Archive for September, 2009

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Botox – is it Right for You?

Sunday, September 27th, 2009
Patricia Woloch recently asked:


Botox is the brand name for botulinum toxin type A. This purified form of the toxin, if taken in large amounts by mouth will cause botulism, a form of food poisoning. But, used in small amounts can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

How does it work?

Botox prevents the muscles from tightening by blocking the chemical signals that cause them to contract. The cosmetic surgeon will use a thin needle to inject tiny amounts of Botox into certain muscles surrounding your wrinkles. The chemical weakens the wrinkle-producing muscles and restores a smoother appearance to your skin.

The number of injections you will need depends on your ****** features, the extent of wrinkling and the area being treated. Your doctor will determine the approximate number of treatments you will need during your consultation.

Botox treatments are usually performed in the doctor’s office and take about 10-15 minutes to complete. You may experience mild discomfort with the injections, but most patients find this to be very tolerable. These treatments will not require anesthesia.

What does it treat?

Botox is used in cosmetic surgery to treat:

• Creases in the forehead

• Crow’s feet at the corners of the eyes

• Frown lines between eyebrows and over the bridge of the nose

• Bands on the neck

It is also used to treat severe health conditions such as:

• Headaches

• Eye muscle problems

• Back pain

• Muscle spasms

• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)

Botox is being tested for early treatment of ****** scars as well. It is believed that these treatments will reduce the long-term effects of the scars. This treatment has not yet obtained FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval.

What won’t it treat?

Not all ****** wrinkles can be treated with Botox. Sun damaged skin can not be repaired through Botox injections. The effectiveness is determined by the thickness of your skin and the amount of wrinkling you have. Botox is also not effective for lines surrounding the mouth because it would affect the muscles needed to talk and eat.

How do you prepare?

If you have decided to undergo Botox treatments you should consult a qualified cosmetic surgeon. During your initial consultation, you and the doctor will determine if this type of treatment is right for you. Factors include your medical history, your expectations, condition of your skin and your surgeon’s predictions as to the outcome of the treatments.

What are the side effects?

As with any type of cosmetic procedure, there will be some uncomfortable, but temporary side effects. These may include:

• Redness

• Pain and bruising at the injection site

• Nausea

• Headache

• Flu-like symptoms

• Facial weakness or drooping

• Possible spread of the toxin outside of the treatment area (This may cause temporary trouble swallowing, muscle weakness, slurred speech or breathing problems)

If you are considering Botox injections, seek a board certified cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedure. Be sure the doctor has experience with Botox treatments and ask a lot of questions during your consultation.





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A Brief Introduction To Botox

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
Kadence Buchanan recently asked:


You hear about Botox everywhere these days. A relatively simple procedure can lead to a clearing of wrinkles and, consequently, a more youthful appearance. The Botox procedure was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in April of 2002. Botox is the trade name for Botulism Toxin A, which is actually a form of food poisoning! There are several different Botulism toxins, ranging from Botulism Toxin A to Botulism Toxin G. Botulism is caused by the ingestion of the bacteria that is known as clostridium botulinum. Botulism is actually a neurotoxin that is released by the bacteria once ingested. The side effects that are caused by ingesting this neurotoxin can be as serious as paralysis! People have died in the past from botulism due to the fact that the neurotoxin can cause the respiratory muscles to shut down, causing an inability to breathe. In short, the neurotoxin attacks the body by attaching itself to nerve endings, causing them to not be able to release acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for contracting muscles.

Botulism injections are performed to effectively paralyze the muscles of the face, stopping them from moving and consequently causing a lack of wrinkling due to muscle movement. After Botox is injected, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to freeze the muscles. The effects are not permanent, and a Botox treatment can last anywhere from three months to eight months. People that use Botox for beauty often arrange gatherings in which several adults perform the procedure, with such catchy themes as “Botox and Bagels”. A Botox injection usually costs somewhere between 250 and 500 dollars per shot. Botox injections are generally well tolerated, but they should not be performed on anyone who is pregnant, nursing, or on an antibiotic regimen. If you are thinking of getting a Botox injection, check with your doctor to ensure that the procedure will go properly for you. Botox may interfere with medications that you may be taking, so it’s generally best to speak to a doctor before getting an injection.

In addition to aiding those who wish to clear their face of wrinkles, Botox has been used to help several medical conditions. When Botox was first used clinically, it was employed to treat neurological disorders. Writer’s cramp can be alleviated by a Botox injection, and facial spasms and spasmodic dyphodia have been under consideration for Botox treatment.





