Skin Care Friends

Botox Cream vs Botox Injections

Skin Care — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 18:01:53 +0000

I’m certain you’ve heard about botox injections and botox cream by now through advertisements and rumors of those who have used botox. It is used to treat wrinkles and lines in the face and has undergone quite a bit of controversy since it’s use has become so popular in the past several years. This article will discuss what botox is, how it’s used, how it has become controversial and finally the alternative botox creams that are also quite popular.

Botox is the registered trade name for a treatment made from Botulinum toxin type A. It is used medically for several different problems including cosmetic purposes and reducing wrinkles. The Botulinum toxin type A is the toxin that causes botulism and in large doses can cause paralysis.

However, in small diluted doses botox is used to treat several medical conditions from severe sweating problems to muscle spasms to wrinkles. Botox acts by paralyzing a persons muscle and stopping it’s ability to contract. When used to remove wrinkles this causes the skin over the muscle to stop folding by smoothing it out. Thus the wrinkles disappear. It was approved by the FDA for use on wrinkles between the eyebrows, but has been used to remove all types of facial lines and wrinkles by physicians.

A botox treatment will last from three to six months depending on the person and some wrinkles will actually require several injections to make them disappear.

Recently botox injections have come under attack due to reports of serious side effects mostly involving facial paralysis. Many of these cases have come from the cheaper non FDA approved versions of botox. Botox injections are still safe and effective, but you must make sure that you use a medically trained professional and only top quality FDA approved botox.

When comparing botox injections to botox creams we find that the injections are both invasive and more expensive than botox creams. Botox injections are meant to treat moderate to severe facial lines. If you’re dealing with fine lines then a botox cream may be more effective for you.

Botox injections are not meant to treat skin damage from the sun or fine lines. A good quality anti aging skin cream, also called botox cream by some, can be more effective than injections in reducing fine lines and small wrinkles. It does this slowly, but quality skin creams are reliable in reducing fine lines on the face.

So as you can see, you have many options for reducing wrinkles and maintaining a youthful appearance. With good skin care, a good anti aging cream, botox treatments and cosmetic surgery you can keep your young look for a very long time.

Whether you’re interested in Botox or another Dermal Filler, the people at Botox Forum are here to help. With a large network of skin care doctors in San Diego and elsewhere, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for at BotoxForum.com.

Tan Accelerator Lotions and Creams

Skin Care — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:46:06 +0000

Are you planning for a hot date of big dance in the near future and hoping to look your very best? It’s no surprise if you do, because in most cases we all want to look our best and make heads turn. One way to stand out from the crowd is with a stunning golden tan and these days it’s easier than ever to accomplish this. It’s no longer necessary for you to spend hours upon hours laying on the beach or poolside (although both are still nice) in order to get a healthy tan. In the 21^st century the quick and easy way to tan is to use a tan accelerator to get that beautiful golden skin you crave.

In case you’ve never heard about tan accelerators, they are lotions or creams that you apply to your skin to accelerate the process of tanning. As more and more people become aware of them and see the great results they can get using them they have become more popular. Thanks to this popularity there are now quite a few tan accelerator products for you to choose from and this article will tell you what to look for to get the best results when using a tanning accelerator.

Tan Accelerator Ingredients

As with any cosmetic product your best choices are going to be the all natural tan accelerators. That’s because you don’t want to put any chemicals on your skin if it’s not necessary. Some chemicals can be absorbed into your skin and have nasty side effects over time, so avoid the chemicals and stick with natural tanning lotions. Some of the most common natural ingredients in today’s tan accelerators are plant extracts and amino acids, specifically Tyrosine.

Tyrosine helps by stimulating melanin production (that’s what makes your skin look dark) as well as making the skin hold moisture better. Making your body produce more melanin is really what these tan accelerators are all about. Maintaining the moisture levels in your skin is actually pretty important in keeping a dark even tan as moist skin tans better and is as apt to peel and flake.

Speaking of moisture, you’ll find that all of the better tan accelerators will contain some sort of moisturizer for your skin. Shea butter and cocoa butter are common as are several types of oils such as hemp seed and Emu. Antioxidants are another popular addition and they are there to help fight against the free radicals generated by tanning. These free radicals can damage your skin over time, making it look older than it really is.

Do Tanning Accelerators Really Work?

