Who Should Not Use Botox

Botox is considered one of the most popular and effective ways to get rid of most wrinkles. Aside from its ability to smoothen out wrinkles, botox injections may also be used to treat conditions like neck spasms, hyperhidrosis, and lazy eye. Like other medications however, there are certain people who should not undergo this treatment. 

Who are the people who shouldn’t be using Botox, then? Among those who should not be using Botox are pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with neuromuscular disorders, and people with neurological diseases. If you are considering getting Botox injections, it’s important to learn first about the possible risks and effects it may have on your body. 

Is Botox Safe? 

Botox is created from Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium present in natural settings such as soil, lakes, and forests. This bacteria produces a substance from botulinum toxin, from which Botox is derived. This is the neurotoxin responsible for botulism, a rare illness which attacks the body’s nerves and severely weakens the muscles that control the body.

Botox manufacturers use a very small amount of botulinum toxin to produce the Botox cosmetic, which can temporarily paralyze the muscles without the botulinum toxin’s lethal effects. Botox injections prevent nerves from releasing acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that controls muscle contractions. When the acetylcholine is “switched off”, the muscles can relax.

This is why Botox is perfectly safe and can be used to smooth out wrinkles, frown lines, and forehead creases from a period of 3-12 months. 

What are the Other Uses of Botox? 

Aside from taking care of facial wrinkles, Botox is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for conditions such as: eye twitching, eyelid spasms, cervical dystonia, muscle contractures and excessive sweating (or hyperhidrosis). Other studies have also found that it can be used to treat chronic migraines and bladder dysfunctions. 

Who Shouldn’t Use Botox? 

While the Botox cosmetic is safe for general use and can be used to address a variety of disorders, some people may be put at risk by taking Botox injections. 

1) Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women

Because of ethical considerations, few studies have been done on the effects of Botox on pregnant women, due to health risks for the unborn child. Although there are no conclusive answers against its use, experts are firm to uphold a general rule: Avoid medical interventions during pregnancy if the life of the mother or the unborn child are not at risk.

Since Botox is a small dose of a toxin, doctors are especially against injecting pregnant and breastfeeding women with it. Much like how pregnant women are advised to avoid smoking and drinking during pregnancy, cosmetic injections such as Botox are also discouraged. In fact, animal studies performed on mice resulted in some fetal abnormalities. This is why a clinical trial cannot be done for actual people.

The best time to get a Botox cosmetic treatment after pregnancy is once the breastfeeding stops, and when the pregnancy hormones have settled down. The good news for expectant mothers is that pregnancy naturally lends a glow to the skin, so there’s not much need to take additional measures for it. 

2) People With Neuromuscular Disorders 

People with neuromuscular disorders like ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Lambert-Eaton syndrome or myasthenia gravis should avoid using Botox for cosmetic reasons as well.

Doctors and specialists are wary of injecting patients who have pre-existing muscle weakness with Botox, since the drug may aggravate their condition. Patients who were exposed to low doses of the substance have reported experiencing severe respiratory issues such as difficulty breathing, and dysphagia or difficulty swallowing. People with breathing conditions such as asthma or emphysema are also cautioned against using Botox for similar reasons. 

3) People Who are Allergic to Botox

Allergic reactions to the Botox cosmetic are extremely rare, but they are not unheard of. Patients who found themselves to be hypersensitive to the drug reacted with hives, itching, wheezing, swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and feeling faint. While there are no allergy tests for it, it’s best to call your doctor prior to taking Botox injections. 

Aside from allergic reactions, Botox may also trigger side effects and complications like: 

• Pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site
• Headache or flu-like symptoms
• Droopy eyelids
• Crooked smiles
• Drooling
• Eye dryness or excessive tearing
• Upset stomach
• Numbness
• Malaise 

Alternatives to Botox

Botox may be safe to use, but it’s not always for everyone. Some people have conditions or allergies that prevent them from getting the Botox cosmetic, while others may find it difficult to pay hundreds of dollars to erase their wrinkles. Others would also opt for a more natural treatment to steer clear of side effects.

