Angelina Jolie lips are touted as some of the best and most sought after. Women all over the world, yearn for the fuller and pouty lips, so what are some of the available treatments to get that luscious look? There are a number of options for lip augmentation, some less invasive, painful and costly as others. But some women prefer the fuller enhancement.
The Examiner said, "There are many dermal fillers on the market. While some work fine for filling facial wrinkles; many are not appropriate for lip augmentation. Radiesse, which consists of microspheres of calcium hydroxyapatite, works nicely for filling deep wrinkles. However, injecting it into the thin lip tissue may result in lip nodules that can be painful and unsightly. On the other hand, fillers composed of cross-linked hyaluronic acid (Juvaderm, Restylane) are gels which usually work well for lip augmentation."
Lip augmentation is considerably common and very effective to get that Angelina Jolie look. Cosmetic procedures much like lip augmentations with dermal fillers are becoming very popular for women young and old. So pucker up!
Fears that Botox may be harmful to the body have caused a significant drop in the use of the injections among people seeking cosmetic enhancement for their appearance. However, we shouldn't see a similar drop in the other dermal fillers that serve the same purpose as Botox. That's due to the fact that the problem that's cropping up with Botox is directly related to an ingredient that other dermal fillers do not contain.
The concern is that scientists now believe that Botox may be able to get into the body, traveling along the nervous system and ultimately reaching the brain. (Learn more from Newsweek.) You might want the wrinkles on your face smoothed away but you don't want the same thing done to the ridges of your brain so this is obviously something to look into.
However, the problem is that Botox's primary ingredient is the botulism toxin which can be seriously harmful to the body. There is no indication that other dermal fillers will reach the brain in the same way ... and it should be noted that there ingredients are not as potentially harmful as those in Botox. Alternatives include Collagen which uses bovine collagen as a primary ingredient, Radiesse which has the active ingredient Calcium Hydoxyl-apatite and Restylane which is made from Hyaluronic Acid.
Question of the Day: Have you stopped Botox treatments since hearing the recent news about it?
At the end of 2007, VeinDirectory.org had the opportunity to attend the American College of Phlebology Congress in Tucson, Arizona. At the conference, they interviewed a number of different doctors and businesses specializing in the treatment of varicose veins. Some of those interviews can be seen on videos over at the Vein Directory Blog.
However, it's important to note that the doctors who treat problems such as spider veins and varicose veins are in the business of doing cosmetic work in addition to their medical work. Because of this, many of these doctors do skin rejuvenation and dermal filler work in addition to the vein treatment work that they do. Below you will find four videos that showcase the different types of cosmetic treatment that a vein treatment doctor may be able to provide.
Video #1: Dr. Roger Murray primarily does vein treatment work but also does cosmetic work including lipo and LipoDissolve treatments.
Video #2: Dr. Scott Hall has a 95% effectiveness rate in medically treating problematic veins but also does work in the area of dermal fillers using products including Radiesse, Restylane, Sculptra and Botox.
Video #3: Dr. Joshua Fox works in a practice that does a full rnage of cosmetic procedures including everything from removing spider veins to treating skin disease. He also does medical work including allergy testing and medical vein treatment.
Video #4: Dr. Jeffrey Buckman does vein treatment work through Vascular Diagnostics Limited but also does cosmetic work through BK Cosmetics. The latter does a full range of skin rejuvenation treatment using the scientific / medical approach of trained physicians.
Question of the Day: Were you previously aware of the fact that vein treatment doctors do cosmetic work such as this?
Most people want to lose weight. However, that isn't true of people who are suffering from an illness that is causing unnatural weight loss. People suffering from HIV, for example, may begin to lose an excessive amount of weight. This is a condition called lipoatrophy which can result in sunken-in cheeks and other negative appearance alterations. Dermal fillers may be the solution for some of these people to consider.
Any dermal filler can be used to plump up the face where fat has been lost to disease. However, Radiesse seems to be the preferred method of treatment. This is due to several factors including the fact that Radiesse itself and some doctors separate will be willing to offer reduced rates on Radiesse injections for people who are suffering from lipoatrophy as a result of HIV infection.
You can learn more about this issue from Metro Weekly.
Question of the Day: What is your initial reaction to learning about lipoatrophy?
Dermal fillers are a commonly requested treatment at the offices of many skin rejuvenation doctors. However, most people aren't quite sure what the difference is between their different dermal filler options.
Here is a closer look at five common dermal fillers to help you decide which one might be right for you:
1. Collagen. This is the one that many people know because it's been around for a long time. It can be used to smooth wrinkles and to plump lips and works with just one visit to the doctor. It's one of the most inexpensive dermal fillers but it requires more frequent visits than other dermal fillers. Made from cow hide, it's animal-based and some people find they are sensitive to it.
2. Restylane. This is increasingly common for many people who want to achieve the same effects as they would with collagen but who want to use a different product for one reason or another. It works with just one visit to the doctor and results last approximately one year. It's moderately priced which adds to its popularity. Made from a bacteria, it is not animal-based so causes less sensitivity in most patients.
3. Radiesse. Another common brand name, this one is preferred by people who want long-lasting results. It works with just one visit to the doctor and lasts for two or more years. As you might expect, this is a more expensive option than the other dermal fillers. It is made from a synthetic material that is not animal-based.
