Harrisonblog

Why Choose a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon As Your Injector

amyasfa@asfaplasticsurgery.com (Amy Asfa) — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 16:14:03 GMT

Important Considerations to Know Before You Go

Thinking about getting facial injections? You aren't alone. Among the tens of millions of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures performed annually, at the top of the list are Botox and other neuromodulators, as well as Juvederm and other fillers. And with the aesthetics industry exploding in popularity, who you choose to do your injections is critically important.

Injectables are a safe, minimally-invasive way to restore lost volume, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improve facial contours in a subtle, natural-looking way - when injected properly. However, when performed by an untrained or inexperienced injector, these treatments can backfire - changing your appearance in an unwanted way, costing more than they should, and even leading to unplanned medical complications.

WHO CAN PERFORM FACIAL INJECTIONS in virginia?

When Botox® first hit the market in 2002, it was primarily used by plastic surgeons and dermatologists for very specific uses. However, as the popularity of Botox and fillers grew and new uses for them were discovered, more medical professionals began performing facial injections.

With injectables becoming more popular than ever, many medical professionals - not just doctors - are looking to supplement their existing practice or make a move into the world of aesthetics. Physicians, dentists, nurses, and PAs can all inject Botox and fillers in the state of Virginia - but the training, experience, and expertise between injectors varies greatly.

Board-certified plastic surgeons - especially those with extensive injecting experience like Dr. Asfa - remain the safest and smartest choice for facial injections. The years of education, training, and experience that plastic surgeons receive makes them uniquely qualified to inject Botox and fillers.

Today, plastic surgeons and dermatologists continue to be the most trusted providers of facial injections - but other physicians, as well as medical professionals without medical degrees, are also offering injections to their patients/clients.

Who is allowed to inject? It varies state to state - but in Virginia, you can get injections from:

Dentists
Other Physicians - Including Family Practice, OBGYN, and Others
RNs
Nurse Practitioners
Physician Assistants

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Although all of these professionals should undergo some training to perform injections, they still might not have the experience or knowledge to consistently achieve satisfactory results. Attending a weekend injector workshop or watching “how to videos” is not quite the same level of aesthetic training that a board certified plastic surgeon undergoes over a period of years.

Performing facial injections is a delicate balance of science (an understanding of facial anatomy and physiology) and art (an eye for a natural, balanced aesthetic). An experienced professional might make it look simple - but performing injections well requires injectors to:

Determine whether or not you are a candidate for injections based on your medical history
Select the most appropriate product for your needs
Select the right dilution of that product for your needs
Determine the right amount of product to inject
Determine the ideal (and safest) placement of the injections to create a balanced, natural look
Be able to recognize and deal with any complications that might arise

Many patients don’t realize is that facial injections are not one size fits all - they should be tailored to your goals, your specific facial anatomy and physiology, your medical history, your unique aging process, and other factors that can drastically affect your results. If an injector seems to follow one basic recipe for all their patients, they won’t be able to give you the best results. It’s the difference between buying a dress off the rack and getting one custom cut to fit your body - one might suit you just fine, but the other will enhance your natural beauty and make you look and feel like a million bucks.

Another factor to consider when choosing your injector is that injectors are responsible for diluting (reconstituting) some of these products to the appropriate consistency for the type of treatment they’re doing. Although all injectors should follow guidelines laid forth by the companies that produce them, many injectors dilute the products dishonestly to increase their profits. If you find injectables at prices that seem too good to be true - it’s because they are.

WHY PLASTIC SURGEONS ARE most QUALIFIED TO INJECT

Plastic surgeons receive extensive medical, surgical and aesthetic training. While all physicians are required to have a deep understanding of the human body and how it works - not all physicians are taught to examine and understand the face and body from an aesthetic perspective.

Plastic surgeons undergo years of rigorous training to understand how surgical and non-surgical treatments will impact the appearance and function of treated areas. Although physicians in other specialties might bring a unique perspective - such as dermatologists, with their knowledge of skin, and dentists, with their deep understanding of oral and maxillofacial anatomy - none receive the same blend of aesthetic and medical training as plastic surgeons that makes them uniquely qualified to perform cosmetic injections.

PLASTIC SURGEONS UNDERGO CONTINUED EDUCATION

In addition to the training they receive in medical school, their residencies, plastic surgery fellowships and beyond, plastic surgeons are required to renew their board certifications every 10 years. They are also required to attend a certain number of hours of additional educational courses, symposia, etc. every year to maintain their status. FUN FACT: Dr. Asfa is a member of the elite committee of plastic surgeons of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons that writes the board certification exam!

Plastic surgery was also the first specialty that required their members to obtain continuous medical education hours dedicated solely to patient safety. In addition to this education, good plastic surgeons understand that the field of aesthetic medicine is always evolving - so they participate in additional conferences, seminars, and workshops to stay up to date about the most current practices, products, and techniques.