Thankfully, there are a number of acceptable alternatives to Botox that patients can consider. These include: acupuncture, chemical peels, and laser treatment: 

• Acupuncture: With the use of fine needles, a doctor can harness the blood circulation and oxygen supply to repair the skin and encourage the production of stronger collagen and elastic fibres. This reduces the fine lines in the skin and produces a healthier overall complexion. 
• Chemical peels: Chemical peels are better known as a treatment for acne, but it’s also effective in reducing signs of aging in skin. By applying chemical solutions to the skin (glycolic acid being the most popular), the skin will blister and peel off, leaving a younger and brighter appearance. 
• Laser treatments: Compared to Botox, laser treatments are quicker and less painful. By tracing a pixelated pattern on the skin, the laser creates microscopic wounds that stimulate collagen production in the skin. 

Consult With Ethos Spa

Before trying out Botox, make sure it’s the right treatment for you. Call your doctor or book a free consultation with us at Ethos Spa. Our team of board certified cosmetic medicine doctors provide personalized aesthetic treatments for all our clients, and our state of the art services ensure long-lasting and beautiful results.

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How Can You Make Botox Last Longer?

Long lasting, high-quality cosmetic procedures may come at a steep price, but they are still a worthwhile self-investment that can help you regain your confidence and feel good about yourself. Botox is one such procedure, and it is widely used around the world to smoothen wrinkles and tighten the skin. However, the effects of Botox typically do not last longer than a year. 

So how can you make the effects of Botox last longer? With a combination of skin care, sun protection, proper diet and exercise, and maintenance treatments, you can maximize the lifetime of your Botox treatment and get the most out of your investment. 

Why Botox Is Temporary

Botox is derived from Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that produces a neurotoxin called botulinum toxin. This neurotoxin is responsible for botulism, a rare illness which attacks the body’s nerves and severely weakens the muscles that control the body. Botox is created using a very small amount of this neurotoxin diluted in saline, so it can temporarily paralyze muscles without the lethal effects of pure botulinum toxin. 

Botox helps facial muscles relax by preventing the nerves from releasing acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that controls muscle contractions. When the Botox latches itself onto nerve endings, it disrupts the synaptic pathway between the nerves and the muscles. This disruption is not permanent, as old nerve endings get replaced and the new nerves can stimulate the muscles to move again. 

By softening lines and preventing dynamic wrinkles (wrinkles caused by muscle movement and facial expressions), Botox treatments can help reverse signs of aging. Aside from the temporary nature of the Botox cosmetic, the everyday wear-and-tear experienced by the body also contributes to how quickly the Botox’s effects wear off. This does not mean that you cannot make the effects of Botox last longer though. 

How Long Does Botox Last?

While the results of Botox injections are visible 7-8 days after the treatment, the duration which Botox results last varies. Some patients notice these results wearing off after 3-4 months, while others’ Botox results last longer, up until at least six months. Still, some patients can extend their results up to a year until they need to schedule an appointment for their next Botox injection session. 

Making Your Botox Last

The initial step to make the results of your Botox treatment last longer is to have your injections done by a highly experienced and certified medical aesthetic practitioner, who will ensure that the appropriate Botox dosage is administered. An expert plastic surgeon can also find the correct placement in the facial muscles for the Botox injections to take maximum effect. 

Most of the difference in maximizing the lifetime of your Botox last depends on your day-to-day skin care routine, diet, exercise stress levels and other habits. 

1) Proper Skin Care Routine

Extend the youthful effects of Botox on your skin by establishing a hydrating skin care regimen and committing to do it regularly. This means moisturizing your face and keeping yourself well-hydrated to keep your skin plump and firm. Products with plenty of glycerin can be used to boost the skin’s hydration as well. 

Protecting your skin from sun damage is another major component of facial care that is underrated. Sun damage can increase premature wrinkles in the face. Frequently squinting up at the sun may also cause dynamic wrinkles to emerge between the brows and around the eyes. 

It has also been observed that the sun’s UV rays can reverse the benefits of injectable treatments like Botox, so it’s important to avoid going outdoors during peak UV hours. 

