HEALTHY LIVING TIPS

BOTOX cosmetic treatments have become popular with people preferring a non-surgical way to smoothen their wrinkles. These treatments incorporate the use of BOTOX cosmetic injections containing a highly purified form of neurotoxin produced by the Clostridium Botulinum bacteria. The injections are also effective for improving problems such as too much sweating and migraine headaches.

No doubt, BOTOX is a miracle treatment. However, before taking the decision to opt for BOTOX cosmetic treatment, one should consider certain points.

First, the Possible Side Effects: Common side effects with BOTOX treatment include nausea, headache, bruising, flu-like syndrome, minor pain, temporary drooping of the eyelid (ptosis), and respiratory infection.

Medication: The doctor who is handling the BOTOX treatment should be made aware of any medication that you are currently on; particularly if you are taking antibiotics, multivitamins, Vitamin E or drugs for complications in heart rhythm, Alzheimer’s disease, myasthenia gravis or infections. These medications, if used with BOTOX may:

•    Interact with it

•    Increase the likelihood of side effects occurring with the treatment

•    Cause adverse reactions

To avoid this, you may have to stop taking these medicines.

Check if You Are a Good Candidate: BOTOX cosmetic treatment is not advised for women who are pregnant, nursing, or intending to become pregnant before long, as sufficient information is not available on its use and effects. BOTOX treatment would also not be a good idea for you if you have:

•    A generalized movement problem or any neuromuscular disease. 

•    Any hypersensitivity to or are allergic to any constituent of the formulation.

•    Any infection on the region which is to be treated.

Must be Willing to do Treatments at Intervals: BOTOX injections, though safer than plastic surgery, offer only temporary results (3 to 6 months). So, if you want your results to continue, you should be ready to do repeat treatments.



By: Spero Theodorou

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BOTOX ALTERNATIVES

Those of you looking into botox treatments may wonder if there are safe alternatives to botox treatments. As you age the lines and wrinkles seem to multiply on your face and there’s nothing that will make you look older faster than those wrinkles. With botox being so popular recently it’s no wonder that as soon as we see wrinkles we think of botox as a solution. It’s true that botox can be one safe and effective way to remove wrinkles and lines from our faces, but you should take the time to look into other ways to take care of those wrinkles.

You should know before you get botox injections that it is a toxic substance. Botox is short for ‘botulism poisoning’ which is a type of food poisoning that is capable of causing severe illness and even death. When botulism is detected the person affected needs immediate medical attention and health officials frequently get involved to contain any potential outbreak. Botulism is not something to take lightly.

Botox is made from the same bacteria that causes botulism and it works by paralyzing the muscles that it’s injected into. A small amount of diluted botox is injected directly into the facial muscles causing them to weaken and thus making the skin over top of them smooth out. Once the skin smoothes, then the wrinkles and lines disappear.

It’s a very extreme solution to a simple problem and you should know that there are other ways that are equally effective and safer than botox. Don’t get me wrong, botox does work wonders, however it still presents risks and the treatment needs to be repeated every 3-6 months making it expensive as well. Some people have developed cardiovascular problems from botox and some even experience a permanent loss of sensation in areas that have been injected with botox frequently. While botox is considered very safe it still poses some risks.

An alternative to these injections is a quality botox cream or anti aging cream. These creams are also pretty expensive, but they pose none of the risks you’ll get with botox. LifeCell and Revitol are two botox creams that are regarded quite highly. Plus you’ll find that the botox creams can remove some wrinkles that are untreatable by botox such as lines from sun damage.

Do your homework about wrinkle removal and you’ll find there are some alternatives to botox injections. Botox creams and anti aging creams can be a safe effective way to get the same results and keep a smooth youthful looking face. Botox injections may be your first thought, but it may not be the best solution.

By: Steven Walters

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ALERTNATIVE TO RESTYLANE

What is Botox?

