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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