A cosmetologist told how to get rid of bags under the eyes after the holidays

Age-related changes in facial skin

With age, facial skin begins to age and fade - it loses moisture, elasticity and turgor. The first changes can be observed as early as 25 years of age. First, dynamic wrinkles appear, which are also called facial wrinkles, because they form on facially active areas of the face (forehead, between the eyebrows, the area around the eyes). Over the years, they turn into deep, static creases and folds. In people with active facial expressions, the first wrinkles may appear even before the age of 25.

The mechanism of wrinkle formation lies in structural changes in the skin and muscular transformations. The skin loses strength and elasticity due to a reduction in the main components of youth: collagen, elastin, some fats, water. And the muscles spasm from overexertion, that is, they literally become shorter. And here is the result: the skin folded into an accordion.

Often, facial wrinkles appear earlier than others on the face near the outer corners of the eyes (“crow’s feet”) and on the lower eyelid. The skin in this area is delicate and quickly becomes covered with grooves and folds. To do this, simply smile and squint often.

It is believed that in 25% of cases the skin ages naturally, and in 75% the process is accelerated due to external factors: poor climate, poor diet, cosmetics, stress.

As a rule, by the age of 30, women are already looking for ways to get rid of wrinkles - the cult of youth, fashion and modern trends make us ashamed of our age and age-related changes. Because of this, in recent years even 20-year-old girls have been thinking about Botox. And this is just a disaster! And cosmetologists are unlikely to dissuade them and tell them the whole truth about this unnecessary and destructive procedure. And formally, contraindications to Botox injections exist only for persons under 18 years of age.

Why is Botox done under the eyes?

Almost every woman, regardless of age, wants to remain beautiful and well-groomed. When she sees the first wrinkles in the mirror, she begins to panic, goes through options for rejuvenation and, in general, is ready to give everything she can just to somehow reverse the aging process.

And then cosmetologists appear with their “magic” procedure for instantly smoothing out wrinkles using Botox injections.

What age-related changes in the area around the eyes are proposed to be solved with Botox:

• wrinkles near the outer corners of the eyes (“crow’s feet”) and in the lower eyelid area,
• swelling and bags under the eyes,
• drooping (ptosis, drooping) of the upper eyelids,
• low location of eyebrow arches.

But what does the client get as a result, and at what cost?

What is Botox

Botox is a drug based on botulinum toxin, a powerful poison of natural origin. It is a protein toxin produced by bacteria. Literally translated as "sausage poison", as it was discovered as a result of fatal food poisoning from spoiled sausage.

Man learned to produce botulinum poison artificially as a biological weapon, and then this development was put into use by doctors, followed by cosmetologists.

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin, that is, a poison that has a neuroparalytic effect. It blocks the production of acetylcholine, which ensures the transmission of nerve impulses to the muscles, causing them to be paralyzed. In medicine, this ability of botulinum toxin to affect muscles is used to correct various involuntary muscle spasms and movement disorders. Botox is especially common in ophthalmology and in the treatment of cerebral palsy.

What is important to know about the use of Botox in cosmetology? It does not eliminate the cause of aging, but only creates a temporary effect of smoothed and tightened skin for 2-5 months. This is not a means of rejuvenation! Botox deprives the muscle of its natural function of contracting, which is why the skin appears to smooth out. But the structure of the dermis does not change, the lost elasticity and strength do not return. The muscle is simply affected and then does not even fully recover.

Moreover, Botox accelerates the aging process of the skin. A paralyzed muscle will not completely return to its original state (although cosmetologists talk about its complete restoration). And, what’s even worse, when the muscle affected by botulinum poison stopped functioning, other neighboring muscles began to work for it. This led to their overstrain, loss of healthy tone and correct configuration of the muscular system. The result is new wrinkles on the face that were not there before the Botox injection.

Preparations containing botulinum toxin

Botox is commonly called any drug containing botulinum toxin. But in the strict sense of the word, Botox is the trade name of the first drug based on botulinum toxin. It was released by Allergan from the USA about 30 years ago. Having realized how profitable this business is, several more manufacturers from different countries began to produce analogues of Botox. All drugs contain the same active ingredient - botulinum toxin type A (BTA), produced at one time as a bacteriological weapon. The products differ in different concentrations of BTA, composition of excipients, particle size, duration of effect and a number of other parameters.

Botox

Botox is the first and most popular remedy among botulinum toxin-based drugs. This product from America was registered in Russia in 1994. In addition to BTA, Botox contains albumin and chloride, which should limit the diffusion of the poison, that is, its spread beyond the target. But this does not stop the toxin from spreading under the skin, which is why the face takes on an unhealthy shape. Botox is considered to contain a moderate dose of botulinum toxin and is of moderate potency. The initial effect appears on the 4-7th day and reaches its maximum after 2 weeks.

