Injectable Procedures Performed in Valdosta, South Georgia and North Central Florida
Serving the Plantation Trace, South Georgia and North Florida regions at her plastic surgery center in Valdosta, Georgia, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sonya Merriman offers the latest in safe, non invasive injectable procedures. To learn more about these procedures and their benefits, click on the links below.
BOTOX® Cosmetic
Restylane®
Juvéderm® Injectable Gel
Sculptra®
Prevelle™ Silk
Radiesse®
Perlane®
Axillary BOTOX® for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Sclerotherapy
BOTOX® Cosmetic
Are you concerned about deepening frown lines between the eyes? Have you noticed wrinkles appearing on the forehead, between or at the corners of the eyes? Then the non- invasive BOTOX® Cosmetic procedure may be just right for you. BOTOX® Cosmetic is the most widely known, FDA approved and accepted treatment to diminish these problems. This procedure is performed for people in Valdosta, South Georgia and North Central Florida by certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sonya J. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut with very natural results.
The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, often referred to by its product name BOTOX® Cosmetic, is a popular non-surgical injection that temporarily reduces or eliminates frown lines, forehead creases and crows feet near the eyes. Prepared on the day of your BOTOX® Cosmetic procedure by Dr. Merriman or her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut at Dr. Merriman’s plastic surgery center in Valdosta, the toxin blocks the nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles while giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance.
Patients may seek BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment with Dr. Merriman or her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut for some of the following reasons:
- To relax wrinkles of the forehead, and “crows feet” at the outer eye
- To give the face a more relaxed and youthful appearance
- To relax frown lines and wrinkles between the eyes
- BOTOX® Cosmetic is a quickly performed and easily renewed procedure
BOTOX® Cosmetic works by weakening the muscles of facial expression. Once the resting tone of the treated muscles is weakened, the pull of the muscles relaxes and the overlying skin flattens. This approach is different from other non-surgical procedures for the face. Other non-surgical procedures work by filling wrinkles or depressions. By physiologically weakening the muscles, wrinkles are lessened naturally.
During your consultation with Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut,they will discuss with you the best approach to achieving your goals using BOTOX® Cosmetic or one of the other non-invasive procedures at which they are equally skilled. It is Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut’s goal to build rapport and trust with each patient so that you can reach your optimum and most natural result
Restylane®
Have you begun to notice wrinkles on your face or around your lips that you would like to diminish? Have your lips begun to lose plumpness and volume? If so, then treatment with Restylane® may offer the solution you are looking for. In the Plantation Trace and South Georgia region, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sonya J. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut offer injections with Restylane® which will give you a smoother and more youthful appearance.
Restylane® is a dermal filler used to restore volume and fullness for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. As hormone levels naturally decrease with age, lips lose plumpness. Restylane® is a non-animal-based hyaluronic acid that exists naturally in the human body. With board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sonya Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut in Valdosta, the treatment is simple and convenient, and can be administered without pretesting.
Dr. Merriman’s patients find that the benefits of Restylane® are visible immediately and result in a natural enhancement which is gentle and safe to your skin. Treatments will last from 6 to 12 months, depending on your individual body chemistry. Since Restylane® is not permanent, it gives you the option of modifying your treatment later on to maintain or change the result you are seeking.
Patients may seek Restylane® treatment with Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut for some of the following reasons:
- To lessen facial wrinkles and folds around the eyes, nose and mouth
- To restore fullness, volume and definition to the lips
- To achieve immediate results lasting six months or longer
- For a smoother, more relaxed and youthful appearance
In addition to diminishing wrinkles around the corners of the mouth and lips, Restylane® is also an excellent temporary lip augmentation enhancement product. At Dr. Merriman’s plastic surgery center in Valdosta, Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut also use Restylane® to fill in depressed acne scars.
During your consultation, Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut will discuss the many non-invasive cosmetic procedure options available to you. With their goal of creating trust and rapport with each patient, Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut will strive to work in partnership with you to attain your personal aesthetic vision.
Juvéderm® Injectable Gel
Juvéderm® Injectable Gel is a gel implant that includes hyaluronic acid, a natural complex sugar that bolsters skin elasticity, providing a smooth and supple appearance.
