If you haven’t heard of the latest treatments in the fight against wrinkles, Botox and collagen injections, then you have probably shunned all forms of media. These injection procedures are increasingly more popular than ever before with little to no signs of letting up. These anti-wrinkle treatments use external agents to fill folds and crinkles or by relaxing the muscles that create wrinkles and expression lines. While the media continues to rave about the effectiveness of Botox and collagen injections in treating wrinkles, all is not glitter and gold. As with many skin care products, comes a downside to the hype. We’ll begin with botulinum toxin type A, better known as Botox.

The Origins Of Botox

Botox is derived from a bacterium that causes botulism, a type of food poisoning. Botulism is extremely dangerous and can result in paralysis and in some cases, death if it goes untreated. Botox is a diluted version of the botulism toxin. Botox treatments are used to combat forehead lines, crow’s feet, and other types of wrinkles. One of the biggest selling points for this type of treatment is that it’s quick and easy method of removing unsightly wrinkles.

Puts A Band-Aid On A Gun Shot Wound

Botox is by far one of the best methods for treating motion or expression wrinkles by paralyzing the affected muscles but that’s where the benefits end. Here’s what you probably didn’t know about Botox injections:

• Botox is completely ineffective against sun damage (the #1 cause of premature aging), fine lines, rough skin, or even acne scars.
• Regular injections actually thin the skin causing skin problems.
• The effects of botox injections wears off within 3 to 6 months requiring constant and costly maintenance because your wrinkles are ONLY being treated externally.
• And lastly, the skin adjacent to where a patient receives botox injections may become wrinkled.

Now that you’re a little more informed on Botox injections, what about collagen? Collagen injections are a little less eccentric than Botox in treating wrinkles but almost as popular. Collagen injections are effective against fine lines and wrinkles that are not caused by expressions. Hence, this treatment is effective against the wrinkles that Botox can’t hide. This is accomplished with collagen being injected into the dermis layer to plump up the skin and smooth out wrinkles.

What Kind Of Collagen Is This?

There are two types of collagens available today, bovine collagen and human collagen. Bovine collagen is more common and is derived from cows and then purified to make it look like human collagen. Some people are allergic to bovine collagen, so a skin tests are required before treatment begins. Collagen is injected at the site of the wrinkles and caused mild discomfort. The collagen treatment lasts up to 6 months. As you age and deeper lines form in your skin, the injections lose their effective and require more frequent treatments, as often as every few weeks.

Fortunately, the science of anti-aging skin care continues to produce even more effective treatments to battle the signs of aging. One of the most promising alternatives to Botox and collagen injections is a compound called Acetyl Hexapeptide-3. There is evidence that it produces the same results as Botox minus the needles, toxicity, cost or the risk of damage to the skin. This breakthrough skin care ingredient is found in an all-in-one skin cream called LifeCell by South Beach Skin Care. For more information about LifeCell, Botox, and collagen injections click here.