Restylane is a natural facelift treatment that has been used by millions of women worldwide to get a more youthful appearance.

Restylane is a great alternative to Botox or plastic surgery is natural and safe. Let’s look at why Restylane is becoming more popular than ever.

The Treatment

Restylane is a gel made from hyaluronic acid (HA)

This water acting substance is present in everyone’s skin already and the treatment simply boosts the moisturizing affect.

So, it’s natural and safe and this is hugely appealing to most women.

When injected into the skin it is known as SubQ and moisturises the skin from the inside

It is used to soften lines and wrinkles and is injected into any areas that need improvement.

It can be used on the skin but is also frequently injected into the lip areas as well to plump them up, in this form is known as Restylane Lipp.

Finally it can be used on the cheekbones, where it is called SUBQ.

It is a very flexible treatment and adds volume to the face to soften lines, wrinkles or stress an area i.e plumping up the lips.

How long does it last?

This all depends on each individual.

How much is injected, how much that area of the face moves and the person’s genetic makeup.

For example, a cheek treatment will tend to last a year or more, mouth lines around six months and the lips may be just a few months.

In addition to the above we are all unique and we all break down hyaluronic acid at different rates so every case is different.

Why use it?

Unlike Botox and other treatments, it is totally natural with no side effects.

It simply boosts the amount of hyaluronic acid in the skin.

Because its natural you look natural (this cannot be said for botox or many facelifts) you can roll back the years, look beautiful and not worry that you will suffer in anyway from side effects.

Just like treatments like Mestotherapy the attraction of Restylane is it allows you to look younger in a totally natural way.

Ok it doesn’t last for ever but regular treatments will keep you looking young and with sessions at around $700.00 its affordable and a great way to look better.

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I became interested in Restylane to fix a problem of hollowness across my cheeks. I am not a bad looking woman-- I think i have a pretty good facial structure with the normal sprinkling of flaws here and there. Overall, I like my face. The only things are those dark shadows in the hollows of my cheeks that distract quite a bit from my appearance. When I looked in the mirror, I saw a nice painting-- a nice painting with smears across its surface. I wanted those smears gone.

I made an appointment with a dermatologist for my first Restylane treatment. After my bad experience with mesotherapy, I decided to do my homework and thoroughly research about Restylane. this time I am going in with my eyes and ears wide open supported by facts and not merely by hear say or word of mouth.

I looked up my information on the internet: Many people practice restylane injections-- nurses, physician assistants, general practitioners, gynecologists, even dentists. Apparently, there are not very stringent requirements for one to administer or inject restylane. So I wanted to plan this very safely by deciding that I would make an appointment with either a dermatologist who knows about facial structure and skin, or a cosmetic surgeon.

I went with a dermatologist who has a fairly decent practice and has a good amount of experience injecting restylane.

Lesson #1: Pick a doctor who has a good reputation. They have so much to lose if they screw up, so chances are, they will not screw up. Remember, this is YOUR FACE.

When a doctor looks at your face, he has his own perspective of how your face should look like. This is fine when coupled with the fact that, assuming he has has done the restylane injections many times before, he has the expertise of knowing where to inject and where the restylane is going from the injection site.

The other parts of the story is how you see your face and how you want it to look like. You must communicate very clearly to your doctor which areas you want the restylane to affect. This communication is key. Most of the time, you and your doctor will agree. Sometimes, however, you will find that you and your doctor don't exactly see on the same level. Remember, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. What looks good to your doctor may not necessarily be what you want. Ultimately, it is how you want your face to look like and what will make you happy.

Some Things About Restylane: I've had three restylane treatments so far. There are some of my observations about Restylane based on my personal experience. Keep in mind that these may be subjective but I decided I should share them any way.

1) To a certain degree, restylane can be moved, molded, and manipulated up to the first hours of injections. I have noticed that I can flatten, shape, or move the restylane. I discovered this by accident after my first treatment. I was advised to massage the right side of my under eye area, as it was swelling more than the left side. At first, I thought I noticed that after some massaging, I had actually moved and flattened the restylane from the injection area, but I thought I was imagining it. Now after two more restylane treatments, I know for sure, at least in my case, that I can move it and emphasize it only to a certain extent. Now, I am not saying that you should get restylane

2) The following paragraph should be logical, but what woman who is on a quest for beauty is logical? When you create volume on a certain are of your face, it affects the appearance of the other areas, too. Let's say you have a certain area of your face where you may have a minor flaw/hollowness/darkness which was unnoticeable to you pre-restylane treatment. Now, say you decide to have restylane injections on your cheeks to create more volume there. Fine, now you have fuller cheeks. But all of a sudden, you see how hollow and dark your under eyes area is. It's like you have two negative parts of an equation; if you make one of them positive (in this case, better looking), the negative now becomes more noticeable.

