Wrinkle Abrasion - Botox

Botox injections

Botox® is a purified protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It acts by preventing the release of a chemical from nerve endings that would normally cause muscle fiber contraction. The end result is muscle relaxation/paralysis. In the face, this leads to the improvement of "dynamic" skin crease lines related to the underlying muscles. After receiving Botox® injections, you can smile, frown and even look surprised without forming deep creases or wrinkles. The result is a smoother, pleasant and more youthful appearance.

Botox® is typically used to treat facial creases such as crow's feet, frown lines and forehead creases. It does not work for the "static" wrinkles caused by aging and sun damage. It should not be used during pregnancy, while breast-feeding, or when certain neurological diseases are present.

Treatments involve the precise injection of minute quantities of Botox® into the desired areas. Some redness and bruising may develop which can easily be covered with makeup. Most patients can resume normal activities immediately including returning to work.

Response to the injections is usually seen within a few days but it can take 10 - 14 days before the full effect is apparent. If the expected results are not seen by 2 weeks, consideration can be given for a supplemental treatment. The effects may last 3 - 6 months at which time another treatment can be administered. Some studies have shown that with repeated injections, the results may last longer.

What can you expect? In general, there will be a softening or elimination of the underlying muscle's effect on the skin. Creases and wrinkles may disappear or diminish in degree. Botox® can allow you to obtain outcomes that in the past would have required surgery and the associated downtime.

Side effects other than bruising are uncommon and depend to some extent on the areas treated. These include headache, nausea, flu syndrome, respiratory infection and temporary eyelid droop.

Botox® injections can also be used to help reduce severe sweating of the palms or underarms. The Botox® will temporarily block the nerves that stimulate sweating, leaving your palms or underarms much drier. The results will typically last for about 6 months.
 

Injectable Fillers: Restylane®, Matridex®, Matridur® and Aquamid®

The natural progression of aging includes the development of facial wrinkles and skin creases. Injectable agents such as Restylane®, Matridex®, Matridur® and Aquamid® can provide effective though temporary treatment of these problems. These same agents can also be used for lip enlargement, enhancement of key areas of the face, to treat depressed scars and to address facial contour irregularities. There are a variety of products available today to address these issues with the hyaluronic acids and collagen being among the most popular.

Hyaluronic acid is an important and naturally occurring substance present in large quantities throughout the body. Restylane®, Matridex®, Matridur® and Aquamid® are some of the products based on this substance. They are used in treating facial wrinkles, creases and other contour irregularities with the results lasting around 3 - 9 months. They can also be extremely effective in obtaining lip enlargement and enhancement. You may be presentable almost immediately following the treatments.

Collagen is a very common and plentiful structural protein found throughout the body. CosmoPlast® and CosmoDerm®, which are derived from processed human collagen, can also be effective in the temporary treatment of facial wrinkles, creases, contour irregularities and for lip enlargement. There is usually minimal discomfort associated with the treatments and little post-injection swelling. The results, generally, do not last as long as those obtained with the hyaluronic acids and may average around 3 months. Duration in the lips is usually significantly less.