FROTOX = FROZEN + Botox ®
October 2nd, 2013
A new procedure being tested in the UK may give Botox ® some stiff competition. The procedure uses patented Focused Cold Therapy by Iovera, which lends itself to the nickname Fro-tox, is developed and designed by Myoscience, a Silicon Valley medical tech company. The new technique uses pressurized liquid nitrous oxide that travels at very high speeds down a fine 27G closed-end needle. Precise placement is aimed at making the nerves controlling wrinkles to become paralyzed. There is a degree of uncertainty with this procedure, because success depends on hitting the right nerves to achieve the desired result. It is not approved by the FDA in the US and while Botox ® has been around for more than 30 years and has a proven track record, the recent scientific innovations in the realm of anti-aging treatments is promising.
Last month, the FDA granted additional approval to Botox ® to be used for the temporary treatment of wrinkles around the eyes. Treatments last from 4-6 months and must be repeated for results to be ongoing. Currently, the only permanent remedy for wrinkle reduction and facial rejuvenation are fat graft injections. This procedure utilizes a patient’s own liposuctioned fat cells, that are injected into wrinkles to minimize them. This technique is similar to using injectable fillers, without the artificial compounds. I have found that my patients appreciate a having a natural option when addressing facial aging. The added benefit of the regenerative properties of fat grating methods makes it a desirable choice for my patients.
Sport Bottles Linked to Lip Wrinkles
September 5th, 2013
For years, the lip wrinkles around the lips were referred to as “smokers lines,†and smoking was indeed a major cause of premature lip wrinkles. Over exposure to the sun is also a well-known factor contributing to facial aging. But today another surprising potential cause of facial lip lines was identified: sport water bottles. In a recent article published by The Inquisitr, it was reported that habitual drinking from water bottles contribute to premature wrinkles. Anytime you have repetitive motions, such as pursing your lips to smoke, wrinkles may become more pronounced. Drinking out of the popular sport-top closure water bottles causes the drinker to purse their lips repeatedly. While staying hydrated during physical activity and exercise is really important, the repetitive motion has the potential for creating lip wrinkles as perhaps an unwelcome side effect.
According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), more than a million patients turned to artificial filler injectables to erase facial wrinkles. The use of fillers is ranked second only to Botox ® for all non-surgical cosmetic procedures performed in 2012. Fillers represent a 20% uptick in patients having synthetic injectables.
Let’s talk about possible solutions to minimize lip wrinkles. Perhaps the easiest way to avoid premature lip wrinkles from water bottles is to choose an alternative water spout or bottle design that doesn’t require pursing your lips to get a drink. Secondly, artificial fillers offer a temporary fix to minimize wrinkles. However, I am recommending that my patients consider fat grafting injections. In the past several years, amazing results have made headlines in the regenerative medicine application for cosmetic plastic surgery. During a recent scientific congress that I attended in Berlin, The International Society of Plastic Regenerative Surgery presented an overwhelming demonstration of the effectiveness of adipose stromal cells (fat) in the fat grafting procedures.
Natural fat graft transfer is changing the practice of cosmetic medicine. Simply stated, your own fat is liposuctioned from one area and then skillfully injected and sculpted into another area. Autologous fat grafting or lipo-fat grafting offers a natural and permanent solution for a host of problems, including lip wrinkles. Patient benefits for this new technique include having the procedure clinic-based, using your own natural fat cells and having a relatively quick recovery period. It is an exciting new option for patients to consider. I find that my patients appreciate having a natural alternative and especially enjoy the option of having a little liposuction help to contribute to looking younger.
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