Sun exposure is known to increase the enzyme collagenase, which breaks down collagen faster. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and it provides the structure for the skin and helps blood clot. As the “glue” that holds the body together, it is the major building block for the bones, muscles, and tendons. 

Collagen production in human bodies decreases with age, which accounts for the wrinkles and dry skin as people grow older. Smoking cigarettes is another habit related to collagen loss. Aside from aging the skin prematurely, experts suspect that smoking also reduces the efficacy of Botox treatments.

2) Healthy Diet 

To help maintain the efficacy of Botox injections, doctors would also recommend going on a healthy diet. You can make Botox last longer eating antioxidant-rich plant foods, such as blueberries, kale, spinach, and beets. 

A diet filled with processed foods, packaged foods, and/or sugary foods can weigh the skin down and cause wrinkles. Foods containing dairy, salt, and caffeine also contribute to skin issues and premature aging. 

According to certain studies, Botox efficacy is affected by the levels of zinc in the body. As many individuals are slightly zinc deficient, taking zinc supplements may help prolong the Botox’s effects. Aside from incorporating multivitamins in your diet, topical vitamin A derivatives like retinol and retinoids can promote collagen production in the epidermis, which can help address those fine lines.

3) Regular Exercise

Maintaining a steady weight will also help your Botox treatment go a long way, as extreme weight loss will reduce the effect and longevity of the injections. Though exercise is encouraged to keep you happy and healthy, some Botox users who are physically active find that the results of their treatment tend to wear out faster. 

Exercising increases the blood flow through the muscles and diffuses the Botox, which is why you are not allowed to exercise 24 hours after receiving Botox injections. You can make the Botox last longer by contracting the muscles an hour after treatment, which allows the Botox to flow into the muscles and have a longer effect.

If you have just received Botox injections, it is important to not overdo any physical exercise afterwards. It will also help if you avoid scrunching your face when working out, as this will cause the face to crease. 

4) Managed Stress Levels

Plenty of rest can also work wonders in prolonging Botox results. By sleeping well and stressing less, your body releases less cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone that accelerates the aging process. 

Too much stress causes an inflammatory cascade and breakdown of collagen, fillers, and Botox. By reducing stress-inducers in your life and incorporating stress relief techniques such as meditation and yoga, you can help manage the unwanted lines that may creep out in the six months until your next Botox session. 

Invest in Maintenance Treatments

Although there are natural ways to make the Botox effects last longer, it is best to consult with your plastic surgeon on getting a personalized maintenance treatment program for you before the Botox wears off completely. Having regular rounds of injections into the facial muscles is useful for the Botox, since the frequency may train the targeted muscles to respond for longer periods of time. Plastic surgeons would suggest returning for another session of injections every six months. 

Doctors may also recommend combining the Botox with other treatments, like dermal fillers or microneedling. Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected beneath the epidermis to help restore its volume. Dermal fillers fill in the hollows, dents, and scars, and also helps manage dynamic wrinkles. 

Microneedling is a process that uses micro injuries to activate your body’s natural healing abilities, layering proteins like collagen and elastin to make the skin stronger and tighter. The boost in these proteins can help make Botox last.

Experience Long Lasting Botox Results 

At Ethos Spa, we can make your Botox treatment last as long as possible. We are committed to providing our patients with medspa treatments that achieve long-lasting results, and facial Botox is no exception. 

Our board certified cosmetic medicine doctors are the authorities on the most advanced techniques in Botox, dermal fillers, and other aesthetic services, so we can work with you to figure out a personalized treatment plan to help you look your best for a long time. 

Our patients are guaranteed a world-class and luxurious experience, as only the leading New Jersey medspa can provide. 

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Does Botox Give You Clear Skin?

Botox is a well-known treatment for getting rid of dynamic wrinkles. These are the lines that form around the face such as the horizontal lines across the forehead, crow’s feet around the eyes, and the “11” between the eyebrows. 

But can Botox clear your skin? While it can definitely help manage acne, most doctors would prefer to recommend something else. This article will explain how Botox injections can help clean up facial acne, and discuss other remedies for acne.

