HEALTHY LIVING TIPS

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

About the Author:

LIFTSP PRODUCTS

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

About the Author:

LIFTSP PRODUCTS

Originally utilised in the seventies for the treatment of patients with various movement disorders, Botox injections (Botunlinum Toxin A) were used in small doses to kill off the nerve cells within the muscles responsible for the offending disorder – reversing the severity of the movement. Dr. Caruthers, a pioneer of this revolutionary treatment, discovered that many of his patients also experienced anti-ageing benefits as a result of their treatment. After further experimentation, Botox Cosmetic Treatments where born.

This discovery of the Botox injection, as an anti-ageing treatment, revolutionised the cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery world. Since then, there have been a number of other comparative treatments – including Collagen injections, developed however Botox injections still remain the most popular treatment due to its non-permanency and cost effectiveness.

The Botox treatment however is not just a pretty face (pardon the pun). Although it has built its reputation through the successful treatment of forehead wrinkles, eye wrinkles and lines in cosmetic surgery for thousands of men and women– it also has many other uses in the cosmetic market. Some of these include injection into the balls of the feet.

Superstars such as Victoria Beckham and Sarah Jessica Parker are famous for high heels. This fetish comes at a cost. Many women in the UK experience pain in the balls of their feet from prolific wearing of high heels. Botox injections, once every three months, is used to relax the muscles and reduce pain.

Another condition that benefits from Botox injections are headaches and migraines. Much of this pain is caused by muscle spasm and over tight muscles. Botox treatment can stop these from occurring.

Hyperhydrosis. Sounds like an illness that could cause death doesn’t it? The only death it will cause however is from embarrassment. It is when someone has uncontrolled sweating and yep, you guessed it our old friend botox can stop it. Botox injected into the correct sweat glands, can stop this embarrassing affliction – the rise in this treatment is meteoric.

Cade Witnish, M.D. of Harlequin Medical, a Cosmetic Surgery Clinic in London, says ‘Botox injections for hyperhydrosis treatment has increased in the plastic surgery market by 400% in the last year. Botox remains the number one treatment in the cosmetic surgery industry. Botox anti-ageing still remains number one, but other botox treatment such as in cosmetic surgery for men, migraine, high heels (balls of feet) and other botox cosmetic treatments are growing faster.’

So there you have it – not just for anti-ageing (it’s an oldie but a goodie), but for all other cosmetic surgery treatment purposes, Botox is the cure all. It has been a long reign at the top of the plastic surgery world, but I don’t think this anti-ageing super heavyweight is going anywhere soon. Many have tried and failed – it will be interesting to see what product will be the next contender to try and take the place of botox injection as the king of cosmetic surgery jungle.



By: Cade Witnish

About the Author:

RESTYLANE ALTERNATIVES

Often patients who have fine lines and wrinkles as a result of the natural aging process, repetitive facial expressions, or gravity can get rid of them with BOTOX cosmetic injections. BOTOX cosmetic treatment works not only for females but also for men. Men often require more units of BOTOX than women because men have greater muscle mass when compared to women.

What is BOTOX Cosmetic for Men?

BOTOX is Botulism Toxin Type A – a purified protein, when injected, relaxes the facial muscles that form wrinkles on your face, thus leaving you with a more youthful appearance. All the troublesome facial wrinkles begin to fade or disappear within a couple of days, following the treatment. The procedure takes only 10 minutes to complete. Deep-set wrinkles of the forehead, scowl lines that often appear between the eyebrows, crow’s feet wrinkles around the eyes, smoker’s lines, and vertical wrinkles – all can be corrected with this procedure.

With BOTOX cosmetic, men can now dramatically improve the appearance, naturally and effortlessly without harmful side effects. But the effects are not permanent and may last from 3 to 6 months. Therefore, to maintain the desired results repeat injections are often necessary.



Benefits of BOTOX

•    Results with no downtime

•    Results that look natural

•    Minimal discomfort

•    Quick and simple procedure

•    No anesthesia required

If you are looking for a quick and safe solution to remove those fine lines and wrinkles, and get a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance, then BOTOX cosmetic injection would be the best option. Always make sure that the physician you choose is well experienced and talented.