Dysport

Dysport is the main competitor of French-made Botox. Unlike Botox, Dysport has a 2.5-3 times lower dosage of BTA, but it is also about 2.5 times cheaper. Given the need to administer more units of Dysport, the cost of these drugs is comparable. If you need 10-20 units of Botox for crow's feet, 30-60 units for Dysport. Dysport acts stronger and longer than Botox, since its active particles are smaller and contain less albumin, which is designed to stabilize BTA molecules. All this indicates that Dysport has higher diffusion, that is, it spreads more actively beyond the target. The initial effect occurs faster than Botox: within 1-4 days from the date of the procedure.

Botulax

Botulax is a drug from South Korea, the country that produces the largest number of products competing with Botox. In terms of its composition, Botulax is almost a complete analogue of Botox, but cheaper. Accordingly, all their characteristics are almost identical, as are the consequences. It is noted that the duration of action of Botulax is somewhat shorter than Botox. There is also information that the use of the Korean drug is accompanied by more pronounced discomfort.

Relatox

Relatox is a Russian-made drug that entered the market in 2012. Cheaper than foreign drugs. It is positioned as an analogue of Botox, which begins to act faster and the effect of which lasts longer. But in many ways, this activity of Relatox is explained by the multiple smaller size of its particles: its molecular weight is 6 times lower than that of Botox. Therefore, it acts faster and seemingly more evenly on the target muscle, but at the same time it penetrates more actively into other muscles (strong diffusion), which is fraught with side effects. Also, unlike Botox, Dysport and Botulax, Relatox does not contain albumin, a stabilizing protein that inhibits the diffusion of poison and softens its effect. There are many reviews on the Internet about the poor quality of Relatox and the pain of its administration.

Xeomin

This is a German drug that contains botulinum toxin of the highest purity, therefore it is supposedly safer than its analogues, but also more expensive. The action comes a little faster than Botox and Dysport, but also ends earlier. Like the Russian Relatox, the molecular weight of Xeomin is very low, which indicates, on the one hand, a more uniform distribution of the drug, and on the other hand, a high ability to spread beyond the injection zone. But the diffusion of Xeomin is inhibited by the stabilizer albumin, which is even more abundant in the German drug than in Botox. It is believed that the effect of Xeomin is softer, without the “stony face” effect. It differs from its competitors in that it can also be stored at room temperature.

Lantox

A cheaper Chinese analogue of Botox, comparable in dosage and molecular weight, but does not contain albumin, which inhibits diffusion. Instead of albumin (human immunoglobulin), Lantox contains gelatin of animal origin, the task of which is the same: to impart stability to the botulinum toxin molecule and prevent excessive diffusion. The effect of Lantox is average in strength between Botox and Dysport.

Dosage

To measure the activity of Botox, international units of biological activity of substances (AU) are used. The higher the dosage, the faster the effect occurs. Injections of small doses of the toxin do not work immediately; its effect appears after 1-2 weeks. The introduction of medium doses of Botox causes the first symptoms of clinical action after 24-72 hours, and the maximum effect occurs two weeks after the injection. Large doses of the drug can cause a clinical effect even six hours after its administration.

To treat blepharospasm, an average of 20 units of the drug is needed, therefore, this dose, even theoretically, cannot be dangerous for the patient (for example, in neurology, a course of injections is 100 - 200 or more units of toxin).

How does the Botox procedure work under the eyes?

Typically, the Botox injection procedure follows the same scenario, regardless of the area of ​​the face being treated. With injections into the area around the eyes, the sequence of actions is as follows:

• The cosmetologist asks the patient to smile, make a sad face and express other emotions to identify problem areas.
• Areas for injections are marked on the face. Four points are selected: two points near the outer corner of the eyes and one each near the tip of the eyebrow and in the area of ​​​​the bone border.
• A special anesthesia is applied to the face.
• The drug is administered using thin needles.
• After the injections, the patient lies down for 10 minutes.

Paying for food

Photo: depositphotos/mavoimages
The festive feast is also reflected in our appearance: we allow ourselves foods that we would prefer to refuse on ordinary days. The expert emphasizes that swelling in the eye area or the entire face is the most common problem after a lot of fun.

“Sweet, salty and fatty foods, as well as alcohol, provoke swelling, especially in those who are already prone to swelling. Excess water is retained in the tissues, and this is due to salty and sweet foods, alcohol consumption and, of course, lack of sleep,” explains Elena Romanenko.

