Everything you wanted to know about wrinkles but did not know whom to ask
What does it take to be successful in today’s world? It could be a skill. Wei!, it could also be lots of talent. Or is it being immensely resourceful?
For an answer try standing in front of the mirror. Can you see it? Yes, the answer is confidence and the right face value.
Time has changed and there’s a lot of premium being attached to looking your very best. But then, is it possible to keep on looking good? Is it really possible to stop time from ravaging our appearance? Well, yes. Medical science has now come to our rescue. To find out how just read on.
- What are wrinkles?
Looking good does marvel for the inner self. Unfortunately, time can play spoilsport. For many, the first line, the first tension crease on the forehead may just leave a mark of worry. This is where the word ‘wrinkle’ comes into play.
Technically, a wrinkle is the thin, creased and sagging skin that is especially noticeable on the face, neck, and hands.
- What causes wrinkles?
Wrinkles are certainly not lines one is born with. Over time, the increased muscle activity, exposure to the sun, the wind etc. cause these undesirable lines.
Most of us do not realize that wrinkles are being formed on our face over time, due to continuous muscle activity which results in muscle contraction.
These get more pronounced when we use facial expressions and eventually they become permanent features of our face, whether we knew it or not.
There are 4 most commonly seen” wrinkles on the face.
Forehead line: These lines are horizontal lines which appear on the forehead and become more pronounced when one raises eyebrows.
Frown Lines: As the name suggest, these lines are from between eyes and appear prominent when one frowns.
Crows Feet: Their shape distinctly remind you of the feet of crow and these lines are found around the eyes.They become pronounced when one smiles.
Bunny Lines: These lines are found on the nose which becomes dominant when one scrunches, making the nose resemble that of a rabbit.
- What are the common treatments for Wrinkles?
There are various solutions in the market which promise to fight wrinkles. But then it’s not the numbers but the effectiveness of each solution that counts. People have been using various anti-wrinkle solutions but are mostly left dissatisfied by their tall claims. What most people fail to understand is that wrinkles can only be removed if the applied solution either works on contracted muscles which cause wrinkles or expands the volume of the skin. Creams work on just the upper surface of the skin.
- What are these solutions?
There are few solutions. To name a few, these are collagen, derma filler and protein complex. Collagen is a traditional treatment for wrinkles, an injection to fill soft tissues which smoothen the creases. This is usually safe but not for those (2 out of 100 users) who are allergic to collagen injections. Derma fillers restore volume and fullness to the skin, in places where it is injected. The main complaint against it is pain during the treatment. Moreover, these do not work on dynamic wrinkles, i.e. wrinkles which become apparent when one makes expressions. BOTOX, the protein complex, works well for dynamic wrinkles.
The doctor is the best judge to decide the suitable treatment, based on one’s condition. It’s always advisable to consult the doctor before embarking on these treatments.
- What is BOTOX?
most popular wrinkle treatment. It is a natural purified protein that relaxes the wrinkle causing muscles, creating a smoothened rejuvenated and a more youthful appearance. It’s a simple non-surgical procedure that smoothes the deep persistent facial lines which develop over time.
BOTOX® is the only botulinum toxin in the world registered for the treatment of frown lines and approved by the US FDA. It has been widely tested with over 15 years of safe and effective use in millions of patients worldwide.
- How does BOTOX work?
It is simple! BOTOX relaxes the tiny facial muscles that cause expression lines, leaving the overlying skin smooth and unwrinkled. Once the muscle is relaxed, one cannot contract it. Thus the line gradually smoothens out from disuse and new creases are prevented from forming. Simply translated it means, one has a face that looks a lot younger and fresh.
- Does BOTOX act on a specific part of the face or does it act on other parts too?
That’s the beauty of BOTOX. It works on that particular area for which treatment is sought. For instance, it does not affect the other muscle responsible to raise the eyebrows, and so natural expression t is maintained, it will not freeze facial expressions. It softens them and works only where one wants it to.
- Are there any side effects of BOTOX?
