from the Daily Mail 25th January 2010:

click the image above for the full story

Today, injectable fillers are still considered safe and also affordable anti-aging treatments for people who are looking to fix wrinkles, enhance lips, heighten cheekbones or balance their nose. A survey was recently completed of 800 women between the age of 35 and 69. They stated that they would choice a facial injectable treatment before a surgical one. The advantages that most women are consider include: no incisions, no time out for the recovery and immediate results.

Whether someone wants to enhance facial contours or rid the face of deep wrinkles or folds, Aquamid can help. This filler have been undergoing testing and trials for many years and is now beginning to appear in some cosmetic surgery centers and spas throughout the world. Dr. Alan Kingdon of London is just one Cosmetic Surgeon and medical specialist who has over 30 years of experience in cosmetic surgery.

Aquamid is a soft-volume filler that provides immediate results and, unlike other temporary fillers, the results do not fade or disappear over time. It is able to restore volume in the face that has been lost due to aging and creates a more youthful and refreshed look. Auqamid is both a non-allergenic and biocompatible product and because of the amount of water it contains it makes the area that has been treated look and feel natural and soft.

Aquamid is a hydrogel (watery gel), meaning that it contains 97.5% water and over 99% absorbent. It feels and acts like a natural part of the body. After it is in place, it continually exchanges the surrounding tissue with the hydrogel; it does not leave the area of the injection site. The volume that it provides stays in place under the skin in harmony with the body. The volume that is injected is equal to the final result and allows physicians to precisely correct a look.

With Aquamid, you get exactly what you see; it does not contain micro-particles. The effect of the filing is due only to the injected amount. Unlike other products that do contain fillers that are particle-based, the hydrogel in Aquamid does not rely on anything to achieve the wanted augmentation. The filling is predictable and does not cause fibrosis or hardening of the tissues.

Aquamid has proven its safety and satisfaction based on it years of experience and over 300,000 treatments. The great results can be achieved without the need surgery. The results are not only instant, but also long lasting. During a long-term trial, physicians looked at the aesthetic results at intervals of one, two and four years. They determined the results to be good or very good in over 90% of the patients. And furthermore, over 90% of the patients stated that they were either satisfied or very satisfied at these internal follow-ups. Data that has been collected after five years also shows very similar aesthetic results and satisfaction in patients.

The Aquamid product has been tested in both pre-clinical and clinical trials to great extent. The long term-term effects have also been studied by looking back at trials with an observation time of six years. Aquamid is a versatile filler and used for folds, contouring and augmenting. It is known to have specific advantage over other fillers that are used for aesthetic enhancement. One great disadvantage of other fillers is their short time of action and the need to repeat the injections. With Aquamid, there is no degrading; therefore, providing a long lasing augmentation from just one injection. Because of this, it is an option that is both preferred and cost-effective, making Aquamid the preferred injectable filler recommended by Dr. Alan Kingdon.

Aquamid is manufactured by a Danish pharmaceutical company. It is made of hydrophilic polyacrylamide and is found to be between 300 and 400 times its weight in water. This product has been used in drug delivery, medical applications, water purification, intraocular lenses and also agriculture for several years. It has been used in cosmetic application for more than 10 years. Aquamid is not available officially in the United States, but there have been some physicians who have brought it into the US and offered it to some of their patients. It does have CE marketing, is not approved by the FDA but is available and used in 40 different countries throughout Australia, Canada, Asia, Europe and Mexico.

It is not just women who are getting cosmetic surgery these days. More men than ever are electing to have procedures done that improve their physical appearance and boost their self-esteem. By far the most popular cosmetic procedure for men is botox injection. Botox is very popular because it has few side-effects, little to no recovery time, and can be performed on an outpatient basis. Botox treatment involves a derivative of the botulism toxin carefully injected into your skin. At the injection site, wrinkles are greatly reduced. However, these treatments are not permanent. Your body absorbs the botox over time and wrinkles can reform. Because this is an outpatient procedure, however, most men do not find it problematic to have the procedure repeated occasionally.

