From Botox injections to "grandmother's recipes": a dermatologist on popular skin procedures

Botox injections have become as common a procedure as a manicure or a haircut, although they are considered complicated and potentially dangerous. We asked a specialist what you need to know before deciding on injections, why "grandmother's recipes" are dangerous, and where is the best place to buy cosmetics for children.
A shot of youthEverything needs to be approached wisely, especially facial rejuvenation procedures. Therefore, dermatologists and cosmetologists recommend that you consult a specialist before getting Botox or filler injections. He will determine the extent of the problem and prescribe a course of treatment, and it will not necessarily be a "shot of youth".

- Depending on what cosmetic defect needs to be eliminated, different approaches are used. Often, you can get by with hardware treatment or a course of drugs to stimulate collagen production, - says Alexander Ruban, a top-category dermatologist and cosmetologist at the MINSK City Clinical Center of Dermatovenereology.
He specifies: when Botox is injected, the folds are smoothed out because the drug blocks the nerve impulses that cause muscle contraction. The facial muscles relax, and expression lines become less noticeable. If you stop doing regular injections, the face will return to its natural state.

- After the first injection, the full effect occurs on the 10-14th day and lasts from 4 to 6 months. The next one is administered no earlier than six months later. The number of "beauty injections" is not limited, and the frequency depends on the concentration of the drug: the lower it is, the more often you need to see a cosmetologist, - explains Alexander Vladimirovich.

Subcutaneous injections are not the cheapest. The cost depends on the amount of the drug injected into the correction area: forehead, between the eyebrows, around the eyes. The price of one injection varies from 180-200 rubles. As the specialist explains, much depends on the initial condition of the skin. For some, one injection is enough to smooth out wrinkles.
Filler to the rescueTo correct facial features and make cheekbones or jaw more expressive, specialists use gel implants - fillers. During the procedure, a small amount of the drug is injected, without having a strong effect on the skin structure. If, with moderate and rare use, you decide to stop at some point, then there will be no significant problems. Another thing is if you often and excessively resort to correction - then the skin will stretch and sag over time.

- Cosmetic procedures should only be performed by qualified specialists who will select the appropriate drug and the required volume. They will use an injection technique that takes into account the individual characteristics of a person, - says Alexander Ruban. - The most harmless consequence of using low-quality injections is a complete lack of the expected effect. But there are also allergic reactions, up to anaphylactic shock, as well as serious consequences such as necrosis, granulomatous inflammation, scarring.

Most of these changes, unfortunately, can be irreversible.

- If the intervention is done in moderation, there is no hypercorrection, contraindications, side effects from drugs - then why not resort to fillers. The main thing is to do everything in moderation, without violating the proportions of the face, - the expert is sure.
Greetings from the marketplace Decorative cosmetics should also be used in moderation, especially by those who have skin problems. For example, girls often try to mask large pores on their face with a thick layer of foundation, thereby worsening the situation - they become clogged and inflamed.

- The problem gets worse, and the amount of treatment will be completely different, - comments Alexander Ruban and gives an example from practice, when a girl, wanting to get rid of post-acne (stagnant hyperemia and scars), did a peeling with an aggressive composition at home.

- She ordered the drug on one of the marketplaces, and chose the use scheme herself. As a result, she received a chemical burn of the face, complicated by purulent skin lesions.

Now the patient is undergoing phototherapy with a combination of injections. The dynamics are positive, but all the troubles could have been avoided if she had consulted a specialist.

Speaking about decorative cosmetics, the DOCTOR clarifies that there are no age restrictions on its use. Another question is the quality of the chosen line. For example, thrifty parents , as a rule, buy low-quality cheap children's eyeshadow and lipsticks without thinking about the consequences. But the least that can happen is inflammation that damages the integrity of the skin, which then leads to the introduction of a bacterial or fungal infection.

- There is no need to apply cosmetics to children. It is better to use seasonal products: gel or cream to moisturize dry skin. In summer, sun protection is a must, - concludes Alexander Ruban. - Pharmacies have special lines of cosmetics that are suitable even for newborns.
Grandmother's TalesWashing your face with oatmeal, wiping it with ice from the freezer, masks based on honey or cucumbers - many people still use "grandmother's recipes" to rejuvenate their faces. Our expert assures that although such methods can be useful, they are not for every skin type.

- For example, if a person is prone to chronic skin diseases, then contrast procedures with cold water and ice can lead to serious problems. Rosacea will appear - severe redness with burning and itching, - says the doctor.

He recommends that before arranging a "beauty salon at home", you consult a specialist who will, among other things, help you choose facial care products.

The condition of the skin, as the expert notes, often depends on nutrition. A tendency to oiliness is caused by the abuse of fast carbohydrates: fast food, whole MILK, coffee and cocoa products. People with a predisposition to rosacea should avoid things that stimulate blood flow: very hot and spicy food,ALCOHOL . Dryness problems - enrich your diet with vitamin A: eat fish, butter and nuts. To keep your face fresh and toned, you need vegetables and fruits .

| Vadim KONDRATYUK, "7 days" newspaper. Photo by the author and from open Internet sources.

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