It derives from the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. In nature, large quantities of this exist. In these large doses, it can be harmful and it is this toxin that causes botulism. However, when small dilute quantities are used, as is done in therapeutic treatments, it is extremely safe and can be used under the skin to act as a muscle relaxant.

How does it work?

Botox is used to treat frown lines and creases by injecting small amounts into the facial muscles. Normally, nerve cells release chemicals which cause the muscles to tighten, leading to frown lines. Botox blocks these chemical signals causing a slight weakening of the muscle contraction and a smoothing of the skin’s appearance. Contrary to popular belief, skillfully applied Botox does not paralyze the facial muscles completely, it just relaxes and reduces their response.

This is what I take prides himself in doing when using Botox in my practice in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I like Botox light. We like to normalize facial expressions, not wipe them out. Not everyone wants to look like Madonna.

What can Botox do for me?

Botox treatment can reduce the appearance of frown lines, forehead wrinkles and crows feet around the eyes. It can also be used to treat creases around the mouth. When performed properly it should have a gentle relaxing effect while still allowing natural expressions like smiling and frowning. Botox treatment will not reduce lines caused by sun damage and may not be fully effective on very deep creases.

Is it safe?

A course of Botox injections is a well established and recognized treatment that is considered to be safe when carried out by a qualified practitioner. There are, however, some groups of people who should not use Botox. These include pregnant and breastfeeding women and anyone suffering from a disease that affects the nerves or muscles. Certain medicines can react with Botox and you should consult your doctor if you are taking antibiotics or drugs to control heartbeat irregularities, Alzheimer’s disease or myasthenia gravis (a chronic autoimmune disorder).

If you are known to be allergic to any of the ingredients in Botox or if the area to be treated is infected, you should not have the treatment. However, even in experienced hands, every medication, including Botox, has side effects. The most common side effects are weakening of some muscles unwontedly. For example, some people get an eyelid droop when Botox is put into the brow. Fortunately, Botox side effects are rare and reversible.

What happens during Botox treatment?

First the surgeon will discuss your medical history and assess which areas of your face to treat. During the treatment, a series of small injections will then be directed straight into the facial muscles that the doctor wants to relax using an extremely tiny needle.

You will not need an anesthetic as the injections cause very little pain. The whole procedure should be completed within a matter of minutes. Rarely, these Botox injections can cause the side effect of bruising.

How quickly will I recover?

As soon as the procedure is completed, you will be able to return to normal activities. Some patients report a slight headache as a side effect of the Botox treatment but this should soon pass. Sometimes you will be advised not to lie down for 3 or 4 hours after the procedure as this can encourage the Botox to spread to other areas of the face.

You should not rub the treated area for the same reason. You should also make use your muscles as much as possible so the Botox will be absorbed. Botox usually takes 3 to 7 days to take full effect, after which time visible improvement in facial lines should be noticeable. Your normal facial expressions should still be present.

The beneficial effects of Botox usually last for 3 to 6 months.

Are there any Botox side effects?

Side effects of Botox treatment are usually mild. Some patients experience a slight headache for the first 24 hours after injections to the forehead area, especially after their first treatment. Mild bruising of the injected area can also occur.

In very rare cases, excess Botox can cause the side effect of droopy eyelids, a condition known as ptosis. This is unlikely to occur when the treatment is carried out by an experienced cosmetic surgeon and will gradually correct itself as the Botox wears off. If you do experience drooping eyelids, you should tell your consultant.

Although very unlikely, a small percentage of patients may suffer the side effect of an extreme adverse reaction to Botox. You should seek medical help immediately if you experience difficulty in swallowing and breathing or develop a rash.

Your best defense against the side effects of Botox is to find a skilled doctor to administer it.

What are the advantages of using Botox?

Since its initial introduction, Botox treatment has quickly gained in popularity and is consistently one of the most requested cosmetic procedures. It is a relatively safe treatment for most people with few documented reports of serious complications.

The treatment is very simple and quick and almost painless. Because no general anesthetic is required, recovery time is rapid with little or no side effects. The results of the procedure are fully reversible over time as the muscle weakening effect of the Botox eventually wears off.

