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Acne Scarring Treatments – Surgical and Non Surgical

Acne scars can often leave a person feeling self-conscious and unattractive, inhibiting their behaviour and self-expression in many ways, but with the number of surgical and cosmetic treatments available, it’s possible to feel beautiful and self-confident again.

The best type of treatment depends on the types of scars and the available cosmetologists in your area.

Essentially, there are three distinct types of treatment.

The first type of treatment for acne scars is resurfacing both the scars and the surrounding skin. Using procedures like chemical peel treatments, an exoderm lift, laser resurfacing, and cry slush superficial acne scars can be abraded.

A chemical peel treats shallow scars by using chemicals like resorcinol, tretinoin, lactic acid, salicylic acid, phenol, tricholacetic acid, and glycolic acid to peel away the old skin. Depending on the extent of acne scarring, the chemical peels may be mild, moderate, or deep. With the old skin removed, new skin, free of acne scars, can grow in its place.

An exoderm lift has to be done by a reputable cosmetologist otherwise it can result in permanently scarring the face. Alternatively, if performed expertly, it can create a dramatic change, removing hypertropic and deep acne scars. Unlike a chemical peel, which uses only a single chemical, this procedure uses a precise combination of 12 different chemicals and oils.

Laser resurfacing treats superficial and moderately deep acne scars by resurfacing and augmenting skin tissue through laser ablation and fractional laser.

Finally, cryoslush, also known as cryo-peeling, uses carbon dioxide to peel away scar tissue.

The second type of treatment for acne scars is filling in the depressions created by the scar. By smoothing over the sides of the skin that create the depression, scars are less noticeable. Injected dermal fillers can raise the scar to the surface of the skin, thus removing the depression in the skin.
And the of third type of treatment for acne scars is using surgery to correct the scars using procedures like dermabrasion, needle subcision, and acne scar revision.

Dermaabrasion can be used for shallow to deep scars, as well as hypertropic ones. The skin is abraded using a high speed rotating brush with either an aluminium oxide crystal or a diamond tip.

Needle subcision works on each scar separately, cutting off the fibrous tissue beneath depressed scars and bringing them up to the surface.

Finally acne scar revision works on each scar individually using the best treatment for that scar like graft or excision or subcision.

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The Effects of Overnight Wrinkle Reducers

The effects of overnight wrinkle reducers often vanish just as quickly as they appear. It seems that instant results and lasting results do not always go hand in hand. However, reports from the 2009 American Society of Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) meeting show impressive results by a new and exciting dermal filler called AquamidR. There is potential that this product may be more effective than the current treatments on the market for treating facial wrinkles known as nasolabial folds.

The active ingredient in AquamidR is 2.5% polyacrylamide hydrogel. This injectable filler is currently being investigated to determine the drug’s lasting effects. So far, tests have shown that patients have tolerated the drug as well as hyaluronic acid, a popular and commonly-used treatment.

Even more importantly, however, is the fact that it was as effective as its competition after six months. Polyacrylamide hydrogel is non-biodegradable and stays in place when injected, so scientists are predicting that the effectiveness will continue beyond even the study period. Also, because the drug will not be reabsorbed into the body, patients do not require periodic re-injections like with other treatments. This saves patients time and money while preventing side effects like bruising and pain when injected.

The study performed to compare the effectiveness of the two drugs uses an objective measuring system called the Wrinkle Assessment Scale. This scale is widely accepted among medical professionals. Among patients injected with polyacrylamide hydrogel, the average improvement was 1.8 points on the Wrinkle Assessment Scale in six months. This is compared to 2.0 points with the conventional hyaluronic acid method, but both treatments were beyond the 0.5-point cut-off needed to declare the drugs as clinically relevant and statistically significant. Twelve months later, there was an average 1.7-point improvement in both treatment groups.

Developers of the drug caution against too much excitement just yet; there is still more time needed to do longer follow-ups on patients to ensure the long-term safety of the treatment. Five-year data collected in Europe currently supports the safety of polyacrylamide hydrogel. But if you are one of the many people looking for non-surgical solution to facial wrinkles, keep looking toward this new developing treatment option.

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Treating Frown Lines and Facial Wrinkles

Frown lines around your mouth or forehead can make you look tired and older than your age. However, there are methods for preventing and eliminating these wrinkles.

Skin maintains its elasticity with the natural substances of collagen and elastin. However, your body produces less of these chemicals with age and your skin has a harder time staying taut and bouncing back when stretched. Think of a worn-out rubber band that is too stretched to return to its original size. The aging process is made worse by factors like sun exposure and smoking. With years of repetitive movements like frowning, laughing, and squinting, frown lines form.

