Hollywood and the rest of America alike have been using botox and wrinkle fillers for ages.  Both are injections, and both are meant to solve wrinkle problems ranging from crow’s feet to forehead wrinkles to smile lines.  On one hand, botox is guaranteed but comes with multiple side effects.  But on the other hand, wrinkle fillers use less invasive methods, but don’t quite have the same effects most of the time.  Botox injections last about 4 months, and the time frame for wrinkle fillers ranges.

            I’m not one to use either one.  I’m not particularly fond of needles first of all.  But second, I’ve heard about all the side effects, the risks, the lack of effects in some cases, and the expensive costs.  And frankly, why not age gracefully instead of having that moot look on your face when using botox for example.  I mean the whole idea of injecting myself with a small amount of poison.  I don’t really feel all warm and fuzzy about ingesting a small amount of antifreeze known as the preservative propylene glycol.  I definitely don’t feel all warm and fuzzy about injecting botulism into my skin. 

            Specifically speaking, wrinkle fillers are meant to attack lines on the forehead and around the eyes, sunken acne sacrs, and nasal lines or wrinkles between the nose and lips.  Botox on the other hand is meant to target worry lines, crow’s feet, deep forehead wrinkles, eyebrow droop, down turned lips, and neck lines.  Both can make significant and yet temporary differences in these areas.  Some fillers can take a few months to show.  But the effects of botox are usually immediately visible. 

            Frankly, our skin ages, develops stretch marks, wrinkles, etc, because it loses its ability to produce collagen and elastin.  It really has little to do with fillers or the lack thereof in your skin.  Fillers have used ingredients like hyaluronic acid.  The unfortunate part is while hyaluronic acid can be found as a naturally occurring cushioner in the skin, it can also be found as a moisturizer in much more affordable creams.  It does not necessarily reduce wrinkles on a long term basis, but it does moisturize, and is quickly processed by the body.  Other fillers use bovine collagen, human based collagen, and body fat.  But none of these have any real side effects.

            Botox side effects include swelling, redness, bruising, and lumpiness most of the time.  But less common side effects include drooping of eyebrows, blank looks, double vision, tooth problems, facial pain, nausea, muscle weakness, indigestion, heartburn, high blood pressure, respiratory failure, difficulty swallowing, neck pain, headaches, anxiety, and death in extreme cases.

            Botox and wrinkle fillers are extremely pricey.  The natural market is always progressing, and many are finding better and more viable solutions there, both for long term health and avoidance of side effects.  If you are considering any one of these procedures, you should talk to your doctor and see if it is even an appropriate option for you in the first place.  But we would suggest staying away all together.

            We have all been looking for that elusive anti wrinkle cure.  We want creams, serums, extreme changes without extreme procedures.  There are unfortunately no natural cures that can provide overnight results as a surgery or botox procedure would.  But we have found a few foods that may prevent wrinkles or even diminish some fine lines.

            The first are blueberries.  Blueberries are packed full of antioxidants and they are truly the best anti wrinkle food available.  They are also packed with nutrients and they are packed with fructose sugar, which can satisfy sugar cravings as well as providing the proper amount of sugar.  With this high amount of insoluble fiber, it can actually promote weight loss without reducing the nutritional value.

            The second is beans.  They are one of the major sources of plant protein.  Peas, beans, and chickpeas are generally known as legumes.  Generally, they have about 215 calories per cup, and those have the highest concentration of protein combined with the lowest level of fat in any food.  They are also known to be high in potassium while simultaneously being low in sodium.  Studies show that eating these on a regular basis can lower cholesterol levels.

            The third is tomatoes.  A medium sized tomato accounts for only 25 calories on average, and they are high in potassium and fiber, while being low in fat and sodium.  Tomatoes and strawberries significantly reduce the chances of dying of cancer, partly due to their potent content of antioxidants.  And even canned, crushed, peeled, whole, or stewed tomatoes can contribute to these goals while flavoring sauces, casseroles, soups, etc.  Spaghetti sauce can contribute to your diet efforts. 

            Fourth, you will find tofu.  This is another food packed with protein and low in fat.  It is essentially tasteless and takes on the taste of the food around it.  It is otherwise known as soybean curd, and it is also rich in calcium and iron.  There are different varieties, and it can easily be implemented into any diet. 

            Then you will find cabbage.  Cabbage is not appealing to some, but at only 33 calories per cup of cooked cabbage, it is truly a wonder food.  It can be found in sauerkraut, coleslaw(the calories depend on how much dressing is used), and in many other sources.  Eating cabbage once a week can reduce your risks of developing colon cancer.  Greece and Japan, countries with the highest amount of cabbage in their diet, also show the lowest rates of earth death and colon cancer in the world.