Of course, you'll want to ask your doctor about the dermal fillers that he or she recommends for the results that you are seeking.
Question of the Day: What has been your experience with any of these dermal fillers?
Many people have fears about using dermal fillers to improve the appearance of their face. We understand; even though these minimally invasive procedures are low-risk, starting them when you're new to them can be a little bit nerve-wracking. But are alternative procedures really a better way to go? Many people who want to avoid injections, even minimally-invasive ones, are turning to the latest trend in cosmetic acupuncture to improve the appearance of their faces. Is it the way to go?
BlueRidgeNow recently reported on the case of a woman who once used Botox and then decided to switch to cosmetic acupuncture. She says that she's paying the price in terms of money spent but is pleased with the results of her treatment. However, the article also points out that no studies have been done improving the effectiveness of the procedure. And when you think about it, you still have to worry about the fear of putting needles into your face.
What these people are replacing with cosmetic acupuncture is the use of dermal fillers. Botox, Restylane and Radiesse are all dermal fillers that are used to plump up the cheeks, the eyes and the lips to improve the appearance of the face. They smooth out wrinkles and reduce the appearance of aging. If you have hesitations about using these chemical injections but don't particularly want to go to an acupuncturist for your skin rejuvenation, consider asking your doctor about a treatment like the Titan Non-Surgical Facelift which provides a happy medium for your concerns.
Question of the Day: What is your take on cosmetic acupuncture?
If you use dermal fillers, or just happen to like learning more about them, you're probably familiar with Radiesse. Like other dermal fillers, Radiesse is used to plump up the lips and smooth out wrinkles in the face. The product has established itself well in the market. Perhaps we're about to hear additional news about this product or others like it from the products' makers.
BioForm Medical Inc., the company that lists Radiesse among its many medical treatments, is holding a conference call with investors tomorrow that should hint at where the company is going in the year to come. They will be releasing their earnings information as well as predictions for developments in 2008.
"The conference call will be webcast live on the Investor Relations section of BioForm's website at www.bioform.com. The online archive of the broadcast will be available approximately 90 minutes after the live call and will continue to be available for two weeks." (Source)
Despite the fact that this is a financial report, it should point to some of the plans that the company has in store. Developments in areas as diverse as sclerotherapy treament and plastic surgery assistance are expected to be seen from the company in upcoming months.
Question of the Day: Do you normally follow the news about your favorite dermal fillers?
A recent article at The Daily Herald discussed the fact that your lips need a lot of care in the winter that they might not need during the rest of the year. As we move towards the cooler months, you'll want to avoid chapped lips by protecting them from the wind and cold. But if you're looking for lips that do more than just survive the winter, if you really want lips that stand out and get noticed, you might want to consider getting out of the chilly air and into your doctor's office for some lip filler treatments.
These treatments can improve the appearance of your lips in a number of ways. They can make thin lips look fuller and reduce lines and wrinkling around the lips. Once you've gotten your treatments, you'll want to protect your lips with appropriate balms or glosses. Ask your doctor what type of winter protection is right to use after the treatment.
Have you had some form of rejuvenation treatment done already? If so, did you think that it was "worth it"? There is no denying that there are costs associated with treatments. There is the cost of money spent on the treatment. There is the cost of time it takes to go get the treatment done and to recover from it. And in some cases there is also the cost of minimal irritation or pain caused by the procedure. But most people say that the costs of their treatments are outweighed by the benefits that they receive from getting the work done.
Real Self reports on consumer reviews of the various anti-aging treatments that people have had done. According to the latest numbers on their blog, more than fifty percent of people reported that they were satisfied with the results of treatments including laser hair removal, Botox, Juvederm, Sculptra, Restylane, Radiesse, mesotherapy and chemical peels. This means that even though there are minimal costs associated with treatments, it is more likely than not that you will consider the costs "worth it" if you decide to go ahead with the procedures.
You can share your own experiences with treatments like these by leaving comments here on the site. The best way of spreading information about all of these treatments is to take the knowledge that you've gained and share it with others!
There was an article published last week by The Arizona Republic which gave some advice worth noting about looking for skin rejuvenation specialists. The article discussed the procedures which can be done at med spas and gave some tips on finding a good med spa as opposed to one that isn't going to do the job right. Although different treatments are getting increasingly common and are also getting increasingly safer, it's always important to pay attention to who is doing the treatments. You shouldn't just go in with a blind eye towards trusting your professionals.
The Arizona Republic article tells the story of one woman in Arizona who has had a number of different treatments done that she has been pleased with. She's had microdermabrasion, facial masks, and Botox and Radiesse injections. She hasn't gone so far as to get LipoDissolve treatments from her local med spa, but she's certainly explored all of her options. And she's been pleased with the results. But this doesn't mean that she is not cautious. Even with all of her positive experiences behind her, she knows that there are med spas out there which aren't qualified to perform the procedures that she has done.
The most important thing is to remember that you may be going to see a professional but you are the one that should be in control of your treatment. Ask questions to find out what will be done and what the doctor's experience is. Look to credible sources for finding quality professionals. Search for a physician near you in our online directory to get started.
