What is a Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Procedure?

If you are looking to have some cosmetic work done on your face or body, you might be wondering what naturopaths or doctors mean when they start referring to “minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.”  A minimally invasive cosmetic procedure is basically one that can be performed under local aesthetic, which usually means that the patient experiences less pain and less recovery time.  You get similar results to surgery, but without the pain and expensive.

In the cosmetic industry minimally invasive procedures include the following treatments.

Botulinum toxin B also known as Botox

Botox is a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.  The serum that is injected into patients for cosmetic purposes is purified and refined into a product called toxin type B (Botox).

These injections work by temporarily improving the look of wrinkles by blocking muscular nerve signals. This weakens the muscle so that it can’t contract. This means that we no longer see unwanted facial wrinkles. 

Botox side effects are minimal and include redness, mild bruising, headache and temporary facial weakness. It can take about a week for the full results to settle in and produce the desired look.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are injectable products that can restore volume to the face, plump up the lips and soften deep wrinkles.  There are several different injectibles that are used for this purpose and they are either temporary or semi-permanent.    Typical dermal fillers used are human fat, collagen, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapate and polylactic acid.  These last anywhere from two months to two years, depending on your choice of filler and the nature of the aging issue that the treatment is intending to resolve.  A

Polymethylmethacrulate consists of synthetic microspheres suspended in 80% purified collagen gel. The results of this type of procedure last up to ten years.

Nutritional Support for Minimally Invasive Procedures

Minimally invasive cosmetic procedures can help reduce your age but the effects will last a bit longer if you are careful about what you eat and make some changes to your lifestyle.

First of all it help to adhere to a low glycemic diet and take supplements such as chromium, panax ginseng and silymarin to help reduce what is called the process of glycation.  Glycation accelerates aging and even problems with the nervous system by bonding sugars and proteins together in a way that damages cells. The result is that the skin breaks down or restructures itself in a less than attractive way. Lifestyle changes can go a long ways towards preserving the work you have done as well as preventing you from having to have further injections. 

If you are interested in getting temporary or semi-permanent fillers or advice about an anti-aging diet andregimen, feel free to contact us. For more information or to book a consultation about anti-aging, diet and weight loss programs or any health issue you may be experiencing, visit the Pinewood Natural Health Clinic website that has a list of full services and products at www.pinewood.ca or call our Toronto Office at  (416)-656- 8100.  We also have an office in Pickering, Ontario at (905)-427-0057. You can also email us at info@pinewoodhealth.ca and we would be happy to answer any question that you have about our holistic health services.