Dr Elizabeth's Services

Neuromodulators are injectable treatments that temporarily relax muscles by blocking nerve signals. They are commonly used in both medical and cosmetic applications, with the most well-known brands including Botox®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, and Jeuveau®.

How Do Neuromodulators Work?

Neuromodulators contain botulinum toxin type A, which prevents targeted muscles from contracting. This smooths out fine lines and wrinkles, making them popular for anti-aging treatments. The effects typically last 3-4 months, depending on the individual and the treatment area.

Common Cosmetic Uses

Neuromodulators are widely used to reduce the appearance of:

• Forehead lines
• Frown lines (between the eyebrows, aka "11s")
• Crow’s feet (around the eyes)
• Bunny lines (on the nose)
• Lip lines (for a subtle lip flip)
• Jawline slimming (by relaxing the masseter muscle)
• Neck bands (Platysmal bands)

Medical Uses

Beyond aesthetics, neuromodulators are also used for medical conditions such as:

• Chronic migraines
• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
• TMJ disorder and teeth grinding
• Muscle spasms and dystonia

Juvederm®

• Use: Versatile filler for adding volume and smoothing lines
• Best for:
  
  • Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
  • Marionette lines (lines from the corners of the mouth down to the chin)
  • Cheeks (restoring midface volume)
  • Chin and jawline contouring
  • Mild lip enhancement
• Longevity: About 12-18 months

2. Juvederm Ultra®

• Use: A softer version of Juvederm for more flexible volume
• Best for:
  
  • Plumper lip augmentation
  • Filling fine to moderate lines around the mouth
  • Subtle cheek enhancement
• Longevity: About 9-12 months

3. Restylane Kysse®

• Use: Specifically designed for lips, offering natural movement
• Best for:
  
  • Enhancing lip shape, volume, and hydration
  • Smoothing vertical lip lines (smoker’s lines)
• Longevity: About 12-15 months

4. Revanesse Versa®

• Use: General facial filler with less swelling compared to Juvederm
• Best for:
  
  • Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
  • Cheek enhancement
  • Mild lip volume
  • Fine lines around the mouth
• Longevity: About 12 months

5. Juvederm Volbella®

• Use: Designed for delicate areas with a more subtle, smooth finish
• Best for:
  
  • Soft, natural-looking lip enhancement
  • Defining the lip border
  • Smoothing fine lines around the lips
  • Under-eye hollows (tear troughs)
• Longevity: About 12 months

Medical Uses of Dermal Fillers

While these fillers are primarily cosmetic, they also have medical applications, including:

• Correcting facial asymmetry (post-surgical or congenital differences)
• Restoring volume loss due to aging or medical conditions (like HIV-related lipoatrophy)
• Improving depressed scars (acne or injury-related)
• Hydrating and plumping extremely dry lips (for medical reasons)

Facial Fillers & What Each is Best For

Each of these injectables serves a unique purpose, whether it's adding volume, smoothing lines, lifting, or contouring the face. Below is a breakdown of Juvederm®, Juvederm Ultra®, Juvederm Voluma®, Restylane Lyft®, Restylane Contour®, Restylane Defyne®, Sculptra®, and Kybela®, including their best uses and key differences.

1. Juvederm®

Type: Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Filler
Best for:

• Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
• Marionette lines (lines from the corners of the mouth)
• Cheek volume (subtle contouring)
• Mild lip enhancement
• Jawline softening

Longevity: About 12-18 months
Key Difference: A versatile, soft filler that blends smoothly with natural tissue.

2. Juvederm Ultra®

Type: Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Filler
Best for:

• Plumper lips (fuller enhancement compared to Juvederm)
• Fine-to-moderate lines around the mouth
• Mild volume loss in the cheeks
• Smoothing out early wrinkles

Longevity: About 9-12 months
Key Difference: Juvederm Ultra is softer and more flexible than standard Juvederm, making it ideal for a more dramatic lip volume.

3. Juvederm Voluma®

Type: Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Filler
Best for:

• Midface volume loss (cheeks)
• Deep cheekbone enhancement
• Jawline contouring
• Chin augmentation (for a more structured look)

Longevity: About 18-24 months
Key Difference: Voluma is the thickest and longest-lasting of the Juvederm line, designed to lift and contour the face, rather than just fill lines.

