Surveys done by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons have identified botox cosmetics and dermal fillers as two anti-aging solutions that have attracted a lot of public demand: because they provide a non-invasive solution to looking younger. Plastic surgeons should consider adding these procedures to their practice. They are not only popular but can also be done in the office.

Hands On Training Programs

Although there are training programs throughout the UK to supply cosmetic experts, the best training will inevitably be hands-on training by a qualified doctor/surgeon.

While its possible to learn much from listening to lectures, watching power point presentations and studying textbooks, the most important skill to learn is how to skilfully administer injections. This can only be learned through a hands-on approach. A trainee who understands all about Botox Cosmetics and Dermal Fillers but not how to inject a patient’s face is poorly equipped for the real world.

Certified Instructors

While medical schools are taught by doctors who are experts in their specialty, the same criteria does not appear to be applied when it comes to non-invasive cosmetic training. Many of the instructors who teach about Botox Cosmetics and Dermal Fillers are not qualified. A trainee has to inquire about the qualifications of the instructors before enrolling in a school providing cosmetic training.

Post Training Support

Apart from getting hands-on training from a qualified and certified instructor, the trainee will also need post-training support. This will help with dealing with situations not covered during the training. While training programs may be able to cover a lot of ground, they can’t realistically cover everything, so questions based on exceptional situations will inevitably arise during the course of dealing with patients.

Additionally, the best training should also include ways to build an effective business practice.

Botulinum was once considered one of the most deadly toxins on earth, but in recent years is being used in an increasing number of medical applications. The pharmaceutical solution is available in varying forms as Botox or Dysport in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Allergen Company first patented Botox, but the name is commonly used interchangeably for both medications by the general public. In 2006, the solutions had gained immediate acceptance in the treatment of various medical ailments including depression, prostate disease, vocal problems and urinary incontinence. Though Botox and Dysport use has become increasingly common in the medical profession, many health care providers encounter patients with numerous fears and misinformation related to the treatment. Many acquaint the medication with the infamous food toxin or express concern regarding possible paralyzing side effects.

Many useful modern day medications are solutions derived from toxic substances. Well-known medications including adrenalin, atropine, digoxin and lidocaine are commonly used in cardiac patients and were formulated by extracting substances from animals, plants, or microbes that may be toxic in and of themselves. The foxglove plant is used to manufacture digoxin. The plant itself is very dangerous if consumed by an average person, as it causes cessation of the heart. However, diluted and formulated properly, digoxin is used to control abnormally fast heart rates. Likewise, atropine is developed from the nightshade family and though the plant can cause many serious side effects, a substance within the plant is medically used to control the nerves that regulate heartbeat. Ladies in ancient cultures used the substance to dilate their pupils, thus fooling suitors into believing they were attractive. Botox is derived from the bacteria that causes serious food poisoning, but the substance is carefully diluted. Trained physicians are aware of which muscle groups the solution can be injected into to prevent possible hazardous effects. It is not uncommon for newborns to receive such injections when suffering from cerebral palsy or other forms of muscle spasticity. The infants in these instances experience no adverse effects. Health care providers find that common widely used substances, including antibiotics and aspirin, pose a much larger health risk to patients. As with any medication, possible anaphylaxis can occur with Botox injections. Trained physicians should only provide the treatment in settings containing proper emergency medical equipment.

Who would have thought that modern medical scientists could tame a substance once called “The most poisonous poison on earth” and harness its power to use for goodness? The miracle of controlling Botox, also called Dysport in the United Kingdom and Ireland has resulted in the successful treatment of voice tremors, urinary incontinence, prostatic disease and even depression. The cosmetic applications extend even further, Botox can help control underarm perspiration, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, lift the eyelids and make lips look fuller. So, what was once seen as a terrible poison is now a miracle drug.

Some people are concerned that Botox injections will give them a glazed, expressionless face, but at the hands of a skilled and realistic practitioner, that’s not likely to happen. Certified and expert physicians who use Botox for cosmetic purposes understand how the cells in the face toned to age and relax over time, and use Botox to work with the body’s natural weak spots, providing a firmer resistance. Properly applied, a patient won’t look fake, plastic or expressionless at all.

Another common misconception about Botox is that it’s toxic. True, it’s derived from a toxic substance, but before being approved for cosmetic purposes, it goes through a rigorous safety process that ensures it’s diluted and that the final injection isn’t strong enough to hurt anyone. In fact, most drugs are derived from toxins. In small amounts, they’re used effectively to treat diseases and disorders. In large amounts, though, they’re dangerous.