I am sharing this because I have personally experienced it. It is not to say it is good or bad. Personally, I will always want to look better if possible. But my point in sharing this is to make you aware of what goes when you start "renovating" your face. You want more because you want more, not entirely because you are a vain person (well, I am, I admit it), but also because the some other areas of your face now contrast to the restylane treated area. And, of course, you would feel a need to improve those other areas. This "chain reaction" is a normal reaction that you need to recognize and be aware of and know how to manage.

I can liken the process to tweezing your eyebrows. You can get carried away and over-pluck. Or in this case, over inject Botox, restylane, or some other dermal filler.

Remember, these are my own personal observations about restylane. They may or may not all apply to you, but I hope they have provided some insight, meaning, food for those who are considering restylane treatments

My story is at www.RestylaneDoctors.com

Restylane is an injectable filler that is utilized to combat aging by filling in lines and wrinkles in the facial area. Restylane injections are used to improve facial contouring, lip augmentation , and wrinkles that appear on the forehead, eyebrow, and nasolabial wrinkles. (Mouth area) The chemical make up of Restylane is that of hyaluronic acid . While foreign sounding in name is chemical substance that is naturally found in the human body. The role of hyaluronic acid in the human body is to cushion by means of attracting moisture. What makes Restylane different from other products utilizing this compound are its non-animal origins, which is key to eliminating the risk of allergic reaction.

Restylane injection procedure

The length of the procedure typically runs 10 minutes to 30 minutes per session.
A topical numbing cream is applied to patients receiving lip Restylane injections beforehand to minimize the little in the way of pain during the procedure. Most patients typically do not require a general or local anesthetic for this procedure. Most Restylane injection procedures are typically outpatient.

What complications can occur from a Restylane injection?

Normal side effects include tingling, swelling, redness, all of which are usually temporary and may last for a few days. Most of these side effects are typical with a various cosmetic procedures, and are not considered a Restylane problem. A benefit for Restylane is the fact that it has been used world wide for over a decade. With its excellent safety record based on over a million treatments, there are few if any Restylane side effects.

Patients however, should avoid vitamin E, aspirin, and Ibuprofen-based medications before the procedure to decrease the chances of bruising or bleeding.

Patients who receive Restylane Injection treatments are immediately able to resume normal daily activities.

Long-term results of Restylane Injections

The results of a Restylane injection treatment are immediate in their visibility.
While this alone would be attractive, there are many other advantages to choosing Restylane injections. One of the greatest advantages is Restylane’s more natural composition. Because Restylane is derived from non-animal sources, there are no requirements for allergy testing. The fact that Restylane is not an animal-based product may appeal to those who want to reduce the signs of aging while making healthy choices. (I.e. Vegetarians, eco-conscious individuals, certain more or religious beliefs).

Restylane has an added benefit of lasting over twice as long as similar products, such as collagen treatments.

The duration of a Restylane injection treatment varies between 5 months to a year.

How much does Restylane cost?

The cost of a Restylane treatment will vary depending on your personal needs. The cost of Restylane treatment typically runs between $300 and $700 per treatment.

Read more about Restylane. Renee Billancourt is a contributing writer at Houston Medical Center

Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar compound, and the second largest component of human skin next to collagen. It’s the main ingredient of Restalyne, and has been harnessed to become one of the hottest new cosmetic procedures. It’s touted as being less allergy provoking than other substances, and can hold 1,000 times its own weight in water, which allows it to restore significant volume in wrinkles and lines of the skin.

Different from Other Fillers?

Restalyne is different in that it is not culled from animal proteins or fat - both of which can cause allergic reactions in certain instances. Because it is not derived from animal products, there is less chance of an allergic reaction or of the body rejecting the serum. Usually there is no patch testing ahead of time, though that is up to the discretion of the doctor administering the product.

So What Are The Risks?

There is risk with any outside substance being injected into the human body, no matter how many times it has been tested or “natural” it might be. Though there are not many reported, some of the most common side effects or “downsides” of Restalyne include swelling, redness, itching, tenderness and bruising at the injection site.

Though Restylane has been used and tested throughout Europe since the early part of the last decade, the FDA did not approve it until 2003. So, even though it’s been tested in the United States for safety as a cosmetic procedure, there are few definitive studies about its possible effects on people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, under the age of 18, and those who are prone to keloid formation or hypertrophic scarring.

In rare cases, headaches, nausea or flu-like symptoms have been reported as side effects.

Treatments are not recommended for those who absolutely cannot stay out of the sun for a period of time, as excessive heat or sunlight might be potential risk for inflammation. The patient should be fully healed from any previous laser or chemical peels done on the skin.

What are the Benefits?

Restalyne offers a more youthful appearance without an invasive or time-consuming procedure! In the same amount of time it takes to get a haircut, Restalyne can fill lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. Many people do not realize that it can also be a very effective lip enhancement product. It gives definition and volume to lips, and makes for a pronounced “pout.”

Another benefit of a filler treatment is that, when done correctly, the results are completely natural looking and last a long time, sometimes six months or more. Some doctors and patients report that successive treatments in the same spot produce longer lasting results than just one.

