Dr. Lisa Donofrio is a vision. Gorgeous, tall, blonde and very unassuming. Not quite what I expected when they said I was meeting with a dermatologist. When I walked into her suite she was sitting down banging out emails - not your typical dermatologist right?? She is a graduate of Tulane University, she has her own private practices at the Saven Center for Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery in both New Haven and Branford Connecticut and the Laser and Skin Surgery Center in Manhattan. She is an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University...the list goes on and on (for Lisa's bio click here). So I found it surprising that someone that would be THAT busy and with those credentials had time to talk to anyone let alone a room full of bloggers. But she did and you know what...she WANTED to. She even whipped out charts and images on her laptop (gotta love visual aides!!)
I got a chance to chat with Lisa for about 40 minutes about everything from Restylane to Botox...here is what she had to say..
Lianne: How does a patient decide what the best course of treatment is?
Dr. Donofrio: It depends on whether they are new or not. I always ask a patient, what is it about your face/body bothers you? Then I try to guide them from there...about 50% of the women that walk into my office just say something like, "I don't know what I want, I just don't like the way I look" So I then try to ask them if there are certain times that they don't like the way they look. For instance when they are angry, tired or sad and then I plan a course of treatment from there.
Lianne: That is both interesting and disturbing! I can't imagine walking into someplace and just saying fix me..I don't know how but fix me!! Have you seen a rise in the use of injectibles over the past 2 years?
Dr. Donofrio: Definitely...without a doubt. 5 years ago all we had collagen and fat transfer. The new injectable products have really made it much easier for women to get the look they want with little or no down time. With collagen there was always some bruising and fat transfers had to occur after the patient already had another procedure like liposuction.
Lianne: There have been so many “bad” or “injectible nightmares” that have popped up over the years. How does one go about choosing a doctor that will have their best interests in mind and not have their eyes on making $$ instead a la reality show?
Dr. Donofrio: I would take a look at their credentials and ask to see their work, if they don't have either or their work looks crazy keep looking.
Lianne: How long do injectibles last and which kind of right for what type of wrinkle?
Dr. Donofrio: Restylane and Perlane has been FDA approved in the United States for nasal labial folds BUT can be used “off label” all over the body (has been done in clinical trials) Restylane/Perlane stimulates collagen so the filler lasts longer. Restylane is for wrinkles that aren't that deep yet and Perlane is for the deeper wrinkles/folds. Perlane is also used "off label" to build volume say in the lips, cheekbones or chin.
Lianne: Have you seen any complications at the injection site? If so what were they and how long did they last?
Dr. Donofrio: Occasionally there is some irritation but not often. I recommend that my patients take glucosamine as it has been proven to prevent the break hyaluronic acid in the joints so it can't hurt!
Lianne: Good to know!! Is there anything that a patient should do prior to seeing a doctor for the treatment? Anything they should avoid??
Dr. Donofrio: Like any surgery, avoid taking anything that thins the blood like aspirin or ibuprofen.
Lianne: How long do Restylane/Perlane treatments last and what (if anything) is left behind when the injection wears off?
Dr. Donofrio: They can last 6-9 months or longer. Since the main ingredient in those injectibles, hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the body, it will be absorbed so nothing is left behind.
Lianne: What kind of results have you seen in Ethnic skin?
Dr. Donofrio: That is a great question! Clinical trials have been run on all kinds/types of ethnic skin and I an happy to say there is no difference. There was no increase in hyper-pigmentation or keloid formation whatsoever.
Lianne: Are there certain skin types that fare better with injectibles?
Dr. Donofrio: Whenever you inject a clear substance, certain skin types can appear blue-ish. I wouldn't recommend Restylane or Perlane for thin skinned individuals that have aged. In those instances, I would try collagen instead.
Lianne: Are there certain people that you would not recommend Restylane or Perlane for?
Dr. Donofrio: Anyone that has had a history of chronic strep infections, bacterial infections or scarlet fever should not use Restylane or Perlane.
Lianne: I have heard that injectibles only last for a certain period of time is that true and if so does that time period differ from product to product?
Dr. Donofrio: They do wear off eventually, but that varies by both individual and product.
Lianne: How often do you have to “maintain” the injections?
Dr. Donofrio: Every 6-8 months but again, that varies by product.
Lianne: With Botox I have heard the muscles relax over time making it less likely that you have to inject that often, is the same true for Restylane and Perlane?
Dr. Donofrio: Yes, Restylane and Perlane have been shown to increase collagen production in the skin, making your follow up injections to be less than the original one. As far as Botox goes, the muscles don't actually relax. in a nutshell, Botox helps to train your facial muscles from unconscious habitual movements so the less you move your face and make those wrinkles, the less apparent they will be. If you are a chronic brow furrower, Botox will help you do that less therefore making the wrinkles less apparrent.
I want to thank Dr. Donofrio for taking the time to speak with me and I hope TMG readers have gotten a little more information from my little trip!
Stay Pretty!!