Belladonna is an example of this. A relative of the potato plant, Belladonna has been used over the centuries as an aphrodisiac, a poison and as a cosmetic eye drop. Today, ophthalmologist use a formula derived from Belladonna to dilate the patient’s upils for an optometric examination. Once dilated, the doctor can see the retina clearly. So any substance that can be called toxic, can also be diluted in order to work with the body instead of against it. “Everything in moderation,” so the saying goes.

The best thing a client can do, when considering whether or not to use Botox or Dysport, is to discuss the matter with a physician who’s informed and trained in using Botox effectively. When there are so many misconceptions and misconstrued information floating around, it’s no wonder that some of the people who would benefit the most from Botox injections may be afraid to pursue the matter.

Frown lines around your mouth or forehead can make you look tired and older than your age. However, there are methods for preventing and eliminating these wrinkles.

Skin maintains its elasticity with the natural substances of collagen and elastin. However, your body produces less of these chemicals with age and your skin has a harder time staying taut and bouncing back when stretched. Think of a worn-out rubber band that is too stretched to return to its original size. The aging process is made worse by factors like sun exposure and smoking. With years of repetitive movements like frowning, laughing, and squinting, frown lines form.

To prevent frown lines, protect your skin from the sun. Wear large sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Make sure to reapply sunblock often. Wrinkle creams are good for both treatment and prevention since they nourish your cells and help replenish your depleting collagen. Look for lotions and creams that contain retinol or vitamin A, vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid to moisturize. Alpha and beta hydroxy acids can also help to remove or exfoliate dead skin cells and reveal more youthful skin underneath. For an effective and relaxing solution, facial massages may actually help prevent frown lines. A massage stimulates blood flow to the area, and exfoliation reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. If you’re concerned about wrinkles on your entire body, use oils like coconut or almond oil to keep skin soft and well-hydrated.

Diet can also be a factor that affects the health of your skin. Foods that contain antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids are known to affect the firmness of your skin. Instead of processed foods, go with fruits and vegetables and drink ample water.

Once you have the wrinkles, though, it is difficult to reverse the curse. One of the most popular treatment options for frown lines is the use of Botox. Botox injection can almost immediately reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and it lasts for months. Similar treatments include fillers like hyaluronic acid, collagen and calcium hydroxylapatite. Surgical brow or forehead lifts are more expensive, but they last for years. Less extreme treatment options include non-surgical procedures like chemical peels, dermabrasion, and laser skin resurfacing.

A study carried out in the US by psychologist David Havas and colleagues from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Arizona State University and the University of Chicago has had UK newspapers crying out that Botox injections will cause friendships to fail. The study’s conclusions suggest that using Botox procedures to effectively “freeze” the muscles that cause lined foreheads and crow’s feet will make users’ faces respond more slowly to bad news, giving the impression that they are indifferent or lacking in sympathy. Yet according to leading UK health website the study may be flawed and its conclusions should not give consumers cause to worry that Botox will destroy their relationships.

The study consisted of recruiting 41 women from cosmetic surgery clinics to participate in a test that involved reading 60 sentences on a computer screen. The women, who received $50 towards the cost of their procedures as compensation, took two tests–one just before their Botox treatment, and the second two weeks afterwards. Both times they read 20 happy, 20 sad and 20 angry sentences, pressing a key on the keyboard to indicate when they had finished reading each sentence.

Analytical techniques such as regression analysis were used to cancel out the effects the position of the questions in the tests, the emotions they were designed to express, and possible anxiety about the Botox procedures. The overall result of the study was the finding that although the time for reading the happy sentences remained unchanged, participants took approximately 0.2 to 0.3 seconds longer to read the sad and angry sentences after their Botox treatments. Drawing on earlier research on both animals and humans, the study’s conclusion was that Botox’s paralysing effect on facial muscles was hindering emotional processing, particularly if the paralysed muscles were the ones usually used to express the emotion in question.

NHS commenters have pointed to several flaws in the study, including the small size of the sample and the fact that previous studies have not shown for certain that reading time is an indicator of the effectiveness of emotional processing. In addition, no research was done to assess the popularity and/or sociability of the study participants, or to independently assess their facial expressions as they read the questions. It seems likely, therefore, that UK newspapers were jumping to unwarranted conclusions when they deduced that Botox use could ruin friendships.

In February 2010 Debenhams, the high street department store shoppers usually associate with fashions and furniture, became the first chain to banish customers wrinkles by selling Botox jabs to its customers. For a flat fee starting at £170, shoppers can spend their lunchtime improving their looks with a Botox procedure that generally takes around 45 minutes, including a total of 10 minutes for the jabs and a consultation with a physician in a private consulting room.

