Cosmetic Injectables
DR. ALEXIS MCNEIL, NMD
TREATING WOMEN INSIDE AND OUT
Inspired by her mother's battle with breast cancer, Dr. Alexis McNeil changed career paths from artist/designer to physician. It was Naturopathic Medicine that extended her mother's life and enlightened Dr. McNeil to her passion for healing.
Upon earning her medical degree from Sonoran University of Health Sciences in 2009, Dr. McNeil completed a two year residency in Acute Family Medicine and Women's Health at Centro de Salud Familiar in downtown Phoenix, AZ. Together with her husband Dr. Jason McNeil they formed North Valley Medical Center, a full-service primary care clinic dedicated to compassionate patient centered care. As a physician she remains true to her artistic talents by focusing on cosmetic injections and aesthetics. Most of her career was spent providing integrative primary care to women and she remains an expert in women’s health and hormones. She continues to co-manage medical patients behind the scenes with the talented physician team at NVMC.
Although she loves and misses the one-on-one patient care, her passion for healthy baking ignited change in her career path in 2022. As a life-long sweets junkie and health-obsessed baker, she recognized a need to simplify healthy baking and launched her company “Detox Desserts”. Through Detox Desserts, she continues to teach nutrition and inspire healthy transformation by sharing her simple method of baking and line of clean baking ingredients that are designed to transform sweets into superfoods and improve health. She created Detox Desserts for the modern, health-conscious baker that wants to have their cake and eat it too!
Out of the office you will find Dr. Alexis with her family and friends, backpacking through Europe, swimming, and joyfully playing in her kitchen.
DYSPORT®
The latest cosmetic injectable to treat facial wrinkles. Like Botox it uses botulinum toxin to relax the muscles of the upper face drastically reducing lines on the forehead, between the eyebrows and around the eyes. Studies show it lasts longer and acts quicker than its older competitor.
Dysport® is the latest cosmetic injectable approved by the FDA to treat facial wrinkles. As we age, dynamic wrinkles form in the upper regions of our face. Dynamic wrinkles include those lines across the forehead (horizontal rhytids), around the eyes (crow’s feet), and between the eyebrows (glabella).
Dysport® works by treating specific, wrinkle-causing facial muscles in order to eliminate the dynamic wrinkles.
Dysport® can provide a very natural appearing and dramatic improvement in your appearance. Dysport® treatments are performed in the comfort of our office. There is no down time with this procedure, and you can return to your regular daily activities immediately.
Like Botox Cosmetic®, Dysport® is an injectable form of botulinum toxin. Exactly how the two wrinkle-relaxers differ is not fully understood. Initial reports suggest that Dysport® may act quicker. Botox Cosmetic® takes three to five days to work, while Dysport® seems to work within one to two days. In some cases, wrinkles begin to fade as soon as 24 hours after receiving Dysport® treatment. This rapid response could be the deciding factor for a woman or man looking to improve their appearance before a big social event or meeting.
What’s more, the Botox Cosmetic® alternative may last longer than its predecessor. Some studies have shown that Dysport® injections may keep wrinkles at bay for six months or more, as opposed to the approximate 3-4 month time frame associated with Botox Cosmetic®.
RESTYLANE® DERMAL FILLER: Lyft, Silk, Refyne, Defyne, kysse, AND CONTOUR
Our Restylane® dermal fillers are injectable gels that add volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. The gel is made from stabilized hyaluronic acid, specifically formulated to act like your body’s own hyaluronic acid. The products work instantly with little to no down time to help you achieve the youthful appearance you want. The Restylane® family of products is versatile enough to treat several types of wrinkles including laugh lines (nasolabial folds), marionette lines, lipstick lines and lines between eyebrows (glabella area). Restylane® also adds beautiful fullness to lips, tear troughs and cheeks.
What to expect during your treatment:
Before treatment avoid using aspirin, NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen), St. John’s wort or high doses of vitamin E supplements. These agents may increase bruising and bleeding at the injection site. You should tell Dr. McNeil if you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, she will prescribe medication to minimize recurrence.
After a consultation, Dr. McNeil will help you choose the right product for the desired effects. The treatment area is then thoroughly cleansed and a topical anesthetic is applied. The clear Restylane® gel is then injected into the treatment area using an ultra-fine needle to create the desired aesthetic effect. The Restylane-L® is combined with 0.3% lidocaine (a common anesthetic) to help reduce discomfort. The entire process generally takes less than 1 hour with minimal discomfort.
Post Treatment Instructions:
- Apply ice compresses to the treated areas as much as possible for the first 24-36 hours
- Do not move area(s) treated for 1-2 hrs post treatment and avoid touching treated area for 6 hours.
- You may have some swelling, redness, bruising, and tenderness for several days. This will normally resolve within 1 week.
- Please restrict your activities the first 24 hours. Do not engage in vigorous exercise for the first 24 hours. Avoid exposure to intense heat (sunbathing, sauna, etc.)
- You may be more comfortable eating a soft diet the first day if you had your lips enhanced.
- You can apply make-up a few hours after your procedure.
- Avoid Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Vitamin E (>400 units per day), Vitamin C (>3 grams per day) and Fish Oil for 1 week following treatment
Studies show that a follow-up treatment at either 4.5 or 9 months can help refresh the immediate improvements of your initial treatment for up to 18 months! At least 95% of patients saw results for up to 18 months when they followed this Restylane® regimen.