Many men worry about how their physical appearance will influence their lives. Because your face is the first feature people notice about you, they judge you by the way you look. It might not always be the best way to judge someone but unfortunately that is just the way the world works. Whether you are looking for a new job, trying to land a date, or simply want people to think the best of you, botox can help you impress everyone you meet.

Botox can help reduce any signs of aging. Although men generally show their age less rapidly than women, wrinkles around the eyes and mouth can make a man look old and tired. These are not qualities you want to display in any area of your life. An occasional botox injection can help your face look firm and young. When you look younger, you feel better and your boosted self-confidence will be noticeable.

Some men have wrinkle lines removed from in between their eyes. They do this not because they want to seem more attractive but because they want to look less angry. Deep wrinkles between the eyes can make it look like you are scowling. Even if you have a friendly and kind demeanor, people might assume you are angry or bad-tempered. Botox injections can remove those deep wrinkles providing the patient with a more peaceful-looking expression. For men in possession of authority, botox can make them look less intimidating and more accessible. It is difficult enough to be a boss without your employees thinking that you dislike them or are simply an angry person. If you are an employee in a large company, you do not want others to think you are insubordinate because of the perpetual scowl on your face. Botox might be your answer.

Although there are many other popular cosmetic procedures available for men, including liposuction and tummy tucks, botox treatment is by far the most popular cosmetic treatment among men. Because of its dramatic results, low risk, and minimal recovery time, botox is the perfect treatment for those who want to improve their appearance quickly and get back to their daily routine.

Cosmetic surgery is no longer as stigmatized as it once was. Now many women choose to have various plastic surgery procedures done for a variety of reasons. They might want to correct a facial defect or reduce the signs of aging. For some women, having a cosmetic procedure improves their self-esteem. Because plastic surgery has become more common and the procedures are more advanced, women do not feel as apprehensive about getting, for example, a face lift.

This does not mean that cosmetic surgery is something to undergo lightly. Despite major advances in surgical technique and overall safety, cosmetic surgery is still surgery. Before you decide that a particular cosmetic procedure is right for you, talk to your doctor about any and all risks involved. You should also consult with your family and check to see if your insurance policy will cover any of the surgery costs.

One of the most common cosmetic procedures available today is botox treatment. Botox treatment consists of a series of facial injections. A derivative of botulism toxin is injected into the skin to eliminate wrinkles. This procedure is quite common because it can be done on an out-patient basis and requires little recovery time. The results of a botox treatment are not permanent, however, and women will have to have treatments periodically to stay wrinkle-free.

Another way to treat facial aging is to have a face lift. A face lift tightens the facial skin and can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and jowls. A face lift is done on an inpatient basis and some recovery time is necessary. However, the results of a face lift will last significantly longer than the results of a botox treatment.

Cosmetic surgery is also commonly performed on the nose. For women who are unhappy about the size and shape of their nose, they can have the bone physically reshaped. Although there is a recovery period for such a procedure, it usually does not interfere with the patients normal activities.

For women who have had children or are simply unhappy with the appearance of their stomach, a tummy tuck is a common option. A tummy tuck removes some of the excess skin that can appear over the course of a lifetime. The result is a thinner, smoother mid-section. A tummy-tuck is a major, invasive procedure with a lengthy recovery time. Many women experience significant pain while they are recovering, although this pain can be treated under proper medical supervision. The full results of a tummy tuck cannot be seen for several months because of swelling.

Less invasive than a tummy tuck is liposuction. Liposuction is a process that removes excess fat. This procedure is not limited to the abdominal region. Many women have fat in other areas removed as well, including the upper thigh, back, and even under the arms. Laser Liposuction has a shorter recovery time than a tummy tuck and women are able to treat more than one problem area during the same visit.

Acne is the bane of existence for many teenagers and adults. It usually can be managed with topical creams and ointments and good diet and stress control. When a person’s self-confidence is lowered because of acne, they will often retreat from social interaction. Laser acne treatment is an effective solution when topical ointments and soaps are not working. Laser stands for “Light Amplification by Simulated of Radiation.” These treatments can eradicate the acne and allow a person to raise their personal outlook and help them feel better about themselves. The benefit of laser acne treatment makes it a very attractive option that is worth the cost.

