Mabrie Facial Institute

BOTOX or Dysport® are both excellent treatments for masseter reduction. BOTOX works by relaxing muscles, such as an overdeveloped masseter muscle. By injecting the muscle along the lower jaw with BOTOX, the disabled muscle gradually becomes smaller, leading to a more streamlined, v-shaped lower face.

The short answer is that it depends on the filler being used. Some fillers last 9 months, others as much as 2 years. You can look at the Dermal Fillers 101 page on our website for a thorough examination of fillers and the duration of results.

Dr. Mabrie has several tips to minimize bruising after your treatment. They include avoiding blood thinners (such as Motrin, aspirin, St. John’s Wort, and fish oil) during the 2 weeks prior to your treatment because they can lead to more bruising; taking Arnica Montana, a natural homeopathic remedy, immediately after the treatment; using cold compresses during the first few hours after the procedure, followed by warm compresses the next morning; and using makeup (wait an hour). Dr. Mabrie's injection technique using an advanced microcannula also helps minimize bruising.

The initial visit begins with Dr. Mabrie conducting a comprehensive facial assessment using multiple lighting scenarios, taking clinical photographs so that we can track your improvements, and discussing your specific cosmetic goals. During the treatment, most patients experience a slight pinching sensation with the injections, but the discomfort is minimal because fillers are pre-mixed with a numbing agent. Immediately after the treatment you'll probably notice redness and swelling in the treatment area that typically goes away within a few hours.

Restylane is Dr. Mabrie's go-to filler for the tear trough area because it's more predictable then other fillers. For vertical lip lines, he often uses fillers with a thinner consistency such as JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® or Restylane® Silk to fill in these superficial creases.

Hi Alvin - thank you for asking this question. We do provide promotional pricing from time-to-time. There are a variety of ways to save on treatments with our Lux Rewards - you can save on your treatment by getting social with us on various social media platforms and by signing up for our newsletter. You can find out more about Lux Rewards on our website. From time-to-time, we are looking for patient models. Currently, we're doing a special for patients interested in lips. Patient models can receive 50% off treatment. You can be first to learn of these opportunities by signing-up for our newsletter. Find the newsletter icon on our website to sign-up. I hope that helps and we meet you soon!

It's important to keep your head elevated for about four hours after your BOTOX treatment to give the BOTOX time to settle. Lying down during those initial few hours is not recommended, and for the next few nights, it’s best to sleep on your back.

BOTOX can be an excellent treatment for easing many signs of aging in the lower face, including in the area around the mouth, jawline, and chin. It provides some of the most dramatic results when used to diminish vertical lines between the nose and upper lip, slim a square jaw, relax smile or “marionette” lines on either side of the chin, and smooth out a dimpled chin.

While this is a common concern among patients, the answer is an unequivocal no! In fact, studies suggest that using BOTOX® over the long-term can help delay the onset or worsening of wrinkles, even if you stop using the neuromodulator at some point in the future. Wrinkles that existed before you began using BOTOX may reappear once you discontinue injections, but you won’t look worse than before your treatments began.

While BOTOX® can make the lower face and jaw appear slimmer by relaxing an overactive masseter muscle, other injectables are more useful for reducing a double chin. KYBELLA® injections break down and eliminate the fat beneath the chin, and it’s a popular nonsurgical alternative to liposuction. Dermal fillers also can be used around the mouth and along the chin to balance the fullness of a double chin.

Yes, BOTOX and Dysport® are excellent options for smoothing the appearance of a dimpled chin. BOTOX and Dysport injections disable a hyperactive mentalis muscle, which often causes the chin to appear weak and dimpled. Once the mentalis muscle is relaxed, your chin looks more defined, and the dimpled appearance fades.

We can usually smooth the appearance of crow’s feet with 5 to 15 units of BOTOX®, although each person’s needs vary. We can provide you with more specific information during your appointment. You can also learn more about BOTOX and crow’s feet on our website.

As with any cosmetic procedure, injecting the masseter muscle with BOTOX to create a slimmer, more appealing v-shaped face can present some risks. Potential complications include an uneven smile, chewing weakness, and sunken cheeks. You can reduce your risk of complications by using an injector who has extensive training and expertise in facial anatomy.

Thank you for the question Beverly. We focus on nonsurgical rejuvenation and enhancement using filler (Restylane, Voluma, Juvederm) and neurotoxins (BOTOX and Dysport). At this time, we don't offer any facial or laser services. If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, give us a call. We'll be happy to recommend some providers.

Thank you for your question. Lip corner surgery or "lip corner lift" is a surgical procedure performed to the corners of the mouth for those patients that feel that their mouth has a downward turn or frown. We don't offer this surgery; however, in some cases, we made be able to provide similar results using neurotoxins (BOTOX or Dysport). Using a nonsurgical method is preferable when considering results, recovering, and changes of scaring. If you're interested in learning more about this procedure non-surgically, give the office a call. I hope that helps.

Thank you for your questions about Perlane and dissolving filler. The best place to start is with a personal consultation. In general, Perlane is a hyaluronic-acid (HA) based filler that can be dissolved with Hyaluronidase (an enzyme that degrades HA filler on contact). Typically, Perlane can last upwards to 24 months while degrading over that time period. If you're still seeing filler, please schedule a follow-up visit. We're happy to help!