Absolutely tan accelerators can help you get a tan much quicker than tanning in the sun or tanning beds. Depending on your skin type you may see the effects within 2-3 application although others may take more than that. Also important is the amount of sun or UV radiation your skin is exposed to.

The nice thing about tan accelerators is that they come in a variety of gels, creams and lotions so you have a wide variety of choices. You can even get some that come as pills. The pill form tan accelerators have not been FDA approved at this point, but since the main ingredient is Tyrosine they are generally considered safe. Still, if you prefer not to ingest anything you don’t have all the facts on you should stick with the external tanning accelerators.

The most widely accepted usage of tan accelerators is to use them in conjunction with lying out in the sun or using a tanning bed. This gives your tan an instant boost so you get results much faster.

Using Tan Accelerator Lotions

Now that you have the facts you are probably ready to get started accelerating your tan. There are plenty of places to get good information about tan accelerator products, but since you are at your computer now the internet is likely the easiest way. There are many sites that review individual tanning accelerators and have them for sale.

You want to be sure to choose the correct accelerator for your skin type, so if you have dark skin find one made for that and if you have fair skin for one that is formulated for fair skin. This will definitely help you get the best results. If you choose a tan accelerator that isn’t right for you the results could be off color or streaky and that definitely isn’t what you want.

If you already use a tanning salon ask the people there for suggestions. They should have a wide range of products and be familiar with which ones have given the best results for previous clients. You can also ask your friends or family members what they use.

One final thing to consider when choosing a tan accelerator is whether or not it has any fragrance added. This is very personal as some odors can be offensive to some while smelling great to others. Also, many people with sensitive skin may find themselves having a reaction to some fragrances. Also consider the “feel” of the lotion or cream. If you would be bothered feeling greasy or sticky when applying the accelerator then try to find one with a grease-less feel.

Now you may not be an expert on tan accelerators, but you certainly have enough information to get out there and choose a few that might be right for you.

Skin Firming Lotion

Skin Care — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:25:58 +0000

Sagging skin is a common problem especially as we get older and the skin begins to lose its elasticity. Skin firming lotion can help provide a solution to this problem by restoring the elasticity. However you need to be careful regarding which skin tightening creams you choose as some actually contain dangerous ingredients that can harm your skin and even lead to cancer. Here are the ingredients you want and the one’s to avoid when searching for the correct skin firming cream.

Good Skin Firming Ingredients
Of course all natural skin care ingredients are always going to be the best for you and this is no different when choosing the best skin firming lotion. Natural butters and oils provide deep moisturizing, while other ingredients help to shed dead skin cells, provide antioxidants to reverse aging, reduce redness and inflammation of the skin and help to restore the skins elasticity. Below are 5 of the essential ingredients for any good skin firming cream or lotion:

Elastin – This is what makes the skin pliable and flexible. As we age the level of elastin in our skin declines, causing sagging, wrinkles and dryness. Replacing the elastin lost to aging can help to reverse the aging process and make the skin firm and pliant once again.
Collagen – This is another substance that declines as we age and replacing it can make the skin more durable and strong, preventing damage and restoring suppleness and firmness to the aging skin.
Seaweed Extract – Maybe surprisingly to some, seaweed extract has amazing healing properties and helps restore the skin and reduce inflammation that can make the skin look red and puffy. It also helps add moisture back to the skin and combats the effects of aging.
Shea Butter – One of the most popular skin moisturizers, Shea butter promotes deep hydration of the skin as well as protecting from loss of moisture and damage from the elements. It is one of the best moisturizing compounds available.
Vitamin E – Vitamin E has been shown to be critical to the health of your skin. Adding it to skin firming lotion aids in the prevention of cell and tissue damage while making the skin look and feel smoother as well as helping to reduce inflammation and damage from free radicals.

Bad Skin Firming Ingredients
You may find that some of the firming creams and lotions you use feel quite oily and take a long time to absorb into your skin. If this is the case, look at the ingredients carefully and I will bet you will find that some type of petroleum oil id listed. It might even be labeled as mineral oil, but in any case it is quite bad and you want to avoid any skin firming lotion that has petroleum oil as one of its ingredients.

Liquid petroleum is a byproduct of the oil refining process and while it may feel similar to the oil that your skin produces, it is really dramatically different. What makes it so dangerous though is the fact that during the refining process it can easily become contaminated with other chemicals. These other chemicals are often linked to cancer and cosmetic companies are not required to test for their presence meaning that you could be getting a large dose of dangerous chemicals with your skin tightening product if it also contains petroleum based ingredients. Imagine the damage that could be caused by rubbing this into your skin every day.

