There are very few things that we can be sure about in life, but one thing that is certain is that we are all aging. If you stop to consider this for a moment, we are actually aging from the day we are born.
For the first twenty or even thirty years of life, while we know that with every birthday we are one year older, this does not reflect in how we look. In fact, while we may look gawky and awkward in childhood, most of us grow up to be much better looking, and capable of attracting the partners that we want.
However, as we age, the signs of it begin to show on our bodies, particularly on the face.
The signs of aging can be very troubling and for some, result in serious mental anguish. They don’t feel old, but they look it.
Fortunately, there are many different procedures which can reverse the signs of aging. They cannot alter the fact, but they can make you look many years younger. Some of these are surgical procedures, which are known as invasive, but there are also methods that have been discovered in the last thirty years that are non-invasive cosmetic procedures.
These include what is now the very well-known and popular Botox, dermal fillers, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and laser treatments, such as laser hair removal, all of which are available on demand in Houston TX.
What Exactly Is Botox?
Botox is an injection derived from the botulinum toxin (which is actually poisonous if not used correctly). It works by causing a temporary paralysis of the muscles at the site where the injection takes place. This then prevents those muscles from contracting and causing the appearance of frown lines, wrinkles, and so on. However, Botox is not a permanent treatment, and the effects will wear off after a period of between three and six months, depending on the individual.
This means that in order to keep a more youthful appearance, it is necessary to have ongoing treatment every few months, but many of those who love Botox consider it is far better than appearing old and wrinkled.
How Many Injections Are Needed?
This will depend on how big an area of the face needs treatment. The injections will be aimed at those areas of the face displaying wrinkles, such as frown lines, on the forehead, crow’s feet around the eyes, and lines at the edge of the lips.
Do The Injections Hurt?
Botox injections are non-invasive cosmetic procedures, and only the very tiniest needles are required. The procedure takes very little time, and most patients do not feel any pain. In fact, numbing creams and ice packs are not required.
How Long Will I Be Off Work?
One of the big advantages of Botox injections is that they are non-invasive cosmetic procedures, and there is, therefore, no recovery period. Many patients have Botox during their lunch hour, and go straight back to work afterwards.
How Long Does It Take For The Injections To Work?
The effects are usually apparent within about a week. Botox injections will wear off after somewhere between three and six months, and the procedure will need to be repeated. Exactly how long the effects last depends on the individual.
How Much Do Botox Injections Cost?
This will depend on the number of injections required, and therefore the quantity of the product used. In general, Botox injections in Houston, Texas, will cost somewhere between $300 and $900.
There is also a rewards program called Brilliant Distinctions, operated by Allergan the manufacturer of Botox, and allows for reductions on future treatments.
Are There Any Risks With Botox?
Provided Botox is administered by a trained and qualified professional, any risks are absolutely minimal, and certainly far less than risks associated with surgery. However, treatment of over-correction can be difficult, as can any patient allergy.
The emphasis here is on “trained and qualified professional”.
How Do I Know If A Practitioner is Trained And Qualified?
You should check the qualifications of any practitioner, and make sure that the person actually performing the injections is a doctor or trained nurse. Steer clear of strange titles such as “Advanced Qualified Botox Therapist”. There is no such thing.
All treatments should be carried out under clinical conditions, and certainly not in the home or other environment.
What About Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are also non-invasive cosmetic procedures. As we age, our face has a tendency to lose volume. The skin becomes less elastic, and this, together with sun damage, causes wrinkles and sagging skin. In addition, we lose collagen and elastin, which keep the skin firm when we are younger.
If there are areas of the face with a gaunt or hollow look, or where the lines are fixed and do not move, these can be treated with dermal fillers.
There are two types of dermal fillers, semi-permanent, or temporary. At Houston Oculofacial, we use temporary fillers of Hyaluronic Acid, or HA.
When the HA fillers are injected under the kin, the molecules in the filler draw in water which makes the tissue underneath swell. The fillers are made of non-animal bio-degradable HA, and there is no risk of allergies or rejection by the body, as they are 100% natural.
Who Can Use Dermal Fillers?
A qualified surgeon will make a detailed study of your face, in particular areas under the eye, cheeks, sagging jowls, any scars, and the bone structure, in order to decide whether dermal fillers are appropriate.
In many cases, dermal fillers can be used to mask the effects of aging, and delay the need for any cosmetic surgery for a few more years.
In order to discuss the implications of non-invasive cosmetic procedures, simply click on the Contact Us link above.