Laser acne treatment only targets the areas of skin affected by acne, leaving the healthy skin untouched. Acne not only affects the face, but also the chest and back and other areas that may be hard to reach to apply an ointment. This procedure eliminates the need to even apply any ointments or creams, which could be messy, expensive, and could dry out the healthy skin if it gets on it. There are only minor possible side effects such as redness and swelling at the treatment site. These effects usually diminish with 24 hours. Laser acne treatment not only gets rid of pimples, but also helps build healthy tissue and new skin cells in the treated area.

The procedure is short and simple and it lasts only for a few minutes to an hour with no serious complications. A qualified, licensed dermatologist or other medical staff should perform this procedure. A laser beam is aimed at the affected area. This laser amplifies light, which causes it to burn away the bacteria that causes acne that accumulates within the skin tissue and shrink the oil-producing glands. New tissue and skin cells are then caused to grow. There is little to no pain or discomfort during the procedure, and it’s only used on the affected skin, the healthy skin remains intact. Acne treatment is completely non-invasive with virtually no risk of infection or bleeding.

Laser treatment is also used to remove scars that resulted from previous bouts with acne. The damaged tissue is removed and the collagen fiber that is found in skin that gives it the plumpness is tightened in order to fill in the indentations left behind by the removed tissue. Depending on the severity of the scarring, only a few treatments would be needed spaced over a period of four to six weeks. Some patients see results after only two or three treatments. Pain killers or sedation may be employed to reduce any pain experienced during the procedure.

Price for laser acne treatment varies. With fast results with little to no pain and rapid healing time makes this service a good investment in your personal appearance and overall self-confidence. There are several home laser kits on the market that touts near-dermatological results, but in order to get premium results, it is always wise to consult medical staff who is well-trained in administering acne laser treatments.

DISCLAIMER: The following examples of home surgery disasters are the acts of private individuals and highlights the need for professional advice before considering any form of surgery. Do not attempt any form of self-surgery at home (or anywhere else).

What could compel someone to try to perform surgery on themselves at home?  Being someone who once cut into my hand to try to remove a splinter, I can only say that it has to contain a big part of stupidity, and anything that follows after that can be merged into the same thing.

1- Home Botox Fail

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The latest story has a 54-year old California woman who decided she could inject botox into her lips as easily as her plastic surgeon could.  So she bought some botox and did the deed.  Turns out she didn’t buy medical grade botox, which is much different than regular botox, and the results weren’t pretty, as you can see.

2- Cooking Oil Injections?

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Another home plastic surgery story from last year didn’t go so well either; as a matter of fact, it went much worse.  This woman, who at 28 was a very pretty woman, thought that cooking oil could do the same type of thing that botox would do, and decided to inject herself with it.  All that swelling didn’t stay, but her face is now permanently damaged and will involve serious facial reconstruction.

3- Nose Job Clips?

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The aim to be better looking can consume many people, but there has to be a point at which common sense takes over and people are either happy with their looks, or will go to a professional to get help.  However, home kits that provide things like this one, which is supposed to alter the look of one’s nose, don’t help.  At least this one doesn’t cut into the skin, or give anyone needles to inject themselves.

4- Antique Breast Enlargement Contraption

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There have always been home remedies for things such as increasing one’s breast.  They may not have been effective, but at the time they were considered relatively safe with no cutting, that’s for sure.

5- Cigarette Box Body Patching

We’re not saying that sometimes a person might not have what they consider a good reason for doing self surgery on themselves.  A lack of cash had this man getting creative on himself and deciding to use cigarette packets to cover up

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this nasty hole in his chest.  Poverty can bring about some of the most creative things you’ve ever seen; luckily, this guy is now ready to have something better done for himself.

6- Abscess

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This man had an abscess on his arm and wasn’t anywhere close to a doctor.  At least he had the common sense to call a doctor and have a doctor talk him through it, but can you imagine taking a picture of it while the blood is oozing out of your arm?

