Author: Foxy Fillers

Croma-Pharma, the Austrian manufacturers of Princess Fillers have rebranded their Princess filler range into a new brand called saypha®.

The move is a step forward in harmonising its global plan efforts. Many customers will embrace the change, whilst others will not welcome it so gladly. Well, the saying goes “You can’t always please everyone.”

Or can you?

The attachment to a brand name can give off a sense of comfort to many patients, especially when they have received fantastic results. Many patients report no swelling with princess fillers, in comparison to other big brand names.

So whilst, some customers may not recognise the new branding or think, why have I received saypha? Where’s my Princess Filler? You can be reassured that only the name has changed; the composition and results still remain completely the same. The Hyaluronic Acid used is still from non-animal origins and still manufactured using the highest level of quality assurance standards.

The filler itself is presented in an award-winning glass syringe which enables smooth, easy application. There is no possibility of any foreign compounds being able to enter the gel. Purity is never compromised!

So, why the change anyway?

Well, according to the Andreas Prinz, Croma’s Managing Director, the term ‘Princess’ was not suitable to expand towards global customers. Instead, the name ‘Saypha’ is more in line with the Croma brand, to create a more unified look and feel on an international scale.

Croma have stated their new branding enables the Saypha products to be easily distinguished from each other. Previously it was not easy to see if a product contains Lidocaine or not. A red band at the bottom of the box indicates the presence of Lidocaine, as opposed to a blue band for without.

This makes it easier for distributors, stockists and aestheticians to distinguish between Lidocaine and no Lidocaine.

What else is different?

The previous Princess range had a gold embossed Princess logo on the front of each box. Now, the box showcases a collections of embossed circles, as well as the manufacturer’s name CROMA in black embossed lettering at the top of each box.

Which Saypha products are available at Foxy Fillers?

At Foxy Fillers, we stock saypha Filler Lidocaine (CE0120)  for gentle moderate wrinkles / lip volume and saypha Volume Lidocaine (CE0120) for deeper wrinkles and folds.

The history of Croma-Pharma has a beautiful enthralling story to tell. Founded in 1976 by an Austrian family, Croma began producing hyaluronic acid gel syringes for medical and ophthalmology uses. Today the company has 10 international sales companies and distributes in more than 70 countries. Gel syringes are not the only thing the company specialises in either. Read on…

Croma also manufacture PDO lifting threads, a PRP or Platelet Rich System and a unique personalised skincare technology called Universkin.

Dermal fillers have fast become the new fountain of youth. They embrace a highly practical and entirely natural method to the treatment of wrinkles and aging lines on the face.

Fast gaining traction as the gold standard for cosmetic correction of ageing – and temporary reversal of the process – the growing interest around these dermal fillers is quite understandable.

How does Botox (Botulinum Toxin) fight wrinkles?

Botox attacks the muscles that contract to form wrinkles, weakening them temporarily so that they cannot make such movements again. This puts such muscles in a sort of frozen state for as long as the injections lasts, making it less possible for them to wrinkle even more.

What started as an injection for muscular conditions has now found wide application in the cosmetics industry. In fact, Botox accounts for 90% of all treatments targeting the upper face area.

Can Botox prevent wrinkles?

In some cases, Botox is applied to prevent the formation of wrinkles at all. However, the effectiveness of the injection cannot be gauged since there is no metric to measure it against.

It is advisable to refrain from getting these injections till the wrinkles start to appear.

How do dermal fillers work? How different are they from Botox?

When people get older, they lose more elastin and collagen – collectively responsible for the plumpness and stretchiness of their skins. That will cause the skin to fall, leading to the appearance of wrinkles and aging lines.

Dermal fillers come with hyaluronic acid which naturally restores the fat and protein to the skin, eliminating wrinkles in the process. On the other hand, Botox prevents the movement of muscles that cause wrinkling in the first place.

It is recommended to use Botox in the upper part of the face (forehead and around the eyes) since they are usually subject to more movement. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are better suited for the lower part of the face.

How long does it take dermal fillers to work?

The effects of dermal fillers are almost, if not totally, immediate. It can, however, take a couple of days for the full effects to settle into place.

In fact, it is not surprising to see many patients amazed at how good they look just one or two days after they got their first injection.

How long will Juvéderm and Restylane last?

On the average, these injections will last anywhere between 4 to 6 months. The timeframe might be longer for some and in other cases, shorter.

In most cases, it would be dependent on the area being treated, the skin type of the patient and the injection technique. On the other hand, the Juvéderm Ultra Plus is a thicker dermal filler and can last as long as 9 months after the first injection.

Do cosmetic injections cause side effects?

As with any other medication, some people may experience side effects after injection.

With dermal fillers, the side effects are almost instant and are always temporary. They will usually clear up within the first two days – after which you should go see your doctor if the effects persist.

The ideal thing would be to discuss your health and possible side effects with the health practitioner before you go in for a procedure in the first place.

What are the possible side effects of dermal fillers?

