Ever hear the old adage, "What is old is new again"?  Given advances made in cosmetic medicine in the last few years, that statement may be truer than ever.  However, new products and procedures are developing so rapidly that their long-term effectiveness may only be determined over time.  Consumer demand, fueled by often times aggressive marketing campaigns on the part of product manufacturers and even the medical community, often out-paces consumer education.  And when it comes to cosmetic medicine, consumer/patient education is critical.  That said, here are some things you should know about two of the latest and most popular methods for combating the signs of aging - BOTOX^® Cosmetic and fillers.

BOTOX^® Cosmetic is a chemical neurotoxin that has been used in medicine for years.  It actually paralyzes the muscles in the face that, when they expand and contract over a lifetime, form wrinkles in the skin.  The most dramatic results of BOTOX^® Cosmetic use can be seen on the areas of the forehead and around the eyes, but it can also be used cosmetically on other areas such as the mouth, chin and neck.  BOTOX^® Cosmetic is safe.  However, it is always best to make sure it is administered by a medical professional who has a good reputation and extensive experience injecting BOTOX^® Cosmetic.  The reason for this is two-fold: technique and potency.

First, there has been a lot of hype about how an individual who uses BOTOX^® Cosmetic can look "frozen" as a result.  Rest assured that if BOTOX^® Cosmetic is administered correctly, it leaves a person with appropriate facial movements and a natural, fresh appearance.  Secondly, it is up to the individual practitioner to determine how potent the BOTOX^® Cosmetic injection should be.  The dilution factor can affect the quality and longevity of the results.  Consumers must know that if they are getting BOTOX^® Cosmetic cheap, they may be getting cheap BOTOX^® Cosmetic .

Fillers, such as collagen and silicone, are substances that literally fill in lines and depressions in the skin.  Fillers do not affect movement and work best in the lower face, like around the mouth and nose areas.  They are also helpful in alleviating depressions in the cheeks, eliminating overall facial wasting and enhancing the lips.

Four new fillers that are currently available are Hyaluronic acid (named Restylane or Perlane), Radiance hydroxyapatite, CosmoDerm and Artecoll.  These fillers are all relatively temporary.  Permanent fillers are never recommended as after three to four years the face ages around them, making the fillers very noticeable.  The patient then must have them surgically removed.

Hyaluronic acid fillers work by retaining water and "plumping up" areas.  They usually last from six to nine months and are awaiting approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Keep in mind that FDA approval only means a product or procedure is safe; it does not necessarily imply effectiveness.  Despite the current lack of FDA approval, consumer demand for Hyaluronic acid fillers in the U.S. is so high that many doctors are performing the procedures anyway.  Radiance is an FDA-approved substance that is usually used to repair vocal cords and bladders.  It can be used cosmetically to alleviate deep lines on the fae and neck and lasts two to three years.  Eventually, it is reabsorbed.  The third filler is CosmoDerm, which has recently been approved by the FDA and is now a substitute for bovine collagen.  Unlike bovine collagen, patients who receive CosmoDerm need no allergy testing.  In addition, this filler lasts six to eight weeks longer than bovine.  Artecoll is the fourth new filler and, as is the case with Hyaluronic acid fillers, it is yet to be FDA approved.  Artecoll requires multiple injections of collagen, producing microspheres that induce scar tissue and ultimately reduce the visibility of lines and wrinkles.  The procedures is said to last approximately two years.

Advances in medicine are happening by leaps and bounds, and the field of cosmetic medicine is no exception.  More strides will undoubtedly be made in the war on wrinkles in the next few years and decades.  As progress unfolds and new findings and results emerge, it is crucial for consumers to become and remain knowledgeable and informed.  Let's face it, very few people like to look tired and old.  Just looking even a little younger can actually make many of us feel more productive and happier.  As long as it's done safely, having a cosmetic procedure such as BOTOX^® Cosmetic or fillers doesn't translate into vanity, it translates into smart.