The Mediskin Cosmetic Laser Clinic was first rolled out in the Newcastle store. With the use of Botox for cosmetic enhancement in the UK up 2,500 percent in a three-year period, Debenhams is planning to make the clinics available nationwide in the near future. In addition to Botox, the clinics will offer other popular cosmetic treatments such as dermal fillers, age and sun spot reduction, and removal of thread veins.

Botox works by blocking the signals from the brain that cause muscles to contract and move. Tiny injections into the sites where lines and wrinkles appear effectively freeze the muscles, causing a noticeable smoothing effect within three days. The effect lasts for three to four months for the first treatment, and up to six months for subsequent procedures.

Botox treatment has become wildly popular for eliminating crow’s feet and worry lines on the forehead, and gossip columns are rife with stories of celebrities such as Simon Cowell, Victoria Beckham and pop singer Fergie having Botox injections. It’s no wonder that ordinary British men and women are turning to the needle to get a quick and relatively cheap shot of youthfulness. Although some dermatologists warn against the long-term side effects of Botox, the injections have been used for 20 years to prevent eye squinting and it is clear from Debenhams’ move that consumers have come to regard Botox enhancements as a routine cosmetic procedure.

With the UK market estimated at over 100,000 Botox users a year, the Debenhams initiative may be the first sign of a rush to take advantage of the fastest-growing beauty lift in the cosmetic industry. Debenhams spokeswoman Ruth Attridge stressed the advantages to customers of being able to have the procedure done as part of their regular day, while stressing that the Botox jabs will be “all under the guidance of medical practitioners.”

Many people think that Botox is mostly a procedure for people who want to look younger and reduce the amount of wrinkles on their face, but lately it has proven to be a great way to help many other people, including stroke victims. One of the biggest proponents of Botox therapy is Henry Wrinker, the former Happy Days actor.

Wrinker insists that Botox could have given his late mother a much better quality of life if she had been given Botox treatments in her later years. To help get this message out, Henry Wrinker has teamed up with Allergan, Inc. and several patient advocacy groups. Two of these groups are the highly respected Brain Injury Association of America and the National Stroke Association. Together, they are launching a worldwide campaign to bring awareness to the miracle of Botox.

Henry Wrinker decided to become an advocate for Botox as soon as he learned about the benefits of this powerful neurotoxic protein. He explained that his mother died 8 years after experiencing a stroke in 1987. If she had been given Botox treatments, he is sure that her life would have been better and longer than it was.

He said that the most painful part of the last 8 years of his mother’s life was that all of her joy and zest seemed to vanish. She had always been an extremely active woman, but after the stroke, she just seemed sluggish and lifeless. The new Botox treatment is like a gift to the world that previous generations never got to experience. Wrinkler urges people to check out the information for themselves at openarmscampaign.com.

Wrinkler says he has been actively involved with stroke victims and is absolutely amazed by the immediate results they see in their life when they get a Botox treatment. He says it can change lives. One example he likes to point to is a 37 year old mother who had been completely crippled and helpless from a stroke for more than a year. A few days after getting Botox injections she could dress herself for the first time and hug her family.

Wrinkler says that the most important thing about any new therapy is assessing the truth of its claims. He was skeptical at first and needed to see it for himself. Now, he is completely convinced, and that is why he has decided to dedicate his life to spreading this wonderful news around the world.

From the time Botox was introduced into the market, the number of patients requesting Botox injections has rapidly increased. The popularity of the Botox injection reflects not just its effectiveness, but its versatility and safety in treating several aesthetic and medical conditions. Botox is a protein mostly known for its ability to minimize the appearance of wrinkles, but Botox injections are commonly used to treat hyperhidrosis, a condition that causes excessive sweating in the palms, feet and underarms, strabismus, eyelid spasms, and to reduce neck pain and stiffness. Botulinum neurotoxin, known to the public as Botox, is produced solely by the pharmaceutical company Allergan, and although its name includes the word toxin, there are no toxic side effects from using Botox.

