Looking younger can be reality
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few years, you are certainly aware of the multiple reality television shows, especially the various versions of ‘The Real Housewives of…’ airing on the Bravo channel.
The majority of the women on these shows live a life of luxury showered with wealth, pampering, and of course, plenty of drama. There is certainly entertainment value in the clothing, jewelry, and make-up that these women don; however, the highest level of entertainment is in studying the faces of these women who often look like wax figures from a museum.
Often times, I hear critics state that these women are the faces of the popular botulism toxin, Botox, or it’s competitors whose names are less recognizable, Dysport and Xeomin. Other critics believe the faces of the Real Housewives are overfilled with facial fillers such as, Juvederm, Restylane, or Radiesse.
In the time that I’ve been performing Botox and filler, I’ve never had a patient walk out of the office looking like a “Real Housewife.” Although it may be possible to achieve their look with Botox or filler, most clients who seek out these products prefer a natural, refreshed, and younger appearance.
In 2002, a purified form of the bacterium, clostridium botulinum, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used for cosmetic purposes. Since then, over 11 million people have used Botox.
Botox works by relaxing the facial muscles that create your facial lines. Its effects last approximately 3-6 months. Botox is specific to the muscle that it is injected in and is very safe when used appropriately.
For example, the average woman needs about 20-30 units in the muscles that produce the lines between your eyebrows.
However, when Botox is used to treat migraine headaches, the recommendations are to use 155 units. When too much Botox is injected into a specific muscle, there is a potential for problems.
As a perspective consumer, it is important to know that the individual who is injecting your Botox has the proper licensing required to perform this medical procedure. One should also verify that the individual is receiving their products from the official manufacturers for Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin. Those manufacturers are Allergan, Medicis, or Merz, respectively.
It is wise to choose an injector who has updated training with Botox and filler. The world of aesthetics is constantly changing and staying current on new techniques and updated recommendations are important for all providers and their patients in achieving optimum results.
Facial fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring element in our skin that gives our face a plump appearance. Fillers are used to add volume to our face. As we age, it’s not uncommon to lose skin texture, collagen, and volume in our face. One can see these signs of aging when we begin to develop the parentheses around our mouth. Fillers work beautifully to fill in these deficits and can give an individual a very youthful appearance. Most people find they’ve actually reversed the hands of time by several years after these procedures.
So, the next time that you are watching the Real Housewives, don’t assume these women are the faces of Botox or filler. Remember, 11 million people have used these products. They are likely your neighbors, colleagues, or maybe even your spouse. See, everyone wants to look good, but most of us do not share ALL of our secrets.
Holly Boyd received her Bachelors in Nursing in 2004 from the University of Florida and a Masters in Nursing in 2007 from the University of South Florida. Holly has a background in aesthetics and family practice. She is currently employed at the Black Swan Spa. She can be reached at (352) 666-1300.
