Over the past decade, the number of people undergoing cosmetic treatments has grown exponentially. Thanks in part to Instagram — a platform where celebrities like the Kardashians proudly promote their trusted plastic surgeons, who in their own right have reached influencer fame — what was once a subject shrouded in secrecy, has now become commonplace in discussions surrounding skincare, makeup and selfcare.
Where cosmetic treatments used to be thought of as invasive, surgical procedures (images of a fully-bandaged face come to mind), modern procedures can be done quickly and relatively painlessly. Take, for example, Botox or dermal fillers. As some of the most commonly sought-after treatments, both are minimally invasive and show changes within a few weeks. An added bonus? Both boast little-to-no recovery time. These procedures are done in a licensed practitioner’s office and many patients are able to go about their normal day right after completing the treatment. The fast evolution of technology has also allowed for end results to look more subtle and natural-looking, adding to the widespread appeal of cosmetic procedures.
Botox & Dermal Fillers: Myths & Facts
Although Botox and dermal fillers are gaining popularity around the world, there’s still a lot of misinformation circulating around these procedures. Despite the number of resources available to the public, some still believe — and perpetuate — incorrect facts that have long been debunked by experts.
Here, we get to the truth on some of the most common myths surrounding these procedures.
Myth: Botox and dermal fillers are one in the same.
Fact: While both Botox and dermal fillers can be used in cosmetic procedures and wrinkle treatments, there is a difference in how they work to achieve a more youthful look. Botox are neuromodulators that relax the muscles and prevent them from contracting, which causes wrinkles and fine lines. Relaxed muscles also result in a smoother complexion.
On the other hand, dermal fillers are injected to provide volume and support to the tissue to create a more youthful look. Some fillers are able to mimic the body’s naturally produced hyaluronic acid and add moisture, or even spark the production of collagen, which slows down as you age.
Myth: Botox is unsafe and toxic.
Fact: Botox utilizes a purified protein called Botulinum toxin. While this is the same toxin that causes the botulism disease, there is no evidence of the correlation between the disease and the cosmetic procedure. This is because the injectable is administered in very small doses, which is not harmful to the body. In fact, for it to be considered fatal, the dosage has to exceed 100 times more than the average dose.
Over 16 million Botox treatments have been done, and according to studies, only 1 in 3,333 cases have reported severe side effects. As long as you go to clinics that have licensed and qualified practitioners that follow all health regulations and protocols, getting Botox is not harmful to your body.
Myth: Botox gives your face a frozen look.
Fact: One rumour that discourages a lot of people from getting Botox is this idea that the procedure will cause you to lose the ability to move your face and, therefore, make facial expressions. When administered properly and with the correct dosage, this is not the case.
In fact, ironically enough, Botox actually relaxes your muscles rather than immobilizes them. Botox is injected to target specific muscles, so subtle facial enhancements can be done to make wrinkles and fine lines less noticeable. Many can still smile, frown, and show a variety of emotions through their face, even after getting the procedure done.
Myth: Botox accumulates in your body over time.
Fact: Botox is not a permanent wrinkle treatment, therefore the results will fade after a certain period of time. Our bodies dissolve the material on their own, so the effects of the procedure will eventually wear off. Your face will then return back to how it was pre-Botox. This is why you need continuous treatment if you want to retain the results, which typically last about 3-to-6 months.
Myth: You can see immediate results after the treatment.
Fact: There is no such thing as instant results when it comes to Botox and the time it takes for results to appear will depend on how your body reacts to the medication, as well what area of the body the Botox has been administered to. Generally, you can expect to see a difference after at least 14 days. If a clinic or practitioner tells you that you’ll see the effects right away, then you know they’re not the real deal.
Myth: Getting Botox is a painful experience.
Fact: While pain tolerance is subjective, and therefore different for each individual, Botox is generally a low-pain outpatient treatment. While there’s no need for an anaesthetic, you can request numbing cream, ice packs or Lidocaine injections prior to the procedure. Many have described the pain as similar to being bitten by a mosquito or an ant..
Myth: Botox is only for the cosmetic needs of women.
Fact: Although the majority of Botox users are females, more men are getting wrinkle treatment, particularly to minimize frown lines. Besides cosmetic purposes, they can also be used to treat a variety of issues. These include treatment of muscle spasms, management of migraines, and chronic neck and back pain. Neurological disorders, like excessive armpit sweating, can benefit from Botox injections as well. .
Types of Wrinkle Treatments at Vanish Clinic
When it comes to reducing your wrinkles and fine lines, Vanish Clinic offers the following options that you can choose from. You can get these procedures done every Monday and Wednesday.
I. Botox
You can choose from three different products that contain the Botulinum Toxin for the temporary reduction of your fine lines and wrinkles — Botox, Dysport and Xeomin.
Botox is one of the more popular injectables, which can treat forehead lines, crow’s feet and the glabellar lines, which is found in the area between your eyebrows. If you’re looking to target just the latter area (the glabella), then the Dysport is your best choice. However, your case has to be considered moderate to severe by the medical practitioner.
Xeomin is considered a pure-form product that only contains Botulinum Toxin A. Because there are no additives present, the body is likely to be resistant to and reject this variant.
II. Dermal fillers
If you’re looking for lip fillers, under eye fillers, cheek fillers or crow’s feet fillers, Vanish Clinic has three different brands that you can choose from. These gel-like substances are injected underneath the skin, reshaping and ‘lifting’ your face, giving you a more youthful look.
Restylane and Revanesse are both Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers, which serve as place holders for lost fat and collagen. These mimic a naturally occuring substance found in the body, which maintains moisture in the skin. Best used for lip augmentation, these fillers last for 6-to-12 months.
Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers are also on-hand, which contain a mineral-like compound also found in the body. These are bio-synthetic variants, which means they are vegan-friendly and have lower risks for allergic reactions when administered. You can get the Radiesse brand with a 9-to-15 month lifespan.
Best areas for fillers?
If you’ve decided you want to get dermal fillers as a wrinkle treatment, then you should first head to a licensed medical practitioner and clinic. They can determine whether or not the areas you think need fillers actually need them, whether these are mild, moderate or severe cases, and the right dosage and injection area.
Lip fillers are some of the most commonly sought after, with the goal of plumper lips that showcase a natural pout.
Cheek fillers help give the illusion of more defined cheekbones.
Under eye fillers use Hyaluronic Acid fillers to add volume and eliminate unflattering shadows and dark circles.
Crow’s feet fillers remove the fine lines around the eye area, which are most of the common issues when it comes to aging.
In addition to these areas, you can also have dermal fillers injected in areas such as the decolletage (upper chest, neck and shoulder area), chin and even your hands and feet.
While this information can be used as a helpful guide to some of the most popular cosmetic procedures, it’s always best to consult with your medical practitioner first undergoing treatments that involve Botox or dermal fillers.
Hello, I’m Sanja, an Aesthetic Nurse Injector, partnered with Vanish Clinic, and I am here to guide and assist you on your aesthetic journey... and put a BIG smile on your face!
I pride myself in the ethics of my practice and I always aim for modest results, with your satisfaction as a primary goal.
Injectables, such as dermal fillers and neuromodulators are the newest line of treatment for a fresher, more youthful, even augmentative appearance of your choice.
Invasive surgeries have been replaced by these industry leaders, and have helped to make getting work done the new status-quo!
Whether you’re looking to try injectables for the first time (seems like everyone and their granny is doing it..) or looking for follow-up treatments, VANISH CLINIC is the place to invest in yourself, for a more radiant you!