Facial rejuvenation - Botox or soft tissue fillers?
When considering facial rejuvenation, it may be difficult to decide whether to get Botox or soft tissue fillers. The two procedures have different applications.
For the sake of simplicity, wrinkles produced by repeated and habitual contraction of the underlying muscles of facial expression are treated with Botox. These include areas between the eyebrows, worry lines across the forehead, and crow's feet.
Botox injections for aesthetic purposes are one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed today. It is highly effective in treating a wide variety of hyper functional facial lines. Contrary to popular belief, Botox is not a “poison.” It is derived from a purified protein of a bacterium called Botulinum. It has been in use since 1986 for a wide variety of medical conditions, including cerebral palsy, muscle spasms, migraines, blepharospasm, and more recently hyperhidrosis or sweating.
It is easy to use, well tolerated and extremely safe. Although complications such as drooping of eyelids and eyebrows can occur, they are very uncommon.
In contrast, soft tissue fillers, such as Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm, are non-animal-based hyaluronic acid (HA) used to correct and restore volume loss (deflation), and to hydrate the skin.
HA in the skin has a very important function as it binds water, creating skin volume. With age, skin loses its ability to produce hyaluronic acid and it does not hold water as before. This is one reason why lines and wrinkles form. Other factors that cause skin aging are skin thickness, distribution and ratio of collagen and elastic fibres, and biochemical alterations in the skin's connective tissue.
Dermal fillers, such as Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm, are injected into the skin to add volume to lips, to redefine the contours of cheeks, and to soften and lift up wrinkles and folds. They are mainly injected in the skin to soften the folds from the nose to the angle of the mouth, the folds around the mouth, as well as the lines around the mouth.
Treatment with dermal fillers is a very quick and easy process with instantaneous results. The HA in dermal fillers is identical to that already present in the body, therefore, skin does not react to the solution but stays calm and healthy.
Since the HA is not made from animals, there is no risk of transmitting diseases from the animals or eliciting allergic reactions to common foods, such as eggs, meat or chicken.
The filler is biodegradable and the body gradually absorbs it over time. Follow-up treatment is advisable after 7-9 months.
If you're interested in facial rejuvenation, and would like more information about Botox or soft tissue fillers, contact a certified practitioner to arrange a consultation.
Transform your appearance today! Call Dr. Ebrahim for a complementary consultation at (604) 980-3993.
Westview Centre
104-2609 Westview Drive
North Vancouver, BC V7N 4M2
Phone: (604) 980-3993
Email: info@afterglowskincare.ca
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