What Is Botox For?

Botox is derived from Clostridium botulinum, a bacteria that produces the substance called  botulinum toxin. This neurotoxin is diluted in saline, which creates the cosmetic toxin. When used as a beauty treatment, Botox injections temporarily paralyze muscles by preventing the nerves from releasing acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that controls muscle contraction. 

The muscles in the injected area relax, which is how people who use Botox get tighter skin, smoothed wrinkles, frown lines, and forehead creases. These effects aren’t permanent, lasting only for an average of 3-4 months. Additional injections are usually recommended by doctors and cosmetic surgeons for more consistent results. 

Does Botox Work On Acne?

Cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists would normally recommend a different route of treatment for acne, since excessive Botox use may result in the permanent paralysis of facial muscles. Paralyzed muscles lead to an uneven expression, inability to express emotion, and drooped eyebrows. 

However, Botox can still be used to prevent pimples from occurring as it reduces sweating and keeps the skin looking young and vibrant. Botox keeps the skin from getting too oily, on top of smoothing and tightening the epidermis. Under your dermatologist’s supervision, this cosmetic toxin might provide some improvements on your acne problem, given that this isn’t used as a stand-alone, long-term treatment. 

How Botox Decreases Oil Production

 When pores are blocked by oil, bacteria, dead cells, and dirt, the buildup develops into a pimple or a zit. Pores also tend to get larger as you age, since the structure of the epidermis around it sags. Larger pores lead to oilier skin, which then lead to a buildup of sebum and bacteria. Not only does this result in pimples, they may also become blackheads if the oil oxidizes. 

Since sweat releases the sebaceous oils that clog these pores, a Botox treatment can address hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. Injecting the cosmetic toxin into the face helps the muscles relax and blocks the nerve that signals the sweat glands, which inhibits  sweating functions temporarily. Once the Botox’s effects wear off and the facial nerves sprout and reconnect with the sweat glands, the sweating functions return. 

This effect has been studied by doctors, who have found that people who get Botox reduced their sebum production by around 30%. In one study conducted, patients who were injected with a single dose of Botox observed a decrease of pore size and oil production in the injected areas. 

Beyond Acne: How Botox Boosts Collagen and Elastin

On top of helping with excessive sweating, Botox treatments can also promote the production of elastin and collagen, both of which aid the facial skin’s elasticity. The presence of collagen and elastin in the epidermis is what keeps skin tight, firm, and flexible. 

Elastin and Collagen: What Do They Do?

Elastin is the protein in your epidermis that is highly elastic. It is present in connective tissues, allowing the tissues inside the body to revert to their original shape after stretching or contracting. Elastin is present in the quality of the skin that can go back to its original position after being poked or pinched.

On the other hand, collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It’s the protein that provides structure for the epidermis and helps blood clot. Collagen is thought to be the “glue” that holds the body together, and is a major building block for the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. 

As people age, the body’s elastin and collagen production declines, leaving the epidermis to sag. This decline is also attributed as a factor to getting enlarged pores, which causes acne to develop. 

How Botox Improves the Skin

One study found that Botox can promote the production of elastin and collagen in the epidermis. Dr. James Bonaparte and his colleagues examined this effect when they gave injections to 48 women with an average age of 55. The Botox increased the stretchiness and elasticity of the women’s skin, which gave them a more youthful appearance for three to four months, until the effects of the cosmetic toxin wore off. 

Although it was thought that this was caused by swelling from the injections themselves, the doctors suspect this is an intrinsic quality of the epidermis. Dr. Bonaparte believes that the cells producing elastin and collagen may contain a receptor that responds to Botox. Other doctors have also theorized that the cosmetic toxin was used as an antioxidant in the epidermis tissue, which allowed it to recover from the damage caused by waste products on the face. 

Another theory was that the temporary paralysis caused by the Botox let collagen and elastin recover from being constantly in motion, and allowed it to settle back into the face. 