People who have had treatment of cold sores around the mouth (due to facial herpes simplex) might trigger a fresh outbreak when they use dermal fillers. To combat this, make sure you have the oral tablets Valtrex, Famvir or Acyclovir.

Who should NOT use dermal fillers?

Generally, injections should be avoided when you are pregnant or breastfeeding – unless it is intended for childcare. That means you shouldn’t undergo the procedure if you find yourself in any of the mentioned states.

How much do fillers cost?

Restylane and Juvéderm are sold on a syringe basis. One syringe of these two will range between $450 – $600. Juvéderm Ultra Plus – which is the thicker version of the fillers – costs more at a price range of $500 – $750 per syringe. But at Foxy Fillers you can save a fortune.

Do I need to repeat treatments?

Depending on a variety of factors, the patient would need to repeat the treatment between 1 – 4 times every year. Such factors are the type of filler used, the area of interest and the patient’s body chemistry.

A trained provider should be able to give an estimate of how many touch-ups you will be needing within the course of the year after your first injection.

Are patients usually pleased with the results they get?

For the most part, yes. The pleasure is usually from looking better just one or two days after getting their injections.

Know that you will not get a facelift from subscribing to Botox or dermal fillers. They are a great alternative if you don’t want to go under the knife, but provide different results.

Again, have detailed discussions with your doctor to know just what to expect before undergoing the procedure.

Are there newer treatments on the market?

The FDA approved a solution called Kybella ® in 2005.

This injection is aimed at reducing and eliminating fat in the neck area without the need for surgery. The only downside of this process is that it would take some time for the effects to materialise.

Putting that in context, the patient would have to take about 2 – 3 injections for about 4 -8 weeks.

It will also work best for people with mild/ moderate fullness and skin laxity. For skin types that are already too loose, the injection loses its effectiveness.

Everything You Need to Know About the Gel Fountain of Youth

It is not uncommon to fawn over the lips you see on Angelina Jolie or dream about having the kind of smooth skin that Kylie Jenner has been blessed with. These are the kind of things that come to some people naturally, and others just don’t have it.
But then, how sure are you that they are natural at all?

Today, there are a series of cosmetic techniques that can take you from where you are to where you want to be. The beauty of the best ones is that you shouldn’t be able to tell between the natural and enhanced stuff – and this is where dermal fillers stroll into the equation.

What are dermal fillers?
‘Dermal fillers’ is a general term used to refer to injections of gels which can be used to fill in wrinkles and improve the volume of soft tissue. These dermal fillers are usually made of hyaluronic acid which works by binding moisture to the affected tissues, helping them to achieve a fuller and plumper feel.

How do dermal fillers work?
From the age of 25, the average human starts to age – physically, that is. The face begins to wrinkle and more lines are visible as the years go on. The reason for this is not far-fetched.

While growing up, the skin is responsible for the production of collagen and elastin. These two protein molecules are tasked with giving the skin its plumpness, fullness and freshness. However, the production of these proteins begins to drop off with age, so much that they can no longer perform their basic functions anymore. By the time an average person attains the age of 25, they would not have enough collage and elastin left anymore.

Thus, the skin reacts by losing its elasticity and shrinking. This shrinkage results in the formation of lines and wrinkles around the face. This ties in to how dermal fillers work. Containing hyaluronic acid, dermal fillers go into the skin tissues to promote the formation of more elastin and collagen. The hyaluronic acid also binds with the available skin proteins, boosting their efforts in maintaining freshness and plumpness for the skin.

Where can dermal fillers be applied?
They are practically applicable in any and all areas of the skin where wrinkles have started to show – or to prevent them. As of the time of this writing, some of the common locations where dermal fillers find application are:

• Around the eyes
• The cheeks
• Mouth areas
• Jawline and
• On the lips

What is the difference between dermal fillers and other solutions?
To be candid, dermal fillers are not the only common anti-ageing and wrinkle eliminating solutions out there. More times than not, Botox is always the other option being compared to the dermal fillers. However, they are not on the same level. Solutions such as Botox operate by immobilizing the muscle and tissues around the injected area. The idea behind this model of operation is that less mobility will result in lesser wrinkles.

Years of application will usually lead to disfiguration of the user. It is also not uncommon for the user looking animated after the treatment, creating a less desirable look. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, allows the user maintain normal muscle and tissue movement. All it does is help stimulate the natural process that would eliminate wrinkles rather than force the body/ skin into an uncomfortable position.

Are dermal fillers safe?
Dermal fillers are as safe as can be, and that is not just hearsay.
In fact, Dr, Arthur Perry (celebrated author of Straight Talk About Cosmetic Surgery) is of the opinion that these solutions are only so common because of how safe they are – and we couldn’t agree with him less.

Dermal fillers have undergone rigorous testing by the FDA and have been approved safe for use. It would, thus, be in your best interest to ensure that the dermal fillers you would be using have been approved so as to minimize instances of danger. In all fairness, there is a tendency for users to experience some mild effects and discomfort after initial use. These are known to clear up after about a day, though, so you are always good to go.