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Botox for Beginners – Top Tips for Botox Virgins

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
Christine Ashley recently asked:


Have you looked in the mirror recently and wondered where all those frown lines, furrows and crows feet came from? I did - it’s a part of getting older and will happen to everyone at some stage, but you don’t have to put up with it. I don’t!

Botox is not a new treatment. In fact it has been around for over 20 years, but has seen a massive increase recently. In 2005 it was recorded that there was a 50% increase in the number of people having Botox treatments in the UK over the previous year. It is well publicised in magazines and papers with constant speculation over which celebrities are the latest to sample the Botox benefits. Celebrities rumoured to have had Botox treatment include Madonna, Liz Hurley and Kylie. And, it’s not just the girls! Ever wondered how Cliff Richard remains so youthful despite being 67 this year?

How does it work?

Well its quite simple really. Botox is injected directly into the muscle that affects the wrinkles/lines you are treating. The Botox is a muscle relaxing injection that temporarily relaxes muscles preventing them from contracting. This stops creasing when frowning and allows the skin to heal and the wrinkles/lines to smooth out.

Is it permanent?

Unfortunately not, effects are temporary, usually 3 – 6 months, as the body will break down and remove the Botox over time. However, regular use can lead to prolonged lasting effects.

How long does it take?

It takes between 15 – 30 minutes depending upon the area being treated, and you can be back up on your feet straight away, an ideal lunch treatment for us busy career women. The full effect will be visible approximately a week after treatment, so make sure you book it in a week before the big event not the day before!

Will it hurt?

Compared to conventional surgery, muscle relaxing injection treatments are quick, relatively painless with minimal health risks and can show dramatic results almost instantly with no recovery time. They feel the same as normal injections and the needle is tiny.

How much will it cost?

Well not as much as you think. Just because celebrities do it, it doesn’t make it beyond the reach of the masses. Botox treatments can start from as little as £150, depending upon the areas that need treating - a fraction of the cost of conventional surgery, and compared to the amount you would spend on creams, make up and the like over the years, this is such a small figure.

So you’ve decided that Botox is for you, what next?

Choose your clinic carefully

Even though the treatments are non-invasive, it is still wise to choose the clinic you use carefully and research the different options available. Make sure you ask to see patient testimonials and before and after photographs of previous clients so that you know what to expect from the treatment. Botox is a prescription only medicine so should only be administered by qualified GP doctors and Cosmetic Practitioners, avoid beauty salons and go for specialist clinics.

No obligation consultations

All reputable clinics will invite you for an initial consultation to assess your needs. Be sure to check that the clinic you choose offers you a free and no-obligation consultation, otherwise you are spending £100 plus before you have even decided to go ahead with Botox treatment.

The Botox Clinic that I visit in Somerset, is housed in a charming late Victorian building, far removed from any austere hospital clinic. The doctors and expert medical staff took time assessing my needs and explaining the procedures to be undertaken during my free initial consultation, and the relaxed atmosphere put me totally at ease whilst I was being treated. Now, two treatments down the line, I have no regrets. I’m not ashamed to say that I use Botox and would certainly recommend the procedure to others. I can confidently say that I look and feel younger.





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The Bad Side of Botox

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
Sharon Bell recently asked:


When it comes to Botox, doctors said you should follow your mom’s advice. Don’t talk to strangers and never take candy from someone you don’t know well.

Botox is extremely popular nowadays because it is easy to use and the results are great. With just a few injections, the procedure can paralyze facial muscles and prevent them from wrinkling. However, at the wrong hands, this procedure can be extremely dangerous.

In the medical journal Neurology, Dr. N. Souayah and his colleagues narrated how things can go wrong if Botox is administered by a person other than a doctor. The victim was a 34-year-old woman who decided to get Botox injections from a friend. To her, the offer probably sounded like a good deal since she was getting the injections at a much lower price.

But good bargains are hard to find and her mistake was entrusting her life to someone who wasn’t even trained in giving Botox injections. Her mistake cost her a great deal.

“The preparation was not the FDA-approved botulinum toxin type A (brand name Botox). The injected substance was apparently research-grade toxin and was bought on the internet. Two days after the injection, the woman developed progressive shortness of breath, swallowing difficulties, double vision, and generalized weakness. By the time she was examined by a neurologist, she was totally paralyzed with the exception of a little movement of her left big toe. An attempt to limit the paralysis with serum against the toxin was too late and did not help,” said Dr. Richard Barbano, a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology.

Upon examination, the woman was found to have high levels of the botulinum toxin in her blood. She was given over 2,000 to 5,000 times the normal amount needed for cosmetic purposes. Luckily, she survived that dreadful incident.

