1. Botox
Botox is the number one cosmetic surgery procedure in the world. This seemingly magic cure for deep-set frown lines and rugged furrowed brows is very popular with its relatively low cost and long lasting effects
Botox is made of a sterile form of botulinum toxin, which is injected under the skin to paralyse the nerve endings that cause wrinkles. When injected, the toxin inhibits the release of the chemical acetylcholine, which signals the muscles in your face to contract. Since those muscles are chemically paralysed, they do not pinch the skin and cause wrinkles to form.
Botox is made from a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, and it is relatively safe. The toxin itself is extracted from the live bacteria, and no live bacteria are injected into the skin. There is no chance of contracting botulism. Only small, localized doses of the toxin are administered during treatments, and the risks are relatively small.
The toxin treatment was first approved to treat blepharospasm (twitching eye muscles) in 1989. Cosmetically desirable effects of Botox were noticed when the frown lines between the eyebrows were observed to soften following treatment applied for eye muscle disorders. Subjects no longer had deep creases or folds of tissue near the areas where the injections were given.
The number of injections needed is based on the area being treated. Crow's feet might only take from two to five injections where as glabellar lines (furrowed brow) might take eight to ten injections. The injection sessions usually only take from ten to fifteen minutes of your time, and you can resume normal activities right away.
Like all medical treatment, Botox does have potential side effects.
Some of the side effects may include:
- Pain
- Bruising
- Redness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Nausea
- Ptosis (drooping of upper eyelid)
There is virtually no down time after a Botox injection treatment, you can resume a normal day as soon as you leave the physician's office. Be careful not to rub or massage the treated area as this could cause the injected material to migrate to other areas. Full results are seen after a few days, and last up to six months. Re-injections are needed to maintain your new fresh appearance. Cosmetic Botox injections should be given no more than once every three months.
It is important to find a doctor who has experience with Botox injections to minimize risks, and ensure proper dosing. DR Khor has been injecting Botox since 2005. All prospective patients has to present for a FREE medical consultation prior to therapy.
2. Dermal Fillers
Collagen is a protein that acts like glue that holds the cells of your skin together. When we are young this is thick and supple but as your body ages this disappears naturally every year so the skin it used to fill out becomes lined and furrowed. Over time facial movements such as smiling frowning and laughing exaggerate these often undesirable features. Muscle relaxants subtly reduce these actions in specific areas and thus reduce the display of lines. Fillers work by filling out key areas so the lines become less obvious.
Nirvana stocks a range of Dermal Fillers for facial aesthetic treatments. They include Restylane, Perlane, SubQ, Touch, Vital, Juvederm, Voluma and Radiesse. They are designed to effectively reduce the appearance of unwanted wrinkles, contour and create volume, and to revitalise the skin. Most are based on stabilized hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a substance that naturally exists in your body. The gel is injected into the skin.
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that exists naturally in almost all living organisms. It binds water and can act as a lubricant and shock absorber in movable parts of the body such as joints. It is also important for the transport of nutrients and in regulating water balance in skin.
What are the benefits of Fillers?
A treatment provides an easy way to enhance your looks. The result of a single treatment can be seen instantly and lasts between six months to one year, depending on the patient's age and metabolism. You will achieve a natural looking result that does not affect facial expression. Remember your face changes over time, fillers allows you to control you looks subtly as you age.
What areas can be treated?
Fillers can be used to smooth away facial lines and wrinkles, create fuller lips and shape facial contours, such as cheeks and chin, and revitalise the skin.
The most common areas treated are:
- Nose to mouth lines (the nasolabial folds)
- between the eyebrows (the glabella lines)
- lips (adding volume and shape)
- cheeks and chin (shaping and contouring)
- back of the hands, décolletage, face, neck (skin revitalisation)
How does Fillers work?
By boosting the skin’s supply of hyaluronic acid, Restylane revitalises and adds volume to the skin, instantly diminishing the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and giving a natural softer look. Restylane is a soft injectable gel consisting of stabilized, non-animal hyaluronic acid. The gel is tissue-friendly and closely resembles the hyaluronic acid that exists naturally in the body. It is long-lasting but not permanent.
What should I bear in mind when considering a treatment?
First of all you should always contact a qualified practitioner to be assured that the treatment will be performed correctly. For your safety, be prepared to discuss your medical history during your pre-treatment consultation.
Dr Khor has been specialising in GP Dermatology since 2001.
How long does a treatment last?
One of the great advantage is that the effects are long lasting but not permanent. Duration depends on many factors, such as the individual’s skin type, skin condition lifestyle and age. After the initial treatment, follow-up sessions are normally recommended around every 6 to 12 months depending on the individual and the treatment. A treatment of the lips lasts about 6 months.
Does treatment need pain relief?
Generally, pain relief is necessary when injecting into the skin to correct lines and wrinkles. Some people may experience the treatment as a mild discomfort. A local anaesthetic cream can be applied to the area for a more comfortable treatment experience.
The lips are a highly sensitive part of the body and, therefore, anaesthesia is usually recommended before lip enhancement. This is achieved most effectively by using a dental block and/or local anaesthetic. Most products are now also available with the local anaesthetic lidocaine included for a more comfortable treatment experience.
Are there any risks?
More than 20 million treatments have been performed worldwide. Product related reactions are rare. There are some injection related reactions which may occur after any injection; they typically resolve spontaneously a few days after injection to the skin, within a week after injection into the lips. These reactions include redness, swelling, pain, itching, bruising or tenderness at the injection site.
After lip enhancement, lips may swell for up to a week, but this typically reduces after two to three days. In case of more pronounced reactions or if they last longer than a week contact your practitioner.
You should discuss side effects and post treatment reactions with Nirvana staff. If there is a need to remove the product from the injected area for any reason, Dr Khor can inject a special dissolving solution into the area which will remove the material overnight.
Can fillers be used if I have had laser treatment or a chemical peel?
If you have recently had a laser or chemical peel treatment, it is recommended you wait until the area is totally healed and the skin is back to its normal condition. |