7- Cesarean Section Surgery

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Sometimes we’re lucky that there are no pictures of certain surgeries.  There was a story of a woman who was home by herself giving birth, and decided to perform her own cesarean section surgery.  We at least have a picture of her, the knife, and her little boy.  And another story about a man who decided to perform kidney stone surgery on himself with a razor.  He dug out three stones; I might have passed out just thinking about doing it.

8- Homemade Gender Change Surgery

Another story where we’re lucky that there were no pictures or video of happened recently, when a man who wanted to be a woman decided to try to remove her own genitals with a home surgery kit.  Luckily, her lover was home and able to call for an ambulance.

9- DIY Ankle Surgery

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This guy was lucky enough to be able to make it to the hospital on his own.  He tried to remove a metal plate from his leg that was put there after a car accident years earlier.  He got four of the screws out before realizing he couldn’t get to the fifth, so he stitched himself back up.

10- DIY Emergency Amputation

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There are times when home, or at least emergency surgery has to be done on yourself.  In Adam Ralston’s case, if he hadn’t amputated his own arm, he might not be alive today, as he was pinned under a boulder.

11- Home Laser Eye Surgery

We’re glad we don’t have pictures of someone actually trying the procedure, but trust me, do NOT do home Lasik surgery if you ever want to see again.

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Maybe we should be glad it came with a pictorial instruction page.

12- Homemade Tattoo Removal

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As we end our story, we’d like to say that even home tattoos and home tattoo removal are DIY (do-it-yourself) surgeries that should be done by a professional.  This may not be rocket science, but it’s more important than rocket science.

All examples shown above are examples of home surgical mistakes with a lack of professional advice and experience. Anyone considering or requiring any form of surgery should speak to their doctor or a professional surgeon.

Breast injections

Are you one of the many women who want bigger breasts but too scared to go under the knife? Do you feel that bigger breasts will boost your confidence and self esteem? Maybe you just want to feel better about your appearance? If this sounds familiar to you, macrolane injections are the answer to all of your prayers.

Advantages of Macrolane
• instant results
• natural product
• minimal scarring
• minimal downtime
• subtle breast enlargement

A macrolane injection produces an instant breast enlargement without the need for surgery. This breakthrough treatment augments the breasts to produce lift and volume. The injection is a simple procedure that takes under an hour and causes little to no bruising!
The candidates ideal for this treatment are women with a size a cup who would like to move up to b, or from b to c cup. Women between the ages of twenty five to fifty with breast tissue over 1 cm thick is the best combination and will enjoy the most lift from this treatment. Women whose nipples have dropped or nipples that point outward would also benefit. The treatment can push the nipples back inward and also produce a fuller bust when wearing low tops and dresses.
Some of you might ask the question, “what is macrolane?” macrolane is the primary injectible filler used in nonsurgical breast augmentations. The macrolane used in these injections is really hyaluronic acid which is the same substance that the body uses to maintain skin tightness. Those of you who have heard of hyaluronic acid would know that it is the same substance that has been injected in faces for over ten years in products such as perlane and restylane. However, the hyaluronic acid used in macrolane is purer than in these other products which allows more to be injected into the breast.
Macrolane injections are performed under local anesthesia which is different than what is used in a surgical procedure. Downtime and scarring is minimal. Macrolane also does not hinder any health examinations which makes it a great alternative to silicone implants that usually get in the way of mammograms. The best thing about macrolane is that in the middle of a procedure a woman can check her breasts and determine if she wants more fullness. This can’t be done in surgery. This puts the customer in more control of the outcome of the procedure. Macrolane injections are also considered extremely safe because hyaluronic acid is a substance that already exists naturally in the human body.

In the quest to find the fountain of youth there have been a lot of secrets handed down from generation to generation. One secret that is not being kept quite so quiet is the use of botox. Botox has been around for fifty years, initially to help individuals correct lazy eyes. It is only in recent times that it has been used as an excellent solution to assist in smoothing fine lines and deep wrinkles. Results are seen in as little in three days and last around three months.

With its evolution and ease of use, botox has become very popular within celebrity circles. Let’s examine some people who have taken advantage of the wonder injections, and see how it has helped them maintain their fresh, vibrant appearances.

1. Janice Dickinson

Janice Dickinson has remarked that she started using botox the first year that it came out and gets a new injection every six months.