4. Restylane Lyft®

Type: Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Filler
Best for:

• Midface volume loss (cheeks)
• Deep nasolabial folds
• Jawline definition
• Hand rejuvenation (adds volume to the backs of the hands)

Longevity: About 12-18 months
Key Difference: Provides more structural support than Juvederm, making it better for lifting and contouring the face rather than just filling lines.

5. Restylane Contour®

Type: Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Filler
Best for:

• Cheek enhancement with natural flexibility
• Soft, subtle facial contouring
• Restoring volume while maintaining movement

Longevity: About 12-18 months
Key Difference: Unlike Voluma or Lyft, Restylane Contour is designed to move naturally with facial expressions, making it perfect for achieving soft, dynamic cheek enhancement without looking stiff or overdone.

6. Restylane Defyne®

Type: Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Filler
Best for:

• Deep nasolabial folds (smile lines)
• Marionette lines
• Chin augmentation
• Enhancing jawline structure

Longevity: About 12-18 months
Key Difference: Restylane Defyne is formulated with XpresHAn Technology, allowing for natural movement and expression, making it ideal for deep wrinkles and contouring without a stiff or unnatural look. It also has more elasticity than Lyft, making it better for areas that require flexibility.

Sculptra®

Type: Poly-L-Lactic Acid (Biostimulator)
Best for:

• Deep volume loss in the cheeks and temples
• General facial rejuvenation
• Restoring collagen production over time
• Improving skin texture and elasticity

Longevity: About two or more years, with gradual results over months
Key Difference: Unlike traditional fillers, Sculptra does not provide instant results. Instead, it stimulates collagen growth over time for a natural, long-term improvement in volume and skin texture.

Kybella®

Type: Deoxycholic Acid (Fat-Dissolving Injectable)
Best for:

• Reducing a double chin (submental fat)
• Jawline contouring
• Off-label use for small fat pockets (bra bulge, jowls, etc.)

Longevity: Permanent, as the destroyed fat cells do not return
Key Difference: Unlike fillers, Kybela is a fat-dissolving treatment that sculpts the jawline by eliminating excess fat rather than adding volume.

• PRF stands for Platelet-Rich Fibrin, and it's a variation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that's often used in aesthetic medicine. Like PRP, PRF involves extracting a patient's blood, but the preparation process differs slightly, leading to a different composition of growth factors and proteins.
• Here's how PRF is typically used for aesthetic purposes:

1. Blood Collection: A small amount of blood is drawn from the patient, usually from their arm, similar to the process for PRP.

2. Centrifugation: Instead of being processed to separate the platelets from other blood components, as in PRP, the blood sample for PRF is centrifuged at lower speeds. This results in a fibrin clot containing a higher concentration of platelets, leukocytes (white blood cells), and growth factors, compared to PRP.

3. Injection or Application: Once the PRF clot is formed, it can be used in various ways in aesthetic procedures. It may be injected directly into the skin or combined with other treatments like microneedling or used during surgical procedures such as facelifts or other cosmetic surgeries.

• PRF is believed to promote tissue regeneration, collagen production, and overall skin rejuvenation.
• It can be used to address a range of aesthetic concerns, including fine lines and wrinkles, acne scars, uneven skin texture, and volume loss.

Bio PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) is a next-generation regenerative treatment that uses your body’s own blood to stimulate collagen production and healing. Unlike traditional PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), Bio PRF does not contain any anticoagulants or chemical additives, allowing it to release up to 3x more growth factors over time. It’s made using a special horizontal centrifugation process that preserves more platelets and white blood cells and ensures even distribution of regenerative cells, making it highly effective for facial rejuvenation and tissue repair.

Bio Filler is a natural, regenerative dermal filler made directly from Bio PRF. After the PRF is drawn and spun, it goes through a unique heating and cooling process to create a gel-like texture that can be injected into deeper facial areas. Bio Filler works by stimulating your body’s own collagen production over time, offering a subtle, natural-looking volume enhancement. It’s most commonly used in areas like the cheeks, smile lines, chin, jawline, and under eyes.

PRF and Bio Filler come from the same process, but they’re used differently:

• PRF is a liquid used to stimulate healing and collagen in more superficial layers of the skin.

• Bio Filler is PRF that has been heated and cooled to form a gel, allowing it to act like a traditional dermal filler for deeper volume restoration.

Both use your body’s natural healing power—but Bio Filler is ideal when you're looking for structure and lift, while PRF is great for overall skin rejuvenation.

