Preserve Your Pretty: Non-Surgical Skin Rejuvenation Treatment #1, Botox

It is never too early to age elegantly. While I praise my grandmothers’ generation for aging graciously, I also delight in the joys of modern medicine and the development of injectables and skin rejuvenation treatments. In an effort to preserve my youth and counter the effects of my teenage years growing up on the beach in Florida, I have tested out a few non-invasive skin treatments over the years.

Famed oculoplastic surgeon, Dr. Brian Biesman, who treats some of Nashville’s most famous faces, and I have collaborated on a beauty project that I am excited to present. After several consultations and meetings, we have compiled a list of the five most non-invasive beauty and skin treatments that can help reverse the signs of aging. Not only do these beauty secrets correct some issues you may currently have, more importantly, they help preserve the face you have today. Although some women may be reticent to share the work they have done on their face, after seven children, I have lost all sense of modesty. I am happy to share all five of these treatments, my experience and the results. Follow along this five-part series as Dr. Biesman and I present “Preserve Your Pretty : Non-Surgical Skin Rejuvenation Treatments.”

TREATMENT #1 – BOTULINUM NEUROMODULATOR (Botox)

 If you’re considering any type of injectable, Botox (or its competitors Dysport and Xemoin) are the rookie pathway to preserving your pretty. Here’s what Dr. Biesman recommends if you’re thinking of ironing out a few wrinkles.

·         There are two reasons to use these drugs. The first is to soften and eliminate wrinkle lines caused by contraction of facial muscles.  It also helps to shape the face by elevating eyebrows, turning up the corners of the mouth, and even slimming the face.

·     A great deal of experience and expertise is required to get best results from these drugs.  Every patient's anatomy is a bit different.

·     The amount of drug required to treat an individual can vary tremendously from patient to patient.

·     These drugs are extremely safe and well tolerated even when used for many years.

·     The typical onset of effect is approximately three to five days after injection but it can take up to two weeks to see the full result.

·     Typical duration of effect is three to four months with a range of two to six months.  Some of the newer drugs will have longer durations of effect.  This may or may not be desirable.

·     These drugs should not be using by women who are pregnant or nursing as safety studies have not been performed.

MY BOTOX “RECIPE” AND EXPERIENCE

 Let me first begin this series by saying that I hate needles. I actually was accepted into a neonatology program and fainted in anatomy class after practicing injections. Fortunately, the needle used for Botox is so thin, that it is only mildly unpleasant.

 I began getting Botox at 31, just in my “crow’s feet.” Fast forward ten years later and I now get 50 units of Botox in my crow’s feet, between my eyes and a little in my forehead. I’m able to move my face naturally as it just gives a bit of a lift to my brow and smooths out the rest. This still allows me to have facial reactions and natural expressions (as seen below.)

What I know from doing this about twice a year or so for the last ten years is that you really do need to find a qualified and experienced doctor or medical professional to perform the injections. I did have one unfortunate result when I did not go to a doctor and looked like Cruella DeVille a few days later. My eyebrows were very arched and the results were not what I had intended. Choose a doctor that is highly recommended and whose patients have the same look that you desire.

Botox is one of a few non-invasive treatments that my sensitive and highly reactive skin can tolerate. I have been very pleased with my overall results and really do feel that if you’re looking for a little tweak, this is probably the easiest and fastest way to see results.