Other Skin-Clearing Treatments

If you’re unsure if Botox is the right treatment for treating your acne problems, there are other ways to keep your face clear and healthy:

• Retinoid treatment: Retinoids have been an approved treatment for many skin conditions since 1971. Applying retinoids results in unclogged pores, and can even reduce the formation of acne scars. 
• Laser therapy: There are a variety of laser therapy courses available, but laser light generally helps reduce the bacteria that causes acne. Currently, results differ based on the patient and it may take several sessions before the acne clears up. 
• Chemical peels and microdermabrasion: By removing the top peel of your skin, chemical peels and microdermabrasion help remove the dead cells and sebum that clogs up the pores. This takes care of breakouts for pimples, whiteheads and blackheads.

Book Your Botox Consultation Today 

As the leader in state-of-the-art aesthetic treatments in New Jersey, Ethos Spa offers its clients the safe, effective, and long lasting solutions. The world-class doctors at Ethos Spa are highly-experienced in most medical spa treatments, and help every client get rejuvenated, youthful-looking skin. Schedule your free consultation today. 

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Can Botox In the Stomach Help You Lose Weight?

A Botox cosmetic injection can go a long way in smoothing out facial wrinkles. Aside from the lines and wrinkles that naturally come with aging, Botox is also used to treat a variety of conditions such as chronic migraines, neck spasms, hyperhidrosis, and lazy eye. 

While there are multiple non-cosmetic uses for Botox, some advertised treatments for the toxin can be a bit misleading, including the rumor that a stomach Botox injection can be used for weight loss. 

So can Botox actually be applied to the stomach to help people lose weight?  According to recent studies and medical evidence, Botox-induced weight loss isn’t as effective as other methods for fat loss, and whatever results that are produced last only temporarily. A Botox injection, however, is not the end of cosmetic weight loss treatments. Another option you may consider pursuing is body contouring. 

Botox and Weight Loss: Does It Actually Work?

For more than 10 years, studies have been conducted to observe whether or not Botox can be used to treat obesity and help people lose weight. 

Botox is a neurotoxin derived from a bacteria called Clostridium botulinum, which produces a substance called botulinum toxin. This neurotoxin can paralyze muscles by blocking the nerves from releasing acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that controls muscle contraction. The cosmetic Botox is a diluted form of the botulinum toxin, and can temporarily relax muscles when injected. 

The Science Behind Botox and Weight Loss

Previous studies focused on injecting the Botox into the stomach itself, theorizing that by relaxing the stomach, the rate of gastric emptying will slow down. Gastric emptying refers to the movement of food from the stomach to the lower intestine. 

In one experiment, varied doses of gastric Botox injections managed to delay gastric emptying in 60 patients with mild to moderate obesity. However, no significant differences were observed in their eating behaviors or satiation volume, showing a lack of convincing evidence that Botox can really help people with weight loss. 

A recent study yielded more successful results on the subject. Instead of injecting the Botox on the stomach itself, the researchers targeted the vagus nerve instead. The vagus nerve connects the brain and the stomach, and it is responsible for controlling feelings of hunger and satiety. 

Initially, this theory was tested on rats. The rats ate less and lost weight when the Botox was injected in the vagus nerve. Yet when the researchers cut the vagus nerves of the rats and injected Botox into their stomachs, the rats did not lose weight. This led the experimenters to hypothesize that the vagus nerve was the key to Botox-induced weight loss. 

A small study with 20 obese patients (with BMIs ranging from 35 to 44) was then conducted. Compared to previous studies, these patients were injected thrice over the course of 18 months. The results found that 75% of them lost an average of 28% excess body weight. 

While the success of this experiment is still being studied, it should be noted that stomach Botox injections are not completely safe. Unlike an ordinary treatment done on the face, injecting the stomach would require patients to be sedated first. An endoscope would be inserted into the mouth, then passed through the esophagus to reach the stomach. The entire procedure takes around 15 minutes. 

Is It Safe To Use Botox For Weight Loss?

The risks involved with this kind of treatment include anesthetic reaction, organ perforation, and bleeding. Paralyzing the stomach muscles and vagus nerve may also lead to bloating, vomiting, digestive problems, breathing issues. However, no patients in any of these weight loss studies have suffered these risks yet. 