While fragrances may make the skin firming lotion smell wonderful, they do nothing to help improve the effectiveness. They should also be avoided for several reasons. Some fragrances are irritating to some users and can cause rashes, redness, sneezing and irritate your eyes. While they may smell nice, they are also harmful to your health and since they add nothing to the firming properties of the lotion there is no good reason to have them in your skin firming cream.
Finally, avoid any skin firming cream that has parabens listed in its ingredients. This is a preservative that has been scientifically linked to breast cancer in women because of the way that it mimics the hormone estrogen. Definitely something you don’t want getting into your body and it should be avoided at all costs.

Best Skin Firming Lotions
Since you made it this far along in the article I know that finding the right skin firming lotion is important to you. You may have already done some looking and if so you know that there are quite a few creams and lotions available, but you need to know which ones are the best. Your best skin firming lotion choice will be determined by your own skin type, but below are 4 skin firming lotions that I have found work very well and don’t contain any dangerous ingredients.

Palmer’s Cocoa Skin Firming Lotion – This is a nice non-greasy product that has cocoa butter as its base ingredient giving it a heavenly chocolate smell without the chocolate guilt.
Vaseline Intensive Active Firming Deep Lotion – This is an all purpose skin firming lotion that contains ingredients that not only restore firmness to your skin, but also combat other signs of aging such as wrinkles, dryness and age spots. It also contains an SPF5 formula to protect you from dangerous UV radiation.
Jergen’s Skin Firming Toning Moisturizer – Best for people with sensitive skin, this product is hign in emollient rich moisturizers and seaweed extract. It not only firms, but hydrates and helps to improve your skins texture and appearance.
Nivea Body Skin Firming Lotion Q10 Plus – In addition to other skin firming compounds this one adds the enzyme CoQ10 which is a strong antioxidant that declines with age. This decline can result in the body producing less collagen and elastin, which are both critical to skin elasticity and firmness.

You don’t have to take my opinion as gospel though. Looking around the internet for reviews of these products will lead you to the same conclusion I came to, that skin firming lotion can and will improve the look and feel of your skin.

What Is Tanning Lotion?

Skin Care — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:01:39 +0000

There is a very distinct difference between tanning lotion and the usual sunscreens. Sunscreens are meant to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun and are used outdoors, especially on the beach, near water and when skiing. Tanning lotion has no such protection from the sun and actually intensifies the effects of UV radiation. It is also used indoors and in some cases will tan the skin even without the use of a tanning bed; these tanning lotions are called bronzers. The rest of this article will go into more detail about the ingredients, uses and types of tanning lotions available to the self-tanning enthusiast.

Tanning Lotion Ingredients
You will find that ingredients vary widely in tanning lotions, depending on the manufacturer and the intended use of the tanning product. One thing that most do have in common is the use of ingredients that will not harm acrylic surfaces. This is because tanning beds have shields made of 100% acrylic, so this is a practical move by the tanning lotion companies.

Because tanning is caused by the production of melanin in the skin, many of the ingredients in tanning lotions are meant to increase melanin production and some of the lotions actually contain melanin as one of their ingredients. Often times melanin production is increased by increasing blood flow to the skin, many of these tanning lotions are called “tinglers” because of the tingling feeling they give many users.

You will find many tanning lotions containing both melanin and the amino acid L-Tyrosine. The addition of melanin is obvious and the L-Tyrosine is added for its purported effects increasing the bodies production of melanin. Kind of like a 1-2 punch for tanning. In addition you can find various brands add tea tree oil for moisturizing, copper compounds for their bronzing effect, DHA to oxidize the top layer of skin, various antioxidants to renew the skin, evening primrose oil to prevent flaking of the skin as well as others.

All of the higher quality tanning lotions will have at least one and often several ingredients meant solely to moisturize the skin. These moisturizers, such as hemp seed oil and shea butter are meant to help protect the skin and help to keep it hydrated during the intense UV exposure of a tanning session. They will help to maintain the elasticity of the skin as well as preventing flaking and peeling from overly dry skin. It’s well worth paying a few extra dollars to get a tanning lotion with plenty of moisturizing ingredients.

