If you're like many women concerned about ageing, you probably have a medicine cabinet full of expensive creams and various potions that claim to add collagen to the skin and fill in wrinkles, giving you back your youth. These products are not only expensive, but generally do not work, or at the very least, do not work to the degree promised.



There is no over the counter cure for wrinkles and fine lines. Cosmetics and creams simply cover the surface of the skin and even then not very adequately. In order to truly erase wrinkles cosmetic surgery will be necessary.

Botox and other dermal fillers deliver what cosmetics and superficial creams cannot-results. These products can diminish or even completely smooth out unwanted facial lines and wrinkles from four to six months. Longer lasting results are possible with continued treatments over a period of time and most have few side effects and potential risks.

Botox is the only injectable product available that doesn't "fill" in wrinkles, but rather it temporarily paralyzes the muscle that creates the line. After injection into the target area, the lines relax and smooth out, leaving a more youthful appearance.

It is most often used for forehead furrows, smile lines, and the pinched area that can develop between the eyes. Risks are rare but include allergic reaction, prolonged swelling and bruising, or over-injection which can cause temporary muscle drooping.

There are a variety of different dermal fillers available, each with pros and cons, but they all have the same basic function, which is plumping up fine lines and hollow areas of the face. Unlike Botox, dermal fillers can be used on very fine lines such as smoker's wrinkles around the lips and crow's feet.

They can also be used to add fullness to hollows below the eyes and near the cheeks. They carry similar risks to that of Botox including allergic reaction, swelling, and bruising.

One reason why many women may balk at the idea of undergoing Botox or dermal filler injections is the dreaded trip to the plastic surgeon's office. However, these procedures are not as intense as more invasive surgeries like rhinoplasty or breast augmentation. In fact, a new trend for women is visiting a medical spa rather than a surgeon's office to have these procedures performed.

A medical spa is overseen by a qualified medical doctor or board certified plastic surgeon that employs a staff of trained and skilled technicians. Although in most cases the surgeon will not perform the procedure, he will be available in case of emergency or complications, as well as to answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Medical spas offer a calmer and more accessible environment than available at a traditional plastic surgeon's office. There are also a wide variety of additional procedures that can be performed in conjunction with Botox or dermal fillers for optimal results, allowing you to customize an individual treatment plan suited for your personal aesthetic goals.

Common medical spa menus include such procedures as laser skin resurfacing, laser hair removal, chemical peels, deep facials, microdermabrasion, and even aromatherapy and massages. Aestheticians can also recommend useful products and plan a skin treatment regime for you.