Cosmetic surgery - Non surgical cosmetic procedures
Botox ®
Botulinum toxin type A whose trade names include Botox ®, Vistabel ®, Dysport ® and Neurobloc ® is a method of filling wrinkles on the forehead, between the brows and around the eyes without surgical lifting and without a surgical knife. It is a prescription only drug in the UK. Botulinum toxin will be referred to as Botox ® for the rest of the article as this is the most widely known trade name. Botox ® may also be used on wrinkles on the lower part of the face and neck, often in combination with dermal fillers. Currently there is a whole range of methods and products which can smooth your skin. Silicon, collagen and other substances are also used.
How does Botox ® work?
When the Botox ® toxin is injected into specific muscles in tiny amounts Botox ® blocks neuromuscular transmission and gradually initiates muscle relaxation. This means that when you laugh or frown, the overlying skin becomes smoother and unwrinkled while the untreated facial muscles work normally, and facial expressions are not affected. The use of Botox ® has a significant effect on areas such as wrinkles around eyes, frown lines, forehead, or at the top of the nose, and has proved far better then using collagen.
How long does the effect of the Botox ® injections last?
The result is visible within 3-10 days and lasts from 3 to 6 months. Then, it is possible to repeat the procedure so that its effects are prolonged.
What happens during the Botox ® procedure?
Your skin will be cleaned and then small amounts of Botox ® will be injected into the area to be treated. You will be advised not to massage or rub the treated area and to treat it gently for 24 hours following treatment. The treatment is undertaken without any anaesthesia and generally takes 30mins approximately depending on treatment areas. the client can leave after application and return to their normal life.Generally there is no pain associated with this treatment (depending on your own personal pain threshold). Some redness can occur at entry point, but generally this procedure is common at lunch time and patients are known to go straight back to work after the procedure.
Botox ® - What are the risks of Botox ®?
It is very hard to predict exactly how Botox ® injections will affect your muscles. You may therefore find that the results are not what you intended. Very occasionally patients who receive Botox ® injections in the forehead experience a drooping of the eyelids or eyebrows, although this is temporary and will resolve itself when the effects of Botox ® wear off. Rarely double vision or blurred vision can occur and you should seek medical attention if this happens to you. The risk of side effects following treatment is reduced by going to an experienced practitioner.
Some brands of botulinum toxin may not be licensed for cosmetic use in your country. If this is the case medical, dental and nursing practitioners have a responsibility to explain that these medicines are not licensed for cosmetic use and ensuring that the patient understands this.
Botox ® is a temporary solution
The effects of Botox ® are temporary. If you are looking for longer lasting solution, you may want to talk to your doctor, dentist or surgeon about alternative techniques.
How much does Botox ® cost?
In the UK Botox ® costs approximately £200 per session although it will be cheaper in other countries.
New Botox cream
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A new face cream that has been billed as the "facelift in a jar" has now gone on sale in Britain. The Athena 7 Minute Lift claims to be the first cosmetic offering an injection-free and painless alternative to Botox. I was initially skeptical but I have seen different independent accounts that Athena 7 minute Lift actually does reduce winkles. Independent tests by the American Medical Association suggested that the cream reduced the appearance of facial creases by 84 per cent. See for yourself by clicking the link below and ordering it cheaper from the USA.. |
Athena 7 Minute Lift is the hottest wrinkle reducer on the market. It is the only product that has been clinically proven to reduce lines and wrinkles by an average of 83.72%. See for yourself why stores can't even keep this product in stock!
It costs £50 for a 15ml tub in the UK although you can order it cheaper from the USA - compared to £350 for a typical Botox procedure - and promises to take just seven minutes to kick in. It is said to work by temporarily 'freezing' the skin and filling in fine lines and wrinkles. Although the cream lasts only 24 hours, daily use is claimed to permanently reduce signs of ageing.
When the 7 Minute Lift initially went on sale it sold within a week.
As it is meant to be used in only very small quantities, the 7 Minute Lift, which took five years to develop, is said to last for up to three months - or 90 applications. Lisa Porter, a 46-year-old housewife from Boston, tried the cream this year after it was featured on the television show, Good Morning America.
Lisa said: "Having spent thousands on anti-ageing creams, I was sceptical but was blown away by the immediate results. "I use it on my frown lines and around the eye and lip area, and have noticed a big difference, particularly around the crow's feet area. I am convinced it has taken years off me."
The incredible popularity of the 7 Minute Lift is being compared to that of Boots' Number 7 Protect and Perfect. Costing £17 for 30ml, the beauty serum was backed by scientists and sold out within minutes of going on the shelves. Sales rocketed by 2,000 per cent after it was endorsed by independent experts at the University of Manchester and then featured on BBC2's science programme Horizon. Boots stores as well as the company's website sold out.
How does Athena 7 minute lift work?
The
Wrinkle Cream
active ingredient is acetyl hexapeptide-3, which is behind the wrinkle reduction effect of the skin. Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 is a mimic of the N-terminal end of SNAP-25, one of three proteins (known as the SNARE complex) that are essential for neurotransmitter release at the synapsis, which is the chemical signal for a muscle to contract. The 7 minute lift cream also claims to tackle other signs of ageing by removing free radicals from the skin and giving a tightening and lifting effect. It states it also helps reduce the size of pores, giving a smoother appearance. Twelve essential oils combine naturally, stimulating cells in the body's interstitial fluid, effectively plumping them up with water. Chamomile oil and sesame oil smooth cells, making the skin look shinier and fresher. Ascorbic acid aids collagen growth - vital for plumped up skin - and retinyl palmitate increases cell turnover.
My only concern is that Botox can be injected accurately into every area that requires the removal of wrinkles but a cream must be applied over a greater surface area. Howver for those of us who are put off by needles it may just be the answer.
Links
Botox Australia
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