Not all modern cosmetic techniques require a general anaesthetic and hospitalisation - nor is it always necessary to go under the knife. Increasingly collagen injections, liposuction and lasers are being used extensively to make us more beautiful. 31-12-2009
But caution and consultation is required before contemplating any treatment. There are always risks to any procedure, or any invasion of the body. All beauty treatments cost and you will also need to decide whether you can afford the maintenance of some treatments.
FOREHEAD
Botulinum injections (Botox)
To flatten out furrows across the brow and frown lines down the centre of it there is an alternative to the surgical brow lift, in form of Botulinum Toxin (a substance produced from the bacteria, which causes the deadly botulism food poisoning). Small doses of this purified toxin are a chemical injected into the two down frown lines just below the inside of the eyebrows, and the four across the forehead. It’s a delicate procedure that requires skill but it has the effect of “freezing” the muscles in the forehead. It prevents the action of frowning and drawing the eyebrows together. Crows feet can also be successfully injected to lessen their appearance. Once the muscle is weakened it contracts with disuse and frown lines gradually fade away. The result lasts until the effects of the botulinum toxin wear off which can be between three to six months. There are some claims made by dermatologists that the effects of injections with Botox become permanent after some time, and the face just “forgets” how to make certain expressions which caused the lines.
Botulinum toxin is a well-established drug and the procedure has been used for many years to successfully treat “lazy eye” and uncontrollable blinking. The local injections cause slight discomfort and a chance of slight bruising. Approximately 1% of patients may develop a slight but temporary lowering of one eyelid, which may not even be noticed by them. If the injection is given incorrectly there may be little or no effect, which would be an expensive mistake. Botulinum Toxin injections have received publicity and find favour with well-known celebrities and older Peter Pan pop stars who report that it helps to keep them looking years younger. To maintain the results, repeat treatments up to four times every year are required, which at a cost approximately £250 a time becomes expensive.
EYES
Micropigmentation is a state of the art technique used for semi-permanent make-up. A bit like a tattoo. The procedure is performed under a local anaesthetic and can be used to create the appearance of eyebrows for those women with no eyebrow hairs at all, or make sparse eyebrows look fuller. Micropigmentation can be used to enhance the eyes with pigment applied in dots through a fine vibrating needle between the lashes into the most superficial layers of the skin for a soft natural look. When applied as bold or soft smudgy eyeliner it can give a more definite and semi-permanent made up look. The colours available are grey, brown or black - but not blue. The colour fades with time. Micropigmentation can also be used on the face and neck to create spots - beauty spots!
NOSE TO MOUTH GROOVES
To erase lines and wrinkles, smile lines, nose to mouth furrows a “filler” is used to reduce their appearance. Collagen replacement therapy is one of the most popular procedures. A purified form of the protein collagen (found in cowhide) suspended in a saline solution is injected into the lines and creases. The saline is absorbed leaving the collagen to fill out the lines. Although a trial injection is usually given in advance of treatment around 3% of women may develop an allergic reaction in the form of itchy red blotches. There have been other, albeit rare cases of anaphylactic shock resulting from the injections which makes some doctors cautious about using it. This process can also be used to disguise acne pits, depressed facial scars cheek depression, and marionette lines around the mouth. In time the body gradually absorbs the collagen with the effect lasting from just a few weeks up to six months. In order to maintain the effect a simple but nevertheless expensive top- up is required. Alternative non-animal substances are available such as Hylaform gel and Restylane a form of hyaluronic acid with plumping properties can be used for the injections. They work in the same way as collagen but there are less risks of allergic reaction and may be used without pre-testing. Like collagen they also need regular top-ups. It costs approximately £350 for each procedure. .
LIPS
Lips change shape as we age and lose their fullness. Today there is a fashion for full lips as we see constantly in our papers, magazines and on TV. To plump out lips cosmetic surgeons use collagen injections into the lips creating “bee sting” lips. The trouble is that the body absorbs the collagen and to maintain the effect, further injections are required every few months. Collagen is expensive.
