One of the first wrinkles to appear on the face, and perhaps the most noticeable are glabellar lines, also known as brow furrows. Caused by muscles contracting as we frown, the brow furrow seems to settle deeper and deeper into our skull until we resemble the Cro-Magnon man (or woman)!
However, Botox isn't for everyone. High price, a variety of side effects, or pre-existing health concerns may put a wrinkle in the desirability of a Botox treatment.
What is the Botox® Cosmetic?
Botox Cosmetic isn't a cosmetic. Botox is a prescription drug that should be administered by a qualified physician in an appropriate medical setting,Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox Cosmetic) is a protein complex produced by the same bacteria that causes the food poisoning commonly known as botulism. In April 2002, the US FDA approved it for use in the minimization of the brow furrow (i.e. the wrinkles between one's eyebrows).
When used in a medical setting, the physician injects small amounts of Botox Cosmetic into the muscle tissue between the eyes. Paralysis of the muscles makes them unable to contract when a person frowns, thus keeping them from causing the overlapping of skin, which results in wrinkling. This manipulation of the muscle's ability to contract additionally smoothes out existing frown lines. The effects of Botox Cosmetic treatment last an average of 120 days.
Botox Cosmetic Dos and Don'ts
PrecautionsCommon side effects may include:
- Headache
- Respiratory infection
- Flu-like symptoms
- Droopy eyelids
- Nausea
Botox should be injected no more frequently than once every three months. The price of a vial of Botox Cosmetic is $375.00. Botox is licensed for marketing and distribution as single-use vials (i.e. one patient, one treatment session) and although each vial can treat up to five areas, the FDA recommends that the lowest effective dose should be used per treatment session.
Depending on the physician and number of areas treated, prices of Botox Cosmetic treatment may range from $175 to $800. Because of the disparity between the cost of the Botox and the price of treatments under $375, the consumer needs to carefully choose his or her physician.
Botox Cosmetic contains no preservatives against contamination and once opened, must be used within four hours. Treating more than one patient with a single vial violates the product labeling.
Botox Alternatives
Acupuncture is becoming the tool of choice for many people who want to reduce the signs of aging. An advantage of acupuncture is that there is no "recovery time". You can go straight from a cosmetic acupuncture to work. Acupuncture may help build collagen and elastin in tissues, resulting in firmer skin. Although treatments cost just $100.00 each, you may need 10 treatments over a five-week period with follow up treatments about every 120 days.Hydroxy Acids:
- Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are derived from fruit and dairy products. Some are exfoliants and some moisturize the skin. In softening rough skin, alpha-hydroxy acids help minimize fine lines. Of course, their effectiveness depends on their acid concentration.
- BetaHydroxy Acids (BHA) are commonly found in many over-the-counter, wrinkle-reducing products such as Oil of Olay's Age Defying Series. They serve as an exfoliant, an anti-inflammatory, and a comedolytic (a product that eliminates blackheads and whiteheads).
- Hydroxy Acid Peels cause a skin reaction that makes you peel a few days after the treatment, uncovering a layer of new, fresh skin with wrinkles minimized or invisible.
Laser resurfacing works best on fine, shallow wrinkles. Lasers emit a brief pulse of high-intensity light that vaporizes old tissue without causing heat damage to the skin.
Fat implants (liposculpture) are just what they sound like. Fat is taken from one area (e.g. belly, thighs) and after cleaning, injected into another area.
