Botox has been used for decades, with the pioneers of the treatment first using it to treat a patient’s eye spasms in the 1980s. This is, admittedly, a while ago – when we consider just how quickly things are changing within the cosmetic world. As with any cosmetic or even medical procedure, it’s only natural that things do advance with time. So, does it make sense that many are still relying on a treatment that has been around, and only minimally changed, for this long? Not really.
Luckily, as technology advances, there are many other procedures that cosmetics innovators are coming up with. With backgrounds deeply rooted in science as our understanding of cosmetic treatments and how they work is enhanced, these procedures can even work as better alternatives to Botox. One of these new products that offers the ability to provide innovative treatments is the Plasma Fibroblast Pen.
In explaining what the Plasma Pen is and the treatments it can offer, we’ll first describe what Botox is and how it works.
What is Botox treatment?
Botox is the most common cosmetic procedure in the world, though many are actually unaware of what the treatment involves. Botox involves injecting a liquid into muscular tissue, paralysing the muscles targeted so they can’t move. This works as the injection blocks the signals sent between nerves and muscles, so the muscles can’t contract. The treatment can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, as muscles are relaxed.
Botox is mainly used for cosmetic purposes, to reduce the appearance of fine lines caused by ageing. Despite this, people have been beginning to use Botox more as a preventative treatment, from much younger ages. It’s most commonly injected around the face: into the lines on the forehead, into the crow’s feet around the eyes, and into the space between the eyebrows. You might also seek Botox around the lips, cheeks and jawline, for maximum impact.
Botox can also be used for medical reasons, as it can help reduce the effects of certain muscular issues. For example, Botox is used to treat eye spasms as we mentioned earlier, by relaxing the muscles. It can be used to reduce the prevalence of migraines, treat hyperhidrosis, and an overactive bladder. All these uses may offer significant quality of life improvements when it comes to weighing up the pros and cons of Botox for medicinal purposes. But that doesn’t negate the fact that it is a highly invasive procedure, especially when we consider that much less invasive procedures are available when it comes to cosmetics.
What’s more, the liquid that is injected into the muscle via Botox is actually a toxin. It is known as the Botulinum toxin, the exact same toxin that causes the life-threatening illness, Botulism. One of the main symptoms of Botulism is muscle weakness and even paralysis, and the injections given during Botox offer the same treatment – although in much smaller doses. These small doses are why Botox is considered to be safe, as well as the fact that the procedure must be prescribed and carried out by qualified professionals.
Despite these reassurances surrounding the safety of Botox, many still don’t feel comfortable injecting such a toxin into their muscles. The very thought of being injected evokes fear in some, as the BBC states that 1 in 10 people have a phobia of needles. Since Botox involves being repeatedly injected with the toxin in a variety of areas, this evidently isn’t the best route for many.
How long does Botox last for and how much does it cost?
While getting Botox done, you’ll feel discomfort at the sites of the injections. You’ll first start to notice changes to the injection sites within 3 days after the treatment. You won’t actually see the complete results until 3 weeks after you have the procedure done, so there’s a bit of a wait before you can experience the full effects.
With such an invasive treatment, you might expect that Botox will last a long time – making it all worthwhile. In fact, Botox lasts only about 3 – 4 months before the nerve signals to the muscle begin to start working again. Once these wrinkles or fine lines become more prominent as the Botox wears off, people often then seek further treatment. The issue here is that you must be careful not to have too much Botox, as the results can lessen and stop working altogether over time if you receive it too often.
So, how much does Botox cost? This can completely depend on where, and by whom, you choose to have your injections administered by. Usually, the cost is around £100 – £350 for each area or session. Many dental surgeries and cosmetic treatment providers can offer payment plans, where you can spread the cost over a certain number of months.
Why is Plasma Fibroblast the best alternative to Botox?
We already know how invasive Botox is, but what’s the alternative? As we mentioned earlier, one of the most renowned cosmetic products to be released as of late is the Plasma Pen. This is a revolutionary product now used by trained practitioners as many move forwards in replacing Botox treatments with more future-thinking procedures.
The Plasma Pen is a fibroblasting tool that works on a non-invasive basis, by transferring nitrogen plasma energy to the epidermis of the skin. It can work anywhere that Botox does! This involves the use of a pen tool that creates a plasma ‘arc’ between the pen and the skin – creating a series of mini, superficial dots on the surface of the skin. This is what we call a micro-trauma, and it actually prompts the skin to begin the healing process whereby new, rejuvenated skin tissue will form within 12 weeks. This stimulates the body’s natural production of collagen, which plumps up the skin and reduces the visibility of wrinkles as the healing process tightens and restructures the areas treated with the Plasma Pen. No harmful toxins in the body like with Botox, and no invasive injections!
The Plasma Fibroblast treatment is a highly individualised process for each individual, as specific areas must be expertly targeted in order to achieve the desired results. Due to the non-invasive nature of the treatment, the results appear relatively quickly when compared to the 3 weeks’ waiting time associated with Botox injections. Plasma Pen Fibroblast treatments will see results in 3 – 7 days, as the ‘carbon crusts’ that form on the skin after the procedure begin to heal and reveal fresh, rejuvenated skin. During this time, it’s recommended that patients use aloe vera gels to aid the healing process and avoid beauty products. Other than when the aftercare guidelines are not followed, it’s highly rare that anyone will experience unwanted effects from Fibroblasting treatments. With the Plasma Pen, results can even last up to 3 years! Much better than the handful of months’ results promised by more invasive Botox treatments.
With Botox, there can also be risks. Many of these risks are linked to the fact that the injected liquid is a toxin, and can cause unwanted side effects if too much is injected. Individuals may feel the symptoms of flu, fever and headaches coming on within the first 24 hours after injection. Despite being a procedure used to enhance appearances, droopiness in the face can occur if the Botox moves into a different area.
Further to this, serious issues such as damaged vision or excessive tearing may happen when injecting around the eye area. In rare cases, the symptoms of Botulism can appear. Breathing difficulties may happen, associated with Botox injections to the neck. Bladder control can be impaired, you may feel weak, and you might find it hard to speak or swallow.
Looking back on all of these potential side effects, it’s no wonder that people are moving away from Botox and swaying towards more innovative cosmetic procedures like our Plasma Pen and the Fibroblast treatment. If you’re a cosmetics specialist looking to branch out and offer more innovative treatment options for your clients, get in touch with us today.
