Charice and Botox

International singing sensation Charice recently went for Thermage and  Botox treatment at the Belo Clinic in preparation for her entry into the hit television series, “Glee”.

Controversies spring regarding her Botox injection at the young age of 18 .  Had it been a Caucasian actress of the same age going for the procedure, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. But this was Charice, one of Oprah’s most talented kid discoveries who may be 18 but looks like she just graduated from grade 6. Fans are worried that she may be too young for the treatment commonly performed on older people.

Celebrity doctor Vicky Belo advised the popstar to undergo the said procedure because of Charice’s contant chewing of bubblegums.  The  singer’s representative says she complains of jaw pains. Botox, according to Dr. Belo, blocks the electrical impulses that tell the facial muscles to contract. Now I wonder how the muscle relaxation would affect Charice’s singing.

Let us get acquainted with this popular aesthetic treatment sought after by many celebrities. What does it do and why does it seem to be a standard procedure they have to go through?

What is Botox?

Botox is the registered name of Botulinum toxin, a protein complex derived from a bacteria called Clostridium difficile. There are about 7 strains of the toxin and 4 of them are known to cause disease in humans.  Food poisoning caused by these toxins, called Botulism can lead to paralysis and death.  But  how is a toxin beneficial to beauty?

Botox Background

Taking note of the paralysis side effect of botulinum toxins, scientists diluted it in amounts that could potentially be useful to the health and cosmetic industries. In 1960′s , they used strain A in an experiment to treat crossed eyes. The US Food and Drug Administration approved it 20 years after, as a treatment for strabismus (crossed eyes) and for spasms of the eyelid muscles. Patients who were treated for these conditions were noted to have pleasantly reduced crow’s feet  and wrinkles near the eyes, as a side effect.  To confirm the findings, clinical trials were done, which subsequently lead to the approval in 2002 of Botox A as a temporary relief for facial wrinkles. In 2004, it was also approved as treatment for excessive underarm sweating.

Who Benefits From Botox?

As you may have observed, patients who usually avail of Botox treatments are older people who show signs of aging (read: wrinkles). Lately, individuals suffering from excessive underarm sweating have been shown to benefit from the toxin as well. The uses of Botox are evolving as  newer clinical indications get approved by the FDA. In March of this year,  Botox got the nod as  a treatment for spasticity of the flexor muscles of the elbows, wrists and fingers in adults, usually in those afflicted with stroke, brain injury, or multiple sclerosis.

Other less known cosmetic uses are brow lifting,  facial slimming and contouring of the legs, which is why younger people likewise submit to the treatment. As for Charice, the indication is said to be Bruxism or clenching of the teeth caused by spasticity of the facial muscles.

Microneedles and disposable syringes are used to inject the toxin . Some degree of pain may be present but it’s an outpatient procedure. They can resume normal activities after the trip to the Doctor’s clinic.

How does it work?

Through our nerve endings, the brain tells the facial muscles to contract or relax. This creates facial expressions like laughter or frown. Repeated facial expressions cause wrinkles to be visible over time. Botox treatment works by attaching itself to nerve endings, preventing the release of the neurotransmitter  called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is responsible for triggering the muscles to contract. The signals telling the facial muscles to move are blocked, thereby making the muscles relax for a long period of time. Acetylcholine likewise carries signals from the sympathetic nervous system to the sweat glands to stimulate sweat production. Blockage of the acetylcholine achieves control of hyperhidrosis, at least for the underams.

Are the effects permanent?

No,  because the effects of Botox injection lasts for about 3 to 4 months.  So after around this time, you can smile and frown again like you used to do, or you may set an appointment with your doctor for another session.

Risks

Injecting poison into your face can indeed come with risks. Some of the reported side effects include drooping of the eyelids (if targeted near the eye area), headache with double vision,  twitching of the eyes, flu-like symptoms, stomach upset, and mild swelling and redness at the injection site. Serious side effects include the spread of the toxin to distant sites and breathing difficulties. All of these could be lessened, if not avoided, under the hands of an experienced and competent doctor.