In Valdosta and the South Georgia region, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sonya J. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut bring all of their skills and experience to each treatment when performing their Juvéderm® Injectable Gel procedures. Dr. Merriman ot her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut eases Juvéderm® Injectable gel under the skin to instantly restore your skin’s volume. Juvéderm® Injectable will smooth away facial wrinkles and folds, like your “smile lines” or “parentheses” (the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth).
Patients choose Juvéderm® Injectable Gel treatment with Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut for some of the following reasons:
- To diminish lines and wrinkles around the eyes, nose and mouth
- To provide a smoother look and feel to facial skin
- To restore fullness to the lips
- Ease of treatment with no “down time”
- For a more youthful, relaxed and vibrant appearance
Juvéderm® Injectable Gel provides a smooth, natural look and feel that can last from six to nine months and is particularly effective for lip enhancement. Juvéderm® Injectable Gel can help you look younger and more relaxed instantly and without surgery.
Gel treatments usually take about 15 minutes with virtually no recuperation time. Most patients do not request anesthesia, although a local anesthetic is available if preferred. During your consultation with Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut at the plastic surgery center in Valdosta, they will work to understand your goals and to help choose the type of procedure that will best give you the result you are looking for.
Sculptra®
At Dr. Merriman’s plastic surgery center in Valdosta, Georgia, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sonya J. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut use Sculptra® to smooth out, fill in and decrease the appearance of wrinkles. Sculptra ® can also fill in and reduce the depth of the creases which can appear between the sides of the nose and the mouth as well as fill in acne scars. Sculptra ® can also be a very effective filler if you have any other type of facial scarring which you wish to improve.
Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut also use Sculptra® to correct lost skin volume, providing an increase in skin thickness which helps to create a more natural facial appearance. Sculptra® is intended for restoration and/ or correction of the signs of facial fat loss (lipoatrophy).
There are no skin tests needed prior to first use of Sculptra®. An injection and/or application of a numbing medication are sometimes used to help with any discomfort you may feel.
During your consultation with Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut, they will discuss with you the appropriate number of treatment sessions you will need. Often three to six treatments can be required. Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut will also explain to you the amount of Sculptra® you will need during each treatment. Treatments are usually scheduled 4 weeks apart. Being board certified means that Dr. Merriman has the experience and the training to help you choose the treatment that will be most effective for you. It is Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut’s goal to build trust and rapport with each patient so that you can work together to get the results you want to achieve.
Prevelle™ Silk
At her plastic surgery center in Valdosta, Georgia, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sonya J. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut bring their training, judgment and experience to each individual when determining if Prevelle™ Silk will be the most effective non-invasive facial procedure for you. Smoothing away wrinkles, lines and skin folds using Prevelle™ Silk treatment can help to give you a more youthful, relaxed and vibrant appearance.
Prevelle™ Silk is a colorless hyaluronic acid gel that contains a small quantity of a local anesthetic (Lidocaine) to provide pain relief at the injection site. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the human body, which moisturizes (hydrates) and cushions the skin. Prevelle™ Silk is naturally broken down by your body over time.
At Dr. Merriman’s plastic surgery center in Valdosta, Prevelle™ Silk will be injected into facial skin, using a very fine needle, for correction of moderate to severe wrinkles and folds (e.g. areas around the nose and the mouth). The gel plumps the skin to smooth away wrinkles and folds. The results are immediate after your procedure. Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut will work with you to develop a treatment program to meet your individual needs.
Over time, Prevelle™ Silk will be broken down naturally by your body, which is why you may want repeat treatments. In general, repeat treatments are needed within 3 to 6 months to maintain the desired result, but the timing of additional treatment varies from person to person depending on the result you wish to maintain.
During your consultation in Valdosta with Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut, they will discuss the many non-surgical options they are able to offer you in addition to Prevelle™ Silk at Dr. Merriman’s plastic surgery center in the South Georgia area. Being a board certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Merriman has the education, training and the experience to help you achieve just the right natural result you are looking for. It is always Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut’s goal to build trust and rapport with each patient so that together you can work to make your vision a reality.
Radiesse®
Are you concerned that lines, creases and wrinkles are beginning to negatively impact your appearance? At Dr. Merriman’s plastic surgery center in Valdosta, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sonya J. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut offer more options than ever before for people who are looking for ways to fight signs of premature aging, while achieving results that are both appropriate and natural. With Radiesse®, Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut have helped their patients to achieve outcomes using this non-invasive procedure which are both exciting and long lasting.