By: Spero Theodorou

About the Author:

RESTYLANE ALTERNATIVES

Are you considering jumping on the botox bandwagon? Well, before you take the leap, you should take some time to read about the stuff that botox pushers don’t want you to know. These things will not only convince you that botox is a bad decision, but they’ll also show you why using the best anti wrinkle cream is truly the most reliable option when it comes to looking younger.

3 Reasons You Should Use The Best Anti Wrinkle Cream and NOT Botox…

Reason 1: Arm & a Leg Expensive VS Budget Friendly

Botox might not be “expensive” for some people, but to anyone who is on a budget, it most definitely is! If you’re not a doctor, banker, actor, professional athlete, etc. it’s safe to say that getting regular botox injections is a bit out of your price range. Why? Because botox costs about $800-$1000 PER injection. Combine that bad news with the unfortunate fact that you need at least 2-3 botox injections per year, and you’re looking at quite a large bill.

The best anti wrinkle cream is extremely budget friendly, even if that cream costs a whopping $100 per bottle. Most anti wrinkle creams last for a couple of months and can be purchased for around $30-$170 dollars. Do the math on that and you’ll only be paying $500-$700 per year for wrinkle cream, if even that. So, you can pay $700 total throughout the year for wrinkle cream OR you can pay $700 2-3 times during the year for botox. As far as saving money goes, it’s obvious who the winner is here.

Reason 2: Poisonous VS Natural & Safe

Were you aware of the fact that botox users are being injected with a highly poisonous substance known as botulinum? No? Well to be honest, that really isn’t all that surprising, as most botox users don’t know they are being injected with botulinum; a bacterial neurotoxin that can cause harm (or even death) to those whom are exposed to large amounts. Although considered safe in small amounts and when administered under supervision, the long term effects of this substance on our system are still relatively unknown.

The best anti wrinkle cream contains no poisons, no harmful additives, as well as not a trace of botulinum. Simply put, the best wrinkle creams will contain natural ingredients (a few will have man-made ones) proven to reduce wrinkles, finelines, and the other signs of aging. The ingredients in a jar of anti wrinkle cream will no more harm you than a bowl of mashed up bananas.

Reason 3: Ineffective VS Effective

Of all the aspects of facial rejuvenation, botox addresses one and ONLY one; motion wrinkles. Botox will plump up all the wrinkles on your face — the ones caused by facial movements — but that is ALL it will do. Botox won’t help repair/remove finelines, overly dry skin, age spots, skin discoloration, crows feet, scars, sun damage, or anything else. In addition to that, regular botox injections may actually cause the skin (adjacent to the injection site) to become MORE wrinkled with time. Seriously, what intelligent person would want to opt for an anti aging treatment that can cause MORE wrinkles to appear?

The best anti wrinkle cream will address every aspect of facial rejuvenation. This means it will help to remove and/or repair crows feet, fine lines, scars, sun damage, age spots, pigment discoloration, and every other symptom of aging that is plaguing you. Also, regular use of the best anti wrinkle cream will NOT cause more wrinkles to accumulate on your skin — if anything, it will PREVENT wrinkles from appearing in the future!

As anyone with half a brain can clearly see, botox is in NO WAY a reliable, cost-effective anti aging treatment. That being said, stick with the best anti wrinkle cream; you’ll be glad you did!



By: Sean Saunders

About the Author:

LIFTSP PRODUCTS

A trade name for botulinum toxin A, Botox is emerged from a bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botox is very popular due to the fact that when injected into the skin in measured quantity, it helps in removing wrinkles. A purified protein developed from Clostridium botulinum bacterium, cosmetic Botox is a non-surgical, physician-administered treatment that can temporarily reduce severe frown lines between the brows in people aged between 18 to 65 years. People those want to remove severe frown lines between the brows can buy Botox as it ensures guaranteed results.

A number of other possible health benefits of Botox are currently under investigation. Some of the illnesses that include blepharospasm (uncontrolled blinking) and strabismus (lazy eye), etc also can be cured through the mild quantity of Botox. Study conducted by an MNC unfolds that Botox injections into the prostate alleviate symptoms and enhance looks of people with enlarged prostate. People who are suffering from migraine are advised to buy Botox as it helps curing migraine patients.