            Finally, there is omega 3.  We have all heard of these.  You can find them in salmon and other various sources.  They are called the healthy fats or the “good fats”, and if eaten from the abalone, you will only consume 90 calories, or with the herring, 236 calories.  It has been known to lower the risk of heart disease, reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, relieve inflammation and stiff joints, and may not only reduce wrinkles, but may also improve your hair.

            Overall, all these foods are high in nutrients, low in fat, and they can contribute to healthier skin.  Foods like blueberries can kill free radicals that may be damaging skin, and omega 3’s can moisturize and supplement the skin without making it oily.  If you are looking for an everyday way to supplement your diet and reduce the common signs of aging, these are a few of the foods that can help.

            Eyseryl: the only peptide actually proven to specifically target crow’s feet and other wrinkles and bags around the eyes.  It was developed by Lipotec, and results have been seen in clinical studies within just 15 days.  It won the award for “Best New Technology”, and it is no wonder considering all the benefits.

            Though the largest organ in the body, the epidermis and other layers of the skin are also the thinnest parts of the body.  It is even thinner around the eyes.  So the aging process is most likely to hit the eyes first.  Baggy eyes can be caused by one of two elements: water retention and fat.  With reduced elasticity in the skin, bags can become more apparent.  Loose skin without elasticity develops specifically around the eyes, and forms a number of different wrinkles.

            Eyseryl works using several mechanisms of action.  It improves the vascular system and strengthens skin to prevent water retention under the skin, effectively reducing black rings and puffiness.  Second, it protects collagen production and promotes increased collagen production, strengthening and renewing the skin’s cells in general.  Third, it works to prevent glycation, a non-enzymatic reaction between glucose and a protein.  It causes oxidation in the cells, and the weakening of collagen, weakening tissues and hardening elastin and collagen fibers, ultimately leading to bags.  It finally contains vascular leaking which could contribute to water retention, improves blood circulation, and improves skin elasticity.

            In clinical tests, eyeseryl was shown to improve 70% of subjects within just 15 days, and by the end, 95% showed significant improvements.  In 30 days, most experienced a 35% improvement.  After 60 days, skin tone and firmness were measurably improved.  It only actually requires a concentration of 1%, which is minimal as compared to some other peptides.  From what we’ve found, there are only two products using eyseryl at the moment, Prototype #37-C and Dermaxine. 

            The recent buzz in skin care technology, stem cells cannot only potentially fight some diseases, but when applied topically could possibly reduce wrinkles.  They have found that stem cells can increase collagen and elastin production, reducing wrinkles and giving the skin that needed elasticity.  Stem cells have been previously and successfully used in injection treatments to treat wrinkles.  But some doctors such as Dr John Gearhart, director of stem cell research at the John Hopkins Medical School, are skeptical about its true application as a topical solution.  Stem cells are naturally occurring not only in the umbilical cord at birth, but in the deepest layers of the skin, producing regeneration.  The question is simply if a topical solution could actually penetrate the skin to the deeper levels or even get past the pores in the first place.

            But skepticism aside, numerous reports are pouring in about products claiming to use Stem Cell Technology.  Some of the products which are likely to cost you around $20 often don’t use the real thing and use the marketing only as hype.  Likewise, people are complaining that they only got what they paid for and not the amazing deal they were expecting.  But those who are spending the money to get something great are in some cases coming through.  Consumers are reporting a different feel to their skin, significant wrinkle reduction in their first 2 weeks alone, and various other benefits. 

            This is not surprising considering stem cells’ natural presence within the skin.  It is the factor that is mainly responsible for producing the undamaged and new cells.  In short, if stem cells were to be undermined, they may stop producing cells all together or produce cancer cells.  But when introduced into the skin in their purest form, they can rejuvenate and renew dying skin cells as well as sloughing off the old ones to give you something new. 

            Like any other innovative technology and element, there are always imitators who don’t really use what they say or not much of it.  But there is at least one, known as Dermavexin, that we’ve seen which seems to properly utilize this technology to its best possible advantage.

Botox, a common treatment for wrinkles, that seems somewhat safe and non invasive.  If you choose surgery, you automatically risk death considering you go under the knife.  But some would consider botox to be much safer.  Those people would be surprised and maybe even shocked into finding another alternative.

Botox comes from a toxic substance known as botulism that in the right levels could easily kill a person, but freezes the muscles.  As such, there have actually been 16 reported deaths associated with botox.  Botulism is a common food poisoning element, and though popular celebrities have touted it as a safe alternative, we have found that you can’t always count on the media or celebrities for the truth.