Compared with more drastic procedures, such as a partial or full face lift, or heavy dermabrasion, Restalyne is more affordable and takes much less time – usually the treatments are done in less than an hour at a dermatologic facility or doctor’s office.

There can be some discomfort with the needle injections, but the professional doing the procedure usually offers a local anesthetic or numbing cream to significantly lessen or block the pain. The patient can return home shortly after the procedure to enjoy a younger looking face.

Consult with your doctor to learn more about other alternatives like cosmetic plastic surgery if Restylane is not right for you. Learn about the risks and benefits of cosmetic surgery along with other things like cosmetic surgery cost.

Restylane Information

Restylane is an injectable filler that is utilized to combat aging by filling in lines and wrinkles in the facial area. Restylane injections are used to improve facial contouring, lip augmentation, and wrinkles that appear on the forehead, eyebrow, and nasolabial wrinkles. (Mouth area) The chemical make up of Restylane is that of hyaluronic acid. While foreign sounding in name is chemical substance that is naturally found in the human body. The role of hyaluronic acid in the human body is to cushion by means of attracting moisture. What makes Restylane different from other products utilizing this compound are its non-animal origins, which is key to eliminating the risk of allergic reaction.

Length and details of the Restylane injection procedure

The length of the procedure typically runs 10 minutes to 30 minutes per session.

A topical numbing cream is applied to patients receiving lip Restylane injections beforehand to minimize the little in the way of pain during the procedure.

Most patients typically do not require a general or local anesthetic for this procedure.

Most Restylane injection procedures are typically outpatient.

Risks and/or complications related to Restylane injections

Normal side effects include tingling, swelling, redness, all of which are usually temporary and may last for a few days. Most of these side effects are typical with a various cosmetic procedures, and are not considered a Restylane problem. A benefit for Restylane is the fact that it has been used world wide for over a decade. With it’s excellent safety record based on over a million treatments, there are few if any Restylane side effects.

Patients however, should avoid vitamin E, aspirin, and Ibuprofen-based medications before the procedure to decrease the chances of bruising or bleeding.

Patients who receive a Restylane Injection treatment are immediately able to resume normal daily activities.

Long-term results of Restylane Injections

The results of a Restylane injection treatment are immediate in their visibility. While this alone would be attractive, there are many other advantages to choosing Restylane injections.

One of the greatest advantages is Restylane’s more “natural” composition. Because Restylane is derived from non-animal sources, there are no requirements for allergy testing. The fact that Restylane is not an animal-based product may appeal to those who want to reduce the signs of aging while making “healthy” choices. (I.e. Vegetarians, eco-conscious individuals, certain more or religious beliefs).

Restylane has an added benefit of lasting over twice as long as similar products, such as collagen treatments.

The duration of a Restylane injection treatment varies between 5 months to a year.

What is the cost of Restylane?

The price of Restylane treatment will depend on your individual needs. It will also very on your geographic location. The cost of Restylane treatment typically runs between $300 and $700 per treatment.

Will my insurance cover a Restylane procedure?

Because a Restylane Injection is considered an elective procedure, insurance usually will not cover the procedure.

Read more about Restylane Injection Treatment. Alan Hood is a contributing writer at Houston Medical Center

Restylane injections have been used for wrinkle treatment over 15 years in the cosmetic surgery industry as a popular treatment for facial wrinkles. Indeed, it has become the most popular procedure, in the world, with several million Europeans treated last year, alone. Dr. Barry Lycka has been doing Restylane treatments in his private clinic in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada since 1993.

What are Restylane and Collagen Used For ?

These products are filler substances which are used primarily to help plump up wrinkles, fill depressed areas such as scars, elevate the corners of the mouth, provide fullness to areas such as prominent smile line folds and provide lip enhancement or redefinition of the lip border. One primary use is to reduce or eliminating the small grooves responsible for "bleeding" lipstick. They may also be used to provide a fuller lip because as one ages, lips lose volume.

What are the difference between the various filling substances?

In 2006, there are dozens of filler substances. The first one was collagen.Collagen is a sterile, processed bovine protein. The biggest problem is that it would only last for a few months, and quite often it would be lumpy under the skin. Restylane is a newer product made out of cross linked hyaluronic acid. It lasts in the skin much longer. It also is much smoother.
Longer acting products also are available. These are known as Dermalive, Dermadeep, Sculptra, Artecoll Aartefil) and silicone.

Do I need skin testing?

Before having a Collagen treatment, skin testing must be undertaken to ensure that you are not allergic to the product. Restylane requires no testing as the possibility of allergy is extremely remote.

How long does it last?

Collagen treatment usually last a number of months, often between three to six months. Restylane usually lasts over six months in most individuals.

What kind of wrinkles can be treated?

Common areas are the glabellar lines (between the eyebrows), the nasolabial folds (smile folds) and the wrinkles around the lips, but other sites can also be treated..