Botox injections involve relaxing the muscles of the face. After being injected, muscles get relaxed resulting the lines are less noticeable. It can be used to remove wrinkles in the forehead, the sides of the mouth, crow’s feet, and wrinkles in the neck as well.

Before buying Botox, you should discuss price with your physician as the procedure is not covered by insurance company when used for cosmetic reasons. While considering Botox cosmetic injections, you are advised to consult with a credential plastic surgeon or dermatologist.

Apart from less time consuming, the procedure can be benefited for both men and women. The treatment consumes 2 to 10 minutes only. People can have the Botox treatment during the lunch time and go back to the office with a new Botox face.

If you want to look beautiful and classy, then buy Botox as it is safe. Yet as any medical procedure, there are some risks involved. Buy Botox as your face will love it. Botox can restore the youthful look of your face after the frown lines took over. Now, you became quite mature about the Botox. If you want to have Botox treatments at affordable rate, then make due search online.



By: Article Manager

About the Author:

LIFTSP BENEFIT

DATELINE: COHASSET AND PLYMOUTH, MASS… South Shore Skin Center, one of the most progressive dermatology practices in Massachusetts with offices in Plymouth and Cohasset, cautions consumers about “Botox Parties” where Botox injections are one of the highlights of the party.

 

Botox parties are very popular, especially with brides and their bridal parties who want to look their best on the “big day”. Botox is used to treat lines around the eyes, frown lines between the eyes, and lines on the forehead that often appear with age. Botox works by relaxing the muscles that contract to form these lines, creating a smoother appearance in the treated areas. Yet, there is significant health risk to those who receive Botox injections outside of a doctor’s office.

 

South Shore Skin Center warns consumers of the dangers of receiving Botox injections anywhere but a physician’s office:

 



The Botox used in a home setting or other non-medical environment may not be direct from Allergan, the makers of the highest grade of Botox Cosmetic (Botulinum Toxin A) which is FDA approved. There is no guarantee that the solution being used at a party is even safe for injection.



 



If laboratory botulinum toxin is used, rather than Botox Cosmetic, systemic effects may occur as were seen in the case of the doctor, several years ago, who paralyzed several patients and himself by injecting high concentrations of veterinary grade botulism toxin. Individuals should check to be sure that the bottle says “Botox Cosmetic”.



 



If the Botox is not reconstituted properly and/or not kept refrigerated, it may become inactive.



 



If sterile conditions are not observed when reconstituting or administering the Botox, infection may develop. 



 



At a Botox party, there are no medical personnel on hand to assist in case of an immediate adverse reaction.



 



Administration of Botox by those who are untrained may not be done correctly. Improper placement of the Botox may result in brow droop. Other side effects include bruising, headache and lid droop.



“Although a Botox type of solution may be obtained outside of a physician’s office, we do not recommend using it. The risk of serious illness, adverse effects and infection is significant when a questionable solution of Botox is injected by those who are not qualified,” explained Dr. Richard Eisen, dermatologist at South Shore Skin Center.

 

He continued, “At South Shore Skin Center, patient safety is a priority. For anyone who is interested in receiving Botox Cosmetic, we recommend that you consult a dermatologist.”

 

Dr. Eisen is among Allergan Corp.’s national training staff in the use of Botox Cosmetic. South Shore Skin Center uses only the highest grade of Botox Cosmetic available, known as Botulinum Toxin A, which is an FDA approved, highly purified form of the Clostridium Botulinum bacterium made by Allergan, to ensure patient safety. Qualified medical staff who administer Botox Cosmetic at South Shore Skin Center are fully trained.

 



By: Steve Dubin

About the Author:

BOTOX ALTERNATIVES

Unfortunately, Botox received from one cosmetic procedure provider may not be exactly what you get at another. Even though Botox (botulinum toxin type A) is supplied to all doctors and facilities in a manufacturer’s vial containing 100 units of vacuum-dried neurotoxin complex, in order to be able to inject these active units of Botox, a physician must add a saline solution to get it in “liquid form.”

There are 100 units of Botox in every vial, and the more saline that is added to the vial, the less active units that will be present in each syringe. You should be aware that some may refer to this as the dilution process, but it is actually called “reconstitution.” So while each healthcare professional gets the same Botox product from the manufacturer, when it’s reconstituted for injection, strength and efficacy will differ depending on the amount of saline added. This brings to mind a number of questions for you to ask yourself before deciding on Botox injections.