Finally, most tanning lotions add some sort of fragrance and even though there is no benefit in terms of tanning, this is the ingredient that often sells the consumer. Because tanning lotion is used in the close quarters of a tanning bed or booth the aroma can be overpowering. Choosing an aroma that one likes can be vital to actually using the tanning lotion.

Tanning Without UV Rays
One benefit we can get from tanning lotions is that it isn’t always necessary to expose our skin to harmful UV radiation to get a tan. Many products on the market allow for sunless tanning through the use of a compound called dihydroxyacetone or DHA. This chemical that is derived from glycerine actually oxidizes the dead skin cells and causes them to turn a light to dark shade of brown that looks just like a tan. Of course the dead skin cells are constantly being replaced, so tanning with this method generally last a week or less, but it can be ideal if you have some special occasion such as the prom or a wedding to go to. Many tanning lotions will add DHA to products that are meant to be used with tanning beds. This gives a kick start to the tan so the customer gets an immediate tan from the DHA until their own system kicks in and their skin becomes a nice golden color.

Tingling Tanning Lotions
Quite a few of the tanning lotions available are described as “tingle tanning lotions” because of the feeling you get on your skin when using them. These are tanning lotions that are made from a combination of Hexyl Nicotinate, Methyl Nicotinate, and Benzyl Nicotinate and are designed to increase the blood flow to your skin. This increased blood flow allows the body to produce melanin faster as well as repair damaged skin.

The use of these tingling tanning lotions is recommended only for more advanced tanners and only for those who already have a base tan. Whenever trying a new tingle tanning lotion I recommend that you try it out on a small area of skin first or you could be in for a very unpleasant to downright tortuous experience. Each person seems to react to the various chemicals used to create the tingle differently and if you are sensitive to one of the chemicals it could make your skin feel as if it is in fire and being doused in acid at the same time. Fortunately these chemicals are not dangerous and there is no lasting damage if you have a bad reaction, but it is far better to test it out first and avoid an unpleasant experience.

In closing, I have to mention that while tanning lotion is not absolutely essential to get a great indoor tan, they definitely have their purpose. The deep moisturizing, skin conditioning and magnification of the UV rays can actually ensure that you get a deep even tan much more quickly than you would otherwise. This means less time under the tanning lamps and more time for you.

A quality tanning lotion will also ensure that you are adequately protecting your skin from the drying effects of intense UV exposure. Because even a short session in a tanning bed can expose you to an entire days worth of UV radiation it is critical that you maintain the moisture in your skin if you want your tan to look its best and also to avoid longer term issue such as wrinkles and peeling. A tanning lotion is a small expense to ensure that your more expensive tanning sessions bring out the best and don’t go to waste.

Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream

Skin Care — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 23:53:50 +0000

If you’ve come across the Dermalogica product line before you probably already know that they do a very good job making products that work well and their customers are pretty loyal because of that. The Dermalogica skin smoothing cream is another winner in their range of products and is made primarily for those with skin that is a bit dry or is aging prematurely due to environmental factors.

This medium weight cream provides the dual benefits of not just improving the moisture balance in your skin, but also improving the skin’s texture. It does this with a combination of skin nourishing ingredients from vitamins A, C and E to provide anti-oxidants and environmental protection to hydrating ingredients such as arnica, mallow and cucumber and finally deeply moisturizing the skin with aloe gel and lecithin.

Many women like the fact that the Dermalogica skin smoothing cream is free of any artificial colors and fragrances, however you may want to be aware that for some people this has given the cream a slightly odd odor when it is first applied. Those that mention this odor compare it to eucalyptus, so while it may bother some people, others may hardly notice it or even like the smell.

While this is a heavier cream there are others out there that are heavier. Many people generally report good results, however be aware that for the target audience, those with very dry skin or prematurely aged skin, the reports are not nearly as positive.

So, while it seems to work well in hydrating and smoothing the skin, it doesn’t really seem as if it does anything great for those whose skin is especially dry or aged prematurely. I still wouldn’t say don’t get this skin cream as it has worked well for many, but certainly don’t expect any miracles. And keep in mind that the price of Dermalogica skin smoothing cream seems to be a bit high in my opinion. If you can wait to find it on sale I think it is worth waiting.

How to Get Rid of Blackheads

Skin Care — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:28:21 +0000

One of the hardest parts of keeping a good complexion for many people is preventing and getting rid of blackheads. It seems every time you look in the mirror there’s another one there and proper blackhead removal can be elusive. Here is some information on what causes blackheads, how to prevent them and how to get rid of blackheads.