It is important that you reach out to a qualified health care professional who knows how to handle this treatment before you subject yourself to dermal fillers at all. While they are considered very safe, injecting them in the wrong areas can have devastating effects. For example, using dermal fillers so close to the eye and injecting a blood vessel there will cause lack of blood circulation. In the long run, that will result into the blinding of such an eye. Even though dermal fillers are generally safe, measures should be taken to ensure the right application for the best effects and minimal to no side problems.

What are the side effects of dermal fillers?
Just like any other regulated medication, dermal fillers are not without their own side effects. The good news is that these side effects have the tendency to occur immediately after injection, and they clear up after a few days.

Should they linger around for longer than that, it’s recommended that you speak with your health care professional to get the best help. Going by the FDA’s records, some of the common side effects experienced after using dermal fillers are:

• Redness around the area
• Swelling of the injected part
• Light bruising (usually in older people)
• Itching and
• Tenderness

Reiterating what we have said earlier, the best way to minimize the occurrence of side effects is by working with an experienced health care personnel who is versed with dermal fillers.

For those who have tender/ sensitive skin, there is a higher tendency of getting one or more of these side effects. Your health care practitioner will also be able to help manage your reactions in the best way possible.

How long does it take dermal fillers to work?
You will almost start seeing the effects of the dermal fillers immediately. However, it may take a few weeks for the full effects to manifest.

That is why we recommend not going in for another procedure just a few days after the first in the case there is anything you are not comfortable with. The ideal thing to do would be to wait a couple of weeks more, get the total effects and then work with that. Speaking of, touch-up sessions are a great way to keep your looks maintained. They give you the flexibility of eliminating aging completely while enjoying your newfound freshness for longer.

The good news is that maintenance doesn’t require as much filler as the first procedure. Therefore, constant touch-ups (to be discussed with your health care practitioner) will enable you save more while having better looks to show for it. That said, using large volumes of dermal fillers at once does not translate to the best effect. If you still observe some signs of aging and wrinkling after the first procedure, you don’t need to apply large amounts anymore. Small injections will help you fix the minor problems at their sites of occurrence.

In everything you do, moderation is key.

How long do dermal fillers last?
There are various contributing factors to how long your dermal filler treatment will last. These are, but not limited to:

• The type of hyaluronic acid used in the filler
• Suitability of the acid to the intended purpose
• The individual (skin type, response to treatment, stress levels, etc.)

Taking all of that into consideration, a single dermal filler treatment can last for between 6 – 18 months. Depending on your skin type and other health factors, your health care practitioner should be able to advise you on what dermal filler to use (there are more than 150 brands out there) for the best effect.

Should I use dermal fillers?
If you are serious about eliminating those wrinkles/ aging lines, and in as natural a way as possible, dermal fillers are the way to go. However, certain conditions will prevent you from using them – being in the pregnancy or nursing state, for example.

It is always advised that you seek professional help before you commit to any dermal filler treatment plan at all.

What is a Dermal Filler?

Before we look at what the key benefits are, what exactly is a Dermal Filler? As we get older the amount of Hyaluronic acid in our skin diminishes leaving sagging skin and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid is a natural moisturizer that our body produces, but over time its production decreases leaving those tell-tale signs of aging. Dermal fillers simply replace the hyaluronic acid, which is basically a natural sugar substance, using an injection to the affected area. This clever injectable gel then draws in moister and holds it there, resulting in smoother skin and reducing the visibility of fine wrinkles creases.

There are a lot of people that are totally unfamiliar with injectable dermal filling procedures. Explained in simple form, these procedures are non-surgical treatments that are specifically designed to add volume to the areas of the face that the patient may have concerns about. Those annoying little lines around the mouth or eyes, or maybe the patient wants to plump up their cheeks or lips, basically anything concerning the aging effects of the face.

Why should I use Juvederm Dermal Filler?
Juvederm dermal filler is a unique filler in that it is totally natural. Many dermal fillers are derived from a substance called collagen which is a protein, whereas Juvederm is a totally natural product that is a sugar product that the body produces to retain moisture in the skin, this is vitally important as the skin is the largest organ of the body.

Juvederm has become considered by many as “The Future” in the field of dermal technology. It’s make up primarily consists of hyaluronic acid, a material found naturally throughout the body. This very special acid helps in the promotion of hydration of the skin, this in turn helps in the restoration of the skins volume and its underlying foundations. More importantly, there is absolutely no animal tissue used in the production meaning that allergy testing is not a pre-requisite before using.

Why should I choose Juvederm Dermal Filler over other dermal fillers?
One of the most important aspect of any dermal treatment that a patient considers, is how natural the end result is going to look. The gel contained in Juvederm Dermal Filler helps smooth the skin after treatment, most patients can see the results straight away, whereas other treatments may take two or three session to achieve the required result.