Cost of Botox

Botox costs depend on numerous factors. Individual Botox treatment cost a reasonable amount varing from $400 to over a thousand dollars based on how many areas are treated.m The results last for 3 or 4 months, and do not have to be repeated too often. Some patients find that after several sessions, the time between treatments can be increased to about 6 months.

Where should I go to get Botox treatment?

Once you have decided to have Botox treatment it is important to choose the right cosmetic surgeon to perform the procedure. Botox has a proven track record for safety and good results but only when carried out by a reputable practitioner. Choose a fully qualified surgeon who has already carried out many Botox procedures.

Look for a clinic where the surgeon is willing to carry out an initial consultation so that you have the chance to ask any questions and thoroughly discuss the implications of the treatment.

A good cosmetic surgeon should always be happy to give you lots of information and may be able to show you photographs of past clients and the results of their treatment. It’s also a good idea to ask around your friends for personal recommendations.

What else is Botox used for?

Although Botox injections are most well known as a cosmetic procedure for the reduction of facial wrinkles, it is also used in the treatment of several medical conditions. Botox can be used to reduce muscle spasms and twitching of the neck or eyelids.

It has also proved successful in the treatment of excessively sweaty armpits by blocking the chemical transmitters that cause the sweating. Depending on the reasons for treatment, sometimes the cost of Botox injections can be covered by medical insurance.

Botox Creams Recently, a cream has been advertised as better than Botox. Unfortunately this Botox cream does not really work. It contains a weak muscle relaxant, strivectant, and this Botox cream does not do much.

Botox Alternatives

If Botox cosmetics do not work, are there alternatives to Botx? Recenlty several Botox alternatives have been studied. One alternative to Botox is Reloxin. It is similar to it, in that it blocks the chemicals released from the nerves. Some say this alternative might work better than Botox.

How to Find a Skilled Doctor For Your Botox Treatments

The best doctor for your Botox treatments for your wrinkles would be an ethical doctor who specializes in these treatments. Ideally, he or she is a teacher of other Botox providers. You can find a qualified person for your Botox treatments through the Ethical Cosmetic Surgery Association www.ecsaonline.com.

By: Barry Lycka

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LIFTSP PRODUCTS

/>Botox has made a huge splash in the health and beauty market because of its ability to erase and minimize wrinkles. The stunning success of the BOTOX solution has had beauty enthusiasts lining up to receive their wrinkle treatments. Are botox treatments safe? After all BoTOX is a protein toxin produced by clostridium botulinum bacteria. This is the first cousin to the deadly botulism bacteria.

Botox has been safely used by opthamoligists for over a decade without any serious side effects being reported. This drug has actually been around since the early 1960’s. Originally it was used as a treatment for crossed eyes. The manner in which botox works is that it is injected into the muscle where the wrinkles appear. When the botox is injected into the muscle the frown lines, crow’s feet and laugh lines temporarily disappear. I stress the use of the word “temporary” because a botox treatment normally lasts about 3 to 6 months. Botox treatments were approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a treatment of muscles that produce frown lines.

Botox injections have quickly become the fastest growing cosmetic procedure and are anticipated to be used on over 4.5 million patients in 2006. They are more popular than breast augmentation. Current botox patients report that after several treatments that the effects of this wrinkle cure last much longer. It is important to note that Botox is ineffective for fine wrinkles because fine wrinkles do not appear because of facial expression caused by facial muscles. On the flipside, the one negative of botox treatments is a slight and temporary drooping of the eyelid. At the present time this appears to be the most important side effect of botox treatment.

While botox has been safely used by millions of patients, it is recommended that pregnant women, or women who are breastfeeding their babies as well as patients suffering from neurologic disease should never use botox.

