Connie Brennan RN, CPSN

Connie has been dedicated to the field of plastic surgery since 1988. She specializes in non-surgical treatments to restore and enhance natural beauty. She provides Botox and dermal filler consultations, testing and treatments for clients from all over the United States.

Synthetic Fillers, Collagen, BOTOX® Cosmetic, and More for Edina, Minnetonka, and the Greater Minneapolis Area

For many people, lines and wrinkles on facial skin are prominent enough to be bothersome, but not severe enough to warrant surgery such as a face lift. Fortunately, a range of cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers are available to address such problems quickly, effectively, and with minimal discomfort. We offer many options, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, collagen injections, and other synthetic filler injections at our Edina office, serving the Minnetonka, Minneapolis, and St. Paul areas, to help our patients achieve smoother, more youthful appearances without surgery.

Our registered nurse, Connie Brennan, administers the injectable treatments at our office. She has been specializing in cosmetic injections for the past 10 years and is recognized locally and nationally for her accomplishments in the field.

If you have questions about BOTOX® Cosmetic, or if you would like to know if you are a candidate for treatment, please contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Connie Brennan, RN, our specialized nurse injectionist. 

• BOTOX® Cosmetic
• Collagen Injections
• Restylane®
• Radiesse®
• JUVÉDERM™ Injectable Gel
• Perlane®

BOTOX® Cosmetic

Among the most popular rejuvenation products available today, BOTOX® Cosmetic is in a class by itself. Unlike dermal fillers, which reduce wrinkles by adding volume beneath the skin and making skin appear tighter, BOTOX® treatments work by relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles to form in the first place.  Learn more about BOTOX® Cosmetic by contacting our Edina office near the Minneapolis and Minnetonka areas.

The BOTOX® Procedure

BOTOX® Cosmetic is most commonly applied to the forehead and around the eyes, where facial expressions etch deep vertical and horizontal creases over time. The serum is administered through a tiny needle into the specific muscle or muscles to be treated. Once injected, BOTOX® Cosmetic begins to block the signals that trigger muscle contraction, causing the muscles to remain relaxed and the overlying skin to become softened and smooth.

BOTOX® Treatment Results

One of the major benefits of a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment at our Edina office is the minimal amount of time it requires. Administration of the serum only takes a few minutes and it begins to work immediately, with results becoming progressively more noticeable over a number of days. Another benefit, for many, is the subtlety of the improvement. While surgery generally results in a significant change in appearance, a BOTOX® treatment provides just enough enhancement to be noticeable, but not so much that people will suspect a cosmetic procedure has been performed.

Results from BOTOX® treatment are temporary, but will usually last for at least three to four months. Repeat treatments at appropriate intervals can keep skin smooth over the long term.

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Collagen Injections

In the world of cosmetic injectables, collagen is among the oldest and most time-tested of dermal fillers. Because it very closely resembles the naturally occurring collagen in the human body, injectable collagen provides very natural results with a minimum of risk.

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The Collagen Injection Procedure

The procedure for administering collagen injections is very similar to that of other dermal filler treatments. A very fine needle is used to inject tiny amounts of the substance just beneath the skin at several points along the crease or indentation that is being treated. Because injectable collagen contains a certain amount of salt water, which is absorbed by the body shortly after administration, slight overfilling of the area is usually necessary to achieve desired results.

Because injectable collagen is derived from highly purified animal collagen, there is a small risk of allergic reaction in some patients. A simple test, performed a few days before the collagen treatment is administered at our Minnetonka-area practice, can determine whether or not an allergy risk is present.

Collagen Treatment Results

Results of collagen injections can usually be seen immediately, although some minor swelling or redness may initially occur. Longevity of collagen's effects will vary by person, degree of treatment, and the area where it was injected, but maintenance treatments are generally indicated every three to six months.

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Restylane®

One of the most popular options for dermal fillers is Restylane®. Made from a synthetic version of hyaluronic acid, a substance produced naturally in the human body, Restylane® poses minimal risk of allergic reaction and adverse effects of any kind are extremely rare.

Restylane® can safely be used on all facial lines, as well as some other areas of the body to provide fullness and reduce wrinkling. The treatment generally takes less than half of an hour and results are immediate. No downtime is required after administration.

Another benefit that greatly contributes to the popularity of Restylane® is the relatively long-lasting effect it achieves. When used to smooth facial lines and wrinkles, Restylane® has been shown to provide noticeable results that last between six and twelve months.

Radiesse®

Boasting even longer-lasting results than Restylane® or collagen, Radiesse® is a slightly newer product that is comprised of minute calcium spheres suspended in a fully biocompatible gel. In addition to smoothing wrinkles by adding volume beneath the skin, as all dermal fillers do, Radiesse® actually stimulates the production of skin's natural collagen. Therefore, as the product gradually breaks down and is harmlessly absorbed by the body, the increased natural collagen helps to maintain the skin's smooth, firm appearance for more than a year after the treatment is administered.

Because Radiesse® is not derived from animal sources and is completely biocompatible, it is not necessary to perform an allergy test prior to use. Administration is quick and easy and recovery time is minimal. Results can be seen immediately.

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JUVÉDERM™ Injectable Gel

Produced by the makers of BOTOX® Cosmetic, JUVÉDERM™ Injectable Gel is a super-smooth hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler. It can be used to fill out facial wrinkles, lines, and the nasolabial folds that commonly run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth.

Administration of JUVÉDERM™ Injectable Gel takes only a few minutes and requires no downtime for the patient following treatment. Results can be seen immediately and will generally last for six months or longer. As with most dermal fillers, potential side effects such as redness, tenderness, or bruising at the injection site are mild and disappear quickly.

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Perlane®

Perlane®, from the makers of Restylane®, is a part of the next-generation dermal fillers. Utilizing a more advanced hyaluronic acid formula, Perlane® provides all of the benefits of its predecessor, including safe, effective wrinkle reduction without the need for an allergy test. Because the concentration of hyaluronic acid in Perlane® is higher than that in Restylane®, it is more suitable for addressing deeper lines and the nasolabial folds that frequently form between the nose and the corners of the mouth.

Treatment with Perlane® is a quick and simple process that produces immediately visible results that last an average of four to six months or longer.

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more about wrinkle reduction options or would like to find out if you are a candidate for BOTOX® Cosmetic, collagen injections, or a dermal filler, contact our Edina office, serving Minnetonka and surrounding communities.

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