Treatments

Botox

Not sure what Botox and Dermal fillers are?

Botox is a purified form of the botulinum toxin obtained from bacteria. A larger, tiny amount of Botox given to correct wrinkles has been used safely for decades. Botox and other treatments made with botulinum toxin are called neuromodulators or neurotoxins.

Botox works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles where it is injected. When those nerve signals are interrupted, the affected muscle is temporarily paralyzed or frozen. Without the movement of these selected muscles in the face, wrinkles may be softened, reduced, or even removed.

Things Botox can do

Botox only works on wrinkles that are caused by muscle movement. These are known as dynamic wrinkles or expression lines.

Botox can treat dynamic wrinkles are lines on the upper face, between the brows, horizontal lines on the forehead, and crow’s feet around the eyes. Expression lines are caused by smiling, frowning, squinting, and other facial expressions.

Botox will not treat fine lines and wrinkles caused by sagging or loss of plumpness in the face. These are known as static wrinkles. Static wrinkles include lines in the cheeks, neck, and jowl areas.

It is not a permanent treatment. Repeated treatments are necessary for continued wrinkle-reducing effects. Most people find that the muscle-relaxing effect of Botox lasts for 3 to 4 months.

Botox side effects and considerations

Possible side effects of Botox include:

• weakness or paralysis of nearby muscles
• hives, rashes, or itching
• pain, bleeding, bruising, swelling, numbness, or redness
• headache
• dry mouth
• flu-like symptoms
• nausea
• trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing
• gallbladder problems
• blurry vision or vision problems

Fillers

Dermal fillers are substances designed to be injected beneath the skin's surface to add volume and fullness.

Dermal fillers include:

• Calcium hydroxylapatite, which is a mineral-like compound found in bones.
• Hyaluronic acid, which is located in some fluids and tissues in the body that add plumpness to the skin.
• Polyalkylimide, a transparent gel that is compatible with the body.
• Polylactic acid, which stimulates the skin to make more collagen.
• Polymethyl-methacrylate microspheres (PMMA), a semi-permanent filler

Each derma filler is designed to treat different signs of aging or other cosmetic issues. The time they take to work, as well as how long they last, also vary. Some fillers last six months, while others last up to 2 years or longer.

Things dermal fillers can do

Depending on the filler selected, they may:

• plump up thinning lips
• enhance or fill in shallow areas on the face
• decrease or remove the shadow or wrinkle under the eyes caused by the lower eyelid
• fill in or soften the look of recessed scars
• fill in or soften static wrinkles, especially on the lower face
• Static wrinkles

Dermal filler risks and considerations

The most common problems of dermal fillers include:

• skin rash, itching, or pimple-like eruptions
• redness, bruising, bleeding, or swelling
• undesirable appearance
• Skin damage
• ability to feel the filler substance under the skin
• death of skin cells due to loss of blood flow to the area
• Eye problems