The results from using Juvederm Dermal Filler are also long-lasting. Some other treatments may require the patient to come back for touch-up sessions before the final goal is achieved, Juvederm Dermal Filler’s longevity can be from six months to a year. It is also an in-expensive process compared to surgery. Juvederm Dermal Filler can achieve similar results as the more intrusive Facelights, Browlifts or eyelid surgery, it is also an extremely quick process and more importantly will not cause any allergic reactions that other fillers have been known for.

Juvederm Dermal Filler can also be used in the treatment of some scaring, and because of its smooth consistence, whereas some other fillers have a granular constancy, it is easily injected and has instant, natural results that the patient can see immediately after treatment. Juvederm Dermal Filler has the distinction of being the first FDA- approved “hyaluronic acid dermal filler” to be proven safe and effective for persons of color. This accolade just reinforces the fact that Juvederm Dermal Filler is without doubt the market leader in dermal filling treatments.

Are there any side effects I should be aware of?
We all worry about the side-effects of any treatment, but Juvederm Dermal Filler has few if not any. The most common effects (and expected) from the treatment will be a slight swelling around the injection area, this is not uncommon and should last only a few days if that. In some rare cases the patient may experience more severs inflammation with some lumpiness and redness, but this should disappear within a few days of the treatment.

Who should not proceed with Juvederm Dermal Filler treatments?
In general the Juvederm Dermal Filler treatment is safe for anyone, but should you be a patient with looser thin skin, enlarged or raised scars (Keloid-type), pregnant or lactating, it is not recommended. As with all procedures, you should always consult your doctor before going ahead with any treatment.

What else should I know before making a decision to have Juvederm Dermal Filler treatment?
Before considering any dermal filler treatment, it is vitally important that the patient realizes this treatment is not a permanent solution for wrinkled or folded skin. What it is though is a natural way to looking years younger, feeling more confident and vibrant, and allowing your inner self to blossom with the knowledge that you look the way that you are feeling.

The treatment itself only takes between fifteen and twenty minutes, and while no anesthesia is required, your doctor can use a topical or injectable anesthetic around the area that is to be treated. Once the injection has been administered, your doctor may gently massage the area to help in the filling process, such a non-time-intrusive treatment for what could be a life changing event.

One last thing, and this is absolutely the selling point of Juvederm Dermal Filler treatment for me, the treatment is totally reversible, that’s right, if you don’t like the results of the treatment, which is highly unlikely, you can have it reversed and go back to exactly how you were looking before. That in itself is truly amazing.

I hope that this has answered some of the questions that you may have had about the Juvederm Dermal Filler treatment and its benefits for you. The only decision that you need to make now, is if Juvederm Dermal Filler treatment is the treatment for you. There are many doctors out there that you can talk to in helping make the right decision for your needs, why wait? Become the person that you feel you are, and don’t let anything hold you back.

As the years pass, many women find that sun damage, wind damage, hormone changes and normal aging has caused a variety of wrinkles on their faces that cause them to look older than they really are. Fortunately, a wide variety of methods for reducing the look of wrinkles are available today. Some of these treatments are very minor, while other treatments require considerable expense and recovery time. A look at the range of choices will help you to decide what’s right for you.

Creams
The first line of attack against wrinkling from normal aging is usually a facial cream. Consumers can choose from a vast array of facial creams, lotions and ointments. The range of options can be overwhelming, but most skin experts recommend creams that contain retinal or retinyl proprionate, sirtuin or copper peptides to help retain skin moisture and smooth unevenness. Moisturizers with hyaluronic acid or glycerin helps to plump skin to reduce the look of fine lines. Many creams also contain sunscreen which helps to protect the face from damaging ultraviolet rays.

Peels
Facial peels can be a good way to remove minor wrinkling and reveal new layers of skin. Peels can brighten the appearance and create a smoother and younger appearance. Peels can be light, medium or deep, depending on your type of skin and the problem you are trying to correct. Your dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon can determine the right type of peels for your skin type. Generally, there is no healing time. Peels are usually done every few months to maintain smoothness.

Botox
Botox is brand name given to a substance called botulinum toxin A, which can be used to paralyze the muscles of the face to reduce the contraction of muscles that causes wrinkling. It can be used on frown lines in forehead, horizontal lines on the forehead and fine wrinkling around the eyes. Botox is injected under the skin with a very thin needle. Numbing is done with a topical anesthetic or cooling of the skin. Injection can cause small amounts of bruising, but the patient can usually return to normal activities immediately.

Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are compounds that have been created to mimic the natural substances in the body that help to keep tissues full and uncreased. These compounds are injected under the skin to fill in wrinkles around the eyes, mouth and on the forehead to create a less lined appearance. The filler generally contains a numbing substance to reduce discomfort. No recovery period is required. Dermal fillers need to be re-done every six to twelve months.

Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion is a treatment that removes only the most upper layers of the skin of the face. It can be thought of a deep exfoliation. The physician uses a special tool that shoots fine crystals onto the surface of skin, which removes the thin upper layers and reveals newer skin below. Some patients require multiple treatments to get the effect they desire. However, microdermabrasion does not require a healing period. The skin may feel slightly sunburned or wind-burned for a short period afterward.

Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion uses a special abrasive grinder called a dermatone that removes deep layers of the facial skin. The treatment is done under local anesthesia and generally takes 30 to 60 minutes. Treatment can cause some bleeding of the treated area. The facial skin may have drainage and scabbing that takes from one week to ten days to completely subside. Dermabrasion can improve the look of acne scarring or deep wrinkles dramatically. Multiple treatments are required in some cases.

Laser Resurfacing
Cosmetic surgeons also offer laser resurfacing to reduce the look of fine lines and give a younger appearance to the face. Laser uses high-energy light beams to vaporize very thin layers of the skin. The treatment area is numbed with a local anesthetic before treatment begins. Redness and swelling remains for several days after the procedure.

Face Lift
When more conservative methods do not produce satisfactory results, a face lift procedure may be needed to remove the excess tissue and tighten muscles that cause the deep wrinkling in forehead, mouth lines or around the eyes. These procedures often require a general anaesthetic and recovery time of several days to a week or more to reduce bruising and swelling.

Not all patients want fuller looking lips, some are more conscious about their Cupid’s Bow, the shape of their upper lip. In fact, this a frequent request by many patients when they visit their aesthetic practitioner.

 Whilst all the facial features play their own individual role in creating ultimate attractiveness, the lips are the most prominent feature that help an individual achieve prettiness. Pretty lips ooze out youthfulness and beauty that fixes the onlooker’s gaze.

Yes, we know some people are blessed to have the perfectly defined lips and cupid’s bow, but that’s probably down to some karma from their previous life. You might be thinking what is this cupid’s bow I keep referring to? In short, it’s the double curve of the upper lip vermillion, it’s meant to symbolise the bow used by Cupid, the Roman God of Love.

Luckily, for those who don’t possess the perfect pout, experienced certified aestheticians are able to help you achieve lip augmentation using lip fillers. A professional aesthetician would always carry out a full clinical assessment before they carry out any lip treatment. This would include taking a full medical history and informing you about the treatment and any associated complications. Your consent to have the dermal fillertreatment carried out should be obtained via a signature.

Remember a professional who has carried out the treatment many times before will have experience and knowledge of making the lip changes complement your existing facial features, ensuring the results sit well on you. They will also know the anatomy of the lip inside out, including where the different blood vessels are located.

The upper lip where the cupid’s bow is of interest, there is the superior labial artery which sits below the mucosa of the inner lip. Then there are two branches of columellar artery which run parallel and sit in the middle of the lip, running up to the nose and deep inside the muscle. There is a lot to consider.

If you have an active cold sore, then the aesthetician should advise you to wait until it has healed completely. You and your aesthetician should be wary about treating over recent cold sores. Wait for them to completely disappear before attempting to make any changes.

It’s normal for any aesthetician to make you aware of any scars, lumps or asymmetries (as mentioned in our article ‘One Other Reason Why Women Want Lip Fillers‘) before they start treatment, as many patients are unaware of the existence of such deformities and your aesthetician would not want to be blamed for these after the treatment.

And don’t be afraid to ask for a mirror! Watching the changes happen in front of you should be standard procedure. These are your lips and you want to make sure the practitioner is creating the very best results for you!

Every pair of lips should be treated individually taking note of the optimum ratio of lip proportions for upper and lower lip. Ideal lip proportions are 1:2 (one third top and two thirds bottom). For some patients, a flattened, aged cupid’s bow can be restored by adding lost volume. Too much volume can have the reverse effect causing  problems with unnatural, over-volumized definition. Over-inflation can also create the duck lip effect which most want to avoid!

If naturally you don’t have any definition of a cupid’s bow, then it can be more trickier and several treatments may be recommended by your cosmetic aesthetician. Injecting on the vermillion itself and then small amounts of filler into the philtral ridges could help to lift the cupid’s bow up.

Foxy Fillers don’t ever recommending speeding up your treatment. Slow increment give better results. Building the cupid’s bow up in small steps, around 0.1-0.2 ml is better than injecting a full 1ml in one go!

Cannula or Needle for Cupid’s Bow?

Treating the Cupid’s Bow with a needle gives better precision and control. However, cannulas are safer for new aestheticians to ensure the blood supply to the lip os not damaged in any way. A cannula can stay close to the upper superficial layer of the lip muscle, whereas a needle has more chances of reaching the deep blood vessels.

Usually the only complications that rise are light bruising and swelling (very normal) and patients not getting the results they wanted. So it’s important to be upfront about the results you want and researching your aesthetician thoroughly in advance. 

We have a range of lip fillers ready to purchase for your lip treatment, including Juvederm Ultra Smile. Click on the box of Ultra Smile to learn more about the lip filler available at $230.

