We are in the age where we want to live and feel younger. To get the most out of our skin and have the confidence and self-esteem to know that you are looking as good as you possibly can – To age in harmony.
But how far do we go? Many of us focus on a good skin care routine and positive lifestyle factors to promote skin health. However, studies show that Botox and injectable dermal fillers are more popular than ever with over 6 million treatments conducted every year since 2003.
But what is the truth about Botox?
Botox
Botox is used to treat over 20 differing medical conditions including:-
Fine lines and wrinkles
Spasm of the eye lids
Cerebral Palsy
Chronic Migraine
Excessive sweating
Overactive Bladder and Certain types of Incontinence
Botox is created from a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin that is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. This toxin is found in a wide variety of sources including soil, intestinal tracts of mammals, in the gills and organs of crabs and shellfish. In small concentrations, this bacterium is relatively harmless but don’t be fooled, the problems arise when the spores transform into vegetative cells and the cell population increases which creates one of the most potent poisons known to man.
This poison has been estimated to be able to kill one million people with only 1 gram of the toxin. Two kilograms of this neurotoxin can wipe out humanity. The neurotoxin targets the nervous system which interrupts neural pathways which can impact on the respiratory system. Essentially freezing the communication pathway between cells.
Is it safe?
Botox has been documented to have been identified in 36 cases of health complications caused through the cosmetic usage of Botox from 1989 to 2003. As reported to the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Under half of the reported cases were linked to an underlying medical condition, not the neurotoxin itself.
In extremely small quantities, Botox is widely regarded as safe to use. In the hands of a suitably qualified dermatologist or plastic surgeon I would have no hesitation in recommending Botox for diagnosed medical conditions. However, for the purpose of impacting on fine lines and wrinkles I would personally resort to a good skin regime and avoid sugar, smoking, excessive sunlight, and focus on healthy lifestyle factors, as this skin care routine can yield far more sustainable results.
However in the age of wanting immediate results, Botox rates quite high – usually there is an immediately pronounced improvement in fine lines and wrinkles.
How does it work?
In the terms of skin care, it has proven to be a very valuable protein, which, in small concentrations, prevents signals reaching the muscles which therefore paralyses them. The result of this is a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles by effectively ‘freezing’ the muscles. The results will last for about three to four months.
I am not sure about you but the thought of injecting a neurotoxin that is hundreds if not thousands of times more potent than sodium cyanide does not sit well with me and I would not be recommending this for a loved one or a family member, despite the documented claims that it is safe to use.
What do Botox and Dermal Fillers Cost?
Botox is behind many perfect Hollywood smiles and A listers and nowadays it has spread a lot closer to home than you may think. Botox is a prescription only medicine however, and there are a lot of salons out there that offer this service without the supervision of a duly qualified medical professional to oversee and administer the prescription. Salons that offer the service of injectable fillers that are not qualified would pose a potential health risk. The cost may be far higher than what you may think.
Botox is usually costed per unit or measure and one unit will cost approximately $9-$15 per unit, but the entire face could cost between $200 and $500. Dermal fillers such as Hyaluronic Acid (a naturally occurring water binding molecule that holds 1000 times it’s weight in water) can cost as much as $500-$600 per unit. Hyaluronic fillers will last between 6 and 12 months.
The cost of being Beautiful?
The most beautiful people I know seem not to know they are beautiful. These are people who understand that appearance is defined by what lies on the outside, but real beauty lies within. Sure, it is great to take pride in your appearance, focus on a healthy lifestyle but to be beautiful we need to focus on something else – how we relate to others. Kindness, consideration, respect and genuine care. These traits are in abundance with the most beautiful people.
The truth is beauty costs absolutely nothing it’s about valuing yourself and appreciating others no matter whether you agree with their views or not.
Maybe it’s time to put down our phones and stop with the selfies and being obsessed about looking in the mirror and instead appreciate the person standing next to you.
One of the factors that causes wrinkles is a build up of stress, so if we focus on trying to be beautiful on the inside we wouldn’t need dermal fillers or Botox in the first place!
Jason.
