Is Botox Different than Plastic Surgery?

Women ranging from 35 to 50 are interested in keeping a youthful look. Reducing fine lines around the eyes and mouth can not only make women look five to ten years younger, it can have a profound effect on self confidence. Options for achieving a more youthful appearance can cost anywhere from several hundreds of dollars to many thousands of dollars. Before committing to one form of treatment, it is wise to examine both temporary and permanent effects of plastic surgery options.

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) is a temporary solution to taming fine lines and wrinkles located around the eyes and forehead. Botox works by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles by blocking nerve impulses. The effect of Botox lasts between two to four months. The procedure is basically painless and can be done in a dermatologist's or plastic surgeon's office.

Botox should not be used if the patient is pregnant or nursing, has ALS, myasthenia gavis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome or heart disease. Botox is made using human plasma and may contain viruses and other possibly infectious agents that could lead to disease. Discuss the risks, side affects and benefits with your physical prior to starting Botox injections. Allergic reactions can include: hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue.

Plastic surgery is intended to rejuvenate the neck, lower and mid face regions. A face lift repositions sagging skin to give a more youthful appearance. A face lift is usually coupled with a deep chemical peel to increase the collagen and elastins in the skin and to provide are more youthful appearance. Face lifts cannot always remove all wrinkles from the forehead and perpendicular wrinkles around the mouth caused by smoking.

Most face lifts done today do more than simply stretch the skin taut; they often also tighten the facial muscles below the skins surface. Fat may be liposuctioned out of the face or throat region or added to provide fullness to an older face. Incisions are typically placed behind the ear and along the hairline to hide scaring. Swelling and bruising after the procedure are common and could last up to a week.

Face lift procedures are done under general anesthesia and can take 2-5 hours to complete. A hospital stay of 1 – 2 nights may be required. Pain medication may be needed for the first week after surgery. Swelling, numbness and bruising will occur and can last for 4-6 weeks. Strenuous activity should be avoided during the healing process. Scarring will start to fade after a year but will never completely go away.