Knowledge for Confident Decisions
Welcome to the professional blog of Dr. Tina Ho, a board-certified plastic surgeon. Here, you will find expert insights into aesthetic and reconstructive procedures, emphasizing patient education and the latest advancements in plastic surgery.
Elixir MD – Pre- and Post-Surgical Solutions
Elixir MD is the first and only photobiomodulation device on the market and is now available through Tina Ho MD Facial Plastic Surgery. The revolutionary technology harnesses the power of light therapy to provide pre- and post-surgical solutions for patients. This article will explore the benefits of using this innovative technology and dive into the five different treatment regimens available with the Elixir MDTM device.
Elixir MD™ Treatment Solutions

Elixir Detox™ Treatment
The Detox™ treatment regimen can help those with acne and offers pre- and post-operative benefits for surgical patients. The use of blue light helps to reduce bacterial loads and decrease the toxins secreted on the skin leading to a reduction in surgical infections. So how does it specifically work for these two modalities?
Acne vulgaris
Cutibacterium acnes (formerly called Propionibacterium acnes) is present in the majority of cases of acnes vulgaris. The presence of this bacteria on the skin can lead to inflammation and worsening acne. The blue light emitted with DetoxTM treatments stimulates chemicals in the bacteria to produce reactive molecules that attack the bacteria.
Pre-op and Post-op Treatment

The use of a Detox™ program before surgery promotes the sterilization of the skin by decreasing the number of bacteria leading to a lower risk of developing an infection after surgery. Additionally, the use of Detox™ post-operatively helps to cleanse the skin around incisions to reduce infections and enhance the healing process
Elixir Cellular™ Treatment

The Cellular™ therapy program harnesses the healing power of yellow light to improve the healing process after surgery. The frequency utilized by yellow light stimulates the upper layers of the skin to reduce inflammation and swelling during the post-surgical healing period. Additionally, yellow light stimulates cells involved in the healing process to become more active, helping to reduce the healing time and get you back to activities faster.
Cellular treatment effectively accelerates healing following both surgical and non-surgical procedures. It boosts skin remodeling, enhances collagen production, and ensures scars fade, allowing patients to enjoy their results sooner. Moreover, it directly addresses bruising and swelling after fillers, facial surgery, and aggressive laser treatments, guaranteeing a smoother recovery.
The cellular treatment program is a valuable additive to the recovery process and is recommended after all surgical procedures.
Elixir Thermal™ Treatment

The Thermal™ treatment program harnesses the power of red light therapy to boost healing, stimulate blood flow, and improve lymphatic drainage from the area. These benefits translate into accelerated healing, reduced swelling, and improved outcomes.
Red light therapy will stimulate the production of energy by the powerhouses of the cells (mitochondria) which stimulates an increase in the production of collagen. This leads to firmer skin providing a significant benefit in healing after body contouring procedures that require skin to tighten up after the procedure.
Additionally, the ability of this treatment to stimulate lymphatic flow helps to stimulate the removal of excess fluid from the surgical site resulting in less swelling and quicker healing.
Red light stimulates the treatment area to increase blood flow which further improves the healing process and can help by improving the appearance of pigmented lesions resulting in younger, healthier skin.
Elixir Thermal™ is an excellent adjuvant to body contouring procedures, as well as aiding in improving the appearance through the result of a more even skin tone and texture.
Elixir NeoXcell™ Treatment

The NeoXcell™ treatment program combines the benefits of Elixir Cellular™ and Thermal™ into one comprehensive skin rejuvenation therapy. This treatment program boosts healing and contributes to a more balanced skin tone.
This combination therapy helps with healing by stimulating the production of collagen while improving lymphatic drainage aiding in swelling reduction. Additionally, this skin program balances melatonin production throughout the skin for a more even skin tone.
Overall this program provides a solution for long-term skin health while improving the vibrancy and youthful appearance of the skin.
Elixir RoXium™ Treatment

