Jun 12, 2009 1:15 pm US/Central
Needle-Free Alternative To Botox
Procedures Promises Lots Of Results With No Needles
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
-
-
Plastic Surgery, Botox Injection
AP
Botox is the most commonly used cosmetic, medical treatment in the United States. But the large needles necessary for the treatment can often scare potential patients away.
Now, one Manhattan spa is experimenting with a new, non-invasive facial procedure that gives squeamish New Yorkers, like actress Carol Granger, another option as they try to further defy time, CBS station WCBS-TV reports.
Granger wants to soften some of her wrinkles in an attempt to look younger, but finds the use of needles on her skin unappealing.
"I am scared to death of needles," Granger said. "The thought of being injected over and over again in my face just scares me."
Granger was open to trying the Botox facial, which licensed aesthetician Mica Hughes explains is a simple procedure.
"It's a combination of peptides that block the nerve signals that control muscle facial contraction, the same as what Botox does," Hughes said.
According to WCBS-TV's Dr. Holly Phillips, approximately 2.5 million Americans put themselves through Botox injections in 2008; and though the procedure is generally recognized as safe, complications can still arise.
This risk drew Granger to the Botox facial alternative.
"I don't really want to put toxins and chemicals in my body, you know?" Granger said. "Especially in my face."
The Botox facial procedure begins with a light peel before active ingredients are applied to the skin. Electrical currents are then used to enhance the product's penetration into the face. This last step allows the procedure to be executed without needles.
"There's no paralysis at all," Hughes said. "It just merely relaxes the muscles in the face so over time it reduces the lines and wrinkles."
Hughes added that the results are more subtle than would be seen after a traditional Botox procedure, but that the facial is good for the skin. Traditional Botox treatment is not.
"(The cream) is full of antioxidants," Hughes said. "(It contains) Vitamin C, Vitamin E, hyaluronic acids - all of those things are really, really nourishing (to the skin)."
Granger said she is seeing results from her treatments.
"I've just noticed the lines just being softer and the lines just starting to diminish," Granger said. "You walk out dewy (and) glowy (after the facial). You look a few years younger I'd like to think."
Patients who undergo the Botox facial need to use extra sunscreen when going outdoors, as the deep exfoliation leaves the skin more sensitive to UV-rays. However no recovery time is required.
Aestheticians have commonly said results become noticeable after six sessions of one-hour each. The typical session costs about $150.
Click here for more information on the Botox facial.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
CBS News Interactive: Healthwatch
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Comments