Another method is to insert a thread of Gore-Tex through the middle of each lip to create fullness. Tiny Gore-Tex threads, which are non-allergic, are also used to plump up skin in order to disguise fine lines and rectify facial imperfections. The effect is permanent and the process costs from £1,200. A process called threading is employed to implant the Gore-Tex threads under the epidermis, which eventually gets surrounded by scar tissue. There can be complications.
Micropigmentation can be used to create a semi-permanent outline to lips with a natural or dramatic colour in order to make them appear more full or to redefine and balance uneven lips. Some people find the injections uncomfortable and there may be swelling and redness, but this should soon disappear.
SKIN
Lasers with high-energy beams of intense light are used in various processes by qualified dermatologists to treat the effects of skin ageing or disfigurements by resurfacing the face. Exciting new techniques involving laser treatments are constantly being developed different types of lasers and different colours are being used for a variety of treatments for the delicate skin on the neck and around the eyes, for sun-damaged skin, for fine lines and wrinkles. Others are used to treat age spots and freckles, and stretch marks on the tummy. Red port-wine stains, spider veins birthmarks and warts can be treated successfully by others. Whilst another laser can treat brown marks such as dark circles under the eyes, tattoos and liver spots. The procedures are extremely precise, and the carbon dioxide lasers are extremely accurate. The risk of damage is minimal because the surgeon can see exactly how deep, he or she is going. The effects are permanent. Redness like severe sunburn can be caused by the treatment and can last for many months, but the quality of the end result usually outweighs the potential risk of scarring. Some lasers are not suitable for black or Asian skin, which could look patchy because the laser stimulates colour pigmentation. Occasionally the treatment can precipitate an outbreak of the herpes virus. The cost of a Laser peel is in the region of £3,100
Laser treatment is fast replacing dermabrasion and peeling. Laser peels are invasive but are claimed to be effective – however laser treatment is not suitable for everyone and the results vary. Laser peels cost on average £3,100. The original laser was a constant beam of uninterrupted heat but recent developments have created lasers which “pulse”. Their beam is intermittent, repeatedly turning on and off at high speed in the space of a second, counterbalancing the potential harmful effects of the original constant laser, whilst achieving the desired effect without deep penetration or burning. For successful results from laser treatment it is essential to adhere to a suggested skin care programme for 4 weeks prior to treatment to maximise the benefit, and avoid complications of hyperpigmentation, scarring and infection.
Laser treatment is very varied, isn’t cheap and needs careful exploration. Treating an area such as the lines around the eyes could cost around £1,200 but laser re-surfacing of the full face could cost £6,000.
During the process of chemical peeling, chemicals will burn off the top layer of old skin and encourage new skin to replace the old. The process is not dissimilar to the effect of sunburn, where the skin reddens and eventually sheds its top layer. Cosmetic surgeons claim that by stimulating the skin’s natural shedding process, the resulting new skin will be tighter and smoother than the old skin, creating a younger looking face. A chemical peel could set you back £1,450.
SCLEROTHERAPY
Sclerotherapy is a treatment to get rid of thread veins and broken capillaries on the legs and occasionally on the face. Only small clearly visible veins can be treated. A small amount of Scleremo fluid is injected through a fine needle into the vein or capillary causing a spasm to the lining of the blood vessels. In response the vessel shrinks and breaks down. The treatment stings slightly and results in the injection sites looking like insect bites for a few days and will first become more prominent but gradually fade over several weeks. Very occasionally there is an allergic reaction or some pigmentation changes. It is best to avoid sun during the treatment period. The treatment can take 30 – 60 minutes dependent upon the area being treated.
FINDING A REPUTABLE COSMETIC SURGEON
Cosmetic surgery should not be undertaken lightly and for successful results the procedure needs to be carried out by an expert to avoid a disaster. It is imperative to check out credentials in order to find a good and reputable surgeon. But how to find out? One way is to make sure he/she is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons……see page…. for details and that he/she is on the General Medical Council specialist register. The majority of cosmetic surgeons belong to The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). Most of the members have a background of being, or having been, consultant plastic surgeons in the NHS. They are members of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons (BAPS) and will have been involved with re-constructive surgery on the NHS. They can be found on the General Medical Council (GMC) specialist lists. BAAPS is part of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. It has The Royal College of Surgeons approval as the official education and training organisation for cosmetic surgeons.