BOTOX® is approved by US FDA for cosmetic use, thereby declaring it a safe product. There is no report of serious allergic reactions or other significant side effects, except for minor side effects such as bruising. BOTOX® has been in use for over 15 years and its safety in long-term use has been well established.
- How much time does the BOTOX therapy take?
Ten minutes. Yes, that’s all it takes to get treated with BOTOX. That is how it is known as a ‘lunch-time procedure1. Just a few tiny injections relax the muscles that cause age related lines to form. The muscles are kept relaxed for 4-6 months. In the process, one gets a new younger look.
- Is it painful to undertake BOTOX therapy?
Most clients describe it as an ant-bite sting for a few seconds. The client goes through none of the discomforts they perceive. The doctor determines where to use BOTOX, to achieve best results.
- How long does the BOTOX effect last?
As every patient is different from the other, it depends entirely on the individual, but a single treatment of BOTOX will normally last for approximately 4-6 months and eventually, there is a gradual fading of its effects. At this point, it’s advisable to return to the doctor to continue treatment.
- How long does it take to see the results?
It is wrong to think that BOTOX takes a long time to start working. The results are dramatic and apparent within a few days. After the injection, it takes 2-3 days for BOTOX” to begin taking effect and around 10-15 days to see the full effect.
- Can one return to regular activities after the BOTOX treatment?
Of course one can. In fact, the treatment is so easy and convenient that people can take it during a lunch break and return to work almost immediately. No wonder it’s known as the ‘lunch time procedure’, as this is the norm.
- Will the lines look worse if one chooses to discontinue the treatment?
No. Lines gradually revert to their pre-treatment appearance. However, this may take 6 to 12 months from the time one stops BOTOX® treatment.
- Can men also use BOTOX?
BOTOX is equally effective on men and women. Over 220,000 BOTOX procedures were performed on men in the United States in 2004, making it the leading cosmetic treatment for men.
- Is BOTOX only for celebrities?
Contrary to popular belief, BOTOX is most widely used by people like you and me and not necessarily only by celebrities.
- Is BOTOX expensive?
When considering one’s facial enhancement options BOTOX” is quite affordable, Many people are surprised at the relative cost compared to other appearance related investments such as facials, hair coloring, and wrinkle creams. As one patient reported. BOTOX is surprisingly affordable – around the same as a few facials or visits to the hair colorist”.
BOTOX for Hyperhidrosis
Unlike available options like antiperspirants, BOTOX targets sweating at its source. With a few tiny injections given by the doctor, BOTOX enters the specific glands at the targeted sites responsible for excessive sweating. It blocks the release of a chemical that signals the perspiration at the targeted site. This simple, safe procedure takes about 20 minutes.
BOTOX – treatment that works…
Patients treated with BOTOX notice a remarkable improvement in Hyperhidrosis symptoms. In clinical studies, 95% of patients were with Hyperhidrosis that was severe enough to interfere with their daily lives experienced the benefits of BOTOX after just 1 week, with reduction in sweating by an average of 83%.
…and keeps working
After the first treatment, effects of BOTOX last for 3-14 months. For nearly 40% of patients, BOTOX reduces sweating for more than 1 year.’ The duration of effect of BOTOX treatment may vary, from person to person. When symptoms begin to return, the doctor is the right judge to decide the next BOTOX treatment.
A history of safety
BOTOX has been used successfully to treat a range of medical conditions for more than 14 years. Side effects, if they occur, are temporary and include a perceived increase in sweating in other areas and pain at the injection site.
Is BOTOX treatment for Hyperhidrosis expensive?
Clinical studies have shown that BOTOX treatment for Hyperhidrosis is effective for 3-14 months. As far as expenses go, treatment with BOTOX is not that expensive when compared to both direct and indirect costs incurred during this period.
Direct costs like dry cleaning, washing, deodorants, frequent clothes disposal etc. and indirect costs like social embarrassment and other emotional turmoil far outweigh the actual cost of BOTOX treatment, even in pure economic terms.
Studies have shown an improvement in quality of life in term of increased productivity at work, improvement in daily social life and emotional status, as a response to BOTOX treatment for Hyperhidrosis.
Now your patient can feel confident and socialise freely without the nagging feeling of embarrassment.