Everything You Wanted to Know About the Wrinkle Killer
In the beauty industry, wrinkles have long been a concern for many. To that end, many products have been created to combat this problem, but with little or no effect. However, that was before the solution known as Restylane came into the limelight.

Having spent quite some time in the beauty market already, this is another product which has started to gain traction for its effects in treating and even eliminating wrinkles. But then, is this not just another one of those ruses that are aimed at selling a product?

What is Restylane?
Restylane is a single word which can be used to refer to wide number of dermal fillers, all with the same aim of reducing and eliminating the occurrences of facial wrinkles in patients.

These dermal fillers are made with a base of hyaluronic acid (HA) – which comes in form of a transparent gel. This gel is applied to the patient’s face by mode of injection, seeping into the facial tissues to perform its intended task.

Due to the risks of allergic reaction which is common with other facial wrinkle elimination solutions, it is ensured that the Restylane is only produced under a natural fermentation process.

The animal-sourced product is also as natural as can be, eliminating the injection of excess volumes of chemical into the facial tissues for fear of future side effects. While Restylane is commonly used in the elimination of facial lines and wrinkles, it also finds application in the lip enhancement industry.

How does Restylane work?
To understand the model of operation that this dermal filler incorporates, one has to first understand the underlying cause of facial lines and wrinkles.

The skin grows with us as we age – sometimes at a much faster or lower pace. The aging of the facial muscles starts anywhere from the 20s and continue into the later life. What happens at this stage in life is that all of the hyaluronic acid, collagen and elastin being produced by the skin starts declining till they are no more.

These proteins and acid are all responsible for giving the skin its plumpness, elasticity and freshness. It is, thus, no surprise that when they are no longer there, the skin starts to lose fat, becomes drier and gets lines/ wrinkles all over it. Restylane – being that it contains hyaluronic acid out of the box – is then introduced to reverse this process.

The skin is being fed with a supply of the acid that it is so getting low on. That would help return some of the plumpness, elasticity and fullness to the skin. As time goes on, collagen and elastin production are stimulated. Those go on to make sure the skin can stretch again, erasing all the sagging lines that were initially there.

How is Restylane administered?
It is recommended that you visit a certified health care professional before you start the Restylane treatment. They will best decide just how much of the substance you need, and where it needs to be applied to.

Speaking of application, the drug is applied via injection to the active sites. That is the only way to make sure the acid gets into the desired areas and starts absorbing large quantities of water as it disintegrates into the muscle, helping to restore fullness and that youthful plum.

Depending on where the wrinkles appear, Restylane can be applied to all of the:

• Lips
• Laugh lines
• Sad mouth corners
• Crow’s feet
• Frown lines
• Tear troughs
• Chin and
• Marionette lines

There are common sites where wrinkles not only appear, but do so significantly enough to spell aging.

How long does the Restylane treatment last for?
Health care professionals will usually ask their patients to check back within the first six months of getting the first Restylane shot to keep the effects going. However, this is just a precaution to be on the safer side, given as some patients continued enjoying the effects of the drug for about a year and half after they got their first shot.

Of course, that is far from a one-time permanent fix. At that kind of timeframe, though, the drug is a highly viable alternative to many other substances on the market today.

How Restylane compares against Botox
When a case is to be made for wrinkle-erasing and facial line-eliminating drugs, Botox is usually placed against Restylane. This should not be at all. Afterall, both substances have widely different modes of operation.

When Botox is used, the area of injection is restricted from moving. The idea behind that is that lesser movement will make it impossible to get more lines in such an area.

However, Restylane fixes the underlying issue without restricting the muscle movement. That makes it the ideal option for many who are looking for a natural solution to their facial wrinkle problems, rather than getting something that turns their face into an animated platform.

What are the possible side effects of Restylane?
You should know that there are a lot of patients who will take Restylane and not have any side effects recorded. Likewise, there are some cases where patients lodge complaints of:

• Swelling – this is more common when the patients are younger than 36
• Bruising – alternatively, this is more rampant in patients over the age of 36
• Bleeding
• Bumps
• Redness and tenderness around the injected area
• Infection
• Itching and
• Hyperpigmentation

It is important to note that nearly all patients will experience swelling, which is common with injections. However, no matter which of these side effects you experience, they will usually clear up within the first 2 – 3 days.

In some very rare cases, victims have experienced lumps at injection sites, or swelling that lasted up to two weeks. If this occurs, report to your healthcare professional.

They will be best placed to administer enzyme hyaluronidase which takes care of such problems.

Important Details to Note
After getting a Restylane injection, try as much as possible to avoid direct exposure to the sun.

Stay indoors if you can, or use some protection (such as an umbrella) if you really have to go out. That will help prevent further damage to the skin before the Restylane can take proper effect at all.

Likewise, it is important to note that Restylane treatments should not be undergone by pregnant or nursing mothers. In all you do, speak with a certified healthcare professional before committing to any treatment at all.

Is Restylane for me?
Do you have some wrinkles around your face that you would love eliminated? Would you like to erase all those facial lines with as little risk of suffering permanent tissue damage as possible?

