February 2021

Volume 5 Number 2

IN THIS ISSUE:

• Lip Injections
• Herpes Simplex Virus
• Ask Dr G : How do I know the COVID-19 vaccine worked?
• National Love Your Pet Day: Send us your pics!
• SAVINGS: Lip Filler, Hydrating Lip Plumper, Microneedling, CoolSculpting, CoolTone

FEATURED PROCEDURE

Lip Injections

There is an array of dermal fillers on the market that can be injected into lips and around the mouth to achieve a plumper pout and flawless cupid’s bow. The most commonly used today are products that contain hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a clear, thick, sugar derivative naturally produced by the body to keep eyes, joints, and skin hydrated. Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, making it ideal for use as a cosmetic filler. HA fillers improve the appearance of your lips by adding:

• Shape
• Structure
• Volume

The effects typically last around six months to one year depending on the product used. Schedule your cosmetic consult today with one of our board-certified dermatologists to determine which one will help you to best achieve the results you desire.

Introducing Restylane Kysse

HOT TOPIC

Herpes Simplex Virus

What is it:

Herpes simplex is a viral infection that causes localized blistering to the skin. There are two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV) Type 1 which is associated with oral and facial infections and Type 2 which is associated with genital and rectal infections. However, the location of the infection is not always indicative of the type as either type of virus can affect any area of the skin or mucous membrane. Herpes labialis is the most common manifestation of recurrent HSV 1 infection commonly referred to as “cold sores".

Symptoms:

Once you have HSV the virus remains in your nerve cells inactive. When the virus is reactivated it follows the nerves onto the skin and multiplies causing the blister. Prior to the blister developing most people feel prodromal symptoms such as pain, tingling, burning at the affected site. HSV is infectious for 7-12 days and can be spread by direct or indirect contact. One can spread the infection without an active outbreak as asymptomatic shedding of the virus occurs in the saliva or genital secretions. Asymptomatic shedding is less likely as the amount of virus being shed is one hundred to one thousand times less then when it’s active.

Treatment:

To treat herpes simplex virus, one can take an oral anti-viral medication. To be most effective the anti-viral should be started at the first onset of prodromal symptoms prior to the blister developing. 

ASK DR G

How do I know if the COVID-19 Vaccine worked?

For the past few months we have been inundated with information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and many of us have been fortunate enough to get it.



Now that many of you have received the vaccine, or at least the first dose, the most frequent question I have been asked is "how do I know if it worked"?

Per the CDC website none of the COVID-19 vaccines can cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to determine whether or not you have an active COVID-19 infection. The goal of this vaccination is for your body to develop an immune response to COVID-19. It seems reasonable that you may test positive on some antibody tests, antibody tests are used to indicate if you had a previous infection and have some level of protection against the virus. According to the CDC the jury is still out on how COVID-19 vaccination may affect antibody testing results. I reached out to Pfizer via email to see if they had more information and they replied that "antibody testing is not currently recommended to assess for immunity to COVID-19 following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination."

In summary, at this time there is no reasonable way to assess if one is immune after receiving the vaccine, however Pfizer's clinical trial showed that 95% of participants were immune after receiving 2 vaccinations.



As I am about to send out this month's column Johnson & Johnson announced that their Vaccine Candidate is 72% effective in the US. They will be applying for emergency FDA approval this week. As more information becomes available I will share it with you.

Stay Safe!!!!

Until the next time,

Dr G

Send us pictures of your fur babies and we will share them on our social media!

954-500-SKIN (7546)