What is a Blackhead and What Causes Them?
The technical name for a blackhead is “comedone”, however for our purposes we will just continue to use the more common term blackhead. They are small black bumps in the skin and closer inspection shows them as being like tiny pugs, which is in fact what they are. Typically they are present in people with oily skin and they occur because of oil blocking the pores. That’s not to say that those with dry skin can’t get them because oils from make ups can also clog pores.

The blackhead causing clog occurs when there is a problem with the entrance to the pore being impaired in some way and the oil is not able to flow out properly. Often the oil combines with dead skin cells or dirt and because the outside of the blockage is exposed to the outside air it becomes oxidized and turns black.

The primary cause of excess oil production is hormones. Any increase of the male hormones can cause an increased oil production leading to blackheads and pimples. This is why these problems are most prevalent in teens and adolescents. The use of oil based make up and other skin care products can also lead to blackheads, especially when combined with a sub-par cleansing routine. The products slowly build up in the pores over time and eventually lead to blockages. One other thing to note is that the formation of blackheads seems to be genetically derived so if one or both of your parents have had blackhead problems in the past it’s also likely that you will.

Preventing Blackheads
Something that is even better than getting rid of blackheads is preventing them from forming in the first place. There are several things you can do to help prevent blackheads from forming and below are 6 of the most critical.

1. Wash your face regularly using a gentle cleanser. This should preferably be a cleanser specially formulated to fight acne and should also be water soluble to avoid further clogging of the pores. The cleanser should be a liquid cleanser because the ingredients in bar soap can actually help to clog your pores more. If you have dry skin you can use a moisturizing soap, but keep an eye on your skin as the moisturizer may cause excess oils and make your skin worse.

2. Occasionally exfoliate to get rid of dead skin cells. You don’t have to do this everyday because you run the risk of irritating your skin, drying it excessively and causing more oil production. 2-3 times a week is usually sufficient using a product that contains 2% salicylic acid or beta hydroxyl acid. Both these ingredients are able to penetrate the lining of your pores and remove dead skins cells not only from the surface of your skin, but those that are building up in your pores as well.

3. If you must use make up and/or skin creams choose those that are water based and non-comedogenic to avoid adding more oil and pore clogging substances to your skin.

4. Try using products that absorb excess oil from the surface of your skin. Clay masks are very good for this, but even using a cloth to gently dab your face from time to time can make a difference. This only applies to those with oily skin since the pimples on those with dry skin are caused by oils within the pores.

5. Pay a visit to a dermatologist. They have several prescription only solutions that can help, especially in the case of severe acne and blackheads. One solution they often prescribe is a retinoid based cream which serves to decrease the production of oil. They can also use antibiotic creams, steroid treatments or specialized cleansers and exfolients.

6. In some cases hormone blockers may be prescribed to lower the levels of male hormones being produced, but this is only applicable for females. Birth control pills can also be helpful in some cases. Finally, the prescription drug Accutane is sometimes used, but since it has some negative potential side effects use of this drug should be discussed with your physician prior to beginning use.

Getting Rid of Blackheads
Getting rid of blackheads is a difficult discussion because there are several methods, but little agreement on the proper way to get rid of blackheads. The most common method is to simply squeeze them. While this does work, it also poses the risk of spreading acne germs which causes further breakouts as well as potentially leaving scars. Even though it can pose risks, I know most of you are going to try squeezing a blackhead at some point so here are some tips to make the process easier:

1. First wash your face and use an exfoliating scrub to rid your skin of bacteria and dead skin cells.

2. Dry your face and then take a warm compress and apply it to the area where the blackheads are for 10-15 minutes to soften the blackhead and make it easier to pop.

3. After drying your face again, wash your hands to make sure they are clean and then begin by placing your finger tips on either side of the blackhead and apply a gentle even pressure. You want to begin by pushing down into your skin first and then upward to push the blackhead out of the pore.

4. If this does not work the first time you can repeat a second time, but don’t try more than twice as you could cause damage to the pore and make the blackhead worse.

A second method that people use to remove blackheads is pore strips. These are adhesive strips that you place on your skin over the blackheads that actually pull the blackheads out of the pores. This can be dangerous to your skin if it is already irritated or if you have thin or extremely dry skin. I don’t really recommend the use of these pore strips because they only get rid of the very shallow blackheads and are not really a good long term solution.