How PRF Stimulates Hair Growth

1. Delivers a High Concentration of Growth Factors

   • PRF is packed with growth factors, white blood cells, fibrin, and mesenchymal stem cells, which repair damaged follicles and activate dormant ones.
   • It prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, leading to thicker, healthier hair.

2. Creates a Natural Fibrin Matrix for Sustained Release

   • Unlike PRP, which releases growth factors immediately, PRF forms a fibrin scaffold that slowly releases growth factors over time, providing longer-lasting stimulation to hair follicles.

3. Boosts Blood Circulation in the Scalp

   • PRF injections increase blood flow, ensuring that hair follicles receive more oxygen and nutrients, which enhances follicle health and prevents miniaturization (a key factor in hair thinning).

4. Strengthens Weak & Miniaturized Hair Follicles

   • PRF helps reverse follicle shrinkage caused by androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness), allowing follicles to produce thicker, stronger hair strands.

5. Reduces Inflammation & Hair Shedding

   • Inflammation and scalp conditions can accelerate hair loss.
   • PRF contains white blood cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines, which reduce inflammation, dandruff, and scalp irritation, creating the perfect environment for new hair growth.

6. Increases Collagen & Elastin Production

   • PRF stimulates collagen and elastin, which strengthens the scalp’s structure, improving hair anchoring and reducing breakage.

Microneedling combined with PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin) is an advanced skin rejuvenation treatment that enhances collagen production, accelerates healing, and improves skin texture. This procedure involves two key components:

1. Microneedling Process

• A device with ultra-fine needles creates microchannels in the skin.
• These controlled micro-injuries trigger the body’s natural healing response, boosting collagen and elastin production.
• Helps improve skin texture, fine lines, acne scars, and overall skin tone.

2. PRF (Platelet-Rich Fibrin)

• PRF is a natural serum derived from the patient’s own blood.
• Blood is drawn, then spun in a centrifuge at a low speed, preserving growth factors, white blood cells, and stem cells.
• PRF contains a higher concentration of platelets and releases growth factors more slowly than PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), extending the skin’s healing and regenerative benefits.

How Microneedling + PRF Works Together

• The microchannels created by microneedling allow PRF to penetrate deeper into the skin.
• Growth factors in PRF enhance cell regeneration, improve hydration, and promote faster healing.
• Results include firmer, smoother, and more youthful-looking skin.

Benefits of Microneedling with PRF

• Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
• Improves skin elasticity and firmness
• Fades acne scars and pigmentation
• Minimizes pore size
• Enhances skin tone and texture
• Uses 100% natural healing properties from your own body, reducing the risk of allergic reactions

This treatment is ideal for those looking for a natural, effective way to rejuvenate their skin with long-lasting results.

Dr Elizabeth is highly trained and educated:

• Ithaca College, New York, NY graduated in 2002 
• National University Of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR - graduated in 2009 
• Board certified Naturopathic Physician and CNS (a certified nutrition specialist 
• Board Certified with the AMA - American Academy of Aging and Aesthetics 

4 DAYS Before your appointment:

• Avoid alcoholic beverages for 4 days prior. *including red wine*

3 DAYS Before your appointment:

• Pre-treat with Arnica 3 days before your treatment by dissolving 5 pellets under your tongue, 3 times a day.
•  To lessen your chance of irritation & redness, pause the use of Retinol & exfoliating acids 3 days before your treatment & for 3 days after.
•  Of course, we should always pay attention to hydration, but it’s even more important before an injection appointment. Start Hydrating 3 days before your appointment. Drink at least 64 oz of water

2 DAYS Before your appointment:

• Avoid Omega 3s, Ibuprofen, Vitamin E, & Aspirin for 2 days prior.

Click Here for full AFTER CARE

• Lip fillers typically contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps retain moisture and add volume.
• When injected into the lips, hyaluronic acid attracts water molecules, plumping up the lips and enhancing their volume.

• Results from lip filler injections are typically visible immediately, although there may be some initial swelling.
• The full effects usually become apparent within a few days to a week. The duration of the results varies depending on factors such as the type of filler used and individual metabolism, but they generally last between 6 to 12 months.

• During the lip filler procedure, a numbing cream may be applied to minimize discomfort.
• The filler is then injected into specific areas of the lips using a fine needle or cannula.
• While some discomfort or minor swelling may occur immediately after the procedure, most people can resume normal activities shortly afterward.
• However, it's essential to follow post-procedure care instructions provided by the healthcare provider to minimize risks and optimize results.