Alternatively, the British Association of Cosmetic Surgeons (BACS) represents many of the surgeons who work in private hospitals and clinics. There appears to be some rivalry between their members and members of BAPS and BAAPS, who feel that BACS independent cosmetic surgeons have not had the intensive reconstructive training that their members receive in the NHS. BACS surgeons would argue that because they specialise only in cosmetic work, their skills are well practised and their work is of a high standard.
You can see for yourself that it’s well worth doing your homework, and advisable to talk to more than one surgeon before you agree to go under the knife! Be suspicious if you are offered a free consultation, any surgeon worth his money is going to want to charge for his time. The consultation should always be with the surgeon who is going to operate on you. You need to know how much the surgery will cost and find out the “hidden costs”. Private hospitals and clinics are expensive if you have to stay in for extra days and there could be the risk of extra surgery if something goes wrong. There is no insurance that you can take out to protect you if this were to happen. You might find it re-assuring to know if your surgeon has insurance arrangements for his/herself should a patient have cause to make a legal complaint. Most surgeons belong to the Medical Defence Union, the Medical Protection Society or the Dental Defence Union of Scotland. However if their track record was dubious they may not. It's up to you to find out all you can in order to feel satisfied that you would be in safe hands. Should you be unfortunate and be dissatisfied with the result go back and tell the surgeon. If there is a genuine complaint a reputable surgeon may offer to re-operate at a reduced fee or no fee at all according to the circumstances. Or if may decide your case requires legal action. The options open to you are either to sue for negligence or assault and battery. Negligence needs proof that the surgeon has fallen short of the accepted standard of surgery, advice or aftercare. Assault and battery would mean he/she had carried out a procedure for which you had not given consent. The surgeon must have received informed consent from the patient before proceeding with treatment. Should you feel you have a genuine grievance against your surgeon you should take advice from the organisation Action for Victims of Medical Accidents. Claims should be made within 3 years of surgery and can be a lengthy business.
For further information see Usual Names and Addresses on page…….
USEFUL NAMES AND ADDRESSES
Royal College of Physicians
0207 7935 1174
www.rcplondon.ac.uk
General Medical Council specialist register
0207 915 3630
www.gmc-uk.org
British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
Royal College of Surgeons (BAAPS)
35 -43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
London WC2A 3PN
020 7405 2234
www.baaps.org.uk
British Association of Cosmetic Surgeons
17 Harley Street
London W1N 1DA
020 7323 5728
British Association of Plastic Surgeons
Royal College of Surgeons (BAPS)
35 –43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
London WC2A 3PN
020 7831 4041
www.baps.org.uk
International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
C/o David Harris MS FRCS
British National Secretary ISAPS
Nuffield Hospital
Derriford Road
Plymouth PL6 8BG
01752 707 345
Action for Victims of Medical Accidents
1 London Road
Forest Hill
London SE23 3TP
020 8 291 2793
FACE ACTION PLAN
FACEFIT EXERCISE PROGRAMME – The natural face lift
The human face is the only part of the body where the muscles are attached directly to the skin instead of the bones. The emotions we experience, and our reaction to them, form the expressions on our faces, which over years give each of us our unique, individual looks. Ideally faces should be bright, full of emotion with an inner beauty shining through. Each time we react to people, or situations, we may tighten our lips, or flicker our eyelids, or smile, or frown in response. If we are happy and feeling well, positive signs will get etched onto our faces. A positive attitude can help delay the ageing process, since positive emotions use less facial muscles than negative emotions. A smile uses 7 muscles, whereas it can take 32 muscles to frown! A smile is so positive and can help people enjoy life more. If you see someone without a smile, give him or her yours! It could make all the difference and will cost you nothing.
The following facial exercises will help soften wrinkles, improve your complexion, and bring a sparkle to your eyes. They can be done at any time, in the comfort and privacy of your own home, no studio or equipment required. For this workout you don't need to don a leotard! You can even do some of the exercises in your car, on a plane, on a walk, or watching the TV!