With this in mind, you should be cautious when you see Botox offered at bargain prices. Everyone pays the same price to the vendor (Allergan) – so how can prices to patients vary so much? It doesn’t seem reasonable, does it? That’s because it isn’t, if manufacturer’s recommended reconstitution guidelines are followed. Botox at a “bargain” price almost always means it has been diluted far beyond what’s recommended (or effective).

A patient may assume that he or she is getting a “good dose” of Botox because the physician is injecting a large amount – but don’t confuse units of saline with units of actual Botox. Physicians who add more saline to the Botox vial than is suggested by the manufacturer, or by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), are administering a less effective injection of Botox – so you should always ask, “What is your reconstitution ratio?”

Also, some facilities quote a price based on the area of injection. You need to look further into this vague statement. As well as asking about the reconstitution ratio, you also need to ask a second important question, “how many units do you inject in that area?”

And, that begs the next question — what is their definition of an “area”. For instance, a provider may advertise “$99 per area”, but if the crow’s feet area is broken up into two areas, when in most practices it is considered one area, you’re not getting any bargain. Look, instead, for a dermatologist or plastic surgeon that charges for Botox “by the unit” so you only pay for the exact number of units you receive. Be sure that he or she follows ASPS guidelines on reconstitution, as well.

If you’re considering Botox, you want to be as educated as possible and do plenty of research before going ahead with the injections. Being the well-informed consumer of these products means being aware of exactly what is being used in your cosmetic treatment, whether the person administering your cosmetic treatment is qualified, and last, but not least, if you are even a candidate for Botox injectables.



By: Michele Ellingsen

About the Author:

LIFTSP BENEFITS

Thousands of people all over the world turn to Botox to halt the signs of aging. But did you know that this cosmetic procedure may also fight arthritis?

That’s what a small, preliminary study is telling us and doctors are already excited about it. In that study, osteoarthritis patients who received Botox injections reported a 50 percent or more improvement in knee pain. If other studies can repeat those results, it won’t be long before Botox becomes the next arthritis miracle cure.

“It works very well. We have patients where the pain comes down for three months, or it could be up to six months,” said Dr. Gordon Ko, one of the investigators.

Ko has been administering Botox injections to arthritis patients who don’t respond to conventional medications. The drug is injected into the gap between the joint and results have been promising.

The pioneering study lasted for six months and involved 37 patients with moderate to severe knee pain due to osteoarthritis. The participants (36 men and one woman) received either 100 units of Botox with lidocaine (a short-acting anesthetic) or a saline placebo with lidocaine.

They were analyzed after a month, three months, and six months. Their pain and ability to move were measured during these times. After a month, two placebo patients dropped out from lack of benefit. Of the 18 patients in the severe pain group (half on Botox and half on placebo), there was a significant decrease in pain and improvement in physical function for those who received Botox shots. The placebo group reported minimal improvement.

Doctors are hoping to duplicate these results in other studies but patients are already convinced that Botox works for arthritis. One of the patients, Jenny Breen, had every reason to be thankful. She claims the injections have changed her life.

“If I had to give up my Botox I don’t think I could live. My quality of life would go right down. I know, for me personally, it changed my life and made a big difference,” she told CTV News.

Although Botox is expensive, the shots are seen as an ideal solution for arthritis patients who can’t undergo knee surgery because of old age or frailty. Since Botox is injected directly into the joint, it doesn’t cause stomach bleeding, hypertension, and other side effects of other traditional painkillers.

“If Botox injections for refractory joint pain continue to prove beneficial, they offer a very welcome solution for fragile patients. Local joint treatment with Botox injections could replace oral medications that carry the risk of systemic side effects, and Botox injections may negate or delay the need for joint surgery,” said Dr. Maren L. Mahowald, the Rheumatology Section chief at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, and a principal investigator in the Botox study.

As we await more good news from Botox researchers, you can stop arthritis pain with a little help from Flexcerin. This powerful supplement rebuilds, lubricates, and soothes swollen and painful joints without the side effects of other prescription painkillers. Check out http://www.flexcerin.com for details.



By: Janet Martin

About the Author:

LIFTSP RESEARCH