-3. Lots of interesting new developments in our ever changing field which I will report to all of you in a future newsletter.
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| October Special |
Latisse $99/box (reg price $120)
Botox factory rebate $50.00 per session ($200.00 minimum)
Dysport factory rebate $75.00 per session (no minimum required)
Radiesse $100 off each 1.5cc syringe
These are not to be used in conjunction with any other discounts/reductions.
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| The Beauty market |
It is harder that ever to separate Fact from Marketing
I was looking through New Beauty magazine the other day. It is a beautiful magazine, full of slick pictures and visually striking advertising. One ad screams that its regenerating cream is "scientifically developed" from "obsidian mineral complex discovered from the legendary island of Pantelleria". Another set of creams promises "72% reduction of fine lines, deep wrinkles and facial expressions", based on "consumer studies. Individual results may vary." in very fine print. I wonder what those consumer studies are. I am guessing the developer asked his wife, and both parents if they thought their wrinkles looked better. There is legitimate information in the magazine but often it is mixed with advertising so unless you are saavy, it is hard to tell which is which.
Most doctors would agree that over-the-counter "lotions and potions" don't do much as far as wrinkle reduction. The only non-prescription things that help are sunblocks.
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| Botox Alternatives |
| Does she or doesn't she?
In 2006, Botox was the number one treatment, with more than 3 million procedures performed in the US alone. 2009 saw the introduction on Dysport, the first true Botox alternative. Will more Botox-like FDA-approved injectables mean lower prices for consumers? May be, but I am sure what we will see is price-stabilization. In a recent period of three years, Allergan who is the maker of Botox raised its per bottle price of Botox six times, each time by a lot. When we began using botulinum in the 70s, a bottle costed us $5.00. Now we are paying $550.00.
Think of Botox as molecules of botulinum surrounded by proteins (different proteins in the case of Dysport which accounts as its slight difference in behavior). According to Mentor - the makers of PurTox - their product is pure botulinum. What this means we do not yet know. PurTox recently started the final phase of clinical trials. FDA approval is expected in a few years.
The FDA recently approved a new treatment called GFX for brow wrinkles. A small needle probe is inserted through the skin into the brow muscles to destroy the muscle with radiofrequency. The muscle relaxation can last up to 18 months. GFX is expected to cost $2000 to $3000 per treatment because the machine is expensive.
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| Brilliant Distinctions |
| A Botox consumer loyalty program
Our practice has been invited to be part of Brilliant Distinctions, a new program from Allergan, the maker of Botox. Each time BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment results in a voucher code. Each participating patient will then enter the code on the program website to start earning points redeemable for coupons.
The patient uses the coupons on their next BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment or other select ALLERGAN® Facial Aesthetic Portfolio products such as Juvederm or Latisse. The program will start in the next few weeks.
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| Medically-proven skin care ingredients |
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Reprinted from last year
There are only 4 products that definitely make a lasting difference to your skin and 1 that probably helps. Medical grade skin care products have to have the right ingredients at the right concentration, anything short of that is just hype and expensive makeup.
1. Retin-A, a prescription topical treatment containing a derivative of vitamin A, was first used as an acne treatment. However, around 1985, patients reported a decrease in the appearance of wrinkles and smoother skin, in addition to a reduction in acne. The active ingredient in Retin-A, tretinoin (brand name Renova), is the only chemical to date to receive FDA approval for anti-aging and anti-sun damage properties. According to research by Fisher et. al, retinoids are effective in preventing and treating collagen loss caused by photodamage.
2. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) cause increase exfoliation of the outer layer of skin, unclog pores, and function as a skin hydrater. AHAs have further been shown to reverse sun damage in the epidermis, and to stimulate collagen and elastin production in the dermis.
3. Hydroquinone, a prescription topical treatment FDA-approved for the treatment of freckles, melasma, and general brown patching. Today, hydroquinone is the most commonly used bleaching agent to even out skin tone.
4. Sunscreen. Sun exposure is responsible for 95% of wrinkles. Use a good UVA and UVB blocker. High SPF only denotes the effectiveness of the product against UVB. Look for Mexoryl(Anthelios) or Helioplex(Neutrogena) as the active ingredient. Nothing beats a wide brimmed hat to protect the face.
5. Vitamin C. The body defends against free radicals (one of four major contributors to skin aging) with antioxidants, which impede or slow the chain reaction. As the body does not produce or ingest enough antioxidants to neutralize all of the free radicals, which come from processes that are both endogenous (within the body, such as human metabolism) and exogenous (outside the body, from pollution, smoking, alcohol, and UV radiation, amongst other sources), free radicals accumulate a great deal of damage within the body over time. As a result, many experts recommend use of antioxidants and sunscreen to prevent UV-induced free radical damage. The most commonly available topical antioxidant is vitamin C, which probably helps prevent photoaging.
All of these ingredients are featured in products available at Faces! Call for a consultation with Reena, our medical esthetician. |
| Our Cambodia-Vietnam trip |
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We took our two children for a two week guided trip in Cambodia and Vietnam last April. It was eye opening for all of us. Even though my wife and I were born in Vietnam, we did not see much of the country because of the war. We got to experience the amazing Angkor temple complex and to know the gentle and friendly Cambodian people. My son Michael ate the fruits I grew up with and decided that his all time favorite is the milk fruit, a sweet and fragrant fruit that has the texture of jello. We went through inconceivably crazy traffic in Hanoi and walked on the footsteps of emperors of old. Life can be so different depending on where fate takes you. It was two very good weeks.
Theresa at Angkor. Notice her droopy left eye, this is before the lid surgery. Same smile, different millenium. In case you are wondering, her lips have been enhanced with Juvederm.
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We hope you think of us as family. Email us if you have any suggestions or constructive. Feel free to pass this newsletter to friends and family. They also have the options of subscribing to our newsletter.
Sincerely,
Peter Truong, MD
Faces! |
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Free 1 month membership at Gold's Gym
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This coupon must be printed and presented in person. This is in addition to the Corporate Membership for our patients. For more information on Gold's Gym Fresno, go to www.goldsgym.com/fresnoca/ |
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Limit: one per patient
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