Before we start it is important to prepare. Dry and taut skin can be easily stretched and damaged, so begin by using your own favourite brand of moisturiser. Apply it to your face and neck with upward sweeping movements. (The most beneficial time to apply your moisturiser is after a bath or shower, when your skin is still moist). Clean hands and short nails are kinder to the delicate skin on your face.
Now we're ready to move muscles, work wrinkles and control contours. The movements and exercises are small but precise. For them to be beneficial practice in front of the mirror to make sure you are doing them correctly. Practice makes perfect.
PREPARATION & POSTURE + illustration
• Check your posture. Sit comfortably with your bottom well back on the seat of your chair with both feet flat on the floor. Pull in your tummy and sit upright. Keep your shoulders back, down and relaxed and hold your head high with your chin parallel to the floor.
• Bend your elbows and lift your shoulders up, pull shoulders back, and them press them down and take them on around, drawing circles with your elbows. Repeat 6 times. Finally relax your shoulders and remember your posture!
EXERCISES FOR THE NECK
If you suffer from neck problems try doing some of the following exercises lying on the floor or bed, using a small pillow to support your head. Ex
1. Look out + illustration
• Keep your chin parallel to the floor - shoulders facing to the front. Move your head only and look over right shoulder. Perhaps a little further and hold? Bring head back to centre and slowly take it over to look out left and back to centre. Keep shoulders relaxed and repeat 3 times either side to maintain neck mobility. But take care if you have neck problems and only go as far as comfortable.
Ex 2. Stretch out + illustration
• Take your right ear over to your right shoulder and hold for 8 seconds. Don't drop head forward or backwards. Relax back to centre. Repeat to the left, hold for 8 seconds and feel the stretch in the right side of your neck. Relax shoulders.
Ex 3. Chicken neck + illustration
• Stick out you chin as far as you can then keeping it parallel to the floor pull it back hard into your neck and upper chest. Repeat this chicken like movement 6 times relaxing your shoulders. Excellent for posture and for helping to prevent osteoporosis (fragile bone disease) in the upper spine.
• But take extra care if you have neck problems.
Ex 4. Swan + illustration
• Drop your chin to your chest. Now carefully take it up and back - as far as comfortable and hold for 8 seconds to lengthen out your neck like a graceful swan. Don't do this exercise if you have neck problems.
EXERCISES FOR THE JOWL, NECK & THROAT (take care if you have neck problems
NB. Familiarise yourself with the following exercises looking in the mirror keeping head up chin parallel to floor. Once the movement is established tilt head back and feel the added movement in jowl, throat and neck.
Ex 5. Goldfish + illustration
• Stick out your chin and open your mouth. Tilt your head back a little further and pull your lower jaw up and out hard, with a glugging action. Repeat the movement 6 times and feel the muscles under your chin and throat working
Ex 6. Pelican + illustration
• Head back slightly and chin forward. Bring your lower lip up and over top lip (softly bite it if you can).
Ex 7. Lion + illustration
• Simply open your eyes wide and stick out you tongue as hard as you can to prevent a double chin and to invigorate your entire face. Repeat 6 times.
EXERCISES FOR THE MOUTH (smokers are more at risk of developing lines)
Ex 8. French Connection + illustration
• For mobile kissable lips open mouth wide and say "Uh" then "Ee" then "Ah" - 10 times to help prevent small vertical lines above upper lip, and to relax the mouth and jaw.
Ex 9. Whistle stop + illustration
• Whistle and see the ugly vertical lines in the top lip! Now, keep your upper lip taut and stretched out over your top teeth, pulling up the corners of the mouth. Put your index finger in the middle of your upper lip (to keep it taut) and now try whistling 10 times with stretched lips
Ex 10. Joker + illustration
• With your mouth open a little, narrow your lips and pull them tightly over your top and bottom teeth. Keep your lips mean and taut but pull up the corners of your mouth in a joker like smile. Hold for a count of 5 - relax, and repeat 6 times to help lift the corners.
EXERCISES FOR THE CHEEKS
Ex 11. Bitch + illustration
• With lips together lift the right side of your mouth. With a slow controlled movement snarl up your right nostril 6 times. Relax and repeat with the left 6 times. Control both the up and down movement.
