Botox and fillers

Facial TREATEMENT

Dysport® and Botox® are the trademarks of Botulinum Toxin Type A, a powerful muscle paralyzing.

Today, because of its frequent use, Botox has achieved great prominence in the media. But many questions still persist among the general public, among them: How does it work? What is it? Shall I become without facial expression? How long does the effect last? Is there any contraindication? Dr. El Hachem will try to clarify them in this brief text:
Botulinum toxin (Botox) prevents the transmission of electrical impulses between nerve and muscle (blocking the release of acetylcholine), which will paralyze the muscle. Use of Botulinum Toxin in the field of cosmetic is due to the fact that dynamic facial wrinkles (crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles or between the eyebrows) are secondary to muscle contraction. So if the muscles are paralyzed, there will be no formation of wrinkles! Dr. El Hachem will apply Botox to these specific muscles through an extremely fine needle injection.

Botox – Botulinum Toxin

The injection of Botox is fast and not painful. Muscle paralysis occurs after 48 hours, maintained on average for six months and don’t leaves the patient without a dynamic facial expression. The return of muscle action, and therefore wrinkles, occurs due to muscle re-innervation. When this occurs, usually after 5 to 6 months, re-injection of Botox can be made. Among the few contraindications are neurological diseases, allergy to the product, pregnancy and the use of specific antibiotics. Because of its rapid injection and the great reduction of dynamic wrinkles with immediate results, the Botulinum Toxin became now the ‘’big star’’ in the field of aesthetic facial treatment.

FACIAL FILLERS – FACIAL TREATMENT

With time, the skin becomes thinner, rough, with less turgor and elasticity. Adding the action of the facial muscles and the law of gravity, formation of wrinkles and creases in the skin will occur.

Wrinkles and creases are depressions of the skin. Several products were developed to fill these depressions. In general, they can be divided into two categories:

1- Absorbable

2- Nonabsorbable

The filling of wrinkles and depressions smooths the face providing an aspect of rejuvenation.

The choice of material should be made mutually by Dr. El Hachem and the patient after discussion of the advantages of each method and the indication according to the evaluation of each case.

1- Fillers – Absorbable

Absorbable fillers are those injected in the skin and absorbed over time, leaving no residue and allowing the skin to return to its previous stage. Hyaluronic acid is the main material of this group.

Being part of the natural constitution of the skin, hyaluronic acid is well tolerated by the body, with very rare adverse reactions. Its action lasts for about 9 to 12 months, depending on the product used:
– The viscous and thick hyaluronic acid products are used for deep depressions and wrinkles. Being viscous, their absorption is slower and their duration more prolonged (approximately 12 months).

– The fluid hyaluronic acid products, in the form of gel are less viscous, and thus suitable for thin, superficial wrinkles. Their effect lasts about 9 months.

2- Fillers – Non absorbable

The non-absorbable fillers are formed by particles of non-absorbable material with absorbable gel. After absorption of the gel, the non-absorbable particles are permanently retained in the skin, sustaining a prolonged result.

Because they are made of non-absorbable synthetic material, these implants, although well tolerated in most cases, have a higher risk of complications such as extrusion, inflammation and infection compared to hyaluronic acid . Dr. El Hachem don’t use this type of fillers

Several of these products are formed from polyvinylpolyacrylamide gel microspheres.