The list of unwanted signs of ageing is long: loss of skin elasticity, drooping facial features, age spots and wrinkles - it's enough to make anyone feel depressed!
Once upon a time, cosmetic surgery promised an antidote to at least some of the effects of time. But not everyone had the money or the courage to willingly face surgery and the lengthy recovery period that followed.
Recent developments in the field of non-surgical treatments mean that you don't have to put your life on hold to improve your looks.
Restylane, Botox and Macrolane are all treatments that provide an antidote to the signs of ageing. Restylane, Botox and Macrolane are all non-surgical treatments that do not require anaesthesia, a hospital stay or access to a trust fund. Restylane, Botox and Macrolane all have instantly visible results.
Best of all, Restylane, Botox and Macrolane treatments can all be done in less than an hour.
Treatments such as Restylane, Botox and Macrolane are becoming so popular and widespread in part thanks to celebrities. Because of them, we may have heard of Restylane, Botox and Macrolane, but, do we really know what the treatments involve? How effective are Restylane, Botox and Macrolane really?
Let's begin with a close look at Restylane.
Restylane is a clear gel, biotechnologically developed and made from a unique stabilised non-animal hyaluronic acid and water. Hyaluronic acid is a tissue friendly substance which occurs naturally in the body and keeps skin looking plump and full. Restylane replenishes the body's natural stores of hyaluronic acid, and Restylane also encourages more production of hyluronic acid.
In terms of our skin, this means that Restylane can smooth facial lines, enhance lips and plump up facial contours. Restylane also helps stimulate collagen production, meaning Restylane can improve facial contours, skin tone and elasticity. Essentially, Restylane provides a natural beauty lift.
Because Restylane mimics a substance that naturally occurs in the body, there is little risk of an inflammatory reaction when using Restylane. Unlike other fillers, Restylane uses no animal ingredients.
Restylane offers many unique benefits. Restylane does not require a pre-treatment patch test. Restylane offers instant results that can last up to 18 months.
Restylane is biodegradable and safe - 12 years of clinical research has proven that Restylane has few side effects.
Restylane is also convenient - treatments take around 20 minutes or less. A typical Restylane treatment begins with a local anaesthetic being applied if the Restylane is being applied to facial lines (if Restylane is being used on other areas this may not be needed). The Restylane is then injected into the skin in minute quantities using a very fine needle. It isn't long until the full benefits of a Restylane treatment are being enjoyed: fuller and more youthful features.
Botox has been on the beauty radar for some time. The attention has not always been positive; Botox has received negative press due to claims that Botox is responsible for the 'frozen' expressions that some celebrities wear. However, Botox does not 'freeze' muscles - quite the opposite in fact. Botox, an injection of natural purified protein, actually relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles. Botox relaxes the muscles by temporarily blocking the chemical signals that make the muscles contract. In this way, Botox treatments lead to smoother skin and fewer wrinkles.
Botox can be used in a number of areas - frown lines and wrinkles, worry lines, eye lines and wrinkles can all benefit from a Botox treatment. As with Restylane, tiny quantities of Botox are injected into the skin through a needle. Patients report feeling tiny pin pricks during a Botox treatment, and those who are anxious about the use of a needle can relax; the needle used to administer Botox is as fine as a single human hair. In addition, only the affected muscle is injected, ensuring that the effects of Botox are delivered only where Botox is required.
Botox has many benefits in the fight against ageing. As with Restylane, the Botox procedure is quick and relatively painless - the use of a topical anaesthetic cream can be applied - with results from a single Botox treatment visible within days. The benefits from a Botox treatment can be enjoyed for up to three to six months.
Should a patient decide not to maintain the benefits of Botox by choosing to discontinue Botox treatment, lines do not worsen; they simply return to their state pre the Botox procedure.
Botox has few side effects. In fact, an unexpected benefit of a Botox treatment is lessening headaches! Botox helps to relax the muscles responsible for headaches and Botox has been successfully used to treat migraines.
Where Restylane is used to restore and shape the contours of the face, Macrolane has similar benefits on the body.
Macrolane, a body shaping treatment that uses hyaluronic acid, has many benefits in treating areas that would ordinarily require people to undergo surgery - most notably when re-shaping breasts.
Within the area of breast shaping, Macrolane offers many of the advantages of cosmetic breast surgery without the drawbacks associated with surgery as discussed earlier. Macrolane is particularly beneficial to women who suffer from asymmetry or loss of volume. Macrolane can even be used to balance out under-developed breasts. With all these conditions, Macrolane can help to increase self-esteem and confidence.
Thanks to its non-surgical nature, Macrolane enables patients to enjoy natural enhancement with few drawbacks and little or no downtime. Macrolane can be used to boost breasts by a cup size, or Macrolane can be used to increase shape as opposed to size.
Macrolane benefits are not confined to the breasts - Macrolane offers similar benefits for those who would like to re-shape their calves or buttocks.
In terms of re-contouring, Macrolane is helpful in evening out discrepancies in skin surface - for example following liposuction. Macrolane is also helpful in improving the appearance of deep, disfiguring surgical scars.
Macrolane treatments involve a local anaesthetic, and Macrolane treatments are a short procedure, involving little interruption to the daily routine of the Macrolane patient.
One treatment of Macrolane lasts for 12-18 months. Yearly Macrolane top-ups can be used as required to maintain optimum results associated with a Macrolane treatment.
Macrolane ultimately allows women to adjust their shape in a non-permanent way. This makes Macrolane unique. Macrolane doesn't require body fat or implants to do so; simply a small injection of a substance that is already found in the human body.
Macrolane does offer a myriad of benefits but before undergoing a Macrolane treatment - or any procedure, non-surgical or otherwise - you should ensure the physician is qualified and experienced in using Macrolane first.