Ex 12. Cheshire Cat + illustration
• Keep your teeth together but with your lips apart slightly smile up to your temples with a slow movement working the cheeks. First 6 times to the right side then 6 to the left. Control both up and down movement.
Ex 13. Cow + illustration
• Take you lips to the right side and lift your cheek to your ear as far as possible. . Open and close your mouth, imagine chewing the cud or even biting the inside of the cheek as you lift and work the right cheek. Keep left cheek relaxed. Exercise 20 times quickly then repeat with other side.
Ex 14. Blow up + illustration
• Breath in - keeping your lips soft and without pursing them slowly blow up your cheeks like balloons. Hold for 5. Repeat 6 times (relaxes the cheeks after the two previous exercises).
EXERCISES FOR THE EYES
Ex 15. Bright Eyes + illustration
• Look straight ahead – keep head still and chin parallel to the floor. Using eyes only look first with controlled eye movements, look first to the right and focus, now down to your lap and focus, look over left and focus, now up to the celing and focus. Repeat 6 times with control.
Ex 16. Uppers + illustration
• Without stretching the skin place your forefingers firmly on your brow bone, which is under your eyebrows above the eye socket. With thumbs on cheeks by ear hold the skin and muscle firmly in place. Close your eyes. Now work your upper eyelids only bringing them down against the resistance. Continue opening and shutting quickly and repeat this fluttering movement 20 times. (This fast, fluttering creates the effect of a 1920's black and white movie!)
Ex 17. Downers + illustration
• Place your index finger under the centre of the eye, high up on your cheekbone to add resistance. Take care not to drag or stretch the delicate skin under the eye. Hold the muscle and skin firmly in place. Contract and squeeze up your lower eyelids only - 20 times. Feel the muscles under the eye working. (It’s a small movement which needs lots of practise!)
Ex 18. Crows feet + illustration
• Put the pad of your forefinger on the skin and bone at the outside corner of your eyes. Pull very slightly outwards to create a resistance. Take care not to stretch the skin. Squint hard 20 times working the muscles at the side of the eye.
EXERCISES FOR THE FOREHEAD
Ex 19. Cross lines + illustration
• Now place the pad of the forefingers on the inner corner of each eyebrow. Press the skin and muscle firmly against the eye socket and pulling the fingers slightly apart try to frown against the resistance 20 times.
Ex 20. Life lines + illustration
• Place index fingers above each eyebrow and hold skin and muscle down firmly. Close your eyes. As if surprised open eyes and pull eyebrows up 20 times - moving your scalp and ears working the forehead muscles against the resistance.
MASSAGE FOR THE FOREHEAD - FINAL RELAXION + illustration
Apply some more moisturiser or baby oil to the forehead to avoid stretching skin. These relaxing movements are best performed with eyes closed.
• Place your hands in prayer position with fingers in centre of forehead. With a firm brisk up and down sawing movement work out to the right temple. Now back to centre and on over to left. Repeat twice moving muscle and skin together. Hands down and relax shoulders.
• Change hands to horizontal position on top of each other and place on bridge of nose. With the sawing action work index fingers up the forehead into the hairline and back down again. Repeat twice. Slant hands and continue action to the right temple, return to centre, slant hands to left and continue action to left temple and back to centre. Hands down and relax shoulders.
• Using alternate forefingers only and with a light feathery touch delicately stroke up and over your nose the nose and forehead four times to help you relax.
• Finally, place all fingertips lightly on centre of forehead and with a continuous sweeping movement take them out over your eyebrows and forehead, on down the side of your face to your chin, then up over your nose and back to your forehead. Keep your eyes closed. Repeat twice and finally place your hands sofly down into your lap with fingers uppermost. RELAX for a minute.
Open your eyes. Congratulations - you've finished your facial work out!
Copyright and thanks to Diana Moran http://primetimelife.tv
www.primetimelife.tv does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this information. Copyright www.primetimelife.tv 2010. All rights reserved. No copying, downloading, publishing or republishing without written permission from www.primetimelife.tv authorised representatives. Full details of www.primetimelife.tv licence details are at
http://primetimelife.tv/home/factsheets/n40a728dc5288952a0c41c9f70b70efe9/
