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Botox – Brain connection

Botox, an incredibly popular drug sold by Allergan Inc., is used primarily in cosmetic procedures designed to reduce facial wrinkles and is derived from the deadly botulinum neurotoxin produced by the bacteria clostridium botulinum. A different version of botulinum neurotoxin, known as Myobloc, is used in medical procedures designed to reduce muscle stiffness and spasms in people with cerebral palsy. People who are exposed to this toxin through having infected wounds or eating contaminated food develop botulism. Botulism is a paralytic illness that can paralyze the respiratory system and result in death if not treated.

New studies have shown that Botox doesn’t just reduce wrinkles. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, Botox that is injected into a person’s face can move into the brain and damage the central nervous system. When Botox was first introduced to the cosmetic market, there were no warning labels or particularly nasty proven side effects. However, the FDA mandated that warning labels be added to Botox and Myobloc after people began reporting trouble breathing and swallowing after using the drugs. The FDA has mainly directed these warnings to people with neuromuscular problems, but also admits that other people may be at risk as well. Due to these concerns, the FDA has begun investigating Botox its potentially dangerous side effects.

In the Journal of Neuroscience article, researchers experimented on rats with Botox to observe its effects on the brain. The researchers found that when they injected botulinum toxin into one side of a rat’s brain, the toxin would make its way over to the other side of the brain. When they injected a part of the brain responsible for vision, the toxin made its way into the rat’s eyes. The effects of the toxin were long lasting – researchers still detected the effects up to six months later. The results of this study support concerns about the dangers of injecting Botox into a person’s face. Although Botox is one of the best selling cosmetic procedures today, maybe clients should reconsider getting Botox treatments before more information and research can be obtained on the dangers of this potentially damaging paralytic agent.

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Different Types of Dermal Fillers

There exist a few kinds of dermal fillers on the market, all of which have the same intention: to decrease the signs of aging. The only realDermal Fillers differences among them are how long they take, what they are made of, and how they work.

Collagen

Collagen is an injection, thus making it a rather soft product. Because it is based on humans, there are hardly ever any negative reactions and it usually sits well with anybody who takes it. The primary advantage is the fact that it has lidocaine in it, meaning the process is less uncomfortable for a person, making it a good choice for those who fear pain. On average, the product will remain good for up to six months, though it must be refrigerated.

Hyaluronic Acids

Restylane and Perlane are two examples of a non-animal based hyaluronic acid Dermal Fillers. The former product will typically last upwards of six months, where the latter product seems to last a little bit longer than that since it is a bit of a more robust product. Captique, another similar product, will normally last upwards of four months. Juvederm, on the other hand, is a new product of its kind that has been proven to last even longer: upwards of twelve months. Like collagen, it is a soft product that injects with ease.

Hylaform is another type of this product, though unlike the others, it is avian based. It is quite similar to Restylane except it does not last quite as long. However, it does come in numerous different levels of concentration for the purposes of property tailoring for a different level of wrinkles.

Semi-Permanent Dermal Fillers

Manufactured by BioForm, Radiesse is a product that of which is greatly compatible with people due to the fact that it contains a natural body substance: calcium hydroxyapatite. Though it may take multiple injections before the desired result is achieved, when this occurs, it should last upwards of two years. The natural body substance functions as a way to increase the production of new collagen. However, included with this advantage is one drawback: It causes a little bit more pain and bruising than that of other methods.

Manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis, and equally as compatible as the previous mention, Sculptra comes delivered within a vial. Ideally, one would reconstitute the substance at least three hours prior with lidocaine and sterile water. Since the water is used, the results will not be immediate, though it should occur within two days afterwards. Because the final product contains lidocaine, it will not be quite as painful as other methods, though this is a method requiring future injections at least a full month in between. This may last upwards of two years.