The RoXium™ therapy program combines the benefits of blue and yellow light therapy to enhance the antioxidant mechanisms within the skin. This treatment can help protect the skin from oxidative damage and boost overall cellular health.
This therapy couples the benefits of antioxidants with the stimulation of lymphatic drainage helping to remove impurities from the skin. Additionally, RoXium™ targets sebaceous glands within the pores to decrease sebum production, reduce pore size, and provide a clearer complexion.
The RoXium™ program provides a holistic approach to skin rejuvenation and health.
Is Elixir MD™ Safe?
Elixir MD™ uses various wavelengths of light therapy that have undergone rigorous testing and meet the safety standards set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The use of light therapy is considered safe and has virtually no side effects. This allows the treatment programs to be used during the delicate time of post-surgical healing to help assist the body’s natural mechanisms and improve the overall outcomes of facial plastic surgery.
Why Add Elixir MD™ to Your Post-operative Recovery
The Elixir MD™ device provides unparalleled consistency due to the use of medical-grade technology that has undergone extensive testing so you know exactly what you are getting with each treatment session.
Elixir MD™ is backed by scientific research demonstrating the device’s effectiveness in promoting healing and skin rejuvenation.
With five different treatment programs, the Elixir MD™ device can target a variety of skin care concerns and assist in healing.
The Elixir MD™ programs can help to speed up the recovery process and reduce the physical signs of healing such as bruising and swelling. This helps to provide improved satisfaction with the post-operative recov
Experience A Better Way to Recover
At Tina Ho Facial Plastic Surgery, we are proud to offer Elixir MD’s cutting-edge photobiomodulation LED light therapy. This clinically proven technology can help reduce the risk of complications and accelerate the healing process. If you are interested in experiencing the safe, non-invasive benefits of Elixir MD™; contact our office at 267-578-3064 (Philadelphia) or 610-688-3363 (Wayne) today to discuss how Elixir MD™ can help unlock your skin’s full potential.
Quick Answers to Common Queries
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for helpful information about Dr. Tina Ho’s facial plastic surgery practice, procedures, and patient care.
By focusing on reshaping structures of the neck and head, facial plastic surgeons are able to make a wide range of modifications to body parts. These alterations can be done to the chin, nose, ears, cheekbones, and neckline. Although many people visit a facial plastic surgeon to make cosmetic adjustments to features they would like to change, these surgeons are also a core part of improving the quality of life of those who suffer from diseases or injuries that could affect their appearance.
With the help of a facial plastic surgeon, there are many facial customizations available to you. Patients who come to see Dr. Tina Ho, MD, are generally looking for quality cosmetic surgery in Philadelphia that they can trust.
The cost of facial surgery typically varies, and the price you pay depends on the amount of work that needs to be done. Before your surgical procedure, you willl have a thorough consultation with your surgeon to discuss everything you can expect from your operation.
You may also discuss potential cost estimates. Generally, the cost of plastic surgeries can range anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 or more.
It’s also important to note that your insurance may or may not assist with the procedure. Insurance coverage for facial plastic surgery typically depends on whether the procedures are for medical or cosmetic purposes. In most cases, your insurance will not cover cosmetic procedures such as plastic surgery, but there are payment plans available that can help you chip away at the total cost of your surgery.
If you are interested in facial plastic surgery, it is essential to fully understand the costs that may be incurred from your procedure before you make the financial commitment. Make sure you speak with your surgeon about what fees you can expect to see and any other important details that may impact how your final cost will be factored. Nevertheless, you may be surprised at the range of fees that can go into plastic surgery, as some operations are much more affordable than others.
At Tina Ho, MD, Facial Plastic Surgery, we strive to offer affordable pricing and top tier facial plastic surgery for our patients in Philadelphia and beyond.
To be eligible for plastic surgery, a patient must be 18 or older. However, to secure a consultation for a facelift or neck lift, there is no age limit. Individuals from their early twenties into their nineties can enjoy all the benefits a facelift or neck lift procedure has to offer.
It is essential to understand that you should be in good health before pursuing a facelift or neck lift, and this can become more challenging as you age. However, the best age to have a facelift or neck lift is different for each person. When the face and neck start to develop sagging skin, wrinkles, crow’s feet, and other signs of aging, this would be the best time to look into a facelift or neck lift procedure. You also want to consider that getting a facelift or neck lift too early on in life can only be so effective and may deliver minimal results.
The cost of facial surgery typically varies, and the price you pay depends on the amount of work that needs to be done. Before your surgical procedure, you willl have a thorough consultation with your surgeon to discuss everything you can expect from your operation.
