Belotero® is a filler that is used to fill vertical lip lines, also known as “smoker’s lines.” It can also be used to treat very deep glabellar frown lines, also known as “11 lines.” Dr. Johnson also occasionally uses Belotero® in an artistic fashion to fill wrinkles that don’t conform to a specific pattern. Belotero® is composed of hyaluronic acid which is a substance that we have in our bodies naturally. The filler lasts 6-9 months and leads to beautiful, natural results. Dr. Johnson applies numbing cream to the area to be treated in order to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. Many patients choose to have this filler done on their lunch break as there is no down time needed.

Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is a surgery that is used to remove excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids. This surgery is performed in the office under local anesthesia. Dr. Johnson makes an incision in the eyelid crease so that any scar that forms is hidden in the crease. He then removes the extra skin and fat and then stitches the skin closed. Most of the stitches come out in one week and the rest come out in two weeks. There is usually no pain after the procedure and the recovery period is two days. Dr. Johnson’s goal with this surgery is to produce natural-looking results that truly allow the patient to look, see, and feel their best. Dr. Johnson performs this surgery at all practice locations.

Lower eyelid blepharoplasty is a surgery that is used to remove extra skin and “bags” from the lower eyelids. Some of the fat in the lower eyelids is removed and the rest is “tucked in” to reduce the appearance of the bag. Dr. Johnson performs this procedure in the surgery center under sedation. It is same-day surgery and the patient rests at home for about three days before resuming most normal activities. The results that Dr. Johnson produces for his patients are natural, long-lasting, and elegant. He sees patients in consultation for this procedure at all practice locations.

Upper and lower eyelid blepharoplasty can also be performed on the same day at the surgery center under sedation.

Blepharospasm is a condition where the muscles around the eye are overactive. It can lead to constant spasms that can cause the patient to be unable to open their eyes. Botox® is used to relax these muscles and allow these patients to feel better and see better. The results take a few days to develop. After the first treatment session, Dr. Johnson likes to see his patients back a week later to make sure everything is perfect. This service is covered by most insurance plans.

Botox® is the most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the United States. It works by relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles. The most common areas that patients treat with Botox® include horizontal forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and glabellar furrows (also known as “11 lines”). Botox® can also be used to lift the brow, reduce the appearance of “bunny nose” wrinkles, decrease the appearance of a “gummy smile,” and soften the vertical bands that can form in the neck. Dr. Johnson uses his Botox® needle like a paintbrush to produce results for his patients that are artistic, natural, and beautiful. The results take a few days to develop, but there is no down time and many patients choose to have this procedure done on their lunch breaks. Botox® is available at all practice locations.

As we age, the eyebrows can become droopy, leading to a tired or depressed appearance that is bothersome to many patients. Dr. Johnson uses one or more of three approaches, in the office under local anesthesia, in order to raise the brow. Depending on the patient’s facial anatomy, he selects these approaches to create the best results while camouflaging the scar in the eyelid crease, above the eyebrow, or in the hairline. The down time for this procedure is two days, after which time the patient can return to their normal life. Dr. Johnson performs this procedure at all practice locations.

A chalazion is another word for a stye. This condition is not serious, but can be painful, irritating, and unsightly. There are two treatment options available: a steroid injection or surgical excision. Many times a steroid injection can completely eliminate the chalazion. Other, more encapsulated chalazia require an office procedure to have it removed. There is about one day of down time before patients can return to their normal lives. Once the stye is removed, patients report feeling like themselves again. Dr. Johnson also reviews prevention measures to prevent future styes.

Dry eye syndrome can cause pain, tearing, and blurry vision, and can range from mild to moderate to severe. Mild dry eye can be treated with artificial tears such as Systane®, Refresh Plus®, and Optive®. Moderate dry eye requires artificial tears plus the addition of a gel such as Genteal® at bedtime. Dr. Johnson treats severe dry eye by using a heat treatment to shrink the tear duct and allow the patient’s own natural tears to remain in the eye longer. In extreme cases, he sews the outer corner of the eyelids together using a procedure called a tarsorrhaphy which allows the eye to dry out less slowly.

Dysport® is very similar to Botox®; in fact, the active portion in each medication is identical. For this reason, Dysport® can be used to treat the same exact areas that Botox® can: horizontal forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, “11 lines,” droopy eyebrows, “bunny nose” wrinkles, “gummy smiles,” and vertical neck bands. The difference between Dysport® and Botox® lies in the fact that results usually develop one to two days earlier than they do with Botox®. Dr. Johnson tends to use this product when patients have an important event coming up within the next few days.

Entropion occurs when the lower eyelids turn inward and the eyelashes rub against the eye. This can be extremely painful as the eyelashes are constantly scratching the ocular surface. Dr. Johnson usually treats this condition in the office under local anesthesia combining eyelid tightening procedures and strategically placed stitches. Patients often feel better immediately after the procedure and are excited to return to their day-to-day activities with a renewed sense of confidence and wellbeing.

Bumps on the eyelid can range from skin tags to life-threatening skin cancers. When Dr. Johnson sees a patient in consultation for an eyelid lesion, he performs a biopsy of that lesion on the same day. Small lesions can be removed, in their entirety, right in the office. For larger lesions, a piece of it is removed and sent to the pathologist to obtain a tissue diagnosis. This is then followed by a formal excision in the surgery center. Once these lesions are removed and fully-healed, many patients report that they look, see, and feel their best again.