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Botox Clinics

For the first time ever, an attempt has been made to monitor and control places that provide Botox treatments and “filler” injections. With 5,000 clinics performing approximately 200,000 Botox treatments for wrinkles and filler treatments designed to plump lips and sagging skin each year in the United Kingdom, the industry is in dire need of regulation. Although there are plenty of legitimate practitioners working in the industry, there are also far too many rogue practitioners administering treatments they are not qualified to give. To combat this, only doctors, dentists and nurses will be invited to participate in this attempt at regulation, along with organizations that provide Botox and filler injections. Once accepted, these practitioners will receive certificates of approval proving the quality and safety of their service.

The main problem with this proposed system is that it is voluntary. The charity Action Against Medical Accidents declared that if the Government does not make this system statutory, many people will be left at risk because an industry cannot be trusted to regulate itself properly – especially an industry that is as large and prosperous as the cosmetic industry. The Government requires any major cosmetic surgery to be regulated, but as Botox and filler injections are relatively minor non-surgical procedures, they can be offered by just about any business. Peter Walsh, the chief executive of Action Against Medical Accidents declares that his charity will continue “using our experience and influence to make this scheme as robust as it can be.”

One of the best reasons to create a regulated cosmetic industry is to help reduce the amount of botched cosmetic procedures. The most high profile examples of cosmetic treatments gone wrong are usually celebrities. For example, in 2003, Leslie Ash, the star of the television show Men Behaving Badly, had filler injections on her lips. The procedure went wrong, resulting in a look known as the “trout pout.” It is hard to determine exactly how many people have suffered from cosmetic treatments gone wrong or adverse side effects since many people are extremely embarrassed as to what has happened to them and would prefer to keep it quiet rather than raise a national ruckus. Also, without strict guidelines, many practitioners may turn to shady and dangerous treatments. For instance, in 2005, two government reports were published detailing how several practitioners supplying filler injections were using material from both animal and human corpses – material that could have been infected with hepatitis and other deadly diseases.

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Why People Love Facial Dermal Fillers

Soft tissue augmentation for aesthetic purposes has been around for over a hundred years. We can trace this field of medicine back to a German plastic surgeon who published a paper about adipose grafts that are transplanted to fix soft tissue defects on the face. This shows that fat grafts are the oldest known facial dermal fillers used in the plastic surgery field. Of course, the past 100 years have been spent improving techniques and finding better materials and devices to use to help patients cosmetically improve the appearance of soft tissue deficiencies. Facial dermal fillers are now one of the most popular ways people use to create a more aesthetically pleasing improvement to their face with the least invasive procedure possible.

Unfortunately, smoking, sunlight, aging and gravity take a toll on the elastic collagen of the face, causing wrinkles to appear. Aging-related changes include downturned corners of the mouth and atrophy of the lower and upper lips. Plastic surgery makes it possible to rejuvenate these areas with minor improvements. Facial dermal fillers are used to rebuild and refresh the areas near the mouth, helping the patient regain a more youthful appearance. Dermal fillers can also treat aging near the naso-labial folds of the face, a common and early sign of facial aging.

So why do people love facial dermal fillers to such a degree? One reason is the popularity of Botox, which has been shown to have amazing anti-aging on upper facial areas. With Botox injections, the anti-aging effects on the upper face have also created a need for better procedures to address the lower area of the face. Novel filler technology has also increased facial dermal fillers’ popularity with the general public. When Botox is used for the upper face together with dermal fillers on the lower face, an unbelievable age-reversing result is achieved that offers a rejuvenated appearance with minimally invasive procedures.

Today, many people will agree that a face should have prominence and depressions that are symmetrical. This belief is yet another reason people seem drawn to the field of soft tissue augmentation, particularly facial dermal fillers. Lip enhancement is now one of the most popular procedures and draws both the young and old. Because of the minimally invasive nature of these procedures, paired with their ability to deliver unmatched results, it’s no wonder people are eager to use facial dermal fillers to improve their appearance.

