Monday, April 29, 2013

From Knife to Needle




When Botox was introduced in late 1990s, it was hailed as the most viable alternative to invasive cosmetic surgical procedures. It was embraced with such enthusiasm that the entire supply of Botox ran dry in 1997, causing panic among both the doctors and patients alike. In fact, in 2006, injectable cosmetic surgery procedures became a $1 billion industry. 

Dermal fillers are another success story giving countless people plump lips and well filled smooth brows. Hyaluronan, sold under brand name Restylane was the first dermal filler approved by FDA in 2003. Dermal fillers are injected just under the skin to add volume and smoothen out crow’s feet and other wrinkles on the face.

One of the greatest impact of the introduction and subsequent popularity of these injectable procedures is the decrease in the number of patients opting for invasive cosmetic surgical procedures. 

In the early 1970s, cosmetic surgery procedures involving facelift were restricted to invasive surgical manipulation of the superficial muscular aponeurotic system. In simpler terms, these procedures would actually cut the skin and muscles of the jowls and neck area and pull them up. The result was a more youthful look without wrinkles and flabby skin.

These procedures were costly both in time and monetary terms. In addition, they carried the usual risks associated with any invasive surgical procedure. The incisions took time to heal and even then were visible to anyone looking in the right places.

The effect of Botox on human muscles was a well-known phenomenon by 1980s. After extensive trails, FDA approved the use of Botox as a treatment for muscle spasm in 1989. In 1992, it was discovered that Botox was a safe treatment for brow wrinkles. This was the start of the Botox ‘revolution’ in cosmetic surgery. 

One of the top reasons why Botox and dermal fillers have taken over the traditional “cut-and-snip” facelift procedures is the simple minimal invasive application procedure and almost negligible recovery time. 

Patients could schedule an appointment with the cosmetic consultant, go under the needle and resume their daily activates without a break. This way, the appointment fits right in the working schedule of the patient and does not cause undue disruptions. This is a significant improvement over the invasive facelifts that required hospitalization and diligent care for several weeks after the procedure. 

The results are immediate and visible for all to see without any telltale marks. This is particularly true for dermal fillers. The material is injected just under the skin using a small bore needle after the application of an anesthetic cream. The choice of the material is up to the consultant who takes into account the nature of the wrinkles and the area of application. A typical procedure usually takes 60 minutes.   

Injectable procedures offer significant advantages to the practitioners as well. Dermal fillers, in particular, allow precise application and thus produce better and logger lasting results. The wide choice of dermal fillers means that there is a filler for every patient.

Injectable cosmetic surgical procedures have improved to the point where they are now the dominant cosmetic surgery procedures in the US and the rest of the world. Continued research in the material and application techniques will further improve the quality and span of the result of these procedures.

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