Would you like to go for a product which is not only trusted, but scientifically backed to work too? Then, Restylane is for you.

Pay your healthcare professional a visit today and see what can be done for you. They will be in the best position to make a recommendation based on your lifestyle, metabolism, age, current health status and other hidden factors.
Once all that is set, you can now be on your way to the smoother skin you have always dreamed of.

It was only until recently when I saw myself in some pictures captured at my sister’s wedding that I started to analyse myself more carefully in photos. I noticed the bridge of my nose slightly more arched than previous years – perhaps due to the increased wear of glasses? That can’t be entirely the cause – I’ve noticed a few other family members with similar nose characteristics which has to factor in genetics as a major cause of the hereditary nose I have.

After researching more into how dermal fillers can be used to correct the nose shape, I’ve concluded that fillers are certainly the safest way to instantly reshape a nose with the addition of hyaluronic acid. Correcting that bump or arch is simply achieved by creating ‘more fill’ at the top to make the nose have a perfect angle.

An unbalanced nose is where the contours are slightly imbalanced to give a prominent bump. Once straightened with the addition of more volume, it ends up looking  much more like a beautiful nose.

It’s definitely a procedure I would consider at £500 – more affordable and risk free than the traditional surgical nose jobs we have all heard about. I’m already feeling highly tempted after seeing several women volunteer for the treatment on live TV – what better review could you get than seeing a woman’s nose change from what I thought was a lovely nose anyway, into an extremely beautiful nose.

Another reason for non-surgical rhinoplasty or a nose-lift, is that it’s completely reversible. Hyaluronic acid is a reversible process and after several months, the acid will have broken down safely in the body anyway. Juvederm Voluma is the most popular choice when it comes to improving the nose shape.

The Three Critical Areas Where Filler Is Applied

Only small quantities of filler are required to create extremely effective results and the aesthetic practitioner will usually draw the three critical points where filler is applied to give the optimum results:

• The Arch, where there needs to be an aesthetically pleasing curvature from the eyes
• The Middle – to optimize the perfect slant from top to tip
• The Tip – otherwise known as the ski-jump tip, where a very small amount of filler is needed to lift it up, creating a pretty feminine look

This is all created by an aesthetic practitioner by injecting filler into that specific area. Hyaluronic acid is the revolutionary substance which we can use to create more shape and volume where we need it most.

The whole process is so quick that it’s even been titled ‘the lunchtime nose job’ because it takes no more than 15-20 minutes, so if I had this procedure, I could be back at my desk with enough time to grab a sandwich, looking beautifully transformed, with minimum discomfort and minimum downtime. Something my team will want to spend the rest of the afternoon talking about!

A dermal filler nose-job means you can carry on with the rest of your day with very little reported side effects that include redness, swelling and bruising. The treatment will most likely take place with a local anaesthetic such as Lidocaine, if not already present within the gel itself.

There are however, limitations to what dermal fillers can treat and this case, it cannot help individuals decrease the size of their nose, such as the width, as the gel is only working to accentuate the shape, by raising the tip or the arch. But in some magical clever way, adding volume in the correct parts of the nose, does help make it appear smaller in other ways. 

Fillers are the best invention yet. Of course, why wouldn’t we promote them? However, it’s important to note that fillers are great when they’re done in moderation. Overusing them can really alter your appearance and if you expose your skin tissue to too much filler within a short period of time, then the area will puff up. The side effect of over-filling is when the filler is absorbed, increased droopiness is left behind. Imagine a balloon that is stretched when it’s overfilled with air; once the air is released, the balloon is not as taut as it originally was, due to the overstretching.

Botox Beyond 50

Beyond the age of fifty, you need to start being more mindful of where exactly you are going to get Botox injected into your forehead.

The challenge starts to increase when injecting into the forehead causes the eyebrows to spike upwards, resulting in an expression similar to a clown’s startled look. Injection into an optimally poor site can also result in the upper eyelid skin being pulled upwards to make the appearance seem unnatural.

A good practitioner will ensure the right zone for injection depending on the patient’s age and reasons for using Botox. Their expertise can make a huge difference in creating the right results. The simple decision to change the site of administration from directly above the eyebrows to the side of the face, in the area between the eye and the temple, may be all that is required for the best result.

Avoid Facials Before or After Botox/Fillers

There is some additional advice for Botox treatment that also applies to dermal filler treatment, and it’s regardless of age: never get a facial on the same day as your treatment, especially if it’s one that requires a massage. The side effects can include swelling around the eyes, making it difficult for you to open them the next morning and even drooping eyelids.

Prevent Hyperpigmentation

Medical needling or injections that puncture the skin, such as Botox or fillers mean that you should be extra careful with your skin afterwards.

One important piece of advice to consider is Do Not apply a peel containing acids straight after an injection treatment. It can result in hyperpigmentation.