“The patient was treated in the intensive care unit for any developing problems while waiting for recovery, which was slow. By three weeks, she could only shrug her shoulders and move her eyes. By five weeks, she could answer with a yes or no. The last time she was evaluated, 10 months after she was hospitalized, she still had problems with muscle pain and weakness and had some shortness of breath,” Barbano said.

There is an important lesson to be learned here. Never trust a friend who offers to do something that requires professional training. Like any other drug, Botox can be abused. Its safety depends on the way it is used.

“When appropriately used by trained doctors, botulinum toxin has a remarkable safety record. The important point is that it should be administered only by someone with considerable experience with the medication. It also must be emphasized that the botulinum toxin used in this sad case was NOT the commercial product found in pharmacies and administered by doctors. This was a research-grade product never meant for medical use in humans,” Barbano wrote.

So as not to compromise your health, switch to other wrinkle-fighters that can deliver similar results without the side effects of Botox. One popular product is the Rejuvinol AM/PM Botox Alternative Age-Defying System. This unique system consists of the Rejuvinol morning moisturizer and the Rejuvox night cream that work together to moisturize the skin and diminish the appearance of crow’s feet, laugh lines, and wrinkles. Visit http://www.rejuvinol.com for more information.





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What is Botox®, and How Does it Work?

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009
Patricia Woloch recently asked:


Since its introduction and approval in 2002, Botox® has become the number one cosmetic surgery procedure in the United States, according to the statistics of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This seemingly magic cure for deep-set frown lines and rugged furrowed brows is very popular among politicians and Hollywood actors. With its relatively low cost and long lasting effects, over 4 million people in the U.S chose Botox treatments in 2006 alone.

Botox is made of a sterile form of botulinum toxin, which is injected under the skin to deaden the nerve endings that cause wrinkles. When injected, the toxin inhibits the release of the chemical acetylcholine, which signals the muscles in your face to contract. Since those muscles are chemically paralyzed, they do not pinch the skin and cause wrinkles to form.

Even though Botox is made from a deadly toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, it is relatively safe. The toxin itself is extracted from the live bacteria, and no live bacteria are injected into the skin. There is no chance of contracting botulism. Only small, localized doses of the toxin are administered during treatments, and the risks are relatively small.

The toxin treatment was first approved to treat blepharospasm (twitching eye muscles) in 1989. Cosmetically desirable effects of Botox were noticed when the frown lines between the eyebrows were observed to soften following treatment applied for eye muscle disorders. Subjects no longer had deep creases or folds of tissue near the areas where the injections were given.

These observations lead to clinical trials and subsequent FDA approval as a cosmetic application in April 2002. As of 2006, Botox injection are the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States.

Since Botox is not an injectable filler, but a chemical blocker, many wrinkle lines are not treated with Botox. Sun damaged skin and other wrinkles that are not caused by neuromuscular action are better treated with injectable fillers like collagen or Restylane.

The number of injections needed is based on the area being treated. Crow’s feet might only take from two to five injections where as glabellar lines (furrowed brow) might take eight to ten injections. The injection sessions usually only take from ten to fifteen minutes of your time, and you can resume normal activities right away.

Like all medical treatment, Botox does have potential side effects.

Some of the side effects may include:

• Pain

• Bruising

• Redness

• Nausea

• Headache

• Ptosis (drooping of upper eyelid)

There is virtually no down time after a Botox injection treatment, you can resume a normal day as soon as you leave the physician’s office. Be careful not to rub or massage the treated area as this could cause the injected material to migrate to other areas. Full results are seen after a few days, and last up to six months. Re-injections are needed to maintain your new fresh appearance. Cosmetic Botox® injections should be given no more than once every three months.

It is important to find a doctor who has experience with Botox injections to minimize risks, and ensure proper dosing. Botox is delivered to the physician in dry form and must be reconstituted with the right amount of saline. Each vial of Botox is intended for onetime use on a single patient.

A growing phenomenon around the country is the so-called “Botox parties” where a clinician will open up his clinic and basically throw a party. As the participants wait their turn for injection, they socialize and have fun. The FDA has issued warnings about these types of events as they can diminish the serious nature of the injections and their use. However, when compared to other cosmetic treatments, the complication rate of Botox is remarkably low. A recent campaign to put more severe warnings on Botox by the group Public Citizen, listed only one death from cosmetic treatment with the drug. Considering the millions of treatments performed annually, this represents a fraction of a tenth of a percent of a percent of risk.





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