Dr. Asfa regularly attends conferences by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and other organizations focused on promoting the effectiveness and safety of aesthetic practices. He stays up to date on the latest aesthetic research to ensure that he’s providing his patients with the most advanced, safest, and most effective treatments available.

PLASTIC SURGEONS VIEW YOU THROUGH A UNIQUE LENS

Every day, plastic surgeons assess patients for cosmetic and reconstructive treatments, evaluate their treatment options, and develop plans to help them achieve their desired aesthetic and functional outcomes. As such, experienced plastic surgeons are sought after for not only their technical abilities as surgeons - but for the “eye” they develop that helps them achieve consistently beautiful, natural results. While dentists, family practice physicians, and other medical professionals undergo rigorous training to understand facial anatomy and physiology - they spend far less time developing this “eye.” Most of their time is spent evaluating patients’ medical conditions and developing treatment plans to alleviate pain, improve function, increase mobility, and increase overall health and wellbeing - not to mention focusing on their own practice specialty. More experienced injectors will have a better-defined aesthetic sense, but patients should be wary of less experienced injectors who have yet to refine their methods. You have every right to ask your injector where they trained and for how long.

Dr. Asfa has been practicing in Harrisonburg for more than 15 years, and has been performing injections even longer than that, since his practice was initially located in Baltimore. Dr. Asfa understands the nuances of each of the products he uses, and how to use them to help his patients achieve long-lasting, natural-looking results.

PLASTIC SURGEONS INJECT FOR LONG-TERM RESULTS

Many people believe that facial injections are a quick fix, and they can be - but not every issue can be addressed in a single session, nor can a single injection provide long-lasting results. An injectables regimen requires regular maintenance to achieve the best, longest-lasting results. Often, patients will use price as the determining factor when choosing their injector - but what you should really focus on is value. Choosing a more experienced injector, and developing a lasting relationship with them (rather than hopping around to get the best prices), is the best way to ensure that you’ll get the most out of this cosmetic investment.

When assessing you as a candidate for facial injections, Dr. Asfa considers more than just your current appearance and how to improve it in the immediate future. He considers your medical history, and how past facial traumas, surgeries, or injections might impact your results. He evaluates your desired outcomes, and whether or not they can be achieved through facial injections. He assesses how your face and hands have aged to date, and how they might continue to age over time - and develops a treatment plan that will provide the most natural-looking, subtle, and beautiful results.

PLASTIC SURGEONS CAN OFFER ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

As wonderful as facial injections can be, they’re not always the best solution to address your concerns. If you’re looking to injectables to fight signs of aging, there are other options you might also consider. For example, if you simply want to soften lines, add volume, and get a subtly more youthful look, injectables are a safe, quick option with no downtime. However, if you’re looking for a more definitive, longer-lasting, or more dramatic result - you might consider a surgical procedure such as a brow/forehead lift or face lift.

Some patients get injections not just for anti-aging purposes, but also to add volume to their lips or cheeks. Fillers can be a great option for this - but some patients would benefit more from a simple surgical lip lift or fat transfer, which wouldn’t require the maintenance (and cost over time) of fillers.

An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon can guide you through all of your options, including minimally invasive treatments and surgical procedures - and advise you towards the option that will be the best investment of your time and money. An injector with less training and no surgical offerings may not be as discerning. They may even try to “add more syringes” (and expense to you) in an attempt to achieve a result that simply cannot be achieved with injectables alone. Not only can this leave you with a hole in your pocket, your results will be unsatisfactory at best - and painfully unflattering and noticeably detectable at worst. Most patients want their injectable treatments to leave them looking healthy, revitalized, and well-rested - but still natural, and age-appropriate. When limited as to the treatments they can provide you, less experienced injectors might use injections in ways that they simply should not be used - leaving you with less than satisfactory results.

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER

Facial injections can be a subtle, safe, and minimally invasive way to enhance your natural beauty - as long as your injector has the experience and expertise to do them properly. We know you have many options when it comes to injectors in the Shenandoah Valley and beyond. We encourage you to do your research, read reviews, view before and after photos, and ask for the opinions of trusted friends. During your consultation, don’t be afraid to ask about your injector’s experience, training, and knowledge about the specific type of treatment you’re looking to receive. If you aren’t satisfied with their answers, schedule a consultation with someone else. If price is a determining factor for you, remember that facial injections are an investment in yourself. Focus on finding an injector that you trust to make the most of your investment - then learn as much as you can about your payment options. At Asfa Plastic Surgery and Ziba Medical & Day Spa, we offer CareCredit to help patients finance their treatments.

Feel free to contact us if you have questions about Botox or fillers, and we will be happy to answer your questions!