To prevent frown lines, protect your skin from the sun. Wear large sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. Make sure to reapply sunblock often. Wrinkle creams are good for both treatment and prevention since they nourish your cells and help replenish your depleting collagen. Look for lotions and creams that contain retinol or vitamin A, vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid to moisturize. Alpha and beta hydroxy acids can also help to remove or exfoliate dead skin cells and reveal more youthful skin underneath. For an effective and relaxing solution, facial massages may actually help prevent frown lines. A massage stimulates blood flow to the area, and exfoliation reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. If you’re concerned about wrinkles on your entire body, use oils like coconut or almond oil to keep skin soft and well-hydrated.

Diet can also be a factor that affects the health of your skin. Foods that contain antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids are known to affect the firmness of your skin. Instead of processed foods, go with fruits and vegetables and drink ample water.

Once you have the wrinkles, though, it is difficult to reverse the curse. One of the most popular treatment options for frown lines is the use of Botox. Botox injection can almost immediately reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and it lasts for months. Similar treatments include fillers like hyaluronic acid, collagen and calcium hydroxylapatite. Surgical brow or forehead lifts are more expensive, but they last for years. Less extreme treatment options include non-surgical procedures like chemical peels, dermabrasion, and laser skin resurfacing.

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Use Juvederm to Cut Down the Signs of Aging

If you have tried more wrinkle cream and treatments than you have wrinkles on your face, it is easy to get frustrated with a lack of results. Some creams are gentle on your skin but show no real results. Other treatments are so abrasive and have so many bad side effects that it is not even worth the risk. But before you give up hope, consider trying a proven product used by dermatologists worldwide: Juvederm. Juvederm gives you younger looking skin instantly and lasts for up to a year, but it is still gentle and safe. Other products claim results, but Juverderm’s clients show them.

Juvederm is an injectable clear, water-based gel containing hyaluronic acid, a type of chemical found naturally in the body. There are no animal components involved in the manufacturing of the drug, so you do not need to worry about allergies. Juvederm increases the elasticity and smoothness of your skin while revitalizing the skin’s cells. It is a natural product that will not give you a “plastic surgery” look!

Using a very fine needle, the gel is injected into the mid to deep dermis layer of your facial tissue to add volume. The injection is performed slowly and only requires a small amount of the product, and then the skin is massage to distribute the gel evenly. In total, the procedure takes around 15 minutes, and you can see instant results.

Juvederm is an FDA-approved drug with a low risk of side effects (less than 1% of people tested showed side effects). You may experience slight redness, pain, itching, or swelling at the injection site. In addition to your face, you can use this product as a filler for wrinkles around your cheeks, forehead, hands, and mouth. The drug is easily available online or through an extensive network of professional providers.

The Juvederm results last up to a year, and the process can be repeated. Why spend money and time on facelifts or microdermabrasion therapies when they can cause you risk and discomfort? Fill out your wrinkles and go back in time to a younger you!

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Women Increasingly Using Collagen Dermal Fillers on Feet

Plastic surgery usually makes people think about some of the more obvious and traditional procedures, including breast implants, face lifts,Collagen Dermal Fillers liposuction, and Botox injections. But you may be surprised to hear that, lately, women have been focusing on plastic surgery on another area of their bodies: their feet. But it is not all about appearance this time. More and more plastic surgeons are implanting collagen dermal fillers into the balls of women’s feet to help make the pain of wearing high heels just a little more bearable.

Women who are into wearing trendy stiletto heels are often burdened with the less-trendy foot pain that they cause. High heel shoes transfer weight into the toes and balls of the feet, focusing constant pressure on a part of the foot with a relatively small surface area. Over time, the fat in the balls of the feet deteriorates, and when this is combined with ageing, shoes can become quite uncomfortable and even painful.

The procedure required to implant dermal fillers is relatively cheap and painless, and you can recover quickly. The collagen contained in the implants is a natural protein found in skin tissue, so it breaks down over time and dissolves in the body naturally. That means, however, that the procedure must be repeated about every two to three months. Some women have chosen to undergo the procedure only every so often as needed. Cosmetic surgery clinics have seen a spike of interest in the procedure around the holiday season in particular, presumably due to holiday parties and more time spent in high-heeled shoes.

In 2009, sales in foot implants in the UK jumped five times the prior rate, and the number is expected to grow as the economy improves. Even celebrities are getting in on the trend. Last November, Victoria Beckham mentioned that she, too, was considering having work done on her feet to remove bunions formed from years of wearing heels. It was also said that she expressed interest in dermal fillers.

The trend in high heeled shoes does not seem to being changing anytime soon, and designers continue to challenge their clients with taller and more extreme footwear. Plastic surgery may seem to be an extreme decision, but if you’re on your feet often in heels, it could be a cheap and simple option to prevent more permanent damage!