Botulism can also spread from your face to other areas you may not have intended, causing paralyzing effects there as well.  Some have reported that massaging the area of injection can cause it to move around the body at a higher rate, causing headaches, droopy eyelids, etc, which all seems relatively minor compared to the most serious side effect, but still inconveniencing at the least.  Others have reported the inability to make a regular expression with their face.  When most users report problems with botox, they are generally told there is nothing to be done but wait. 

Between 1997 and 2006, 180 botox patients developed life threatening conditions, 16 died, and 87 were forced to be hospitalized.  4 of the deaths occurred in children, though we are unsure why children would be undergoing botox injections, both legally and for practical matters.  Some experienced paralysis of the respiratory functions, difficulty swallowing, pneumonia, fluid in the lungs, and eventually suffocation or too much water in the lungs.  658 others have reported other adverse side effects according to Allergan, the makers of botox on a voluntary basis.  But we have seen prescription companies and others who have withheld a significant amount of information before.

It should also be noted that while botox can have these serious side effects, there are quite a few imitators purchased by doctors in order to save money.  These are more likely to have adverse side effects.  But no one gets the benefit of knowing which they are getting before the procedure.  One such patient experienced the inability to speak or breathe on his own after injections, and apparently could barely move.  They had to be fed through a feeding tube, and a lawsuit was filed against eh doctor for a botox injection 10 times stronger than normal.  Some have also said that they can become addicting over time. 

http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=2593

http://www.wsbtv.com/health/4166244/detail.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/09/17/nbotox17.xml

            Many women going through menopause or peri-menopause symptoms have been turning to hormone treatments for years.  Most of it has been used to reduce mood swings, night sweats, etc.  But what if hormone therapy could actually prevent wrinkles?  Most haven’t thought about this benefit.

            According to the Yale School of Medicine report of August 2005 in Fertility and Sterility Journal, those who underwent long term hormone therapy earlier in menopause actually suffered fewer wrinkles and less skin rigidity in later years.  Hugh S Taylor MD states that “these benefits were seen in women who had consistently used hormone therapy and been in menopause for at least five years.”  Unfortunately, it will not reduce wrinkles that are already there.  But it will prevent more wrinkles from developing.

            So how did they come to this conclusion?  Taylor and co authors compared 11 women without hormone therapy to 9 who had used long term hormonal therapy.  All women were similar in age, race, sun exposure, sunscreen use, tobacco use, and skin type.  But 11 facial locations were compared.  A plastic surgeon who had no knowledge of which women were which compared all 11 facial locations as well as skin elasticity.  And as stated above, they found that those with long term hormone therapy actually suffered less wrinkles and less skin rigidity.

            Taylor explains this by the fact that the skin often mirrors other organs in the body.  For example if the liver is not functioning correctly, the skin can actually turn yellow because the body develops jaundice.  Likewise, eating too many carrots can turn the skin an orange color and so on. 

            Hormone therapy is controversial for some, because though there are benefits such as fewer mood swings and less wrinkle development.  So it is important to consult your doctor before participating in any hormone therapy regiment.  But for those who find it is appropriate for their personal situation, it can help to reduce the risk of developing further wrinkles.

            There are quite a few facts about wrinkles floating around.  But with facts often come myths, and most people cannot differentiate between the two.  Some believe that eating more of certain foods will prevent or treat wrinkles, others believe that the only way is botox, there’s a whole myriad of examples.  But here are a few of the major myths:

*Facial muscles can be toned with facial exercises: In reality, these exercises can help to prevent jaw lines and neck muscles from sagging.  But in terms of preventing facial wrinkles, it doesn’t work the same way.  However, a better way to do it is to supplement your face with collagen, elastin, or peptides

*Eating more fish oils and omega 3 fatty acids can prevent the skin from aging: while omega 3 is good for your heart, it has little to no proven effect on the skin.  In fact, more than 12 oz of fish per week in adults can actually be too much.

*Tanning machines are better for the health: tanning beds have the same types of UV rays as the sun.  Therefore, if you get burned or exposed to tanning beds, you run the same risks as sun tanning.

*creams are just as effective as botox: while creams can be potentially great, most of them are based on moisturizers alone.  And even the good ones cannot produce the immediate result botox can.  Some may be more lasting, but not as extreme or fast as botox.

*night moisturizers are worthless: your skin actually opens the pores and does a lot more of its basic healing at night.  So not providing your skin with the needed nutrients can be more detrimental than not using a good day cream.

            If you would like to prevent wrinkles in your daily life, you can use sunscreen, not smoke, avoid excessive drinking, get enough sleep, exercise, drink water, reduce simple carbs, avoid sudden weight changes, etc.  But you can also use high quality wrinkle solutions with the right ingredients to reverse some of the damage.

