FYI Cosmetics

The most popular non-surgical cosmetic procedure performed in the United States is Botox®. This FDA approved treatment is a solution that is injected into the skin to quickly and effectively eliminate some of the facial lines and wrinkles caused by the environmental, age and stress. Originally Botox® was designated to treat eye muscle disorders. However doctors observed an unusual side effect of the treatment was that the Botox softened the frown lines between the eyebrows. Made from Clostridium Botulinum bacterium, Botulinum Toxin Type A (aka Botox®) has been proven effective in several medical applications such as decreasing muscle spasticity, jaw clenching, migraine headaches and hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) in addition to its fast effective aesthetic abilities. Botox® works to temporarily reduce the muscle activity that causes those frown and squint lines around the forehead and eyes.

Wrinkles can be generated from the movement of facial muscles as we make expressions. With the passage of time, the continuous movement of the facial muscles can often increase the depth of these wrinkles and make them appear more pronounced How does Botox® Cosmetic work to eliminate the fine lines and wrinkles? A small amount of the solution is injected in several places along the muscle that has created the wrinkle. As the solution begins to take effect, the nerve impulses within the muscle are blocked causing the muscle to begin to relax and weaken. When the muscle is weak and relaxed it is physically unable to form a wrinkle. Because of this, the skin that lies over the treated muscle becomes smooth making the lines and wrinkles disappear almost magically.

Improvement to the treated areas can be seen in a little as 3 days and as long as 2 weeks after the initial injections. Occasionally complete relaxation of the treated muscle is not achieved and a touch up to area may be required. Areas of the forehead, around and between the eyes can achieve a smoothing of the moderate to severe lines without downtime or surgery. Treatments can take only a few minutes and do not require any sedation or anesthesia. Discomfort during the treatments in minimal. Results of treatments can last from one to five months and sometimes longer with repeated treatments.

Ideal candidates for Botox® Cosmetic are those who want to see an improvement in the lines and wrinkles noted on their forehead, between and around their eyes. These candidates usually do not yet need or want to commit to a surgical procedure at this time or they are unable to have a surgery. Botox® is also used in conjunction with other facial procedures such as face lifts or laser resurfacing and skin tightening to enhance the cosmetic outcomes. As with any procedure there are some minimal side effects that have been noted. Not everyone will experience these side effects and in most cases tolerate the procedure very well. The possible side effects include slight discomfort during the injection, bruising at the site of injection and for a very small percentage of people (less than 3%) the development of a droopy eyelid known as ptosis. This will usually return to normal as the solution wears off.

Botox® is proven safe and effective for most people and has been used on millions of people for several years. If facial wrinkles and fines lines are your concern consider Botox® cosmetic and consult your cosmetic physician to determine if it right for you.

The process of restoring the skin to a more youthful condition is the definition of skin rejuvenation. Many procedures and techniques are available today to give skin a total refreshed regenerated look. Procedures can vary from lasers to dermal fillers to facial surgery. As the skin begins to age, the connective tissue that provides firmness to the skin begins to break down and dry dead skin cells that would previously have a rapid turnover, begin to accumulate and build up. The connective tissue then starts to break down is due to sun exposure, heredity and the normal aging process. Collagen, beneath the skin, weakens, skin becomes loose and then starts to sag and wrinkle. As all this is happening, dry skin and dead skin cells reflect the light making lines appear deeper as the skin appears dull and lackluster.

Skin rejuvenation techniques are used to assist in reactivating the collagen within the structure of the skin. The result is a firm more taught and youthful appearance. This can be accomplished through surgical means such as lifts for both face and body, lasers either ablative (removing tissue) or non ablative, skin care products, peels, diet and exercise.

In the fight to revive skin to its once younger looking state the major culprit in causing skin to appear aged are wrinkles. Wrinkle reduction as part of skin rejuvenation can be lessened in a variety of ways depending on if the wrinkles are fine lines, dynamic wrinkles or skin folds: Fine lines can be decreased or even eliminated with a good skin care regime, microdermabrasion, or even light chemical peels such as alpha hydroxyl acid. These aggressive topical skin treatments work to remove the top layer of skin that causes skin to look dry and dull.

Dynamic wrinkles and skin folds can be treated by lasers, surgery, dermal fillers and injectibles:
Laser skin resurfacing with fractional laser and skin tightening laser treatments are effective in reducing the appearance of dynamic wrinkles and fine lines. The lasers can initiate a thermal injury within the skin to stimulate collagen which tighten the skin and decrease the wrinkles.