Botox treatments do not work for everyone. However, over 90% of patients who have been surveyed are extremely happy with this procedure. This temporary cure for wrinkles has created quite a bit of excitement in the health and beauty field. This procedure is administered by qualified plastic surgeons. The average cost for a simple botox treatment is about $200 – $400 for each area that it is applied to

By: Harald Anderson

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RESTYLANE ALTERNATIVES

What is Botox?

 You would have to be living under a rock to have never heard of Botox, but exactly what is Botox is a question that not everyone truly knows the answer to.  Botox is an injectable product that plastic surgeons are regularly using to reduce or eliminate major facial wrinkles.  What else is Botox? 

                     Botox is also a toxin created by botulinum – a type of bacteria.  If you thought the term botulinum sounded familiar, that is probably because you have heard of botulism, which is of course a dangerous condition caused by the same bacteria as Botox.

 Botox reduces wrinkles by “paralyzing” the muscles in the area where it is injected; that being the case, Botox is most effective at helping reduce those wrinkles that result from facial expressions.  Commonly, that includes horizontal forehead crevices, vertical forehead lines on either side of the nose, and the like.

 In addition to the cosmetic uses of Botox, Botox can also be used to help control excessive underarm sweating and muscular issues such as tics and muscular spasms in the neck, throat, or other muscles, and also to help relieve some vocal chord difficulties. 

 What is Botox as associated with the nerves?  Botox affects the nerves, so that when it is injected into a muscle, the nerves in the muscle are affected and the amount of activity in the muscle is reduced.

 What are Botox side effects?  Just about anything you put into your body, via injection or otherwise, can have side effects.  If you decide to use Botox injections, you should call your doctor if you experience difficulty swallowing or breathing, weakness in your muscles, difficulty speaking, swelling of the eyelids, lips, or tongue, headache, dizziness, or exhaustion.

 What are some cosmetic alternatives to Botox?  There are both surgical and non-surgical treatments to help reduce facial wrinkles.  Before receiving Botox injections, it is a good idea to discuss other options with a qualified healthcare provider.

By: Jan Edwards

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LIFTSP PRODUCTS

What Is Botox?

Derived from the botulinum toxin type A, Botox is a brand name for a highly purified and diluted preparation of botulinum used in numerous medical and cosmetic applications. It is also sold under the names Dysport and Myobloc. Botox is most widely known for its use in removing wrinkles.

While the botulinum toxic itself is highly poisonous and even deadly, the same toxin in smaller doses can be used to safely treat a variety of conditions. Botox is most widely known for its use in removing wrinkles, but is also has numerous medical applications.

Botox was first used in medicine to treat strabismus, a condition in which a person’s eyes do not align normally, and blepahrospasm, or uncontrolled blinking. Today, Botox is the most commonly performed cosmetic operation in America, with over four and a half million people getting the treatment in 2007.

Does Botox Work?

Botox does work to lessen the appearance of wrinkles, but this effect is temporary and has a host of risks attached, including paralysis of the wrong muscles and changes in facial expressions. So is Botox a fountain of youth or just poison injected into your face? Like so many things in life, the answer isn’t black and white, and while this answer many not satisfy some readers, both are true to a certain extent.

What Is Botox Used For?

Cosmetically, Botox is only FDA approved for use in smoothing out wrinkles in the forehead between the eyebrows, reducing crow’s feet, forehead lines and frown lines. Additionally, Botox is used to treat various medical conditions, including:

Achalasia – an esophageal disorder characterized by difficulty swallowing

Blepharospasm – involuntary blinking

Cervical Dystonia – a neurological disorder that causes the muscles around the neck and shoulder to contract uncontrollably

Hyperhidrosis – abnormal underarm sweating

Strabismus – crossed eyes

Studies of the use of Botox in treating other ailments such as migraines and prostate problems are ongoing.

How Does Botox Work?

The everyday facial expressions we all make, from happy to sad and everywhere in between, cause our skin to lose resilience. Cosmetic Botox injections work by blocking signals that are constantly firing from your nerves to your muscles. This causes a controlled weakening of the specific muscle targeted, and when the muscle doesn’t contract, wrinkles don’t show up as much. Noticeable improvements are usually seen within the first month after treatment.