Misconception: Botox injections are highly toxic

A common misconception about Botox is that it is toxic. In fact, Botox has no none permanent side effects. All side effects related to Botox injections are minimal and temporary, and are confined to swelling, headaches and short-term allergic reactions. However, these side effects are common for a majority of drugs, including aspirin and cough syrups. Drugs that contain toxins are commonly used in medicine to treat several medical conditions. Digoxin is a toxin based drug derived from plants and it is commonly used to treat several arrhythmia inducing heart conditions. Drugs such as Lignocaine uses toxins derived from sea anemones to stop the acceleration of multiple sclerosis. It is also used to treat heart irregularities and is widely used as an effective topical drug for treating multiple forms of skin inflammation. The term toxin does not on its own imply a dangerous ingredient. It is the form and amount of toxicity in a specific drug that produces poisoning. Botox is derived from botulinum toxin which can be poisoning, but the amount used in a Botox injection is extremely low and thus does not have the ability to produce poisoning. This is very similar to the administration of vaccines. Vaccines carry an extremely low amount of pathogens or protein toxins to prevent or treat several medical infections. The injection of Botox is confined to a specific muscle and does not leak into the surrounding area. Although all drugs carry some risk, Botox has proven to be very safe. Ultimately, just like any medical treatment, Botox must be performed by a trained medical professional to ensure proper administration.

Botox and Microdermabraison are both said to combat the signs of aging, we delve into this frther to see the benefits of each and the suitable candidates.

Many people fear the inevitable sagging and wrinkling of the skin that comes with aging. Not only does the appearance suffer, but it’s a daily reminder that the body is no longer improving. Suddenly, after all the hard work of becoming the fully mature body we were meant to be, the body does a complete reversal and decides to decline instead. Add in the fact that the end of the slow decline is death and aging becomes less about appearance and more about terror.

It’s no surprise that many people choose to undergo cosmetic procedures to hide the hints of aging that remind us of our unpleasant decline. It makes good sense. Other excellent reasons to have procedures such as botox or Microdermabrasion include stress reduction, improved appearance, and a return to youth, if only in the mirror.

Botox

This decade old treatment lasts about six weeks and costs about £350 for one treatment. They’re considered to be safe and effective, though there are some nasty side effects that can accompany the treatment: Bruising, headaches, muscle weakness, and nausea, to name a few. Few people suffer from these side effects and there is an up side: Botox is often cited as a treatment for migraines.

Microdermabrasion

During this procedure, the top layer of dead skin is removed. This paves the way for new cells to be produced in the deeper layers of the skin. It’s not considered surgery and though treatments can be performed in a doctor’s office, they can also be performed in a salon or spa. The result is a rejuvenation of the skin and a happier person.

To describe the procedure a little further:

It takes about 20 to 30 minutes for the face to receive a microdermabrasion treatment. The face, chest, or neck can take as long as one hour. Four to eight treatments are performed, with one to three weeks between each treatment. People can pay at much as £200 for a treatment or as little as £50. It all depends on where you choose to go.

The good news is that you won’t have to go under anesthesia and you’re not going to suffer any pain during the treatments. Microdermabrasion is so harmless that it’s sometimes called a lunch-time peel. It won’t disrupt your routines or cause you to suffer for weeks. The most it will do is turn your skin pink for one to three days.

Botox injections, once a shameful secret among celebrities, is now becoming commonplace. In fact, it’s not just the elite or mega-wealthy who opt for specialty beauty treatments these days. In an article for the Yorkshire Post, Dr Paul Charlson, who works as the medical director of a specialist clinic near Brough, in Elloughton, was quoted as saying “Over the past year I’ve seen a marked increase in the number of people asking for this treatment. ” He goes on to say that “it’s not just image-conscious women who want to enhance their looks and turn back the clock by appearing younger in this way, men are keen to do the same.”

According to Charlson, clients who seek these treatments have high profile careers, or work in the public eye. These everyday celebrities are people like judges, members of the clergy, reporters, comics, public speakers and even people who give a lot of presentations at work. What began as a medical treatment to help puff up droopy eyelids that interfered with a patient’s vision, to stop abnormal muscle twitches or spasms or to prevent excessive sweating is now a common way to hide from mother nature and turn the clock back a few years.

One apprehensive patient was pleased that the procedure involved no bruising and that she left the office with nothing but teeny pinprick marks where the needles entered her skin. Thanks to a topical anaesthesia, however, she didn’t feel the injections at all. The Botox works slowly in the body, full effects are visible 3-5 days after the procedure. The results generally last a few months, but can last longer since clients may be able to retrain themselves to not use facial expressions that are making them wrinkle.

Some people are concerned about the safety of the procedure. Be sure to select a practitioner who is a member in good standing of the BACD. The British Association of Cosmetic Doctors ensures that its members are all registered with the General Medical Council and that they maintain ongoing education, to be sure they’re always working with the latest safety standards and scientific discoveries.

In addition to hiring a professional practitioner, patients should be sure that their caregiver discusses the procedure with them ahead of time and that they know what to expect every step of the way. Understanding what’s going to happen can prevent unhappy results down the line.