One other solution is to use one of the blackhead extractors or blackhead removers, which really do pretty much the same thing as squeezing the blackhead yourself. The primary benefit of these is that they are easy to use and they do not promote the spread of bacteria.

Overall the fact that blackheads are primarily caused by excess oil means that the best answer to the question “how to get rid of blackheads?” is to try and make sure they don’t occur in the first place. This is done by good hygiene and by attacking the problem of excess hormones. If you try the hygiene route and don’t see significant improvement then it is probably time for you to check with a dermatologist to find out what additional treatments are available.

Anti Wrinkle Cream

Skin Care — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:05:05 +0000

Those of us who are beginning to grow older appreciate the wisdom that age brings, but might not be so crazy about the changes in appearance that aging brings. Have you looked into the mirror recently and noticed way more facial lines and facial wrinkles there than you used to have? If so, it might be time to consider something that will help you keep your youthful appearance. Perhaps you’ve been considering plastic surgery, but do you really want to undergo surgery and the recovery that follows? Another option is botox injections. We’ve all heard about botox and the wonders that it performs in removing wrinkles and facial lines. Well, think about this, botox accomplishes this by paralyzing the muscles in your face. Do you really want to go so far as to paralyze your facial muscles to get rid of some wrinkles? Or would you prefer a better and safer way.

There is an alternative and it’s in those anti-aging creams, sometimes called botox cream, that will help you get rid of facial lines and wrinkles without resorting to surgery or paralyzing any muscles. Botox cream is a cosmetic skin care cream that you apply to your face once or twice a day to help get rid of wrinkles. It will help you look years younger and can be an enhancement or even a replacement for botox injections.

You might be curious about how a skin cream can get rid of wrinkles just like botox or surgery. The secret is in an ingredient called Acetyl Hexapeptide-3 that actually causes wrinkles and fine lines to disappear over time. The longer you use it the more effect it will have as wrinkles gradually get smaller and fade away. So, with these botox creams you can avoid the actual botox injections which are both toxic and expensive and you can do it all from your own home gradually so no one will notice any sudden changes.

Of course, most of the botox creams also have other ingredients that help your skin appear smoother and younger. Botox cream contains ingredients that will reduce puffy eyes, get rid of dark circles and diminish crow’s feet and other age related wrinkles.

You are very likely already spending a bit of time putting creams on your face in the morning and night so why not choose a botox cream that will attack all of the things you’re trying to rid yourself of. With these age reducing creams there’s no need to have separate products for different purposes. These skin creams combine all the age curing treatments in one so you’ll spend less time in front of the mirror and also less cash from your wallet.

I know you may have considered botox and been frightened by it. It’s nice to know that now you can have a botox cream that will give you the same effect without the cost and danger of botox. It’s easy, inexpensive and painless and best of all it wipes the wrinkles and lines right off your face!

Safe Botox Alternatives

Skin Care — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:56:13 +0000

If you’ve been thinking about botox you may also be wondering if there are any safer less expensive alternatives to botox. Many of us put a lot of value in our good looks and as you get older you’ll find that nothing mars your appearance as much as the wrinkles and lines that appear on your face. Many people start to see wrinkles and immediately think of botox as the answer. While botox can erase wrinkles from our faces there are alternatives and you owe it to yourself to explore any possibilities to safe and effective maintenance of your young skin.

If you are considering botox you should realize that botox is toxic. The name botox is actually short for ‘botulism poisoning’ which is something that is capable of killing people. Those that get botulism poisoning, usually from food, need quick emergency treatment and there will be an immediate investigation by health officials to determine where they got the botulism so it can be prevented from spreading.

Botox works by paralyzing the muscles so they are unable to contract. A very small amount of diluted toxin is injected into the muscles and it causes the muscles to stop contracting. Once the muscles stop contracting it causes a smoothing of the skin over top of that muscle. And that’s why the wrinkles then disappear.

This is kind of an extreme solution to a basic problem and there are other ways. It’s true that the procedure does work, however it needs to be repeated every 3-6 months and this can become quite expensive. There are also some people who will start to lose sensation in the area they receive botox and there have been cases where cardiovascular problems start to develop as well. Botox is safe in most cases, but it isn’t without danger completely.

One alternative to botox injections are the anti aging creams or so called botox cream. It’s true that these creams can be expensive, however they come without the risks and side effects associated with botox which can make them a very good deal for some people. There are quite a few very good anti wrinkle creams available including LifeCell and Revitol.

