The possibilities in plastic and reconstructive surgery and aesthetic medicine (without surgery) are immense. Find out about other solutions which may be what you are looking for.

Botox

Botox injections are noted primarily for the ability to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. They’re also used to treat conditions such as neck spasms (cervical dystonia), excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), an overactive bladder and lazy eye. Botox injections may also help prevent chronic migraines.

Botox injections use a toxin called onobotulinumtoxinA to temporarily prevent a muscle from moving. This toxin is produced by the microbe that causes botulism, a type of food poisoning.

Why it’s done

The most common use of these injections is to temporarily relax the facial muscles that cause wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes. Botox injections are also used to treat conditions that affect how the body functions. Examples include:

• Cervical dystonia. In this painful condition, your neck muscles contract involuntarily causing your head to twist or turn into an uncomfortable position.
• Lazy eye. The most common cause of lazy eye is an imbalance in the muscles responsible for positioning the eye.
• Muscle contractures. Some neurological conditions, such as cerebral palsy, can cause your limbs to pull in toward your center. In some cases, these contracted muscles can be relaxed with Botox injections.
• Hyperhidrosis. In this condition, excessive sweating occurs even when the temperature isn’t hot and you’re not exerting yourself.
• Chronic migraine. If you experience migraines more than 15 days a month, Botox injections may help reduce headache frequency.
• Bladder dysfunction. Botox injections can also help reduce urinary incontinence caused by an overactive bladder.
• Eye twitching. Botox injections may help relieve contracture or twitching of muscles around the eye.

Risks

Botox injections are relatively safe when performed by an experienced doctor. Possible side effects and complications include:

• Pain, swelling or bruising at the injection site
• Headache or flu-like symptoms
• Droopy eyelid or cockeyed eyebrows
• Crooked smile or drooling
• Eye dryness or excessive tearing

After the procedure

Do not rub or massage the treated areas for 24 hours. This may help prevent the toxin from spreading to a different area. You can return to your normal activities right after the procedure.

Filler

Facial fillers are substances that temporarily soften wrinkles when injected into your skin. Injection of a facial filler is generally an outpatient procedure that’s done under local anesthesia. The procedure takes up to an hour.

Types of facial fillers

Facial fillers include:

• Hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Juvederm, others). This natural component of the skin’s connective tissue is the most common filler used for wrinkles. The results typically last about six months to one year.
• Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse). This filler is used to contour the jaw line, restore volume in the cheeks, and treat deeper wrinkles and skin folds. The results last up to one year when used for contouring and three years when used to fill wrinkles.
• Fat grafting. Fat is removed from the lower abdomen or other areas through liposuction and then injected through small incisions into your cheek, temple, lips or forehead. The effects might be permanent. But achieving the desired results usually requires more than one session of injections, as well as overfilling the site to compensate for the body’s reabsorption of the fat.
• Permanent soft tissue filler (Artefill). This filler is used to smooth deep wrinkles around the mouth. The body can’t absorb this type of filler, so it doesn’t require reinjection. Permanent soft tissue filler generally isn’t recommended as a first-time facial filler treatment.

Risks

As with any operation, injecting facial filler for wrinkles has risks, including:

• Allergic reaction at the injection site or throughout the body
• Bleeding or bruising at the injection site
• Infection
• Irregularities in the surface, contours and firmness of the skin
• Rarely, damage to blood vessels

Facial fillers generally aren’t used for people whose immune systems are suppressed or who take blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants).

Facial Mesotherapy

Mesotherapy is a technique that uses injections of vitamins, enzymes, hormones, and plant extracts to rejuvenate and tighten skin.

What Are The Benefits Of Mesotherapy?

• Your Skin Gets A High Concentrate Of Vitamins And Other Ingredients.
• It Can Be An Alternative To Expensive Surgeries.
• It Can Address Multiple Skin Needs.
• It Brightens Your Skin.
• It Keeps Your Skin Hydrated.

Side Effects And Risks Involved In Mesotherapy

Some of the common side effects include:

• Edema (swelling caused by injury or inflammation)
• Erythema (redness of the skin)
• Itching
• Mild pain (on the treated area)
• Skin hyperesthesia (increase in skin sensitivity)
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Tender subcutaneous nodules in the treated area
• Pigmentation issues
• Hypersensitive skin reactions (rashes etc.)