Surgical procedures such as face and body lifts and deep laser peels can dramatically alter the skin to give a renewed and rejuvenated look. Surgery lifts and tightens the face and body areas. Deep laser peels will remove the upper layers of skin and induce tightening and resurfacing as the skin heals. Surgical treatments generally have recovery time and should be considered when deciding which procedure to choose.

Injectibles such as Botox can be used for forehead rhytids to relax the muscles in that area thereby decreasing the appearance of wrinkles.

Dermal fillers are used to plump up lines and folds by injecting a gel under the skin. The gels add volume to the depleted areas thereby eliminating the wrinkles temporarily.

Combinations of treatments generally work best in order to rejuvenate the skin to a more youthful state. Several options are available and should be discussed with your aesthetic skin specialist to determine which treatment will benefit your needs best.

As innovative technologies continue to be introduced, the popularity of cosmetic procedures is steadily on the rise. Until recently, individuals would have to undergo lengthy, painful procedures that required extensive downtime, in order to achieve desired results. Now, with the advent of laser technology and improvements in surgical techniques, aesthetic procedures are safer, more effective and more long lasting. Throughout 2008 the popularity of cosmetic procedures, both aesthetic and surgical soared, but there are a handful of procedures that stood out among the rest. The top three cosmetic procedures of 2008 include Botox Injections, Laser Hair Removal and Hyaluronic Acid Injections, and the top three surgical cosmetic procedures of 2008 include Liposuction, Blepharoplasty and Breast Augmentation.

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Procedures

Non-surgical cosmetic procedures have absolutely exploded over the past few years, but none stand out as much as Botox and Hyaluronic Acid Injections, and Laser Hair Removal. These procedures are by far the most popular of all non-surgical aesthetic procedures because they are safe, effective and provide lasting results.

Botox: Botox is a therapeutic muscle relaxing agent that works to interfere with muscle nerve endings in order to block the signals to your muscles that would normally tell them to contract. Normal muscle movement, over time, can cause the skin covering it to wrinkle. By relaxing these muscles, the skin will not be able to shift therefore the skin will be smooth and wrinkle free. Botox is most often used on the upper part of the face–around the eyes and on the forehead.

Hyaluronic Acid: Similar to Botox, Hyaluronic Acid injections such as Restylane, work to smooth the skin on the lower part of the face. Hyaluronic Acid is a natural component of the connective tissue, its function is to cushion and lubricate. As we age, collagen production slows and connective tissue thins which causes the skin to take on wrinkles and fine lines. By injecting this natural substance into the skin, it naturally plumps which smoothes fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother, younger appearance.

Laser Hair Removal: Considered the most revolutionary of all aesthetic laser procedures, laser hair removal is designed to remove unwanted facial and body hair safely and effectively with lasting results. While individuals will require a series of treatments, this procedure can have men and women smooth and hair free in mere months. Nothing compares to this hair removal option and its continued growth in popularity proves this.

Surgical Cosmetic Procedures

Cosmetic surgery has always been popular for certain ailments, but advances in surgical technology have brought a new life to cosmetic surgical treatments as a whole. In some cases, laser technology has allowed more traditional surgical procedures to become less invasive and less risky.

Liposuction: What once was a very risky treatment, the introduction of laser liposuction has raised the bar on liposuction treatments. Laser lipolysis or laser liposuction has made this fat reduction treatment less invasive, less painful and involves less risk and significantly less downtime. By effectively liquefying unwanted fat cells, laser liposuction removes unwanted fat without causing damage to the surrounding tissue and vessels. The results—a more contoured shape that lasts.

Blepharoplasty: Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is another treatment that has gained momentum in 2008. As we age, the skin and muscle around the eyes tends to sag and loosen which causes excess droopiness; this can make many people look older than they really are. The Blepharoplasty procedure works to remove excess fat, skin and muscle from above and below the eyes in order to achieve a more youthful, alert appearance.

Breast Augmentation: Breast Augmentation or Augmentation Mammoplasty, is a treatment that involves the enhancement of the size and shape of a woman’s breasts. There are several reasons why women undergo this treatment, some are looking to correct breast reduction that occurred after pregnancy, and others use it as reconstructive procedure following breast surgery. Other uses include balancing different sized breasts or simply enhancing natural body contours. No matter the reason, this treatment can help women to achieve the look and feel they desire.

Whether you are interested in aesthetic or surgical cosmetic procedures, know that continual advancements in technology have allowed all cosmetic procedures to become safer and more effective. Feel confident that when going under any of these treatments, you’ll achieve the results you are looking for!