If you take the time to research your options you may find that you can find something besides botox to smooth the lines that time put on your face. Botox creams are a safe way to maintain your youthful look. Your best solution may not be the first one you thought of.

The Dangers of Botox Injections

Skin Care — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:55:02 +0000

One extremely popular facial cosmetic procedure over the past few years has been botox injections. It is a quick and easy way for people to get rid of wrinkles and facial lines. Because of the low cost, speed and effectiveness of the procedure, botox continues to grow in popularity among those looking for ways to get a more youthful appearance.

Literally millions of people have gotten botox injections in recent years and that trend only looks to increase. In addition to being used specifically for line and wrinkle removal it is also used to enhance the results of other cosmetic surgeries such as facelifts, browlifts, necklifts and eyelid lifts.

When you consider all of the cosmetic treatments that are considered non surgical or non invasive, botox injections are among the safest. It has very few side effects and even those are temporary in nature. The expected side effects are similar to any other injection based treatment and range from numbness to burning or tingling sensations at the site of the injection. It’s possible to also have tenderness, swelling, bruising or itching in the area where the botox is injected.

Some patients report headaches and nausea after their botox treatment. It is also possible to have an allergic reaction to the botox which is normally skin related. Some other more severe reactions include drooping eyelids and flu like symptoms. The good news is that all of these side effects and reactions are temporary and disappear within two to three weeks max. Most patients with botox side effects will actually return to normal within a few hours or perhaps days.

As with any type of cosmetic surgery or procedure you should take the time to know what to expect prior to having any cosmetic procedure done. You should learn about all of the possible consequences and take them into consideration before going ahead with botox injections.

The complications and side effects are just a few of the factors involved in cosmetic surgery. Take the time to talk with your doctor and learn all you can about the procedure you’re considering. To have a successful cosmetic surgery one should be aware of all the factors involved and you doctor can let you know about them all.

Another thing you should do is to have realistic expectations from your cosmetic procedure. These treatments like botox deliver great results, but you need to use it properly. Keeping your youthful look with botox injections, botox cream and other cosmetic treatments is all about maintenance. You can now face your aging gracefully and keep your youthful appearance and smooth skin with the newest cosmetic treatments available.

What Is Botox

Skin Care — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 17:50:49 +0000

It happens to all of us one day. Looking in the mirror you notice many wrinkles that you’ve never seen before. Is it just aging at work, or is there more to it? Too much sun, stress, smoking and many other factors can lead to wrinkles in our skin. There may be many ways to get the wrinkles, however they are now easy to rid yourself of as well. Botox treatments and botox creams can visibly lessen the effects of aging and smooth your face quickly and easily. You can use modern botox treatments and botox creams to lessen and even get rid of frown lines, crows feet and the lines on your brow. Improvements are usually seen within days and with botox injections could last up to 4 months. By adding a botox replacement cream to your daily cleansing you can get rid of visible facial wrinkles for a very long time.

Do you even know what botox is? Strangely enough it is actually a toxin that is produced by a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. Strange that one of the best anti-aging products of our time is actually a toxin that in large quantities is capable of causing paralysis and botulism, a disease associated with food poisoning. While large quantities of botox are dangerous, in small quantities it works wonders in removing wrinkles. The way it does this is when small diluted amounts of botox are injected by a trained administrator into the facial muscles causing a controlled weakness in the muscles which acts to smooth the skin overlying those muscles.

Botox was first approved by the FDA in 1980 as a treatment for lazy eye and uncontrolled blinking. It wasn’t until quite recently, in April of 2002 that the FDA approved the use of botox to treat frown lines between the eyebrows. Of course, physicians have been using botox since then for all types of facial smoothing as well. Don’t mistake the injectable botox with the anti-aging botox creams out there though, they are not the same thing at all and work by completely different mechanisms. Both can be very useful against the war on wrinkles though.

Botox is certainly the star of the cosmetic enhancement industry these days. No one can avoid the mentions of botox and if you’ve got wrinkles beginning to form maybe your considering using it as well. After all, rumors abound about Hollywood celebrities that are using botox to maintain their young appearance. Maybe you want to keep the smooth skin of youth as well and maybe you’re considering botox treatments. Botox injections and botox creams can work wonders, but if you decide to go for the injections make sure the person with the needle is a trained medical professional. If botox is applied incorrectly it can easily do more harm than good.