Beauty Secrets Blog

Every woman ages. Most would prefer not to, especially when creases show up around the lips and eyes in our thirties. How many hours have been wasted scrutinizing that face in the mirror! Is there a jar or bottle which contains magic wrinkle-killing substances?

The cosmetic market is awash with so many creams that promise to aid you in your battle against wrinkles, that it can be a monstrous decision choosing one out of the multitude. Ranging in price from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars, one is uncertain as to where to start looking, and what to look for. Big brand companies seem to be the pioneers in this race to market their products for anti aging. Despite their expensive price tags, many gullible middle-aged women are willing to buy and try.

A look at any beauty forum on the internet, or reviews in shopping websites, reveal thousands of reviews from users who have tried some wrinkle cream or the other. A few users claim that a certain product worked for them, and this sees a new flurry of buyers for that product. Until many other users post disappointing reviews of the same product. So, what works, and what doesn’t? Why do some women swear by wrinkle creams while others don’t?

The more I examined the reasons why we get wrinkles, the more I discovered that those lines are caused by many things which I have to admit I was not paying attention to. I spend a lot of time in the sun without wearing some kind of sunblock, and UV rays can be harmful. I don’t exercise like I should, I have friends who smoke, I have what is probably a drink or two too many from time to time, and I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t eat fast-food as much as I do. Unfortunately for me, all of those things (plus the fact that I am getting older, as much as I’d not like to admit it) can cause skin to wrinkle.

If a cream works for a certain woman, she is probably doing other right things with her lifestyle that are contributing to her results. The creams themselves are seldom tested in stringent laboratory conditions, hence their efficacy cannot be validated. We can only believe the claims made in the marketing material of their manufacturers. At best, a wrinkle cream can only slough away the outer layer of the skin, giving it a fresh, bright appearance. A cream can moisturize, temporary plump up the skin that camouflages the lines. These are achieved by the active ingredients in such creams.

What are the common active ingredients in a wrinkle cream? Antioxidants, such as a fruit base or vitamins A, E, C, kinetin, green tea extracts, alpha hydroxy acids, copper and coenzyme Q10 are some of the ingredients that make up most of these creams. How effective each of these are is not known, because no reliable statistics are available to understand which element works on which skin type.

Everyone seems to think that antioxidants are magical things which destroy “free radicals” that harm skin. Some people use fruit peels to remove wrinkles, but I learned that all they’re doing is abrasing the skin. There’s a thing called alpha hydroxy acids which fruits loaded with sugar produce and they exfoliate the skin’s outer layer. So, again - you’re scraping the skin off in the hopes that new skin will come in.

It all comes down to health. Just like money woes, there is no quick fix scheme or overnight solution, and there is definitely no one solution which works for all women. Using sun block, eating healthy, avoiding smoke and excessive alcohol, living with as little stress as possible, and drinking plenty of water will do more for your appearance than a cream, and exercising is a great way to get your skin in shape. After all, a body that sweats and has good circulation generates a very pleasant glow that makes a few lines here and there quite unnoticeable.

These days, if you’d like to give your face a boost, you don’t need to resort to surgical facelifts. Surgery used to be the only option a woman had if she wanted a more youthful appearance. This type of surgery did help, but it often left behind nerve damage. The result of this surgery tended to distort the face a bit, especially around the eyes, leaving it obvious a facelift had been performed.

Today many opt for Botox injections rather than risk surgery. Botox is faster and less expensive. With Botox, the pain, expense, and healing periods associated with surgery are gone or greatly reduced.

Please note this article is only a guide. Your doctor is best qualified to offer you any advice or information about Botox treatments.

What is Botox?

Botox is a toxin that comes from Clostridium botulinum, which is a bacterium. This bacterium is the very same substance that causes the food illness botulism. It sounds scary, but in reality the toxin is purified before use, and is used in very tiny and safe amounts. Just enough is used to help smooth out your face without any danger to you.

What Does It Do?

Muscles under your skin move together to control all facial movement. When these muscles tighten under the skin, wrinkles are formed. When you receive an injection, the Botox works on the nerves and muscles at the injection point. In essence, the Botox causes these muscles to become paralyzed. Because these muscles cannot move to form winkles, your skin stays smooth.

Where Can It Be Used?

Botox is used most extensively around the eyes. It helps to erase forehead lines, crow’s feet and other furrows that may appear near and around the eyes. It can be used around the mouth in limited instances, because you don’t want the muscles around your lips to be constrained. It has more recently been used to help with neck lifts.

What To Expect

Botox can be administered rather quickly. Most office visits for injections take less than a half an hour. Your doctor will seat you and the work area may be numbed for you. He or she will then proceed to mark the exact areas for the injections and administer them. The procedure is slightly painful but the sensations clear up rather quickly in most people. You can return to your day as soon as you step out of the office, no lengthy recuperation needed.

How often you need to get repeat injections will depend on the location and severity of your wrinkles. Repeated treatments may cause the muscles to permanently lie in a state of inactivity, lessening the treatments, or possibly eliminating them altogether.

Side Effects and Risks

Occasionally you will experience slight bruising. This should clear up very quickly. Other times, if too much Botox is injected, you may find other muscles will not work properly. This is very rare, and if it happens, usually not serious. Discuss these risks in depth with your doctor.

About Your Doctor

Ask for recommendations when choosing a doctor to perform Botox. Your best bet might be to ask your family doctor for a recommendation. You should note the cleanliness of the facility and don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as come to mind. Disclose all medical conditions and medications you are taking to your doctor before you have the procedure.

Wrap Up

Medicine has come a long way in the quest for eternal youth. You don’t have to suffer through a facelift anymore to look and feel years younger. If your deep lines and wrinkles bother you, don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about your alternatives.