Botox is a weakened form of the botulinum toxin, and it is FDA approved for wrinkles between the eyebrows.  It’s delivered via injection, and the procedure requires no anesthesia.

How does Botox work?  All of our facial expressions cause our skin to become wrinkled, bit by bit.  Botox injections block the signals being relayed between the nerves and the muscles, causing weakness in the muscle that’s been injected.  When the muscle doesn’t contract, the wrinkles aren’t as visible.  Improvement is generally seen within the month after treatment, with some patients noticing a difference in less than a week.

For cosmetic use,  Botox is approved for forehead wrinkles only.  This will reduce crow’s feet and frown lines.  Botox is also used “off label” to treat other conditions, such as excessive underarm sweating, strabismus, and involuntary blinking.  It may also help with enlarged prostate and migraines, but more research is needed to back up those claims.

Treatment methods are different from one clinic to another.  Some physicians recommend that patients avoid drinking alcohol for a week before treatment, and they also suggest that aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs be avoided as well.  This helps to reduce bruising after treatment.

You’ll still be able to laugh, smile, frown and make all your normal facial expressions, just without those annoying wrinkles between the brows.  Problems with facial expressions usually appear when the wrong muscle has been injected (usually when the treatment is done by someone who doesn’t know what they are doing).  For that reason, it’s not recommended to attend a “Botox party”.

Botox results can last for up to six months, with wrinkles gradually returning as the paralyzed muscle regains its normal function.  Over time, wrinkles will diminish even without the injections, as Botox conditions the muscles to be more relaxed.  Side effects are something that should be considered.  They include bruising, headache, drooping eyelids, flu-like symptoms, and possible allergic reaction.  Botox can cost $200-$500 per treatment, and if it’s for cosmetic reasons, it isn’t usually covered by insurance.  The procedure, being fairly simple, is approved for anyone between 18 and 65.  But, there are some people who shouldn’t use Botox, and they include:  those who are nursing, pregnant, or who have a muscular disorder.  If you have any questions, you should talk to your doctor before you get the treatment.

The FDA has approved Artefill, a permanent cosmetic filler.  It works well on smile lines, and it has minimal side effects.  Artefill is a more pure version of Artecoll, which has been in use in Canada for years.  Studies on Artefill show improvement up to five years after treatment, and results are generally considered permanent.  Injected areas will continue to lose volume with age, so periodic “touch ups” will be necessary.

Results are seen immediately, although two treatments may be required.  Artefill may also be used on lines between the mouth and chin, and may minimize the appearance of scars.  Artefill contains spheres of PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) in a collagen gel, with an added anesthetic to reduce pain during injection.  The collagen is a carrier for the PMMA, and will dissolve over a few months.  The PMMA spheres remain in the skin, providing a structure for the skin to deposit its natural collagen around.

Juvederm and Restylane are still the most popular fillers, and Radiesse is the top choice for plumping the cheeks.  Artefill is most effective on smile lines, when a permanent result is wanted.  It may also work to smooth crooked contours on the nose.  It can be used in conjunction with Restylane, Botox, and Juvederm, or with laser treatments like Fraxel.  These treatments have virtually no downtime!

Each treatment will last from 10-20 minutes, and is usually pain-free.  Depending on the injected area, a patient may need more than one syringe.  A “touch up” may be needed up to three months later, requiring a smaller amount of Artefill.  Before treatment, you’ll need to take a skin test to see if you have an allergy to collagen.  To reduce bruising, avoid large amounts of vitamin E, or taking aspirin.  Taking arnica, a homeopathic remedy, will reduce bruising and swelling.  Some people may have tenderness, pain or swelling.  This will usually go away within a day or so.  Don’t massage the injection site as it may move the gel.

Artefill’s results are permanent, so keep that in consideration.  If you are unsure, try a temporary filler like Juvederm or Restylane first.  And always, always make sure that your chosen doctor is experienced in Artefill use.  Your dermatologist may be able to refer you to an expert.  Artefill is a safe, relatively easy way to achieve permanent plumping results for facial skin.  Talk to your physician today!

For a few years now, Hollywood has been putting out “makeover” shows that show all manner of cosmetic procedures, including Restylane.  Restylane is the trademarked name for a solution of hyaluronic acid, which mimics the complex sugar compounds that are found in youthful skin.  These compounds decline as we get older, and the skin’s cells lose their water retention capabilities- which can lead to wrinkles and other undesirable effects.

When the skin fails to hold onto water, it gets thinner and droopier.  The most readily visible signs can be seen around the eyes and neck, and in the thinning of the lips. The skin’s top layer is continually sloughed off, but the middle layer provides strength and elasticity.  When the dermis starts to lose its natural collagen and hyaluronic acid, its foundation begins to deteriorate.  Excessive drinking, sun exposure, and smoking can speed this process up considerably.When skin loses water, it becomes thinner, looser, and droopier, since it becomes less resistant to gravity. The top layer of skin, the epidermis, is constantly sloughing off old skin. But it’s the dermis (middle layer) that provides the skin’s strength.

What can you expect with a Restylane treatment?  It’s one of the easiest procedure to go through.  A doctor uses a syringe to inject the gel formula into laugh and frown lines, or lips that need a little plumping. Some doctors even do under-eye injections.  Because it contains no animal products, it carries no risk of allergic reaction.  There are some side effects, such as swelling around the injection site.  It’s really important for patients to avoid touching the site, and also to avoid sun exposure or cold weather for a few days.  There will most likely be bruising in the days and weeks after a treatment, and the doctor will discuss this with you.

What can you do to avoid problems?  The risks are pretty low, but there may be mild irritation at the injection site.  Your doctor will probably tell you to avoid things that could promote bruising or bleeding, like alcohol, aspirin, or copious amounts of vitamin E.  Some patients experience a little tenderness, but it should be minimal because the doctor will provide a numbing cream or local anesthetic.

What will the results be?  Many patients will notice a difference almost immediately.  The effects of Restylane treatment are pretty long lasting – six months to almost a year, depending on the pigmentation and condition of the skin, and the patient’s age.  Restylane is a relatively safe and hassle free way to attain a more youthful look.