How Is the Treatment Administered?

Botox is delivered to the muscle via a fine needle and causes little discomfort. The procedure only takes about ten minutes and requires no anesthesia. If you’re uncomfortable with needles, an icepack or anesthetic cream will do the trick.

Do I Need to Do Anything to Prepare for Botox?

Botox treatment methods vary from clinic to clinic. Some doctors recommend avoiding alcohol for one week prior to treatment and avoiding aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications for two weeks prior. This helps reduce the risk of bruising after injections.

Can Botox Be Used on Other Wrinkles?

No. Botox is only approved by the FDA for use between the eyebrows.

Will Botox affect my ability to make expressions?

You will still be able to make all the facial expressions you always could after Botox injections, just without the wrinkles between your brows showing. Only the muscle that has been injected with Botox is paralyzed. Problems making facial expressions arise when the wrong muscles are paralyzed, and this typically occurs when Botox is administered by someone who’s unqualified. The FDA strongly advises against attending Botox parties for this reason.

When Will I See the Effects of Botox?

Noticeable reduction of wrinkles will be seen within 2-3 days, and the full effects of Botox takes up to week to show.

How Long Does Botox Last?

The effects of a Botox injection last for approximately 4 – 6 months, and the wrinkles will return as the muscle starts to function normally again. Over time, the wrinkles will look smoother even without Botox, as the muscles are being conditioned to relax.

What Are the Side Effects of Botox?

The most common side effect of Botox is mild short-term bruising, which is caused by the mode of treatment rather than by the drug. When Botox is administered by a qualified medical professional side effects are quite rare but may include:

Allergic Reaction

Botulism – this illness is characterized by widespread paralysis and is rare when Botox is used correctly

Flu-like symptoms

Headache

Paralysis of incorrect muscles

Sagging eyelids

Stomachache

How Much Does Botox Cost?

Depending on various factors such as the experience of the doctor performing the treatment and location of the clinic, Botox typically costs from $200 to $800 per treatment.

Will My Health Insurance Pay for Botox?

Most insurers will not cover Botox for cosmetic use.

Am I A Good Candidate For Botox?

Because the procedure, which requires a short series of injections over the span of a few minutes, is a fairly simple one, most people find they are good candidates for Botox. Botox is FDA approved for use on people between the ages of 18 and 65.

Do not use Botox if you are breastfeeding.

Do not use Botox if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

If you have a neurological or muscular disorder, tell your doctor during your consultation session.

If you have any allergies, tell your doctor during your consultation session.

If you have any concerns about taking Botox treatments, be sure to bring them up to your doctor. Being informed about the process is the best way to feel comfortable about your decision. In addition, you may want to ask your doctor for references and look at some of his or her before-and-after pictures to get an idea of what to expect.

The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the counsel and expertise of a medical professional. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your doctor.

By: Alex Levin

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RESTYLANE ALTERNATIVES

Wrinkle erasing botox injections have come home to roost in the living rooms of average Americans from Arkansas to Arizona. Once thought to be accessible only by the wealthy and well-known, Botox, a drug derived from a poison called Botulinum toxin, has been used for years in doctors’ offices to help treat and prevent mild to severe facial wrinkles.

Botox treatments boast diluted samples of nerve blocking toxins, which prevent muscles from contracting during normal facial expressions and help to soften and relax facial wrinkling. For a culture bent on preternaturally youthful looks, this sounds like a miracle cure. Botox is fast, painless, relatively affordable, and it’s becoming a way for estheticians, dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons to grow their patient lists.

At a cost of about $350 per injection and a life span of approximately three months, for those of us with furrowed brows, laugh lines and crow’s feet and a large measure of vanity, Botox injections may seem like the discount fountain of youth- and with Botox parties growing in popularity, you can get it in the Jones’ living room along with hors d’oeuvres and a glass of Chardonnay.