Despite this, plastic surgeons still don’t recommend Botox as a  treatment for weight loss because its effects on the stomach are temporary. Using Botox to block the feedback between the stomach and the brain may last between four to six months at best. This was also the case in most studies: after a few months, patients would regain the lost weight, increase their body weight, or had minimal total body weight loss, rendering the entire treatment pointless

Alternative Uses For Botox 

• Regardless of the efficacy Botox injections have on weight loss, it is still a viable treatment for certain medical and cosmetic purposes. Here are two common (and effective) ways Botox is currently being used: Botox is prominently used to reduce wrinkles, crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead creases. As the facial muscles relax, Botox helps smoothen these lines and tighten the skin, bringing back a more youthful appearance. 

• Botox injections also help people who are suffering from hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating. Regular Botox users have observed their foreheads sweat less after treatment, which helps lessen their acne in that area. By blocking the nerve that signals the sweat glands, Botox reduces sebum production by 30%. Sebum, or sebaceous oils, is responsible for clogging facial pores and forming pimples. 

Coolsculpting For Fat Loss: A Tried and Tested Body Contouring Procedure 

While Botox may not be one of the most viable treatments for fat loss, the good news is that there are already treatments on the market specifically designed to help with unwanted fat.

One of the latest treatments that can get rid of excess body fat is body contouring, where unwanted lumps and bumps can be removed in as little as one hour Aside from permanent results, body contouring is a no surgery, no downtime, and no side effects procedure. 

Also called nonsurgical fat reduction, body contouring can flush out up to 25% of fat cells in a treated area. While it may take 4-6 months before the effects are visible, the treated area becomes slimmer and can remain so by eating healthy foods and adopting an active lifestyle. 

Ideally, candidates for body contouring are patients who are close to their desired weight and wish to eliminate the stubborn excess fat pockets that resist diet and exercise. 

Nonsurgical fat reduction mainly revolves around four treatment modalities: 

• Injection lipolysis: This procedure uses injectable deoxycholic acid to target fat cells.
• Laser lipolysis: Laser lipolysis utilizes heating and laser energy to remove fat cells.
• Radiofrequency lipolysis: Like laser lipolysis, this treatment also utilizes controlled heating. However, it uses ultrasound technology rather than laser energy.
• Cryolipolysis: Freezing temperatures or “controlled cooling” is used to destroy fat cells in this procedure. 

Whip Your Body Into Shape With Ethos Spa

The body contouring procedure has been perfected by our cosmetic specialists at Ethos Spa, who have performed this treatment on thousands of patients in New Jersey. Their CoolSculpting technique freezes and kills the fat cells beneath the skin, which the body eventually disposes of after a few months. 

Aside from body contouring, Ethos Spa offers a wide variety of high-end cosmetic procedures. We are committed to providing our patients with the safest and most effective customized aesthetic solutions and services. Book a consultation with us today. 

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Can Botox Fix Nasolabial Folds?

Nasolabial folds, also known as “smile lines” or “laugh lines”, are facial lines that indent themselves on either side of the mouth and deepen with age. While they are a normal part of the body and are an inevitable sign of ageing, these folds also tend to sag and weigh the face over time.

When left untreated, nasolabial folds can make you look older than you are, which could negatively impact your self-confidence. Thankfully, treatments like Botox exist to turn back the clock and improve the appearance of nasolabial folds. 

So can Botox help ease these folds back into their place? Yes, it can. By combining it with a filler, an expert doctor can soften the muscles at the corners of the mouth and fill in the folds. Cosmetic procedures like this are common, and are effective in accomplishing the desired results. 

What Are Nasolabial Folds?

Nasolabial folds are frequently called laugh lines or smile lines, since the folds become more prominent when you laugh or smile. They all refer to the skin folds that run from either side of the nose to the corners of the mouth and separate the cheeks from the upper lip. 

These folds are made up of bundles of fibrous tissues and muscles, so when the skin loses elasticity with age, the folds deepen. As nasolabial folds develop, other lines may appear on the face as well, such as “marionette lines”. Marionette lines are the pair of lines that may appear from the corners of the mouth and extend to the chin. 

