Confused? Not sure what to do? Want some advice?
Read through the information below and if you are still not sure,
then contact us via the form at the end.
Not sure what you need? Do you need botulinum toxin (Known locally as Botox), fillers or both? What about CIT, etc?
Botulinum Toxin (available in South Africa under various trade names such as Botox, Dysport, etc) relaxes muscles, so wrinkles and lines that worsen or improve with muscle movement (eg expression/animation of face muscles) will improve with it Botulinum toxin can also prevent lines from forming (eg if you frown often, etc). It is mostly used to treat wrinkles and lines in the upper face (frown, forehead, eyes, nose and fine lines around mouth). It will take between 7-14 days to see a result and last around four months. You can click here to watch a video regarding more information on the general use of Botulinum Toxinor you can click here to read more about it.
'MesoTox' is a technique for refining and rejuvenating the whole face. Micro-injections of Botulinum Toxin with generous doses of vitamins, growth factors and other selected nutrients are distributed all over the face to diminish wrinkles without complete muscle paralysis and to improve the appearance of the skin with a natural result. It is similar to traditional Botulinum toxin treatment with regards to its mechanism of action - botulinum toxin paralysis the muscles affecting the wrinkles - 'MesoTox' uses a combination of products that is injected all over the face - the botulinum toxin is spread over a wider area by administering more injections - spreading the injections over the entire face and focusing on the problem areas versus traditional botulinum toxin injections that is injected in into one or a few sites per muscle group.
Static lines and loss of volume are best treated with fillers. Fillers fill up areas of deep wrinkles and volume loss and are mostly used in the lower face (areas between nose and chin). Immediate results can be seen with fillers, but the full effect with only be seen after at least 2 weeks. Modern fillers will last between 6-12 months (depending on the filler size and your own metabolism of the filler material)
Collagen Induction Therapy (CIT) such as the DermaRoller and DermaPen is a long term solution and improves skin texture and increase collagen by the body's own healing mechanisms. Your face will be red (similar to sun burn) for about 4-7 days and you will a very mild skin peel from day 3-5. You can cover the red areas with make-up the next day after the procedure. You will need between 1-3 procedures for optimal results and it can then be repeated 2 x / year as maintenance therapy.
Mesotherapy is also a long term solution that will over time improve the quality of skin and improve the appearance. Regular sessions will be needed.
Chemical Peels can vary from very superficial to very deep and are recommended for improving skin texture, very fine lines, acne and pigmentation.
General Information When Considering Botulinum Toxin injections
What Is It Used For?
The injections are used to improve the look of fine lines and superficial wrinkles of the forehead, between the brows, and crow’s feet (around eyes) caused from everyday facial expressions. Smiling, frowning or squinting can also cause wrinkles and Botulinum Toxin is very effective in these areas. If you find that the early signs of aging are becoming apparent or if your facial expressions are causing premature wrinkles to appear, then this may be for you.
How Does Botulinum Toxin Work?
It blocks the transmission of signals from nerves to the muscles, by hindering the production of the neurotransmitters (the chemical which relays the signals). When used for cosmetic purposes, this causes the muscle to relax giving it a smoother appearance, greatly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Normally, your brain sends electrical messages to your muscles so they can contract and move. Botulinum Toxin injections works to block the release of those electric transmissions and, as a result, the muscle doesn’t receive the message to contract. This means that the muscles spasms or movements that cause wrinkling are stopped or greatly reduced after your treatment.
What Areas Can Botulinum Toxin Be Injected (see image below)?
- Forehead Lines
- Glabella (Frown Lines or Angry 11’s)
- Bunny Lines (Transverse nasal)
- Peri-oral Lines (Smoker’s Lines)
- Marionette Lines (Puppet Lines)
- Mentalis Dysfunction (Chin “Dents”)
- Vertical Platysma Bands in neck
- Crow’s Feet (Lateral Orbital Lines)
- Brow Lift
Indication of amount of average units of Botulinum Toxin used per area:
What is a ‘Filler’?
Fillers are medications that are often used to treat fine lines, wrinkles, and volume loss of the face. Common fillers include Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm. These medications are injected with a syringe and small needle into the areas of concern. The idea is to plump up the areas where volume is needed. These treatments can give a very nice and natural appearance.
For instance, smile lines are a very common area for filler treatment. The smile lines run from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth on both sides. They are also known as the naso-labial folds. Smile lines can occur as early as in one’s 20’s and tend to deepen with time.
Another common area for filler injections include the puppet lines or marionette lines which run downward from the corners of the mouth. Patients frequently show concern that their marionette lines make them look older or even make them look cranky.
Fillers may be used as a relatively low-risk non-surgical alternative for the lower eyelid bags and for lip augmentation. Lower eyelid bags may be hidden by filler treatment. Lip augmentation with fillers may be used to treat lip lines - so called smoker’s lines. This procedure may be used to give full, sexy, natural appearing lips.
Volume replacement with fillers can bring a healthy youthful appearance to the cheeks, which become flattened by the aging process. The jawline may be strengthened by fillers as well. This treatment gives a stronger more youthful jawline.
Fillers may be considered temporary (lasting 6-12 months).
The fillers we use are synthesised in laboratory and contain hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the body and helps to give structure to the skin. These qualities make this substance very popular for filler treatments.
Typically, a filler treatment is performed in the office with topical (cream) anesthesia and/or local anesthesia. Several of the newer filler products offer the advantage of having a local anesthetic mixed with the medication. This combination decreases the discomfort associated with filler treatment.
Fillers offer a versatile and safe non-surgical treatment to improve the appearance of multiple areas of the face. They may be used in combination with a variety of treatments to give a well-rested, natural, and healthy appearance.
Click here to read more about specific procedures
Have Questions?
Complete the form below or email questions and photos to cosmedsa@yahoo.com