Botox Toronto

Soon to hit pharmacists in Canada (hopefully) is Allergan’s Latisse. We don’t know where they got the name, but this is probably going to be the next hottest cosmetic product in the industry.

Mascara has got to be the most popular makeup product. Everyone wants those long, lush lashes to highlight their eyes. Mascara is the one thing women buy first (okay, maybe lipstick and nail polish are high up on the list, too) and continue to buy consistently throughout their lifetime. So, when Latisse hits the shelves, I – and many many other women – are going to be ECSTATIC!

Why? It helps grow the eyelashes, making them darker, longer and thicker. And it wasn’t even the original use of the product. Originally, the stuff under the trade name Lumigan, was used for glaucoma and ocular hypertension. Beautiful lashes was actually a side effect of the treatment!

Okay, I am a little apprehensive about how it’ll be administered (like Botox, an injection, perhaps?) But with my stubby little fringes, I’m willing to try it out.

Great work Allergan!

So why is a tattoo article appearing on this Botox blog?

Well, because this blog isn’t only about Botox – it’s all about improving your appearance. And tattoos, as well as getting rid of tattoos, is part of that. So here’s an article on tats.

Tattoos aren’t just some type of new wave body art that has surfaced in recent times. Tattoos have been part of our culture for thousands of years.

Evidence suggests that the custom of applying permanent ink on the skin has been around for at least 5000 years, when a corpse was found in Western Europe with tattoos evident on its body. The corpse, that of a male, had simple line markings on several places on his body. Some scientists believe that these markings, particularly those that crossed his ankles, were actually made as a way to treat arthritis.

Further evidence suggests that tattoos were part of the culture of Ancient Egypt, as supported by the existence of geometric markings on the body of the priestess Amunet.

It is customary for several other societies to also practice the art of tattooing, including that of the Celts and Iroquois of Canada.

Negative Connotations
However, a tattoo isn’t always socially acceptable. Though the practice still readily continues in several cultures around the world, there is a negative connotation of their presence in “modern” society. A tattoo may be regarded with slight contempt, as they often are perceived to have some type of connection with the underworld or gang culture. It is for that reason that removing tattoos have become just as popular as getting them.

Getting Rid of Them
Originally, removing tattoos was more difficult than getting them. There was actually no way to remove a tattoo, and so artists improvised by trying to make the shape of the existing tattoo into something else. If that didn’t work, then another alternative was provided, albeit a painful one: the tattoo was removed, along with the skin it was on. Needless to say, this was not a popular option, but was the only way to get rid of it completely. This method involved simply cutting the skin off, or “scraping” it.

Laser Tattoo Removal
With advancements in technology, alternatives in tattoo removal are no longer as invasive as they once were. Lasers are now utilized to get rid of tattoos. Known as Laser Tattoo Removal, the procedure is considered far less painful than traditional methods, sometimes even less painful than actually getting the tattoo in the first place! The technique involves targeting the unwanted tattoo with a laser energy emitted by a device that controls its wavelength and pulse time. This laser energy breaks down the particles of pigment, which then are eliminated by the body naturally.

Shirley MacClaine may be a little more famous than usual at the moment because she’s Godmother to Dennis Kucinich’s daughter. And things took a turn for the worse when Dennis had to admit on the campaign trail that he’d seen a UFO. Of course Shirley was there to support him, but what about the rest of the Democratic Party?

Well Shirley is using her platform, and her newly released book, Sage-ing While Ageing, to say in no uncertain terms that she is DONE with plastic surgery. She says, “I’m not gonna do anymore… I want to play good parts that are my age. I don’t want to have the audience wonder if I’m making an expression or not.”

Sorry sweetie, you’re about 30 years too late for that. You should’ve thought of that before you had your first facelift. We can’t tell anymore if you’re lifting your brows or not.

Botox, the cure-all magic elixir of youth that saved your face from an aging penitentiary has swooped in and awed us all once again. In a study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, doctors found that if they injected Botox immediately after completing facial surgeries, scars were far less visible after healing. So that means those “tell all war wounds from the weary that’ve fought their way through a facelift” scars may be a thing of the past? Fantabulous. But what about those of us who didn’t know the revolution was only a day away? There’s still hope. The Fantabulous Fairy Godmother always grants three wishes. Giving us Botox was wish number one. Helping us heal was wish number two. Now wish number three: Botox may also help reduce regular scars – I mean the ones that already exist.

