Laura Casewell is a health journalist and the editor of The Cosmetic Surgery Guide; the definitive guide to cosmetic surgery and aesthetics in the UK. Laura has selected the latest and most relevant industry news for you…
Is CO2 the New Botox?
In press it is being hailed as the new Botox - but as well as smoothing out wrinkles, it’s claimed that carboxytherapy can help get rid of dark under-eye circles and fade scars.
It involves an injection of naturally occurring carbon dioxide gas into your skin. The surfeit of CO2 persuades the body it is lacking in oxygen, which prompts a release of oxygen into the blood, improving circulation in the area.
CO2 also generates an increase in collagen in skin cells, which has a rejuvenating effect, making skin plumper — hence the anti-ageing benefits. The needles used are so fine that bruising is minimal.
Is This the New Botox booster?
A brand new pill is promising to make the wrinkle-reducing effects of Botox injections last for 30% longer. Moreover Zytaze tablets are said to help the popular cosmetic injections, which can cost up to £400, take effect faster.
Over one million people in the UK admit to using the cosmetic jabs to fight wrinkles, but the well documented downside is that the benefits last for only 3 months. Although this new pill seems to be no more than a vitamin supplement (which contains a high dose of zinc combined with an enzyme called phytase which helps the body absorb zinc) it is being marketed to Botox fans at around £45 for a pack of 10. This is significantly more than the price of a standard zinc supplement from high street stores.
Nevertheless, British distributor Eden Aesthetics say the pill is totally unique and can decrease the price of Botox for habitual users. Eden also claims simply taking a zinc supplement bought cheaper from the high street will not have the same drastic effect. A clinical trial of the pill, published in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, found that 92% of patients taking Zytaze reported Botox treatments lasted for 1-2 weeks longer than normal, and also helped the injection to take effect faster. Cosmetic surgery experts here in the UK said the results, while interesting, required further research.
When Botox (a tiny quantity of the toxin botulinum) is injected into human tissue – mainly in the face – it works by blocking nerve endings, which stops electrical signals from moving through muscles. This offers a ‘freezing’ effect that can smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Zytaze patients are told to take two 25mg pills a day for four days prior to having Botox and on the day they receive the jab.
BAAPS member and plastic surgeon Kevin Hancock, said: “We do know that zinc is crucial in helping injured patients to recover, for example burns victims, so it’s fundamental in repairing tissue. That may well be influencing the action of the Botox. But the pill is just a vitamin supplement and it may be that lots of people are just slightly zinc-deficient anyway.” Zytaze does not have to be approved by the drugs watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, because it is classed as a dietary supplement and therefore patients do not need a prescription.
Dermal Filler Facts
Dermal fillers are becoming a hugely popular treatment here in the UK for those looking to fill lines and wrinkles. However, what is worrying is the misleading and/or incorrect information many people are given about dermal fillers.
Here at The Cosmetic Surgery Guide we hear from many people who, although happy with the final results, were not consulted with correctly prior to the treatment. This can in turn lead to expectations not being met and some side effects being suffered that they were clueless about. Compared to many other cosmetic treatments, dermal fillers are extremely safe and do not carry many risks. However, as with many procedures, there can be side effects which must always be explained thoroughly to the patient before any procedure or treatment takes place.
One main side effect of dermal fillers, which is almost certain for anyone who has the treatment, is bruising. This occurs when the thin needle pierces the skin and injects the filling. The bruising happens because the healthy blood stream treats the wound- and the broken tissue is being repaired. It should only be very light bruising and it should only last 1-3 days.
Another consequence of fillers that can happen (but is very uncommon) is an allergic reaction to the specific type of filler used- or even to the needle itself. If this happens you will likely see some swelling and maybe redness around the area treated. This usually, again, only lasts a few days before disappearing. This will not cause any lasting damage and although rare is something you should be warned about by your practitioner.
The lasting effects of dermal fillers depend on the kind of filler used, the patient’s skin and the skill of the practitioner performing the treatment. Patients should be reminded that dermal fillers are only temporary treatments but should last between 6 to 9 months. Once the skin’s original natural collagen degrades it won’t hold the filler under the skin any longer- which is why the treatment would need to be repeated in the future to maintain the look.
A fully qualified cosmetic surgeon/practitioner should always fully consult with a patient before agreeing to take care of the individual. Their present state of health and any known allergies have to be taken into consideration to ensure the correct type of filler is chosen. Any concerns/worries you have should always be discussed before any dermal filler treatment starts.
For more information on this and all our other news please visit: www.skinlc.co.uk or call us on 01892 22 22 22.Labels: anti-ageing, Botox, CO2, Dermal Fillers