The danger in these parties and with Botox injections in general, is that on occasion, Botox can migrate from the injection area. An injection into a frown line could send the nerve blocking agent to other areas of the face and cause a “sleepy eye” or a frozen appearance. While Botox is not a permanent wrinkle treatment, any amount of time spent with an unmoving expression could cause some distress.

Many doctors strongly disagree with making Botox house calls, saying it invites criticism of their profession, detracts from professionalism and raises the chances for poor results. Although Botox is used mainly to smooth out the wrinkles of an age-obsessed beauty conscious society, the Botox drug itself can also be used to treat excessive sweating in palms and underarms, cerebral palsy in children, and herniated discs. “Botox should not be underestimated as a real drug meant for medical use,” says one doctor.

Doctors and surgeons urge their patients to consider botox and any form of cosmetic improvement with some due deliberation. Reflect on the time, place and the person administering the treatment before going under the syringe, and above all, be aware that there are risks associated with botox treatments.

By: Valerie Copeland

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LIFTSP PRODUCTS

When it comes to plastic surgery procedures in Colorado, Botox is by far the most popular. Thanks to its low cost, non-invasiveness and rapid recovery time, the drug has quickly become a mainstay at most Colorado dermatologist and plastic surgeon offices. Botox, also known as Botulinum Toxin Type A, was first used by ophthalmologists to treat muscles around the eye, but was then approved by the FDA in 2005 as an effective anti-wrinkle treatment.

For more information on Botox, the treatment process and plastic surgery in Colorado, read on.

How Botox Really Works

Essentially, your muscles need to make a chemical called acetylcholine to contract and make facial expressions. So, every time you frown, furrow your brow or purse your lips, your muscles are using acetylcholine to create that wrinkle-causing facial appearance.

Botox stops your muscles from producing and releasing acetylcholine, essentially paralyzing the treated area, preventing the contractions that deepen the appearance of existing wrinkles and preventing the formation of new ones.

Botox Efficacy

Not only has Botox been proven to give patients an 80 percent reduction in the appearance of treated wrinkles, it’s also been independently tested and approved by the FDA as a certified anti-wrinkle treatment. Unfortunately, the drug does not produce permanent results and must be re-administered every 3 to 6 months.

The Botox Procedure

The typical first appointment for a Colorado Botox patient is simply an introduction and informational discussion with their practitioner or doctor. In this first appointment, they’ll talk about risks, results, costs and what to expect.

The second appointment for a Colorado Botox appointment is the actual treatment. It starts with your doctor finding and marking every injection point and then disinfecting the treatment area. Next, your plastic surgeon or dermatologist will measure out the required amount of Botox.

Finally, the Botox unit is injected right into the muscle. Most Colorado Botox patients report little to no pain or discomfort, and some even find the injections relaxing. As the Botox begins to make their impact, it can take up to 7 to 10 days before the final treatment results are visible.

Most Colorado Botox patients spend just 5 to 10 minutes in their doctor’s office, including their preparation. Overall, it’s a speedy and painless procedure.

After Your Botox Treatment

Most patients can resume normal life immediately after their procedure. The only stipulation is that you remain out of the sun and call your doctor if any irritation or irregular pain occurs.

Finding a Practitioner

To locate a doctor who administers Botox, try the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ website at plasticsurgery.org. Their website offers a searchable database, allowing you to limit your search to Colorado Botox suppliers and certified doctors.

Any time you place a part of your health concerns into the hands of any medical practitioner, you need to ensure the person’s reputation and and references are impecable. In this instance, your facial appearance is the important factor under consideration, and you certainly don’t want errors made there.

By: Trevor Price

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LIFTSP BENEFITS

What is Botox?

Quite simply, Botox is a type of toxin produced by the bac­terium Clostridium botulinum. If you’re thinking that some­thing sounds familiar about this substance, that’s because this bacterium is the same one that causes botulism, or food poi­soning. It’s also the same bacterium that some countries stockpile as a bacterial weapon. You might be wondering if this is a substance you would want injected into your face.