Laser to Correct Bruising From Botox/Fillers

Broken blood vessels (bruising) can be one of the side effects of having fillers or Botox. Now, special lasers specifically designed to reduce the appearance of bruising can work within just a few hours.

How does it work?

This particular laser targets blood outside the vessels, not the blood inside the vessels. A bruise is the result of blood leaking out of the broken vessel.

Sometimes no matter how hard you work out and how carefully you watch your diet, you just can’t seem to get rid of stubborn body fat. Working out is great for all-over fat reduction, toning, and overall health, but unfortunately you can’t “spot treat” fatty areas on the body. Do all the lunges you want, but if your stubborn inner-thigh fat won’t budge, you may be a good candidate for body contouring. This is where Aqualyx comes into play.

What is Aqualyx?
Aqualyx is an injectable treatment meant to target and melt away stubborn pockets of fat on the body. It’s less invasive than liposuction and doesn’t require any anaesthesia.

Why not just exercise?
Even people who workout are prone to fatty areas on the body. These pockets of fat may be impossible to get rid of through exercise alone, because exercise reduces fat all over the body. The results you see from exercise won’t be targeted to a specific area, which is why “spot treating” fatty areas through exercise simply doesn’t work. Furthermore, our bodies naturally try to hold onto fat stored in the subcutaneous layer as a way of conserving energy, which is another reason why some areas of fat are so resilient to exercise. Aqualyx targets these stubborn fatty areas in the subcutaneous layer–the layer of fat just underneath our skin.

How does it work?
The body has its own system in place for burning excess body weight. Acidic bile is naturally produced by the liver to aid in the process of breaking down fat. Aqualyx uses a synthetic form of this acid that’s derived from plant-based ingredients, so it’s safe to use in the body. It’s delivered to the fatty areas through a needle injection. The acid works to eliminate fat by breaking down the structure of the fat cells. Once broken down, fat cells are dissolved, or liquefied. Once it escapes the cell, the fatty liquid. can then be easily burned as the body metabolizes it.

How do I know if it’s right for me?
One important thing to understand about Aqualyx is that it is not a weight loss treatment. It is advertised as “body contouring,” meaning if you have a lot of weight to lose, Aqualyx won’t make that happen. The best candidates for Aqualyx are those who are already leading a healthy lifestyle and maintaining their weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet. This is because Aqualyx works as a spot reducing treatment for pockets of fat, and not as an all over fat treatment or weight loss solution. Once you are at your desired weight, you’ll be able to discern whether or not there are many stubborn areas of fat that could be treated by Aqualyx. If you eat healthy and exercise and have stubborn areas of fat that won’t go away, then yes, you’re a great candidate for Aqualyx body contouring!

Does it hurt? Are there side effects?
Before treatment, your nurse or doctor will give you an anesthetic to minimize any pain or discomfort you may feel during treatment. Larger areas may lead to more discomfort, as these areas would naturally require more injections. Even so, side effects are mild. Aqualyx is a minimally invasive procedure that only takes about an hour or less per treatment. Like getting a shot, you may experience some swelling or tenderness in the treated area, but there’s no need to take time off work or rearrange your schedule too much. Any tenderness or bruising is usually resolved within a few days, and many don’t experience tenderness at all. You can be out and about your daily routine right after receiving an Aqualyx treatment.

Where can it be used?
Aqualyx can be used in pads or pockets of fat anywhere on the body. Some of the most popular areas are extra fat around the ankles, abdomen, inner thigh, double chins, armpits, upper arms, hips, and buttocks.

Will I need more than one treatment?
The number of treatments you need depends on how much fat is in the area you want to target and how your body reacts to Aqualyx. Some people see dramatic improvements with one or two treatments. You can get treated once or up to eight times, depending on the area you want to target. Smaller areas require less treatments (usually 1-3), but larger areas or more stubborn fat will probably require more–possibly up to 8.

How long do results last?
If you keep a healthy lifestyle, the fat treated by Aqualyx is very unlikely to return. When fat cells have been treated by the Aqualyx injection, they are permanently gone–as long as you don’t gain weight. One way to ensure long-lasting results is to continue to exercise and maintain a healthy diet. Consider this another good incentive to maintain a healthy lifestyle!

How long is recovery?
As there aren’t many side effects, healing should take less than a week. Sometimes you may need to wait a few weeks before you can see complete results, as swelling can take some time to go down–especially if the treated area is larger. Smaller areas take less time to heal, and many people find that they don’t experience pain or tenderness at all.

Is it safe?
Aqualyx has been approved and registered as a medical device. It’s been used in millions of treatments across the world, and it has an excellent track record for being a safe and non-invasive method of eliminating fat.

How much does it cost?
The cost of Aqualyx will depend on the facility you use and how many treatments you get.

It can be very discouraging when you put forth great time and effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle, yet you’re still not seeing the results you want. Diet and exercise alone aren’t always enough to mold your body into the shape you desire. A couple of treatments can make a huge, lasting difference in the way your body looks. Aqualyx is a safe and effective way to contour your body into the shape you’ve always wanted.