What kind of results can obtained from lip treatment?

The vermillion border can be accentuated and the lips can be given more volume.

What is treatment like?

Treatment is a very easy and quick process. For Restylane, the treatment can be carried out without previous testing. For Collagen, you will need a skin test. Both types of procedures take about 30 minutes. For both Collagen and Restylane, the result is instant. A small amount of bruising and swelling can occur.

Is it painful?

This is very individual depending on how sensitive to pain you are. The injections may prick a little but normally no anesthesia is needed for the treatment of wrinkles. In our office we use ice and a cooling machine known as a zimmer. We also use a numbing cream. Lip treatment can be uncomfortable and therefore a nerve block or similar anesthetic is normally used, thereby ensuring comfort.

Cost of Treatment

The costs of treatment vary with a number of factors ranging from $500 to several thousand. Results last for about 9 months.

Should You Buy Restylane Online

Only a fool would purchase Restylane online and this goes for doctors as well. This is considered to be illegal by the FDA.

Barry A. S. Lycka is one of North America 's foremost authorities on Restylane, cosmetic nd laser surgery of the skin. You can find out more at http://www.barrylyckamd.com and http://www.restoringyouthonline.com. He is funder of the zEthical Cosmetic Surgery Association (http://www.ecsaonline.com)

Is growing old gracefully getting old? The wear and tear of daily abuse to our skin from sun damage, wind and pollutants only helps the aging process more. And then one day, you look in the mirror and you do not recognize the person looking back at you. The wrinkles may not yet be one of your biggest concerns, but you begin noticing that the elasticity of you skin is beginning to fade quickly.

Why? Because the most common cause of wrinkles is a loss in the elasticity of the collagen layer. Collagen is a connective tissue layer that supports the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). As we age, there is a loss of collagen elasticity and support of the overlying skin. This causes facial wrinkling.

Aside from genetics, according to Sykes, there are other causes of wrinkles:
*Smoking clearly decreases the microcirculation to the skin and increases the amount of facial wrinkles. Many chronic tobacco users have a marked increase in the number wrinkles around their mouth (particularly on their upper lip).
* Exposure to the sun or in tanning beds also decreases the elasticity of the skin, dehydrates the skin, and increases wrinkles in the skin.
*Harmful UVA and UVB solar rays deplete the skin of moisture and thin the dermal layer of the skin.

Wrinkle Prevention
While you are still young is the time to start thinking about wrinkle prevention. Although there is no way to completely stop the aging process, there are ways to prevent pre-mature aging. According to Dermanetwork.org, here are some preventative measures you can take to prevent wrinkles:
*Avoid excessive sun exposure, including sun lamps and tanning beds. Ultraviolet exposure is greatest between 10 AM and 4 PM.
*Use sunscreens in combination with other sun-protective measures.
*Quit smoking. Smoking increases wrinkles around the mouth, but alos places you at a higher risk for skin cancer.
*Lead a healthy lifestyle: balanced diet, exercise and stress reduction.
*Daily skin care should consist of mild cleansing of the face daily, along with an application of moisturizer and daily sunscreen use.
*Have a good skin regime program in conjunction with a dermatologist or aesthetician.

Two of the really good skin care programs are Vivier Tx and Biodroga (these are not available over the counter because they have concentrations of active ingredients that exceed the limitations set by the FDA for over-the-counter products). These programs have a balance of all of the steps you need to cleanse, to hydrate, to exfoliate, to protect the skin, and to adjust its pH, so that it makes your skin healthier.

Wrinkle Treatment
Unfortunately, you cannotchange your genetic makeup. In my seminars, I jokingly say, choose your parents wisely. As indicated, you can help prevent pre-mature aging early on. But how many of us actually took aging into consideration when we were in our 20s Growing old seemed like a lifetime away, and the idea of having wrinkles seemed ridiculous. Funny how we believe that growing old will never happen to us, but it does, and when it does, it feels as if one day we just woke up and realized that we are not 20 anymore. We may still feel or act young, but our skin and our bodies tend to disagree. That is why it is so important to consider preventative treatments if you are younger, and not already trying to treat the wrinkles that somehow just appeared out of nowhere.
If you are one of the many people who did not think twice about wrinkles in your youth, there are some amazing ways to actually treat wrinkles, or temporarily reverse the aging process of our skin. Some techniques are simple and affordable, while other treatments are high-tech and costly.

Creams
Topical medication can help to thin the epidermis (outer cell layer of skin) and thicken the dermis (inner cell layer of skin). These agents remove, or exfoliate, the dead superficial skin layer, producing a healthier revitalized skin texture. Medications such as Retin-A and Tazarac, as well as topical alpha-hydroxy acids, improve the quality of the skin and reduce fine wrinkles. Vitamin C, such as that found in the Vivier line of skin care products, also are useful, as they stimulate collagen formation. Another very useful cream program is the Vivier Tx system that helps to get rid of aging brown spots without surgery or lasers.