Why Do We Develop Them?

Nasolabial folds naturally develop as part of human anatomy, and they are not a sign of any underlying medical conditions. However, these folds become more prominent in old age. 

One reason nasolabial folds appear is genetics. If your parents or grandparents have deep wrinkles, you are likely to develop wrinkles and deep folds as well. Repeated facial expressions also cause these folds to emerge. 

More commonly, nasolabial folds occur due to excessive weight gain or weight loss. Excess in cheek fat combined with the thinning of the epidermis causes the tissues and fat surrounding your smile to sag. The age-related loss of volume in the face will also create nasolabial folds.

As people age, their bodies decline in the production of elastin and collagen, which causes sagging. Elastin makes skin elastic. It is the protein in your skin that allows the tissues inside the body to revert to their original shape after stretching or contracting. Another protein, collagen, provides the skin its structure. As the most abundant protein present in the body, collagen is responsible for holding the body together. It is the major building block for bones, skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and hair. 

The natural loss of both proteins leads to the loss of tightness and firmness in the skin. Lifestyle factors such as frequent exposure to sun, smoking, and lack of sleep also contribute to the body’s elastin and collagen loss. 

How Botox Can Help With Nasolabial Folds

While nasolabial folds are not a risk factor for any health condition, they make the face look much older than they appear. Nasolabial folds may be treated by a doctor through cosmetic procedures and plastic surgery.

Botox is produced by combining a substance called botulinum toxin with saline. It can prevent the nerves from releasing acetylcholine (the neurotransmitter that controls muscle contraction) and temporarily paralyze human muscles. When it is injected in the face, a plastic surgeon can relax the muscles, which may be pulling the mouth down while the face is at rest. 

How It Works: Professional Recommendations and Results

An experienced plastic surgeon can effectively keep the nasolabial fold from appearing too deep by injecting in the right areas between the nose and the mouth. Between the ages of 40 - 50, a doctor may prescribe Botox to relax the muscles surrounding the mouth to slow down sagging, but this is usually combined with a dermal filler. These fillers are made of a soft tissue, injected beneath to skin to restore lost volume and fill in the folds. 

The reason for combining Botox with a dermal filler is that its effects are not permanent. The results last only for an average of 3-4 months, and patients would need several rounds of injections to achieve consistent results. Another reason is that Botox only encourages the muscles from pulling downwards. Fillers are needed to replace the volume in deeper lines and achieve the desired results. 

Patients aged 60 years and older are advised by plastic surgeons to eliminate nasolabial folds by using a combination of Botox, facelifts, and laser therapy. A doctor may also let younger patients undergo plastic surgery as a precaution before developing nasolabial folds, but they should be accompanied by healthy lifestyle choices such as:

• Protecting the skin from being damaged by the sun
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Going on an antioxidant-rich diet 
• Quitting smoking, which weakens elastin and collagen 

Treating Dynamic Wrinkles

Botox can treat most dynamic wrinkles, which are caused by muscle movement and facial expressions. Horizontal lines across the forehead, crow’s feet around the eyes, and the “11” between the eyebrows are among the wrinkles that form when you smile, laugh, frown or squint. Botox is highly effective in smoothing these lines and wrinkles out. 

Aside from being a cosmetic procedure, Botox is also used for conditions such as eye twitching, eyelid spasms, chronic migraines, bladder dysfunctions, muscle contractures and excessive sweating (or hyperhidrosis). 

Regain Youthful Skin At Ethos Spa 

Wrinkles, crow’s feet, marionette lines and nasolabial folds naturally develop over time, but that doesn’t mean you have to look prematurely aged. At Ethos Spa, we offer world-class aesthetic treatments that will help you regain youthful-looking skin and keep signs of aging from becoming too prominent. 

Our board-certified plastic surgeons also offer top-quality services in skin tightening, body contouring, and laser treatments. To learn more about Botox, dermal fillers, and other types of cosmetic surgery, book a free consultation with us today. 

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