Thanks to the wonders of medical technology, injecting Botox into the face isn’t only possible, it’s being done thou­sands of times a day, and safely. In the late 1970s, scientists discovered that botulinum toxin, when it was diluted to a great degree, had some very positive characteristics, proper­ties that could bring significant relief to thousands of people who had specific neuromuscular problems throughout the body. And after years of science and serendipity, experts discovered that botulinum toxin A (the bacterium has eight different toxins, or serotypes, each named for a letter of the alphabet) has cosmetic uses as well, especially when it comes to getting rid of wrinkles in the upper third of the face–that is, along the forehead and at the outer corners of the eyes. If you’re familiar with the concept of homeopathy, you’ll see a similarity with Botox.

In homeopathy, a substance– sometimes one that is poisonous when taken at regular strength, such as arsenic–is diluted to such a tremendous de­gree that when it is finally ingested, it is completely safe. Bot­ulinum toxin is extremely potent, but Botox injections contain a greatly diluted form of the toxin, rendering the in­jection safe yet effective.

Injections of Botox, one of the fastest-growing cosmetic procedures on the market today, are used for the reduction or elimination of facial wrinkles caused by dynamic, or hyper-functional, muscles (muscles that get a lot of use). Those are the wrinkles that form when you contract your facial muscles to form a frown, squint, grimace, smile, or other type of expression, resulting in those tell-tale lines around your eyes, mouth, or nose, and across your forehead. Botox can be very effective in temporarily getting rid of some, but not all, of your facial wrinkles. But before we talk about which wrin­kles Botox can banish, let’s find out more about this popular substance.

How Botox Can Help?

Every year in the United States, millions of men and women undergo one or more cosmetic procedures that in some way enhance or change their ap­pearance. From chemical peels to nose reconstruction to eyelid tucks, dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and other cos­metic surgeons across the country are reshaping the way Americans look, and as a result, how they feel about them­selves. Own up to it: you may believe the old adage that wrinkles add character to a face . . . but you don’t want it to be your face, at least not just now when you’re thirty or forty or fifty. You want to look as young as you feel and be as naturally beautiful as you can be. And why shouldn’t you?

The desire to look young and beautiful is far from new. Since ancient times, both men and women have searched for ways and concocted formulas to look more youthful. Eye and face cosmetics were used by the ancient Egyptians, the most famous of whom is Cleopatra, who was known to use lactic acid to peel her skin to look more beautiful. Archaeologists have found formulas, written on papyrus, that explain how to prepare mixtures of plants and honey for women to use as facials. Archaeological digs have also uncovered many con­tainers that once held green malachite, black antimony powder, and lead sulfide, all types of minerals that were ground up and used as cosmetics.

Ancient people even performed crude cosmetic procedures to improve–in their opinion–people’s appearance. In west­ern Russia, for example, a broad, flat nose was considered beautiful, so parents would bind the nose of a child to achieve this result. Because the Chinese believed that dainty feet were a sign of wealth and beauty, the practice of binding the feet of girls to prevent foot growth existed for thousands of years. Among some African tribes, an elongated neck is considered a thing of beauty, so some women keep adding rings around their necks to gradually stretch it to a desirable length.

Modern-Day Botox Procedures

As we’ve seen, there have always been people who are willing to undergo different procedures or use various products to help them look young and beautiful. Apparently many people still feel similarly. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, 623,588 Botox procedures were performed in 1999, two years before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) even approved Botox injections for cosmetic use. These procedures, which were done to reduce or eliminate wrinkles on various sites on the face and neck, are known as “off-label” uses (once a drug has been approved for one use, it can legally and ethically be used for other purposes, at the discre­tion of the practitioner). Botox has been approved for various medical (that is, noncosmetic) uses since 1989. And its off-label uses for cosmetic purposes continue to grow: in 2000, the number of procedures was 730,787; in 2001, it ballooned to 913,484.