You may also discuss potential cost estimates. Generally, the cost of plastic surgeries can range anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 or more.
It’s also important to note that your insurance may or may not assist with the procedure. Insurance coverage for facial plastic surgery typically depends on whether the procedures are for medical or cosmetic purposes. In most cases, your insurance will not cover cosmetic procedures such as plastic surgery, but there are payment plans available that can help you chip away at the total cost of your surgery.
If you are interested in facial plastic surgery, it is essential to fully understand the costs that may be incurred from your procedure before you make the financial commitment. Make sure you speak with your surgeon about what fees you can expect to see and any other important details that may impact how your final cost will be factored. Nevertheless, you may be surprised at the range of fees that can go into plastic surgery, as some operations are much more affordable than others.
At Tina Ho, MD, Facial Plastic Surgery, we strive to offer affordable pricing and top tier facial plastic surgery for our patients in Philadelphia and beyond.
Like most facial plastic surgery operations, costs can generally vary from person to person. A general baseline number you can work off of would be anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000. Then again, this can change drastically based on your location and the surgeon you decide to work with. Some of the costs that are considered for the procedure include anesthesia, medical tests, prescription medication, and surgeon fees.
A few factors that make up the surgeon’s fee generally pertain to their experience, the type of procedure used, and the actual location of the office itself. Unless the nose job is performed for a medical reason, it is unlikely that insurance will help cover the costs of the operation. This is due to the cosmetic nature of the procedure. However, this does not mean payment plans with the surgeon’s office will not be available to you.
The fee structure for this procedure is a bit unique but also quite affordable when compared with other facial plastic surgeries. Botox is administered in units, and it generally takes around a minimum of 30 to 40 units or higher to achieve the desired results. Pricing may vary based on your surgeon, your location, and the number of units used, but each unit will cost $15.
It is fairly common for a Botox procedure to incur a total cost of around $300 to $1000 or more. A few factors that play into the total cost include how much surface area is treated, the amount of product that was used, and the surgeon’s fee. Depending on how prominent the wrinkles and fine lines are, this alone could add to the cost, as these factors are directly correlated to how much product may be needed to achieve the results you are looking for.
In the case of Botox versus Juvederm, one product is not necessarily better than the other. However, both serve specific purposes. Botox is best suited for wrinkles that are visible when the face is moving, while Juvederm and other filler brands are the optimal choice for wrinkles that are consistently present when your face is relaxed. You should also know that Juvederm and other fillers tend to be more expensive, but deliver longer-lasting results than Botox.
Juvederm is the better solution for wrinkles that are consistent and stubborn. In contrast, Botox is seen as a more temporary solution that will need to be repeated more often. Although Juvederm offers results that could last one to two years, it may not always be the best choice based on the current condition of your skin. Overall, a lot of this comes down to personal preference. Both options have their advantages, but Juvederm offers longer term results at a higher cost per treatment.
For those who are looking to modify the shape of their face, jawline contouring is an excellent solution, as the results can range from minimal to much more dramatic. As with any cosmetic procedure, it is a sensitive operation that requires a lot of discussion and planning beforehand. Jawline contouring procedures may be non-surgical, surgical, or both.
A few key points surround the purpose of jawline contouring, as it aims to improve facial symmetry, proportionality, and overall youthfulness. Downtime after the procedure is relatively minimal, but it is possible to experience some bruising and swelling during recovery. Jawline contouring also includes the chin, and can help with reducing jowls, eliminating double chin features, and delivering a refined front and side profile.
Jawline contouring procedures can be relatively affordable compared with many other procedures. A jawline contouring surgery may cost roughly between $3,000 and $10,000 or more, depending on the work required. Filler starts at $800/syringe, and a minimum 2-4 syringes or more may be needed for adequate results (package specials start at $3000). Jawline contouring procedures are multi-faceted and have boosted the confidence of every one of Dr. Tina Ho’s patients.
You can expect the type of procedure and anesthesia that is chosen to also contribute to the overall cost. Unless the surgery is being performed for medical reasons, your insurance more than likely will not opt to cover the procedure. There are a number of materials that may be utilized in jawline contouring procedures, and these can vary based on the specific procedure used. Materials could include neurotoxins, fillers, and implants.