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The Pros and Cons of the Cosmetic Treatment Craze

Cosmetic treatment technologies continue to evolve, making beauty easier and cheaper for women to attain. This is good news for women seeking to appear younger, particularly because research has shown a correlation between attractiveness and career success. And since today’s non invasive treatments are less costly and require less recovery time than surgical procedures, more and more women are climbing on the cosmetic treatment bandwagon. But these newer treatments are temporary compared to traditional cosmetic surgery, requiring recurring visits to cosmetic treatment providers, and costs and time invested can add up. Also, experts worry that the growing fad may have societal repercussions in which younger and younger women are turning to cosmetic treatments in order to feel acceptable. And finally, little studies have been conducted to determine the long-term effects of non invasive treatments.

It’s true that cosmetic treatments are getting easier. Where cow-sourced collagen formerly required skin testing, human collagen and Botox now require no skin test. The treatments are quick and easy, with virtually no recovery time. When compared with traditional cosmetic surgery, fillers and injections are much more affordable, costing hundreds of dollars instead of thousands of dollars. But since these treatments are not permanent, women must routinely have the treatments repeated. And experts say that the non invasive treatments are simply postponing the traditional plastic surgeries, such as eyebrow lifts and face lifts. In the end, women may pay more than if they had opted for the traditional surgery in the first place. Also, traditional surgery has a longer history, so side-effects and long-term effects are well known by doctors.

But many argue against the growing fad altogether. Younger women are undergoing non invasive cosmetic treatments than ever before. Books such as “Bodylove: Learning to Like Our Looks and Ourselves, A Practical Guide for Women” by Rita Freedman and “Midlife Crisis at 30: How the Stakes Have Changed for a New Generation – And What to Do About It” by Lia Macko and Kerry Rubin address the negative repercussions that this fad has on society. Women see celebrities and even their peers undergoing treatments, and they feel like they don’t measure up. Indeed, studies have shown a correlation between career success and attractiveness, so it may be that the trend is already irreversible. Cosmetic enhancements may be no different than any other technology taking over the globe. Once we go there, it’s hard to turn back.

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Overview of Dermal Fillers

There’s almost nothing more satisfying for patients that undergo cosmetic procedures than an immediate correction in scars, skin texture and appearance. Dermal fillers today can provide this, instantly filling in hollow areas and smoothing the skin’s surface. Bovine collagen was the first FDA-approved dermal filler in the United States and remained the only option for almost a decade after it’s introduction in 1981. This type of dermal filler quickly became very popular and was sold under the name Zyderm I, with effective results that lasted around three months.

Of course, Zyderm I had its shortcomings. It was able to give fair results with marionette lines, moderate rhytides and deep nasolabial folds, although it had many disadvantages. Zyderm I provided a potential for allergy and required a skin test before use. The results only lasted three months or less and results were often disappointing for moderate to severe lines and scars.

In a very short time, Zyderm II and Zyplast were approved by the FDA and introduced to the public, addressing many of the problems with Zyderm I. These new types of dermal fillers significantly improved results and remained the only dermal fillers approved for use by the FDA for almost a decade. Still, there were many needs left unanswered. These products had many limitations and the full potential of facial dermal fillers wasn’t seen for some time.

The ideal dermal filler is safe, painless, hypoallergenic, inexpensive and provides results that last a long time. Today, dermal fillers have come a long way to fulfill this promise. With an increasingly large population reaching middle age, the demand for effective and safe dermal fillers is only growing. For this reason, facial filler products are the fastest growing area of cosmetic surgery and will continue to develop.

Dermal fillers are products that are injected into the dermis. After a treatment with dermal fillers, patients must not manipulate or touch the treated area to prevent product shift. If you’re interested in a treatment with facial fillers, typical costs range between £200 and £600 per session, depending on the formula you select. Today, results can last for six months or longer and greatly improve the appearance of even deeply set-in lines. You can even select fillers in the United States that are subdermal fillers, which are injected under the dermis in the subcutis area. Dermal fillers are only for use by trained professionals so you’ll need to schedule an appointment with a medical spa or cosmetic surgeon for each session. If you’re ready to see the difference a facial dermal filler can make, try scheduling a session today. You’ll find new fillers can erase years from your face while improving the overall texture and evenness of your skin.

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