2. Jenny McCarthy

Jenny McCarthy uses botox and makes sure that her doctor doesn’t over do it so that she will look her best.

3. Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields has publicly discussed her use of botox to keep her looks youthful and fresh.

4. Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams swears by her use of botox in maintaining her flawless complexion.

5. Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford has said that she owes her ageless look to her dermatologist and regular botox treatments.

6. Jennie Garth

Jennie Garth credits use of botox for keeping her sunny “Beverly Hills 90210,” looks in place.

7. Daisy Fuentes

Daisy Fuentes says botox is one of those things women should use as they grow older.

8. Annie Potts

Annie Potts predicts that botox will continue to grow in popularity particularly for actresses.

9. Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell has said that he does botox once a year and finds it no more strange than using toothpaste.

10. Lisa Rinna

Lisa Rinna says she uses Botox to rid herself of hereditary facial scowl marks.

11. Linda Evangelista

Linda Evangelista uses botox to ‘avoid growing old.’

12. David Hasselhoff

David Hasselhoff says that everyone he knows uses botox and he uses it to ‘take the frown out.’

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13. Lori Loughlin

Lori Loughlin likes botox because she says it makes you look like you have been on a nice vacation.

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14. Sharon Osbourne

Sharon Osbourne uses botox sparingly, so as to leave some lines and maintain a natural look.

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15. Virginia Madsen

Virginia Madsen loves botox so much she is a celebrity spokeswoman for it.

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16. Teri Hatcher

Teri Hatcher has revealed her use of botox to keep wrinkles at bay.

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17. Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman has been said to be botox believer for many years.

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18. Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie’s inside circle has said that she uses botox to freshen up for major events like Cannes.

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19. Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt is said to have started regular botox use after meeting his current partner Angelina Jolie.

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20. Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue regularly discusses her botox use in interviews.

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21. Kate Moss

Kate Moss uses botox as a tool to stay at the top of her modeling game.

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22. George Clooney

George Clooney is said to use botox to maintain his youthful and sexy looks.

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23. Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis uses many tools including botox to maintain beauty.

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24. Courtney Cox

Courtney Cox used botox to combat fine lines and aging.

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25. Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson updates her botox regimen three times a year.

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26. Julio Iglesias

Julio Iglesias has stated that his use of botox keeps him from going under the knife.

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27. Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez has used botox primarily to smooth forehead lines before premieres.

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28. Fergie

Fergie has a much smoother appearance after using botox on her face.

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29. Michael Douglass

Michael Douglass is not shy about admitting his use of plastic surgery and botox.

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30. Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham represents the cutting edge of fashion, and uses botox regularly to maintain looks.

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31. Kim Cattrall

Kim Cattrall has noted that she uses botox to eliminate the crease between her eyebrows.

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32. Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren has stated that botox was a part of her preparation before accepting her Academy Award.

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33. Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell has been said to use botox before runway jobs to ‘look fresh every time.’

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34. Judi Dench

Judi Dench has stated that she uses botox to address the sagging skin around her eyes.

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35. Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney has been long said to have taken advantage of the benefits of botox.

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36. Steven Tyler

Steven Tyler is a fan of botox and plastic surgery to keep his youthful rocker appeal.

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37. Goldie Hawn

Goldie Hawn says that women should not be ashamed to admit they use botox.

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38. Ray Liotta

Ray Liotta uses botox in remaining youthful for the camera.

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39. Melissa Rivers

Melissa Rivers uses botox before her major red carpet appearances.

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40. Ashlee Simpson

Ashlee Simpson uses botox bi monthly to stay young.

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41. Geri Halliwell

Geri Halliwell used botox to freshen up before her comeback tour.

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42. David Beckham

David Beckham uses botox to ‘tighten’ before his modeling shoots.

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43. Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston has been rumored to use botox following her divorce.

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44. Wendy Williams

Wendy Williams details her botox use on her radio show.

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45. Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner began using botox after the birth of her first child.
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46. Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian is rumored to use botox around the eye and smile area.

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47. Christie Brinkley

Christie Brinkley began using botox when her looks were too difficult to maintain ‘naturally’.

