Grant L. Carter, MD and Gayle M. Carter, MD are board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and are proud to announce the opening of Southern Utah Laser Aesthetics. Both physicians are laser certified and have extensive backgrounds in gynecologic laser treatment of endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and infertility. Southern Utah Laser Aesthetics allows our physicians to build on their backgrounds to provide professional laser aesthetic skin treatments for both women and men.

Grant L. Carter, MD attended medical school at the University of Utah, where he was recognized by the AOA Medical Honor Society and Chief Resident. He is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and has been practicing in Southern Utah since 1982 when he founded Southern Utah Womens Health Center. He is currently director of Women’s and Children’s Services at Dixie Regional Medical Center. Dr. Carter is well known for his practice of comprehensive women’s health care, including laser surgery, which he pioneered in the Southern Utah area. He was laser certified using Laserscope laser in 1989 and since then has had experience treating multiple conditions. Dr. Carter is licensed in Utah and Nevada and has privileges at both Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah and Kane County Hospital in Kanab, Utah.

Gayle M. Carter, MD joined Grant Carter, MD at Southern Utah Womens Health Center in 1984. He attended medical school at the University of Utah, where he was Chief Resident. Dr. Carter was the first recipient of the Michael Worley Award, presented to the outstanding resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 1980. He has been board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 1986. He was laser certified using the Laserscope laser in 1989, and has had extensive experience with laser surgery and treatment of various medical conditions, encompassing all facets of women’s health care. Dr. Gayle Carter is currently serving as Chairman of the Department of OB/GYN, as well as serving on the Medical Executive Committee, at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George, Utah. He is licensed in both Utah and Nevada.

Hylaform® gel is a new FDA-approved dermal (skin) filler made from a highly purified form of hyaluronic acid that mimics the effects of natural hyaluronic acid. When injected just below the surface of the skin, Hylaform® adds volume to the skin, smoothing unwanted lines and wrinkles.

What is hyaluronic acid?

Healthy skin contains important components that keep it supple and young looking. One of these is hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar found in all living cells that helps maintain skin volume by attracting and binding over 1000 times its weight in water. However, with time, sunlight and other factors, the hyaluronic acid in your skin diminishes, your skin loses volume, and lines and wrinkles appear. Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar. It is found in the human body in the skin, cartilage, joints and the eyes. In skin tissue, hyaluronic acid fills the space between collagen and elastin fibers. The role of hyaluronic acid in skin is to deliver nutrients to hydrate the skin by holding in water and to act as a cushioning agent.

What are the benefits of Hylaform® Gel?

• Immediate treatment - No pre-testing required
• Immediate results
• Long-lasting
• Proven safety - used in international markets for nearly a decade
• Mild adverse post-treatment responses (such as redness, bruising and swelling)

What areas can Hylaform® be used for?

• Smile lines
• Marionette lines
• Lip lines
• Frown lines
• Enhance and define lip borders
• Increase lip fullness

How does Hylaform® Gel work?

Hylaform® is injected just beneath the skin's surface temporarily adding volume to the layers of the skin that have deteriorated due to age and other factors. Hylaform®, when injected, is used to raise depressions in the skin, providing temporary correction of wrinkles and folds. Hylaform® provides immediate, natural-looking results. Treatment and recovery usually take as little as one hour.

How long does it last?

Over time, Hylaform® gradually breaks down and is naturally reabsorbed by your body; therefore, your physician may recommend touch-up treatments two or three times a year to maintain optimal correction.

Do the injections hurt?

In general, injections may cause some mild discomfort. Hylaform® is injected directly into the skin using a fine needle to reduce injection discomfort. Our physicians may choose to anesthetize the treatment area to further minimize discomfort. He may also choose to use a dental block, which ensures a more comfortable procedure.

Is the product safe?

Yes, for most people. The primary ingredient in Hylaform® is hyaluronic acid, which is a component of skin. In humans and other mammals, the compound is primarily found in connective tissue, in the eyes, the umbilical cord and in joint fluid, where it acts like a cushion. Hylaform® is extracted from rooster combs and then highly purified through a rigorous filtering process

Hylaform® has undergone extensive testing including scientific clinical trials to establish its safety and effectiveness. Hylaform® is FDA-approved for treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (such as smile lines).

What should I do prior to treatment?

Avoid taking aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John's Wort and high doses of Vitamin E supplements one week prior to procedure. This will help minimize any bruising or bleeding at the injection site.

Can anyone be treated with Hylaform® Gel?

Your physician will ask about your medical history to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for treatment.

How will my skin look and feel immediately after treatment?

Most people feel comfortable in resuming their normal activities following treatment. Temporary puffiness of the treated areas, however, should be expected.

As with any injection, you may also notice temporary redness, slight bruising, and tenderness around the treatment sites. Like the puffiness, these are normal occurrences and all should clear up within a few days. Although the injected material is generally not visible through the skin, some people have reported that they were initially able to feel the outline of the injected material.

When should I notify my physician?

Be sure to report any redness and/or visible swelling that last for more than a few days or any other symptoms that cause you concern to your physician.

What concerns should I have after treatment?

Your physician will review with you what to expect following with Hylaform® Gel. If there is swelling or redness after the injection you should minimize your exposure to sun and UV lamps.

Within the first 24 hours, patients should avoid strenuous exercise, extensive sun or heat exposure and alcoholic beverages as exposure to these may cause temporary redness and swelling at injection sites. Make-up may be applied a few hours after treatment if no complications are present such as open wounds, bleeding and infection.

When may I apply make-up?

Make-up may be applied a few hours after treatment if no complications are present such as open wounds, bleeding and infection.

Does the correction last forever?

No, correction is temporary, therefore, touch-up injections as well as repeat injections are usually needed to maintain optimal correction. The need for touch ups will be influenced by ongoing mechanical forces (such as smiling or other muscle activity) and biological changes (such as aging) that caused the original skin depressions.

How often will I require treatment?

Everyone's skin is different. That is why the timing of any additional treatment varies from person to person. Over time Hylaform® Gel will be absorbed by your body; this is why you may want ongoing treatments. If you choose not to continue with your treatment, any remaining gel is simply absorbed by your body over time and your skin gradually returns to its natural shape.

Without touch-up injections, how will my skin look?

Correction will reduce gradually until your skin looks like it did before treatment with Hylaform® Gel. Touch-up injections will help you maintain correction of the skin surface.

What else should I know about Hylaform® Gel?

• Hylaform® Gel is indicated for injection into the skin for correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (such as the nasolabial folds, the lines that fun from the nose to the corner of the mouth).
• The safety and effectiveness of Hylaform® Gel use longer than one year has not been evaluated in clinical trials.
• As with all injections into the skin, the injection of Hylaform® Gel has a risk of infection.
• The safety of Hylaform® Gel for use during pregnancy, in breastfeeding females or on patients under 18 years has not been studied.
• Hylaform® Gel should not be used in patients with a known potential for keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring (heavy scarring) or pigmentation disorders.
• Hylaform® Gel should be used with caution in patients on immunosuppressive therapy.
• Patients who are using substances that can prolong bleeding, such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and warfarin may, as with any injection, have increased bruising or bleeding at injection sites.
• After receiving injections of Hylaform® minimize exposure of the treated areas to excessive sun, UV lamp exposure, and extreme cold weather, until any swelling and redness have disappeared.
• If laser treatment, chemical peeling or similar procedure is considered before or after treatment with Hylaform® Gel, there is a possible risk of an inflammatory reaction (such as redness, swelling) at the Hylaform® injection site.

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