With the new FDA approval of Botox on April 15, 2002, for removal of frown lines–also known as glabellar lines– on the forehead, experts believe the number of procedures will greatly surpass the million mark. Right now, only one other cosmetic procedure–chemical peels–is performed more often: more than two million people undergo them each year. And some combine a chemical peel with Botox injec­tions to get rid of wrinkles and improve skin texture. It’s important to note that the only cosmetic use the FDA has approved Botox for is the removal of glabellar lines. However, doctors have been using Botox for cosmetic reasons in this and other areas of the face for about ten years. Some of the wrinkle sites, like smile lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth and down the sides of the mouth, do not respond as well to Botox be­cause the facial lines that form there are not as strongly muscle-driven as those in the other regions. However, Botox can be used along with other cosmetic procedures to get the look you desire.

But overall, the risks of Botox, when administered by a knowledgeable professional, have been very low. And this safety factor has fueled a growing interest in Botox among people of all ages. Botox injections have become all the rage, and not just among aging baby boomers. Approximately 17 percent of the people who underwent Botox injections in 2000 were be­tween the ages of nineteen and thirty-four, hardly an agegroup one usually associates with bothersome wrinkles and aging skin problems. By far the largest percentage of Botox users was the 35 to 50 age group, at 41 percent. Those in the 51 to 64 age group counted for 29 percent, with men and women 65-plus rounding out the total at 13 percent.

As of spring 2001, about 12 percent of those getting Botox injections were men. And the number of men seeking Botox injections is expected to grow. Botox is an easy, convenient way to accomplish the look they want. And it’s not just actors, jet-setters, and chief executive of­ficers who are lining up for their injections. Even construction workers, police officers, social workers, and others from all walks of life are looking to get rid of wrinkles.

So why is everyone doing it? Well, you may want to look younger to help advance your career. For some industries, pleasant looking is a must, and you’d better look young and vital to stay in the game.

By: Steven James

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BOTOX ALTERNATIVES

It was during the medication of the eye defects, that the doctors noticed the reduction of wrinkles around the eye and thus it was tested and approved to be used on the forehead for removal of fine lines and wrinkles. However, botolinum is highly deadly and toxic

but if used in smaller amounts can be used safely to treat variety of

conditions. It should also be noted that botox is used only for the wrinkles between the areas of the eyebrows.

Cosmetically botox reduces the wrinkles and its effects last temporarily but it has many side effects too because of which botox is also avoided at many places. Botox works on the nerves to reduce the wrinkles and the fine lines formed. Wrinkles and these lines are formed by the constant facial expressions that are formed, from being happy to sad and every other expression in between. This constant exercise of the muscles of making expressions makes the skin lose its resilience. Botox is injected to block the signals that constantly work on the muscles to give the expressions.This blocking weakens the targeted muscle and thus less wrinkles show up and the skin seems to be more youthful. This effect can be seen within few weeks to a month of intaking the injection.

Botox is inserted into the muscle via a needle and thus no anesthesia is required. The botulinum is a toxin which itself means toxic materials of plants, animals, microorganisms etc and may include the poisonous substance or biological product. Thus like all applications botox too has some side effects which may be said to be transient mild to moderate. Patients may complain of droopy eyelids, allergic reactions, paralysis of incorrect muscles, feel like having flu, headache or upset stomach. If botox is not taken in the right way and in the right amount chances of botulism may increase. So it is advisable that botox is taken after a consultation and under the supervision of a good practitioner.

There are different opinions on the intake of the botox injections as some practitioner’s advice taking any kind of alcohols a week prior to the intake of the injection, and some medical drugs two week prior to the intake of the injection. This helps in reduction of the chances of bruises that may occur post treatment.

Botox is only FDA proven and can be used by people between the age group of 18 to 65. But not all people under that age group are eligible for botox treatment. People with muscular or neurological disorders and allergies are advised to consult the doctor before taking the treatment. Women who are breastfeeding or are pregnant should completely avoid taking botox treatment.



By: Arvind Sharma

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