Fillers
If you have smaller wrinkles, either around the mouth or crows feet (around the eyes), there are treatments that can fill in the areas where there are creases or wrinkles. Part of the exciting news about treating wrinkles in the facial area today are that there are several new filler options under evaluation that hopefully will be available in the near future. Examples of these are Restylane, Radiance, and Artefil. Advantages of some of these fillers are longer-lasting results and a more complete correction of the deformities. Again, though, the choice of the treatment modality depends on multiple factors. Therefore, patients need to be aware of this and seek proper consultation from physicians and staff who are properly trained to evaluate them and individualize their treatment and management.

In 2003, the FDA approved a new injectable gel to treat wrinkles, called Restylane. Studies conducted by the manufacturer showed that Restylane is safe and effective for filling moderate to severe wrinkles around the nose and mouth. Most patients needed one injection to get optimal correction; about one-third of patients needed more than one injection to get a satisfactory result. The effect lasted about six months. Restylane is made with hyaluronic acid.

Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a way to exfoliate the skin. In this procedure, the skin is abraded with small aluminum oxide particles. In that, the superficial layers of the skin are removed; therefore, microdermabrasion is effective for fine wrinkles, superficial scaly lesions, such as superficial keratosis or pigment irregularities. It is not particularly effective for large pores, deep wrinkles, severe acne scarring or moles or other raised growths. Similarly, it is not effective for blood vessels. Deeper pigment abnormalities, large pores, and blood vessels would be better treated with intense pulse light. Raised lesions, such as moles, usually require direct removal. The small skin tags can simply be clipped off.

Botox
Botox is a very diluted form of a substance called botulinum toxin. Botox is injected into the muscles that cause wrinkles when you frown, squint, laugh or smile. The injections stop nerve impulses from moving to the injected muscles, so the muscles relax and the skin looks smoother.

Treatments take about 10 minutes and it takes 4 days for Botox to start to relax the muscles. The results last up to 4 months. In order to keep up the appearance, treatments need to be maintained every 3 to 6 months.

Lasers
When it comes to treating wrinkles, there are also some laser treatments that may be quite effective. CO2 laser, or the erbium lasers, are used for skin resurfacing. Another treatment very popular today is the IPL, or intense pulsed light.The intense light pulse treatments are not true lasers and have been used to treat fine wrinkles, age spots, blood vessels, and in general, to smooth the skin. Intense pulse light treatments have relatively few adverse effects and seem to produce excellent results.
As you can see, there are many options to not only prevent wrinkles early on, but there are many ways to treat that dreaded aging process without plastic surgery.

About the Author
Dr. Barry A. S. Lycka is one of North America 's foremost authorities on cosmetic and laser surgery of the skin. You can find out more at http://www.barrylyckamd.com and http://www.restoringyouthonline.com. He is also founder of the Ethical Cosmetic Surgery Association
(http://ecsaonline.com)

Wrinkles, everybody gets them, everybody hates them. In fact, wrinkles are viewed with disdain by so many people that a billion dollar a year industry has sprung up around getting rid of them or at least slowing down their appearance for a while. People all around the globe are trying everything from herbs to plastic surgery in an attempt to slow down this sign of aging, especially those who show wrinkling prematurely.

One way to combat the appearance of wrinkles is to use specialized beauty treatments. These lotions generally have collagen mixed in. The collagen is then absorbed into the skin over a period of time. Collagen is a naturally occurring substance in the skin that functions as a 's kin plumper'. Collagen production is reduced as we grow older, which results in wrinkles because of the loss of elasticity in the skin. These treatments can be done at home on a daily basis, but can also be done in spas. An afternoon in a day spa can help you feel pampered and relaxed, which definitely helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Plastic surgery is often used as a way to combat the arrival of wrinkles. While this is a very invasive way to accomplish the goal, it is often successful. With plastic surgery, it is so important to research the procedure and the surgeon very carefully. This is a major surgery and should not be taken lightly. While there have been many wonderful results, there has also been some disasters with plastic surgery.

Basically, when a face-lift is performed, the skin of the face is literally lifted off, pulled up and stitched back into place. The end result is tighter skin with no wrinkles. This procedure is not permanent and signs of aging can and probably will occur again in the future. Since there has been so much in the media regarding doctors who are performing this surgery without being properly licensed and the number of people who complain of botched face-lifts, please do extensive background research before letting them perform it on you. Double check the credentials of the surgeon.

Botox and restylane injections are two other popular ways to rebel against the aging process. These types of procedures have gained in popularity, mostly because they are quick and if done by a licensed professional, are safe. You do want to be sure you carefully check to make sure that the practitioner is, in fact, properly licensed and experienced.

Botox is a protein that has been purified from Clostridium botulinum. The fact that Botox is a form of Botulinum is the reason that it is so important for this procedure to be done by an experienced practitioner. Do not be pulled in by someone who says that they can give you Botox or collagen injections for a fraction of the cost of a doctor. These are scams and all too often use either substandard or completely fake injection materials. It is best to be safe and use a doctor with a good history using these methods. It will be worth the extra cost.