• Common risks and side effects of lip filler injections include temporary swelling, bruising, redness, and tenderness at the injection site.
• In rare cases, more serious complications such as infection, allergic reactions, or lumps/bumps may occur. It's essential to discuss these risks with a qualified healthcare provider before undergoing the procedure.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) are both derived from the patient's own blood and are used in facial aesthetics as well as regenerative medicine and various medical and dental procedures. While they share similarities in their composition and applications, they have differences in their preparation methods and properties:

1. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP):

   • PRP is a blood product obtained by centrifuging a patient's blood to separate the plasma portion, which contains a higher concentration of platelets compared to whole blood.
   • The centrifugation process typically involves two steps: the first spin separates the blood into its components, and the second spin isolates the platelet-rich plasma layer.
   • PRP contains a concentration of platelets higher than baseline levels, along with various growth factors and cytokines that promote tissue healing and regeneration.

2. Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF):

   • PRF is the process Dr Elizabeth McElligott ND applies.
   • PRF is another autologous blood product obtained through a slightly different preparation method compared to PRP.
   • PRF is prepared by centrifuging the blood without anticoagulants, resulting in the formation of a fibrin clot that encapsulates platelets and leukocytes.
   • Unlike PRP, PRF contains a three-dimensional fibrin matrix that provides a scaffold for tissue regeneration and wound healing.
   • PRF has a slower release profile of growth factors compared to PRP, which may promote longer-lasting effects.

Both PRF and PHP are used in facial aesthetics as well as various medical and dental procedures and wound healing.

• The effects of facial fillers will last 6 months to 3 years depending on multiple factor such as: skin elasticity, treatment area, type of filler and patient's metabolism.
• Please consult with Dr Elizabeth about your own unique situation!

• Facial fillers combat volume loss, sagging skin and jowling, common signs of skin aging.
• Fillers help you look on the outside, how you feel on the inside!
• May people use facial fillers in lieu of surgeries.

Facial fillers, including those derived from Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF), offer a range of aesthetic enhancements. Here's a comprehensive list of the various aesthetic services for the face that fillers can accomplish:

1. Wrinkle Reduction:

   • Fillers can be used to fill in wrinkles and fine lines, particularly those caused by aging or repetitive facial expressions. Common areas include the forehead, glabella (between the eyebrows), crow's feet (around the eyes), and nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to the mouth).

2. Lip Augmentation:

   • Fillers are commonly used to enhance lip volume, shape, and definition. They can add fullness to thin lips, define lip borders, and correct asymmetry.

3. Cheek Augmentation:

   • Fillers can be used to add volume to the cheeks, restoring lost volume due to aging or enhancing cheekbone definition for a more youthful appearance.

4. Under Eye Rejuvenation:

   • Fillers can help reduce the appearance of dark circles, hollows, and bags under the eyes by adding volume and smoothing the area.

5. Nasolabial Fold Correction:

   • Fillers are often used to soften the appearance of nasolabial folds, the lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth, creating a smoother transition between the cheeks and the mouth area.

6. Marionette Line Correction:

   • Fillers can improve the appearance of marionette lines, the vertical lines that extend from the corners of the mouth downward, helping to lift and rejuvenate the lower face.

7. Chin Augmentation:

   • Fillers can enhance the chin's projection, shape, and symmetry, improving facial harmony and profile balance.

8. Jawline Contouring:

   • Fillers can be strategically injected along the jawline to enhance definition, create a more sculpted appearance, and address jowls or sagging skin.

9. Temples Rejuvenation:

   • Fillers can restore volume to the temples, which can hollow with age, helping to create a more youthful and balanced facial appearance.

10. Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty:

    • Fillers can be used to reshape and refine the nose, correcting minor imperfections, enhancing symmetry, and providing a more balanced profile.

11. Facial Rejuvenation:

    • Fillers can provide an overall facial rejuvenation by restoring lost volume, smoothing contours, and improving skin texture and tone.

12. Acne Scar Correction:

    • Fillers can help fill in depressed acne scars, improving their appearance and creating a smoother skin texture.