            If you’ve recently begun to suffer from wrinkles, you may have thought about microdermabrasion as an option.  Most of us think of this procedure as one that has to be performed by a licensed physician.  But there are actually two types: in office and at home.  At home microdermabrasions can be considerably more affordable, however better results are often achieved with in office procedures.

            Sessions are required for optimum results, usually in sets of about 6 to 10.  The doctor first evaluates your skin for imperfections or otherwise problems, and you should feel free to speak up and tell them what your particular issues are, though they may notice things that you did not notice before.  Then they will cleanse your skin, use a toner, and even give you goggles to protect the eyes.  Then they use a wand and moving in small motions, blast crystals upt o remove dead skin cells and vaccum them up as you go.  An average procedure lasts 15 minutes to an hour, and when finished, skin can often feel more sensitive than usual, but also softer.

            If used right, microdermabrasion can get rid of or significantly diminish fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, and skin pigment discolorations and rejuvenate skin.  Treatments are meant to be done 7-10 days apart.  Costs vary, but it’s usually around $100 per treatment or higher.  It is one of the most popular non surgical treatments for all of these problems. However, with 6-10 treatments, it will cost you in total about $600-$1000 in the space of just a few months. 

            In addition, if you are going to get an in office treatment, always be sure to check out your practitioner.  Some are more experienced than others, and some are not even licensed to perform the procedure.  Results can vary according to the practitioner.  Second, make sure all aluminum dioxide is removed from the skin, and third use sunscreen and stay out of the sun after treatment.  Your skin can be much more sensitive after treatment than usual.  Finally, if you have sensitive skin, you should not use microdermabrasion at all.

            We’ve all heard that smoking can lead to greater wrinkles.  But many of us also want to understand the mechanisms of action, how it works.  It narrows the blood vessels in the other layers of the skin, impairing the flow to your skin.  Therefore, your skin is unable to obtain oxygen and other vital nutrients.  It also damages the collagen and elastin, which makes your skin weaken and start to show premature signs of aging. 

            However, it doesn’t limit its effects just to the face.  A study conducted in 2007 also concluded that it could increase wrinkles and skin damage on the inner arms and other parts of the body.  In addition, the repeated heat on the face as well as the facial expressions you make when smoking can contribute to greater levels of wrinkles. 

            But the good news is, once you stop smoking, that can actually reverse some of the damage in itself.  It takes 8 hours after your last cigarette for carbon monoxide levels to fall below smoking levels.  However, some areas, such as the lungs take longer to repair themselves, and some areas will not repair.

            However, skin is extremely difficult to repair.  Cigarette smoke is second only to sun exposure in damaging the skin.  It specifically interferes with the skin’s absorption of vitamin A and vitamin C, which are vital to healthy skin.  All in all, your skin will become dehydrated, lacking in essential nutrients, and thin and wrinkling.  Most find that chemical peels can be necessary for quick repair.  However, some have found that natural treatments were just as effective over time.

            Egg whites for wrinkle treatment.  It is no miracle treatment by any means, but even for small results, it seems so…simple.  Egg whites are just one of the popular home treatments for the prevention of wrinkles and better skin in general.  Egg whites are not only good for your body with high levels of protein and low levels of fat, they are good for your skin.  When you are young, they can actually reduce oils and an oily complexion.  As you age, egg whites can be applied to your skin and left like a face mask, which will allow your skin to absorb essential nutrients often found in eggs.

            Another remedy some suggest is massage.  By massaging your own facial skin on a daily basis, and maybe even twice a day just as you get ready in the morning and get ready for bed at night, it gets the blood flowing and therefore gets essential nutrients flowing more easily throughout your skin instead of getting stuck in one or two spots and letting your skin dry out, thin out, and age.

            You can also apply lemon juice to your skin on an occasional basis.  It is packed with antioxidants and can work as an antibacterial.  To some this sounds like a good treatment for acne.  But if you are looking to prevent aging, it can also kill some of the free radicals that would attack your skin, reduce collagen production, reduce peptide production, and in short decrease your skin’s ability to regenerate itself. 

            Finally, give yourself a regular exfoliating facial.  By exfoliating your skin on a regular basis you are allowing it to breathe.  You are getting rid of dead skin cells that may be clogging pores and therefore preventing unsightly scars that could occur and stay for ages.  You are also stimulating the flow of blood throughout your body.  The more oxygen your skin gets, the better it can function, producing collagen, producing elastin, producing peptides, regenerating itself, basically performing all the basic functions that allow it to stay young and effectively protect the rest of your body from outside elements such as harmful UV rays.

            Are home remedies the next botox?  No.  They are mostly preventative, and they can only do so much.  But by taking care of your skin early, not only do you reduce the need for more invasive procedures, but these home remedies are a lot more affordable, even over years of use.