SPOTLIGHT
DO YOU PURPOSELY NOT SMILE TO AVOID CROWS’ FEET? Is your bathroom counter clut- tered with drug store creams? We all know aging is a natural process and we can’t completely run from it. But who says we can’t age gracefully? Let’s keep people guessing on our age and look refreshed daily. Skin is our largest organ—it protects us from the environment, helps to regulate our temperature, providing us with tactile sensations as we explore the world around us. Wrinkles, sun spots, sagging skin and increased fat deposits all combine to give people the impression of increased age and lower vitality. Chronic sun damage allows those tell tale signs of aging to un- veil themselves even more. Thankfully there are many ways to allow your inner vitality to shine through, by exploring simple non-surgical techniques that reverse the skin aging processes. There are cosmeceuticals (creams, lotions, gels, serums), fillers (Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra, Artefill, etc.), light-based procedures (laser, IPL, LED, infrared) and botulinum toxin injec- tions (Botox, Dysport)—let’s explore each of these skin rejuvenation techniques.
by darren a. farnesi, m.d.
BOTOX Botox has become the most widely used wrinkle treatment due to its fast and
predictable results. The clostridium botulinum toxin type A was originally discovered in 1817 after victims consumed contaminated sausage and home canned goods. This bacteria’s toxin works by paralyzing all muscles in the body, including eventually the muscles of respiration. Thankfully, due to the advancements in food processing, consuming the botulinum toxin type A is not as likely. During World War II, the toxin was isolated in its pure form in order to study its effects.However, it wasn’t until the 1970s when an ophthalmologist successfully used the isolated pure toxin to treat disorders of the eye
muscles.The botulinum toxin was injected into the muscles surrounding the eyes, which causes controlled paralysis of the muscles. In the 1980s, ophthalmologist Jean Carruthers noticed that patients in whom she had treated with the botulinum toxin experienced a pleasing side effect; reduced wrinkles and frown lines. Her hus- band Alastair Carruthers, a dermatologist, began injecting the botulinum toxin to treat facial frown lines, thus beginning the cosmetic wonder of Botox injections!
How does Botox work? Botox and Dysport use the purified toxin mixed with a saline solution and injected
with a tiny needle about the size of an insulin syringe. The face is treated prior to the procedure with a topical numbing agent further decreasing any discomfort during the
injections.The controlled botulinum toxin injection temporarily paralyzes the muscles injected causing a noticeable reduction in wrinkles and frown lines for a more youthful and worry free expression. A typical treatment usually lasts approximately 3 months and each treatment you receive allows the collagen in your skin to unfold and the wrinkles
disappear.After each Botox injection the muscle fibers are slightly weakened and the collagen takes a little more time to reform the wrinkle, allowing your body to inherently retrain your facial muscles to
relax.An example of retraining after a series of botulinum toxin injections is, if you commonly furrow your brow while concentrating, after treatment, you learn to do so without firing those brow muscles, leaving your forehead looking younger and more refreshed.
How much does Botox cost? Most physicians offering Botox charge $10-13 dollars per unit for the forehead or
frown lines; a typical male may need approximately 20-30 units and a female 15-20. Crows feet or smile lines typically need 6-10 units per eye.
LIGHT THERAPY We commonly use light to enhance our natural beauty and improve our sense of
wellbeing. Basking in the sun’s rays can add a little bronzing to our skin, improve our mood and increases our bodies stores of Vitamin D, which is necessary for bone, skin and mood health. Unfortunately the UVA damage from the sun can cause aging and skin
cancer.From studying the pros and cons of light exposure however, has come the wonder of intense pulsed light therapy or IPL and the use of lasers. IPL uses concentrated visible light, filtering out all unnecessary light, including
damaging UV rays, concentrating certain wavelengths of light for a multitude of skin lightening and tightening treatments. IPL includes popular treatments such as photo- facials, hair removal, photodynamic therapy for acne and treatment for rosacea. Popular laser treatments include: hair removal, resurfacing of wrinkled skin, and treatment of unwanted pigmentation (brown and red spots).
The differences between these two types of therapies are: 1. Cost—laser resurfacing can run in the thousands of dollars range whereas IPL is in the hundreds. 2. Lasers consist of one concentrated wavelength of light whereas IPL used a range of wavelengths, thereby treating a broader range of issues in one session. 3. Lasers have the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin, especially when fraction- ated, so they are better than IPL at getting rid of wrinkles and very deep pigmentation.
How does IPL work? Areas of discoloration and dilated blood vessels or spider veins react quickly to IPL
treatments such as the
photofacial.The pulsed light and heat blows away those spider veins and areas of redness instantly causing a clearer
complexion.The heat generated during the treatment causes collagen and fibrin formation, which reduces the appear- ance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.When ultrasound is combined with the IPL treatment, the effect of tightening the skin is
enhanced.This natural tightening can be highly desirable for areas under the neck, the arms, thighs, belly and hands. IPL can be a great option for those wanting to have radiant firmer skin without the more drastic forms of plastic surgery. Depending on the type of IPL treatment received, you may be able to return to work the next day with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. For more intensive chemical peels, you may want to schedule in one to three days off to allow your skin time to recuperate.
REFRESHED AT 54 RAGE monthly | OCTOBER 2011
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