• Most people expect fillers to hurt more than they actually do, reporting little discomfort, akin to a sting.
• A priority for Dr Elizabeth is to allow ample time in her appointment schedule to make sure you are at ease and comfortable, also allowing you to add on services during your appointment.
• All fillers have lidocaine in them to reduce pain and Dr. Elizabeth also has topical numbing and lidocaine injections available at no additional charge.
• Your time and satisfaction are precious to us.

• Immediately after the treatment, you may experience slight redness, swelling or tenderness around the area that has been treated.
• You may also experience raised or inflamed skin as well as itching in the treatment area.
• These side effects are completely natural and tend to subside in one to two days for the most patients who experience them.
• On rare occasions, patients may also bruise. However, all of these symptoms will gradually disappear over a period of 7-14 days.

How long does swelling last? 1-2 days

Can I eat? Immediately after the treatment.

Can I exercise? After 24 hours.

• While a lot of people do fairly intense research online before making a filler decision, you can rest assured that Dr Elizabeth is a trained medical doctor, and she can advise on the best filler for you and the area you wish to fill.
• Dr Elizabeth will ensure the best products are available and will pair you with the best option.

Facial fillers are charged by the syringe.

• At DAELA Portland, Dr Elizabeth's fillers are priced as follows:

Restalyn, Lyft, Voluma, Contour

• 1 Vial: $800

• 2 Vials: $1500

Sculptra

• Single: $800

• Double: $1500

PRF Club

• 3 for: $1500

• Single: $600

• Wrinkle relaxers function by temporarily inhibiting the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.
• This mechanism effectively relaxes the muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles, particularly those formed by repetitive facial movements.
• Commonly used brands include Botox & Dysport
• At DAELA Portland, these injections are administered by Dr Elizabeth McElligott ND, to target specific facial muscles, resulting in the reduction of wrinkles and lines, particularly in areas such as the forehead, glabella, and crow's feet.

Botox & Dysport treatments typically involve minimal discomfort.

Most individuals report feeling only a slight pinching sensation or a mild stinging feeling at the injection site.

The needles used for Botox injections are very fine, which helps to minimize discomfort.

Overall, while everyone's pain tolerance varies, Botox & Dysport treatments are generally well-tolerated by most individuals.

• People who favor the amazing results from the use of wrinkle relaxers visit Dr Elizabeth every 3-4 months. 
• Some people, who don't mind some movement returning will visit Dr Elizabeth every 6-months.

• Botox & Dysport are typically charged per unit.
• Dr. Elizabeth charges between $11-$12 per unit, depending on how many units are used.
• Typical treatments range from $200-$700.

Smooth Sailing into Youthfulness:

• Wrinkle relaxers magically whisk away those pesky lines, allowing you to bid adieu to worry wrinkles and hello to smoother, youthful-looking skin. It's like a vacation from aging!

Pucker Up with Confidence:

• Lip fillers give your pout that irresistible plumpness, turning heads and stealing kisses with every smile. Say goodbye to thin lips and hello to the perfect pout that boosts your confidence to new heights!

Sculpt Your Way to Perfection:

• Facial fillers sculpt and shape your features, enhancing your natural beauty and giving you that coveted "wow" factor. It's like having your own personal sculptor, chiseling away imperfections and revealing your true masterpiece!

Time-Saving Beauty Boost:

• Facial injections offer quick and convenient results, making them the perfect solution for busy bees who want to refresh their appearance without lengthy downtime. Say goodbye to lengthy beauty routines and hello to a quick pick-me-up that keeps you looking fresh and fabulous!

Confidence Booster:

• Feeling good about how you look can have a powerful impact on your confidence levels. Facial injections provide an instant confidence boost by smoothing out wrinkles, enhancing features, and giving you that extra pep in your step to conquer the world with a radiant smile!

Customizable Results:

• Whether you're aiming for subtle enhancements or dramatic transformations, facial injections offer customizable solutions tailored to your unique goals and preferences. With the guidance of a skilled practitioner, you can achieve the exact look you desire, ensuring satisfaction with every injection!

In short, facial injections aren't just about looking good—they're about feeling fabulous and embracing your best self, just like cosmetic tattoos. A match made in heaven.

It works similarly to Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau by blocking nerve signals that make muscles contract, which smooths lines and prevents deeper creases.  

• It uses a proprietary synthetic peptide to stabilize the botulinum toxin instead of human/animal proteins used in other brands.
• This peptide is part of what lets it bind more effectively and stay active longer.