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48. Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton received botox shots during her failed presidential bid.

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49. Greta Van Susteren

Greta Van Susteren uses light botox so as not to attract attention.

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50. Joe Biden

Joe Biden used botox after becoming the vice presidential nominee.

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51. Ellen Pompeo

Ellen Pompeo started receiving regular botox injections after becoming a household name on Grey’s Anatomy.

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Injectible fillers are non-surgical cosmetic procedures that involve rejuvenating the skin’s natural collagen. There are various types of injectible fillers:

Botox

Botox is a safe injectible treatment for smoothing out moderate to severe frown lines. It is a non-surgical procedure approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). One treatment only lasts about ten minutes. A few small injections are administered between the brow areas. There is a bit of redness and swelling that may occur. Results will last up to four months. This procedure is so common and safe that over 3.3 million individuals have tried it so far since it was produced.

Macrolane Breast Shaping Injections

Macrolane breast shaping injections were first introduced in the UK back in 2008. Macrolane raises breasts one to one-half cup size. The patient is usually anesthetized and injected with up to 150 milliliters of solution. It is much safer than silicone gel breast implants that can rupture and need to be replaced every ten years.

Human-Based Collagen Fillers

Cosmoderm and CosmoPlast are amongst the brand names that are classified as human-based collagen fillers. These fillers increase the volume in face regions such as the lips, below and above the eyes, crow’s feet, the creases around the nose toward the mouth, and frown lines. The procedure is safe and lasts four months and beyond.

Bovine-Based Collagen Fillers

Zyderm and Zyplast are amongst the brand names that are classified as bovine-based collagen fillers. These fillers originate from cows and are utilized to add mass to face regions such as the lips, crow’s feet, above and below the eyes, the nasal fold area, and frown lines. These fillers are safe and approved by the FDA. Results last over four months.

Hyaluronic Acid-Based Fillers

Perlane, Hylaform, Juvederm and Restylane are amongst the name brands classified as hyaluronic acid-based fillers. Treatment areas and results are the same as bovine-based and human-based collagen fillers.

Buttock Fat Injections

This procedure is less invasive than buttock implants. It does include injecting fat from donor areas of one’s own body, or from synthetic donors into the buttocks. The advantages include a more natural look than buttock implants, a faster procedure, less scarring, and a reduced recovery time.

Macrolane is an innovative injectable gel that can be used as a replacement to costly and painful cosmetic surgery. It can also be used to correct the formation of scar tissue from previous surgery and fill-in the dimpling that can sometimes occur after liposuction. Macrolane is a non-animal based hyaluronic gel that can be safely injected into the body for shaping and contouring.

One of the reasons that Macrolane injections are considered safer than other injectable gels is that it is engineered in a lab instead of being derived from animal tissues. This means that it doesn’t carry the risk of infection that other animal-based fillers do. It is also easily broken down by the body. The technology behind using Macrolane has been developed from years of research and is based on the NASHA formula that is made by Q-Med, and has been used in millions of procedures worldwide.

Macrolane can be used on various parts of the body. It can increase the fullness in the breasts for women and create definition of the chest area for men. This injectable gel is also able to be used on the calves to create a fuller shape. It can enhance shape in the buttock region. Using Macrolane as a volume restoration treatment can be used as an alternative to surgery and the results last up to one year.

Because it is minimally invasive, it can be done in the doctor’s office with just local anesthesia and very little recovery time is needed after the procedure. Finding a doctor that has been trained by the experts at Q-Med to give the treatment is very important for receiving the best results. Depending on the amount of contouring that is wanted, the treatment can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. Side effects are minimal, but soreness or redness at the injection sites are the most commonly reported. Normal activity can be resumed very shortly after the procedure. Another plus regarding Macrolane is that because it is a gel and not an implant, it doesn’t interfere with ability to read mammograms.

The results of Macrolane are noticeable immediately. That doesn’t mean that it looks unnatural, it just gives the body a more shapely form. Macrolane is a great tool for total body enhancement without the downsides that are associated with more invasive surgery. Millions of people from around the world have already benefited from Macrolane.