Injecting Botox paralyzes the muscles below an injection site. By injecting Botox at the site of a scar, it obviously paralyzes the muscles below the scar. Studies are showing that this lessens the tension on the tissue which forms the scar. With reduced tension the affected area has an enhanced ability to heal. Enhanced healing equals less visible scars. So any way you see it –reduced scars or wrinkle free – Botox means “smooth” sailing… I mean skin.

There is nothing worse than that awful caked on look of three day old make-up that you haven’t had a chance to wash off your face. You admit, you woke up late on the first day and just put more foundation on top of your make-up from the day before, and the next day you put powder on top of that, until you hit the three day mark of caked on wrinkled up make-up. So you gave yourself wrinkles. And now you want to get rid of them?

The truth is make-up does not hide wrinkles. In fact, foundation often exaggerates wrinkles, especially if it’s in a slightly different color than your natural skin tone. And none of the age-defying or age-erasing make-ups really do what they say. But I do have some tips: you can keep your foundation; just don’t use it above your mouth, around your eyes or around your nasolabial folds (the lines that run from the bottom of the nose to the chin, also called the “marionette lines”). Wrinkles in these areas seem to stand out the most when foundation is applied. Sorry there are no astonishing tricks to be had when it comes to hiding those wrinkles, but a little botox, a good moisturizer, and good dermatologist should help you on your way.

Dermatologist turned designer Mauro Orietti-Carella has come up with a class of handbags that are treated with Botox. Apparently, they are known for their cashmere-like silky smoothness.

The Zagliani bags retail for up to $9,000. Don’t have that kind of money? Why not bring your old trusted handbag to your next Botox treatment

If you’re afraid of Botox, here’s another non-invasive solution to wrinkles and crow’s feet from the same company.

A viable alternative to Botox is the injectable filler, Juvederm®. Another type of non-surgical method to erase the signs of aging, Juvederm® is mainly a hyaluronic acid which comes in the form of a transparent gel to be injected into the target area.

Depending on the extent of correction required, Juvederm® comes in a variety of strengths. It can reduce or eliminate the creases and furrows blemishing the face.

For your health and safety, Juvederm® should only be administered by a medical professional with good knowledge of dermatology, and who is licensed.

Botox® isn’t just for wrinkles. Crossed eyes can also be fixed, and in fact, Botox® was used to treat strabismus way before it was used to correct wrinkles – way back in 1980. However, it was approved by the FDA in 1989 and by Health Canada in 1990.

Crossed eyes, or strabismus, is caused by weak eye muscles. It is a disorder and can affect depth perception. When Botox® is injected into the muscles of the eye area that aren’t performing properly, it helps to strenthen and rebalance the eyes so that they are no longer crossed. Effects last for approximately 3 months, and is a viable alternative to surgery.

Surgically altering one’s appearance simply for aesthetic improvement was once frowned upon, even with non-invasive cosmetic treatments such as botox. However, a recent survey may indicate a shift in such attitude.

In a survey conducted by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and research firm, Synovate, attitudes of the general public toward cosmetic surgery are the most positive they’ve been in the last decade.

The 10th Consumer Attitudes Study

Findings of the 10th Consumer Attitudes Study, conducted in February of this year, show a steady increase over the past 10 years in the positive attitude of people across the U.S. toward the cosmetic surgery field. Statistics show 62% of 1000 surveyed Americans aged 18 and above approve of cosmetic surgery. Further, approval rates are highest for Americans aged 18-24, while attitudes toward cosmetic surgery of those 65 and over have improved by 11% in comparison to last year’s findings.

As part of their mission statement, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery conducted the study to remain abreast on the views of the general public so that the organization may advance the cosmetic surgical field, its recognized members, and those who support it.

So What Could This Mean?

This is good news for cosmetic surgeons, the patients who undergo any cosmetic surgical treatment including botox, and the field itself. It may indicate that people attach less stigma or negativity to cosmetic surgery, allowing more freedom to those who seek treatment. Instead of being ashamed to fulfill their desire to change, people will be able to undergo their chosen cosmetic surgical procedure, acquiring results that may boost their self esteem, improve their social standing, and make them happy with their appearance.