Patients of Dr. Merriman in the Plantation Trace and South George region find that Radiesse® effectively diminishes the vertical lines that can form around the lips and the horizontal lines across the forehead. Radiesse® can also create or restore fuller lips with greater volume and definition. Radiesse® treats stubborn wrinkles such as the furrow between the eyebrows, as well as the lines that can run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, creases that normally could only be treated with face or brow lifts.
Radiesse® dermal filler is made of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel, and is injected into the skin through a simple and minimally invasive procedure. Radiesse® dermal filler is the ideal choice for total facial contouring. It can restore a healthy, youthful appearance, enhance your existing features, and increase your confidence – all without invasive surgery or scarring. One of the great advantages of treatment with Radiesse® is that Dr. Merriman or her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut can perform this procedure in Valdosta during your lunch hour and your result can last over a year. This can mean fewer injections and office visits. Radiesse® also stimulates your skin to produce new collagen.
Patients may seek Radiesse® treatment with Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut for some of the following reasons:
- To reduce wrinkles, lines and folds around the eyes, nose and mouth
- To restore fullness, volume and definition to the lips
- To achieve immediate results lasting a year or longer
- To restore a more youthful appearance and enhance self confidence
During your consultation in Valdosta with Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut, they will discuss with you the many non-surgical options they are able to offer in addition to Radiesse® at Dr. Merriman’s plastic surgery center. Being board certified means that Dr. Merriman has the training and the experience to help you achieve just the right natural result you are looking for. It is always Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut’s goal to build trust and rapport with each patient so that together you can work to make your vision a reality.
Perlane®
Perlane® procedures performed by board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sonya J. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut at Dr. Merriman’s plastic surgery center in Valdosta, Georgia, restore volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth, across the forehead and above the nose. Perlane® generally lasts for about 6 months. It has been found to be a safe, effective dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin.
At Dr. Merriman’s plastic surgery center in Valdosta, Perlane® is injected into the skin with an ultra fine needle. It plumps the skin to smooth away wrinkles and folds. The water-loving nature of Perlane® attracts and binds water molecules to help maintain volume.
Perlane® is composed of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that already exists in the body. The hyaluronic acid in Perlane® is a crystal clear gel. Perlane® is non-animal-based and free from animal protein. This quality prevents disease transmission. Allergy pre-testing is not necessary. Perlane® filler simply restores what the body is no longer supplying in sufficient quantity so that your skin can look years younger. Perlane® works very well for lip augmentation as well, allowing the lips to become fuller with greater volume and definition.
Since hyaluronic acid is a natural substance, Perlane® can be administered to every skin type and color. During your consultation in Valdosta with Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut, they will discuss with you the many non-surgical options they are able to offer you in addition to Perlane®. Being board certified means that Dr. Merriman has the experience and the training to help you achieve just the right natural result you are looking for. It is always Dr. Merriman and her PA Kristy Ehrmantraut’s goal to build trust and rapport with each patient so that together you can work to make your vision a reality.
Axillary BOTOX® for hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
BOTOX® is FDA approved for excessive underarm sweating that is inadequately managed with topical agents. BOTOX® neurotoxin helps control this condition by temporarily blocking the chemical signals from the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands. When the sweat glands don’t receive chemical signals, the excessive sweating stops
Sclerotherapy
Although we do not presently know the exact cause of spider veins, there are methods of treatment available. The easiest of course would be no treatment at all, but without treatment the spider veins are likely to worsen. Support hose can help relieve the symptoms of tired legs, but will do little to improve the appearance of the legs. Probably the best method of treating the spider veins overall is known as sclerotherapy.
We are presently using a solution known as aethoxysklerol or hypertonic saline, which is injected into the individual small spider veins using a tiny needle. Only a very small amount of the solution is injected into the vein to destroy it. When the solution enters the vein it damages the cells, which line the vein known as endothelial cells and causes the blood inside the small vein to clot. Your body reacts to this by sending in clean-up cells to digest the damaged vein and the clot inside. These small blood clots are very superficial and are not of the type, which can break off and go to other areas of the body to cause damage.
The number of treatments you will require will depend on the number of veins you have to be treated. Obviously, the more veins you have the more treatments are going to be required.