The best way to prevent wrinkles and, therefore, the need to fill them in, is with proper diet and exercise. Keeping in shape and eating a healthy diet that includes the proper vitamins and water intake is the best way to keep your skin healthy for years to come. If you find that you are not getting the proper vitamins and nutrients, ask your health care provider about supplements.

Starting with a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and lean meats, you will have a good head start on keeping hour the elasticity of your skin last longer. It will also benefit your general health, so it is very much worth the time and effort to follow a well-balanced diet.

While vitamin supplements are widely available over the counter, the decision as to which is best for you can be a bit overwhelming. Your doctor will be able to ask you questions about your diet and exercise regimen and recommend the right supplements for you.

There are other changes that you can make to your daily schedule, right now, that will have an effect on the appearance of wrinkles. For example, if you smoke, you will notice the appearance of wrinkles around your mouth. While quitting smoking may not be easy, it is a step that will not only make your face look younger, but your whole body as well.

Sunscreen is another thing that will help keep your face wrinkle free for longer. The use of a sunscreen that is at least a 15 SPF will prevent sun damage, cancer and wrinkles. If this habit is formed when a person is young, the sunscreen will help to greatly reduce the early onset of aging signs. This doesn't mean, however, that starting later in life will have no impact, the opposite is actually true. Cosmetic manufacturers know this to be true, as well and many have included SPF 15 sunscreen in their make-up, from foundations to eye shadows.

Drinking at least 32 ounces of water daily will help your skin stay hydrated and supple. Hydrated skin does not wrinkle as quickly or as severely as skin that has not been taken care of. If you have trouble fitting the full 32 ounces of clear water into your daily routine or find that you simply don't like plain water, try mixing in some lemon or a low calorie flavored drink mix. Besides helping to keep your face free of wrinkles, water is essential to keep your body hydrated and healthy.

By combining healthy eating habits, water, sunscreen and the correct vitamin regimen, you can greatly reduce wrinkles and the procedures that are then needed to correct them. This will also benefit your general health. Please remember before starting any exercise or vitamin plan to speak with your doctor or health care provider.

Barry A. S. Lycka is one of North America 's foremost authorities on cosmetic and laser surgery of the skin. You can find out more at http://www.barrylyckamd.com and http://www.restoringyouthonline.com. He is founder of the ethical cosmetic surgery association (http://ECSAonline.com)

Some people wear their wrinkles like badges of honor. They don't call them wrinkles; they call them character lines. These brave souls, however, are not in the majority. Other people (men as well as women) view wrinkles with horror. They are not seen as character lines but rather as garden variety wrinkles.

They are seen as a plague that is visited on the elderly only and they don't want to count themselves among the elderly. This later group makes the cosmetic industry very happy. They make cash registers go ja-jing and put smiles on the (unwrinkled) faces of cosmetic company executives around the world.

The cosmetic industry just in America grosses over twenty billion ($20,000,000,000 thats a lot of zeros) annually. Most of those dollars come from the sale of hair care products and skin care products. Dermatologists rake in another few billion each year, as well. They prescribe creams and lotions for the prevention or the reduction in appearance of wrinkles. Retin A is the most prescribed.

Dermatologists also perform surgeries such as face lifts and eye lifts. They inject Botox, Collagen and Restylane into the faces of those who can afford to pay for the procedures.

The nutritional supplement industry does a booming business, too. Vegetable, fruit and tea extracts for the purpose of wrinkle reduction or wrinkle prevention sell millions, as do herbs and vitamins that proclaim to do the same.

Acupuncturists do very well, as do facial masseuses. People will try almost everything in an effort to banish wrinkles. Wrinkles are big business not because people want them but because they dont want them. If wrinkles ever come in style, it will be a real blow to the economies of most civilized nations in the world. That really isnt very likely to happen however.

WRINKLES CAUSED BY LASIK:
LASIK surgery to correct the vision problems of myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism is the most popular and most used technique today. There are more than a million of these procedures done in the United States every year. Most of the time there is no problem at all during or after LASIK surgery.

Vision problems are corrected and the patient is happy also the LASIK surgeon gets well paid so he 's happy too. However just like with any surgical procedure things can go wrong. One of the most frequent complications of LASIK surgery is wrinkles or flap striae occur.

This is a complication that only occurs in about 5% of all LASIK surgeries. That is a small percentage but if you happen to fall into that 5% it can be a big problem. Wrinkles occur when folds form on the corneal flap that is created during a LASIK surgery procedure. Immediately following a LASIK surgery there is almost always a wrinkle visible.

It usually takes care of itself and will disappear in a day or two. If it does not disappear within one or two days however it must be dealt with. Sometimes collagen (or collagen plugs) can be injected into the surrounding tissue and that will alleviate the problem.