Cost

A vial of Botox costs around $4oo.. It could be used for 4 to 5 treatments  a few hours after opening, after then, it has to be discarded. A session can cost from $200 to $500, depending on your location, the experience of the doctor handling the procedure, and the reputation of the clinic.

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Laser Skin Resurfacing

Because I’m a frustrated Belo successor (to her career path, not her love life), I will be discussing some procedures done at the doctor’s clinic to rejuvenate the skin, just so you’d have an idea of the modern techniques employed in the name of beauty. Let me begin with this article on Laser skin resurfacing.

Laser resurfacing, is a method of skin rejuvenation using a wand-like laser device. It has the advantage of more precision in penetrating the depth of the skin, hence ensuring more safety.

History

Earlier technologies made use of continuous wave carbon dioxide (CW CO2), which removed sun-damaged skin layer by layer to allow the resurfacing of fresher, smoother skin. The side effects of redness, swelling, skin infections, discolorations, and scarring made it a less appealing option despite its favorable results. Pulsed and scanned CO2 were then developed to address the problems of thermal injuries.

Erbium:YAG laser  later came out  but its efficacy was just comparable to that of CO2 pulsed and scanned technology. Both of them are classified under ablative techniques because they target mainly the upper layer (epidermis) of the skin and a little of the deeper layer (dermis).

Presently, non-ablative and fractional resurfacing methods have been developed to achieve excellent results with much lesser downtime and side effects. In contrast to the ablative method which aims for the top layer more than the deeper layer, the non-ablative variety targets the dermis, while leaving the epidermis intact. Because of this, collagen remodeling  ensues for a tightened and better skin texture. The ablative method produces more dramatic results but the non- ablative’s faster recovery period makes it the more popular choice. Fractional resurfacing combines the dramatic results of the ablative technique and the safety profile of non-ablative treatments.

Uses of Laser Skin Resurfacing

If you are bothered with wrinkles, persistent acne scars, skin pigmentation, and other blemishes, you may consider this effective albeit more expensive option. If you have excess fat in the chin, this can also be done to augment the liposuction procedure around that area, after the excess fats have been removed. It is more than just a modern alternative to chemical peeling and microdermabrasion.

For moms who want to look young, wrinkles that are due to sun damage, especially around the eyes and lips are most responsive to the treatment, although it can also benefit wrinkles from other causes.For people like me who have been badly scarred by Acne, our blemishes may be markedly improved although deeper scars will not be completely resolved. It can also remove brown spots (melasma) and repair uneven skin tone.

Other uses of laser resurfacing are: as a tattoo remover, hair removal device, and as a treatment for certain premalignant and malignant skin lesions.

Special Precautions

Caution is advised for those who are prone to scarring or have immune diseases like scleroderma. If you have very dark skin, this may not be for you. Having an active infection around the site for treatment, lowered immunity, and usage of tretinoin for the past 12 months are likewise contraindications to the procedure.

Does it Hurt?

The heat injury to the skin may produce some degree of pain. Your doctor may put topical or local anesthetics to lessen the discomfort. Cold packs can be also applied after to alleviate the stinging sensation 12 to 72 hours following treatment. Generally, the procedure which lasts for 30 to 90 minutes is well tolerated by most patients.

Expect some mild swelling, redness, and crusting after the treatment. You will be prescribed with medications to control the inflammation. Proper aftercare for your skin will also be instructed. If a bandage is applied, it will be replaced with a fresh one at the doctor’s office during follow up. Healing will take place in 7 to 21 days but the redness or pinkish appearance of the skin may persist for several weeks. Concealer makeup like Covermark can be used after 2 weeks to neutralize the redness. Avoidance of exposure to the sun is essential to prevent damage to the treated areas. Sorry, no Boracay vacation at this time.

Cost

The average cost for laser skin resurfacing is around $2500 per session in the US. The cost will depend on the extent of treatment, type of anesthesia applied, device used and the clinic providing these services. In the Philippines, it is a lot cheaper, as it  costs less than Php 20,000 per session. If you have the money to burn, then go ahead and check out your nearest Belo or Calayan clinics and contact them for appointments.

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