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. 

Things to Consider Before You Get Botox Injections

Botox is the “go to” quick fix for wrinkles and other aging issues for millions of women in North America, however that is most likely because this is the most advertised and talked about anti-aging injection that is cheap and widely available. Botox is revered for its ability to fix laugh lines, crow’s feet, worry line and frown lines. However there are many other more natural looking and naturally made safe dermal fillers that are available to women nowadays that do not involve the use of a paralyzing toxin such as hyaluronic acid injections and platelet-rich plasma therapy.

Botox is, as the name implies, made from a parayzant made from the botulism toxin. The Botox is injected beneath the muscles of the skin to paralyze them so that they feel more relaxed. This lack of ability to move your muscles makes some individuals look more youthful.

Not All Botox is Created Equal

The Botox Logo

If you are going to get Botox injections makes sure that you get them from an experienced licensed professional and make sure that the Botox that is being offered by the cosmetic clinic is legal.  Since the nineties, Botox serum has been a hot commodity on the black market.  This is because it was being used to treat wrinkles and aging issues for years before it was approved by the FDA. The lack of federal regulation has led to some lax practices such as injecting Botox diluted with saline so that the injections could be shot for a lot cheaper.  Most Botox injections are in the range of $300 per session.  Botox that is $100 or less might be diluted in some way to make it affordable.

You also want to avoid buying “bargain Botox” because there can be complications that can be quite hard to fix.  Diluted Botox is known for migrating into other areas of the face and causing issues such as drooping eyelids, asymmetry, endless tearing, drooling, troubled speech and double vision.

Who Should Not Get Botox?

If you are pregnant or breast feeding then it is best for you to avoid Botox and its risks altogether. This is because Botox is a toxin that has the potential to quickly migrate to another part of the body, including the womb where your baby is growing.  Do not let a cosmetician tell you that getting Botox is okay while you are nursing.  Some physicians may tell you that it is alright to breast feed again two days after the shot but this is not a claim with any scientific back up.

Drawbacks of Botox Injections

One of the drawbacks of using Botox is that it cannot be used to fix up fine lines around the upper lip or the lower frown lines around the chin.  This is because Botox injections can freeze the face for up to six months.  Any practitioner that tells you that they can fix wrinkles above the upper lip with Botox is putting your well-being and ability to talk without drooling at risk!

You should also be advised that some people are allergic to Botox. If you are allergic to lidocaine you might be allergic to Botox too.

If you want to consult with a naturopathic doctor about the many other safer, natural options for filling facial lines and making yourself look younger, feel free to contact us at the Pinewood Health Center.  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.