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Dermal Fillers: A Valid Option For Jagged Acne Scars

Jagged acne scars are something that many people have to deal with. In cases where people have an outbreak of acne, it is almost certain to leave a small scar or two. There are three basic option that can help people deal with these jagged scars, which are basic cover-up cosmetics, laser surgery or a dermal filler.

You don’t need to be a special effects artist to be able to find the right products and apply them well enough to cover up any scars you want to hide. What has been commonly known as “camouflage cosmetics” are easy to apply and are especially helpful in covering up pigmented scars. They come in all sorts of color bases so you can find just the right one that will work for you.

There are alternatives for men and women in the cosmetic field, and another consideration that many people are now looking into is laser surgery. This is now a very simple procedure in which a laser can be used to remove the scar. There is usually a very short recovery period after the surgery, and it is also a painless surgery.

While the use of cosmetics and laser surgery are options, dermal fillers may present a more affordable option. Laser surgery is not cheap and may or may not be covered by some type of insurance. The use of cover-up cosmetics also work, but depending on how often you have to use them can also start to become very expensive. Dermal fillers may be worth the investment as a cheaper, long term option.

Dermal fillers come in the form of an injection. You will need to consult your physician before deciding you want to have this procedure done so you can decide on which injection will be right for you. There are basically three types of dermal fillers, which are silicon-based injections, hyaluronic acid, and calcium based dermal fillers. The cost for this procedure can be anywhere from around 200 pounds to about 1350 pounds depending on the treatment area. This is less than the cost of laser surgery and can be less than you will spend on camouflage cosmetics over the long haul.

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Achieving Fuller Lips Without the Guilt

The first 20th century attempt to give women fuller lips using injects involved paraffin. It wasn’t a success but it paved the way for other filler substances to make lips fuller and improve the self-esteem of women who weren’t given the full lips associated with youth and beauty. Today the science of lip enhancement includes dozens of fillers that help women every year.

Natural Substances

Fat injections- Fat injections are a temporary procedure that involves removing fat from one area of a woman’s body and injecting it into the lips. This procedure involves no chance of allergic reaction.

Autologen injections – The results last a long time and there is no risk of allergic reaction. Collagen is removed from the skin.

Collagen injections – This substance is used to produce temporary augmentation of the lips. There is some chance of allergic reaction. The collagen is taken from cow skin and used for the lip augmentation. Tiny needs are used to inject the substance. The effects of collagen last from 1 to 3 months.

Transplant Lip Injection

Dermalogen injections – A cadaver is used in this procedure. After it has been screened for disease, it is removed from the dead body and used to temporarily enhance the lips of a patient.

HylaForm injections – This filler comes from the same source as Dermalogen: A human cadaver.

Fascia injections – This white connective tissue can be surgically implanted or injected. It comes from a cadaver.

Synthetic Lip Injection

Restylane injections – This is a clear gel.

Artecoll injections – Made up of synthetic beads. A longer lasting technique than many others.

These many fillers help women around the world achieve the kind of lip appearance they desire. Some of the substances cause allergic reactions, so patients are tested before they undergo any procedures. A doctor will usually review medical history and allergies before performing any lip augmentation procedure.

Lip augmentation is common in 21st century society. New techniques continue to be researched and introduced to cosmetic surgeons on a regular basis. Women enjoy the new look it gives them and feel more confident after the procedures. Some would say that lip injections are simply a form of advanced make-up that women undergo to look as beautiful and young as they possibly can. This attitude helps women who believe these procedures are okay, and not excessive, be comfortable and beautiful at the same time. The end result is almost always a happier woman.

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Temporary Dermal Fillers

As a person ages, the skin of the cheeks and lower portion of the face loses it’s elasticity. Wrinkles begin to form, and the lips lose their volume. Lips and skin can regain that volume by injecting dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are components that are injected directly into the skin to address these ageing issues. There are several types of dermal fillers. Some are comprised of human or animal tissue, while others are made of a synthetic material. Dermal fillers can either be temporary, permanent, or semi-permanent.

Depending on the situation, one dermal filler might be better than another. Temporary hyaluronic acid fillers are the most popular variety of dermal fillers. This type has been proven to be safe and efficient. The skin naturally contains hyaluronic acid, but in a matter of days it’s broken down by the body and is replaced. Temporary hyaluronic acid fillers are made so these particular molecules are better balanced in order to slow down the rate that they break down. The results of using a temporary hyaluronic acid filler can last anywhere from a couple of months to up to two years, depending on how the filler is applied. There’s no need to worry about improper placement of the product or lumpiness. A component called hyaluronidase is able to dissolve the temporary hyaluronic acid filler.