Other times the flap must be re-floated. The flap might need to be ironed out using a special tool or the flap might require suturing. When choosing to have LASIK surgery to correct vision problems it is important to remember that it IS surgery and that complications can occur. Choose your LASIK surgeon based upon experience and reputation rather than upon the cost of the surgery.

You certainly want someone in charge who has already done the procedure many times and can recognize a potential problem before it happens and prevent the
problem.

One of the best ways to gage a person 's chronological age is perhaps by the upper lip. The signs of ageing are factored by at least four major negative factors: repetitive sun exposure, smoking, genetics and the natural aging process.

The loss of the Cupids Bow is due to the combination of certain factors that create flattening and wrinkling of the upper lip. When a woman has trouble with her lipstick bleeding that is due to the signs of aging. As the lip shows the signs of aging, small vertical cracks and wrinkles form, then extend beyond the lip itself to the skin just above the upper lip, causing the lipstick to bleed out from the lip area.

With todays many medical advances, it is now possible to rejuvenate lips that show signs of aging. Lips that have lost their fullness can now be plumped up, enhancing the lip with simple injections. So what kind of treatment options are available? Two of the most commonly used procedures are the lip rejuvenation and the lip enhancement. There are other options available ranging from the latest laser treatments to synthetic implants to injectable fillers, all if which have a natural feel and all filler are soft and pliable.

How do you know which treatment is the right one for you? You want to explore your options and see what treatments are available for you. As with any medical procedure, you will want to get a full evaluation from your doctor. Discuss with him or her what you are looking for. Remember that almost every surgeon has his or her own preferred treatments as he or she feels some work better than others. The end result will depend greatly on which procedure you have done.

Injectable lip enhancements- Lip enhancements come in a variety of choices such as: Restylane, uvederm, AlloDerm, Dermalogen, Autolegen, Artefil, Fascian, Fat Transfer and Zyplast or Zyderm collogen.

The injectable collagen treatments are used to enhance the natural form of the upper lip, the lip border and the Cupids Bow. You can also fill in the vertical lines that cause lipstick to bleed out beyond the natural lip line.

Laser lip rejuvenation- This is a procedure for upper lip resurfacing that uses a series of laser treatments to rejuvenate and transform the aged or wrinkled lip. While in the healing stage of this process, the elastic and collagen tissue beneath the skin begins to tighten and remodel, thus restoring the V or Cupid 's Bow as well providing a more youthful, young and healthy shape to your lips.

As the new collagen tissue begins to tighten further, the upper lip is actually tightened up a bit, exposing more vivid border, making the mid area of the upper lip look fuller. Another advantage to this lip treatment is that it will redline the border of the lip making lipstick bleeds a thing of the past.

Fat Transfer-also known as micro-liposuction or autologous fat transplantation, uses fat taken from places on the body, usually places that are concealed from view and plumps up your lips. The Fat Transfer to lips is perfectly safe and natural as well as non-allergenic. This procedure is designed to restore diminished or damaged dermal deficiencies.

Implant augmentation for lips- Dermal graft/implant, such as AlloDerm, was first used as a skin replacement for burn patients. Surgeons worldwide now recognize the benefits as a safe, natural implant to replace inadequate or aged tissue of the lip and to aid in rejuvenating the aged or wrinkled lip. Soft ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) and SoftForm implants, are the top choices for most as they lead the way in synthetic options. SoftForm and soft ePTFE implants have been proven to be very safe, non-allergenic and predictable way to improve thin lips.

No matter which option you go with, be sure to have a thorough consult with your doctor to choose the procedure that is right for you.

Did you know that BOTOX injections are one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic surgery today? In fact, Botox injections far out number breast augmentation and rhinoplasty (cosmetic surgery on the nose), as the most preferred aesthetic surgical procedure?

As you may agree, in western culture attractiveness is closely wedded to youthfulness. The appearance of wrinkles on the face is a source of anxiety for millions of women and men.

The search for a miracle drug to help us appear younger presently fuels a multi-billion dollar beauty and cosmetic industry.

The related industries of weight loss and health are just as robust. There is stiff competition between beauty companies constantly trying to sell youth and beauty in a jar.

If you have the money you can opt for the more invasive (and ostensibly more effective) procedures to help you look younger. This where BOTOX followed by its more permanent cousin, plastic surgery may fit the bill.

A nutritious and balanced diet, accompanied by a rigorous exercise regimen can make your body look years younger. Unfortunately there’s no such workout to tighten your face.

Your face starts reflecting the passage of time the soonest, and most visibly. Studies indicate wrinkles appear on our skin as early as the age of 27.

If it is our face, which betrays our age the first, no wonder it the focus of so much anxiety. This is why we want age-defying intervention.

BOTOX, as of now, appears to be the answer to some people’s prayers. Younger and firmer looks seem to be just a few small injections away.

BOTOX is actually short for Botulinum Toxin Type A. It is a highly toxic substance and one of its milder side effects is food poisoning.