Ziba Medical & Day Spa

fred.parvini@solution21.com (Design Team ) — Tue, 10 May 2022 18:39:00 GMT

All Under One Roof: A Unique Experience in the Valley

Ziba (zee-BAH), the Persian word for beautiful, perfectly encapsulates this medical and day spa nestled in Harrisonburg. Offering a wide array of aesthetic treatments and services, housed in a beautifully renovated building alongside Asfa's Plastic Surgery, this facility offers a unique experience in the Shenandoah Valley. Special thanks to Amy Asfa, vice president, business development and marketing, for showing us around and answering our questions.

What makes Ziba Medical & Day Spa unique in the Shenandoah Valley?

Amy: We are the only medical and day spa in the Valley that is overseen by a Board Certified plastic & reconstructive surgeon (Dr. Saied Asfa). With the convenience of Dr. Asfa's plastic surgery practice being located in the same building as the spa, Dr. Asfa and his aesthetics team can collaboratively tailor treatment plans for our patients and spa clients, providing long-lasting results and the best possible care -- all in one place. Ziba Medical & Day Spa was designed to deliver a comprehensive, high-end medical spa experience from the moment someone enters the spa to the moment they leave. Our guests enjoy calming treatment rooms that also meet medical standards, an expanded aesthetics service menu, an elegant retail boutique. We are also the Valley's only spa with a dedicated “relaxation lounge” where guests can enjoy a serene, Zen-like atmosphere pre- or post-treatment. The lounge also serves as a venue for small events such as bridal showers or milestone celebrations, with event packages that can include aesthetic and medical spa services.

What type of treatments do you provide?

Amy: Under Dr. Asfa's direction, our spa clients have access to the safest, most advanced, clinically proven anti-aging and cosmetic treatments and technologies available , as well as in-office non-invasive body contouring procedures and a wide array of medical grade skincare and beauty products. In addition, Dr. Asfa is our exclusive injector for Botox and fillers. We offer an extensive menu of custom facials, specialty facials (HydraFacial, DiamondGlow, Rezenerate NanoFacial), LED light therapy, advanced chemical peels, body treatments, facial contouring (such as FaceTite), body contouring (such as CoolSculpting and BodyTite), cellulite reduction treatments (such as Cellfina and radiofrequency modalities), skin resurfacing treatments such as Exceed microneedling and Morpheus8, laser vein and lesion treatments, laser hair removal and waxing, lash and brow services and professional make-up and beauty services. We also recently added a dedicated treatment room for Halotherapy (dry salt therapy) and a FAR Infrared sauna.

Can you share more about Ziba Skincare?

Amy: After decades of treating patients with a variety of leading medical grade skin care and anti-aging products, Dr. Asfa decided to take his scientific knowledge to the next level by launching his own private label skincare line. Ziba Skincare by Asfa Medical is a medical grade skincare line that features a wide variety of clinically and scientifically-backed anti-aging products and serums, including chemical peels, retinols, advanced acne treatments, pigment correctors, mineral sunscreens, scar treatments, lip plumping and lash serums, body products, a hair restoration system and more. Many of the products can be customized on site based on a client's individual needs. All Ziba products are manufactured in the USA in FDA-regulated, cruelty free pharmaceutical labs in New York and California, and have a very affordable price point. In addition, we also offer selected products and treatments from Obagi, Revision, Skinbetter Science, Dermalactives and Jane Iredale. If you are unsure of what products or treatments you need, our aestheticians can perform a Visia Skin Analysis of the face, which provides an in-depth visual assessment of what’s happening on the surface as well as the subsurface of your skin. The aesthetician will review the results with you, discuss your skin concerns and goals, and then develop a personalized treatment plan for you, including recommendations for the appropriate products and treatments specific to your skin type and condition.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Amy: We named our spa Ziba (pronounced zee-BAH), which is the Persian word for beautiful, and a nod to Dr. Asfa's Persian heritage. Certain treatments, procedures and distribution of medical grade skincare products are required to be overseen by a medical director, which is what truly sets our spa apart from others in the Shenandoah Valley. The aesthetics industry is booming, and it is becoming increasingly common to see other professions offering "spa" services. We strongly encourage people to do their homework and make sure that their providers are fully trained and licensed to perform medical grade aesthetic services -- and most importantly -- that they have a medical director on site. With Asfa Plastic Surgery and Ziba Medical & Day Spa being under the same roof, Dr. Asfa and our aestheticians are able to work as a team, ensuring the safest, most effective and long-lasting results for our clients.

May 11th - Patient & Spa Client Open House

This adult-only event is a blast! Mingle with our staff and reps and have your aesthetic questions answered by Dr. Asfa and our aestheticians. Test products, watch live procedure demos and enjoy delicious food and beverages. Major prize drawings every 15 minutes, including full-Botox treatments. Wednesday May 11th from 5-8pm.