In Australia, a few brands of this type of dermal filler are Restylane, Jevederm, and Esthelis. These products come in various sized syringes. While some products merge with surrounding tissue when they’re injected, others will stay exactly where they’re placed. Because of this, certain products will work better on one spot of the face than they will on another spot.

The product Esthelis, for example, is soft and is able to be injected near the surface of the skin to clear up superficial wrinkles. Products that are thicker can cause over-correction or lumpiness. A thicker product like Jevederm Ultra Plus is useful in treating nasolabial lines as well as the marionette area of the face. Cheek augmentations can be achieved through using Juvederm Voluma, which is an even thicker substance than Juvederm Ultra Plus. Products that are thicker have a tendency to last longer than those that aren’t as thick.

As a person ages, it’s normal to change dermal filler products to best suit the needs of the patient. It’s always best to consult a doctor before using any type of filler product.

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Botox and Derma Wrinkle fillers

As a person gets older, wrinkles, age marks, and other skin blemishes become prevalent. Older scars obtained in a person’s younger years become more noticeable, such as acne scars. Volume loss in the skin, photo damage, and hyperactive muscles are other common sources of wrinkles and age lines. Women aren’t the only people looking for a way to get their younger appearance back Men are also interested in looking and feeling younger. More and more men are looking into dermal wrinkle fillers and Botox injections to get their skin looking young and fresh as it once was.

As a person ages, the natural moisture in the skin and the rate that cells renew themselves slows down. This results in skin that is dry and scaly. Wrinkles can occur when emotions reach their extremes. Emotions such as anger can cause wrinkles and furrows over time. This is due to a certain expression being held for a long time, for instance an angry scowl or frown. The muscles between the eyebrows contract during certain emotional states, and can cause furrows and creases that get deeper over time.

Botox, otherwise known as botulinum toxin A, was approved by the FDA in 2002 as a treatment for wrinkles and frown lines. This cosmetic treatment is comprised of purified protein that diminishes a certain muscle’s ability to contract. The Botox is injected directly into the muscle and prevents over-activity of that particular muscle. When first injected, the Botox relaxes the muscle temporarily, cutting off the formation of wrinkles. The skin over the muscle relaxes and softens, lessening the look of wrinkles.

Another option for younger and smoother looking skin are dermal wrinkle fillers. Dermal wrinkle fillers are injected into the deep lines of the face, such as smile lines, “crows feet” beside the eyes, and other areas where wrinkles form. Dermal wrinkle fillers can restore volume to hollow skin or an area of the face that has lost natural fat. Collagen, for example, can be injected into the lips to give them a plumper and fuller look.

Cosmetic fillers can be injected to worry lines in the forehead, and hollow areas in the cheeks or under the eyes to bring back some of the volume that was lost. Skin cosmetic fillers restore the facial skin so they look fresh and young again. Many FDA approved dermal fillers are available on the market these days to treat a man’s wrinkles and age lines.

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Sculptra Long Lasting

The popularity of facial fillers has been growing exponentially in recent times. To combat wrinkles and loss of facial fat, patients turn to facial filler injections that have little to no recovery time. Sculptra is touted by aesthetic patients and physicians as being the “longest lasting facial filler”.

Sculptra is a dermal facial filler that can be injected directly into the skin of the face to rejuvenate the skin, that leaves it looking younger and healthier. Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) was approved by the FDA in 2004 and is the main component in Sculptra. This component is a synthetic biodegradable polymer that has been proven to be safe and effective in surgeries for 20 years.

Sculptra was approved by the FDA in 2009, and is considered to be a biostimulator, unlike other types of facial fillers. Sculptra not only stimulates the skin tissue, but rebuilds it when it starts to degrade. Other facial fillers plump up the tissue temporarily using an absorbent filler material. The PLLA activates an immune response when Sculptra is injected in the facial skin that causes the white blood cells to gradually absorb the PLLA particles. This particular process leads to collagen and fibrosis buildup at the site where Sculptra has been injected. This formation of new collagen is a slow acting process, therefore it may take up to four to six weeks to notice visible results.

The slow process of forming new collagen is what causes Sculptra to have longer lasting effects than other fillers. Other types of fillers cause temporary but immediate results, that plump up the skin to eliminate wrinkles. Eventually the effects dissipate and the injections have to be redone. Sculptra, on the other hand, is considered to be a “tissue volumizer” that fortifies areas of the face where the skin has lost fat.

Patients that use Sculptra see varying results with the product, however results can be expected to last from one to two years. There have even been instances where the results have lasted for up to three years. The long lasting effects of Sculptra is due to the safe absorbency of the poly-L-lactic acid formula, the ability to stimulate skin tissues that have degraded, and the gradual buildup of fresh collagen around weak tissues.

After getting a Sculptra injection, the patient should take extra care of their skin, by avoiding the sun as much as possible, and keeping the skin clean and well moisturized.

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