It is actually a protein complex, which is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. What is used in cosmetic surgery is an injectible form of this toxin.

This form of the toxin is purportedly sterilized and purified.

Some consider BOTOX a poison. They feel this way because it is injected in small doses under the skin. It is reported to work by deadening the underlying muscle, preventing any further movement and thus smoothening out the skin.

BOTOX is said to interfere between muscle and nerve interaction. Some feel small doses of this chemical effectively prevent the release of acetylcholine by the nerve cells.

This neuro-chemical transfers signals to muscles, determining their contraction and relaxation. When injected into selected muscles, BOTOX stops them from contracting.

Therefore, any present frown lines are ironed away. In fact, within a week they become almost invisible.

In the April of the year 2002, the FDA approved the use of BOTOX injections as a treatment for the reduction of frown lines. Since then, it has come to be regarded as the fastest growing anti-aging cure in the country.

Keep in mind that the FDA cautions against using Botox more than once in 3 months. Also it recommends that the lowest possible effective dose to be used in a session.

There are other, more permanent, options available – if you are inclined towards cosmetic surgery. Procedures like an eyelid tuck (blepharoplasty) and a bow lift (also called a forehead lift) last about 30 to 90 minutes.

They are outpatient operations, so you can leave for home the same day. Another option is the face lift (or rhytidectomy) – a slightly longer operation which can go on for 2 to 4 hours.

Patients are advised to stay overnight at the clinic. Although none of these procedures can reduce wrinkles, they very distinctly tighten up a sagging face by literally cutting away any extra bits of facial skin. The recovery period can last from 7 days to a month depending upon the extent of the operation.

However, at the end of it you may be rewarded with a much younger and firmer facial appearance.

Given the risks associated with Botox facial treatments like Rejuvinol™ deserve a serious look. We have heard that Rejuvinol™ available from Amazon and www.BODeStore.com is a product that uses helps give a younger appearance by appearing to smoothing out wrinkles. It’s makers say that it contains the universally recognized Argireline® from Lipotec S.A. The active ingredient in Argireline® is acetyl hexapeptide 3 (AH3), a deep penetrating, powerful amino peptide that helps to relax the intensity and frequency of facial muscle contractions. It just may be a less expensive and invasive way to put your best face forward.

Kamau Austin is a health and fitness enthusiast and advocate.

He writes on a regular basis on timeless health and fitness tips at the Fit After Forty Blog. See more useful health and fitness news and tips at… http://www.healthandfitnessvitality.com/blogs/fitnessblog.htm

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Who would have thought that something that is supposedly poisonous could have so many people clamoring for it?

Skepticism proven wrong

When botox hit the market, many were skeptical on the effects of these newly developed chemical. A protein complex made from a bacterium called clostridium botulinum, many feared that the chemical will have the same effect on the skin as it has on the body. For those who do not yet know, botox come from the same toxin that can cause food poisoning in humans.

It turned out to be quite effective and a huge huge success especially in the cosmetic surgery business. It is also being used to relieve pain in muscle areas of people who have has chronic pains. Its is actually so effective that people who were normally confined to their homes because of the pain now live normal lives.

Popular alternative

Since botox inhibits the release of acetylcholine, a chemical responsible for the contraction of muscles in various parts of the body, it is primarily used to clear out wrinkles and frown lines in the face through injection in the areas of concern. The effect of the drug can last for several months. Only small amounts of the toxin are however used for these cosmetic procedures. Too much use of the toxin can produce disastrous side effects.

In 2001 alone, almost 1.6 million Americans have had botox injections in different areas of their bodies. This is a significant increase from 2000’s figures. In fact, botox injections are even more popular than the immensely popular breast enhancement and breast augmentation procedures.

Botox parties

The procedure has become so popular in fact that people even organize parties and social events just for the occasion of injecting botox. This is actually part of the marketing campaign that has gained botox injections so many followers. Women (and men) who regularly inject botox for maintenance get together in small gatherings and simultaneously inject botox. Outsiders especially those who have not yet tried the drugs but are interested can join the party.

Abuse and overuse

One of the growing concerns in the industry is the potential abuse of the drug. Although botox is basically a prescription drugs, there are unqualified people who are distributing the medicine. And because the drug must be injected again and again to maintain its effect, there is also the danger of the drug being overused or for people to over-apply thinking that it will lengthen the effect of the drug.

Injecting too much botox or accidentally injecting it on the wrong area can cause droopy eyelid muscles, a condition called ptosis. This could last for several weeks. Other side effects that botox have are headaches, respiratory infections, flu-like symptoms and even nausea. Some people will also experience pain on the area where the botox was applied as well as redness and swelling. There will also some muscle weakness around the area where the botox was applied.

Contraindications

Although botox is available to all people, there are some who are allergic to the toxin. So it is best that one consults a physician first before applying the drug. Although there has never been any studies or research on the effect of botox on pregnant women and on nursing women, medical people err on the safe side and just prohibit the drug.

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