According to the doctor, in order to detoxify the tissues, you need to drink more water, and you can also drink green tea. The cosmetologist advises those who already have skin diseases to be more attentive to the New Year's table: acne, rosacea, atopic dermatitis.

Violation of the diet in combination with other factors can provoke an exacerbation. You should consider which products your skin may react to and avoid them. Elena Romanenko

cosmetologist

When Olivier finally ends, the specialist recommends switching to a healthy diet and moving more if possible.

How long does it take for wrinkles to smooth out after Botox?

The visual effect of Botox injections appears 3-4 days after the procedure and reaches its maximum by the end of the second week. Some manufacturers promise visible results in just one day.

Waiting for change is accompanied by many troubles. As a rule, you have to put up with bruises and unevenness on your face for the first week. Your hands feel like the skin is falling inward. Often the face swells and additional folds appear that were not there before. You should not laugh or frown a lot, so as not to provoke wrinkles.

Often the effect after one procedure turns out to be such that it needs to be corrected. And this is a new trip to the cosmetologist and new portions of poison.

Pros and cons of Botox under the eyes

If your goal is to get rid of wrinkles, then Botox is definitely not your option. Botulinum poison does not remove wrinkles. It gives a temporary effect due to muscle paralysis and does not in any way solve the problem of skin losing elasticity and strength. Botulinum toxin only works on facial wrinkles and does not affect deep ones.

And we haven’t yet talked in detail about the dangers of botulinum toxin and the mass of ugly side effects! The disadvantages of Botox injections under the eyes, like any other botulinum therapy procedure, can be listed endlessly. Judge for yourself. Botox under the eyes is:

• A blow to facial expressions and beauty.
  The face loses facial expressions and becomes stony. At best, you won't be able to express your emotions. At worst, a paralyzed person will replace some emotions with others. It will seem to others that you are wincing in disgust, although you are smiling at that moment. Or you will seem angry when you are surprised by something. In addition, various side effects may occur on the face - a very common occurrence. This could be ptosis (drooping) of the upper eyelid, swelling, bruising, facial distortion, new wrinkles, and the like (read details in the next chapter).
• Bad feeling.
  After Botox, the injection areas often cause headaches. Fever, vomiting, dizziness and other health problems also occur.
• Danger.
  Since botulinum venom has diffusion, that is, it spreads beyond the injection zone, it can cause various complications in the eyes and not only.
• Acceleration of aging.
  Botox accelerates age-related changes. Paralyzed muscles do not fully recover, and the neighboring muscles that worked for them wear out faster. As a result, not only the wrinkles exposed to the poison return, but also new ones appear.
• Botox addiction.
  When, several months after Botox injections, the effect of the drug stops, the patient goes for a new portion of the poison. This happens over and over again. An addiction to botulinum toxin develops. The frequency of visits and dosages are increasing. Appearance is disfigured, health is undermined.

Are there any benefits to Botox under the eyes? In cosmetology - no. Only an illusion that turns into terrifying consequences. Even in medicine, where the use of Botox is justified for therapeutic purposes, this drug is feared. According to neurologists, the consequences that botulinum toxin can lead to have not yet been sufficiently studied.

Contraindications and possible complications

Like any cosmetic procedure, botulinum therapy has its limitations. Botox injections will not be performed on patients with severe diseases of internal organs or local inflammatory processes. The procedure is not performed on pregnant and lactating women and minors.

As for possible complications, the cause of their occurrence is medical error. In rare cases, the individual characteristics of the patient’s body. the most common negative consequences are subcutaneous bleeding, significant swelling, sagging eyelids, and a local allergic reaction. Usually these complications go away on their own within a month.

Consequences and side effects of Botox under the eyes

But there are many known consequences of Botox that botulinum toxin treatment victims experience everywhere. We are especially interested in the side effects that occur after injections of botulinum venom into the area around the eyes. Let's name the main ones:

• Dry eyes and skin tightness.
  Lasts several days in most patients.
• Bruises, hematomas.
  Capillaries are injured during injections in everyone, which is why bluish dots appear on the face, and often even ugly hematomas. The story may drag on for several weeks.
• Pain when touching the eyes.
• Ptosis (drooping) of the upper eyelid.
  Happens frequently. Occurs due to uneven distribution of botulinum toxin. The extreme form is the inability to open the eye. For the problem to disappear, it will take more than two months to completely remove the poison from the body.
• Headache.
  They may bother you for up to two weeks or more.
• New wrinkles.
  They arise due to the fact that neighboring muscles, trying to replace atrophied ones, worked in an increased mode and spasmed.
• Severe swelling.
  Due to unhealthy muscle tone, lymph flow is disrupted, resulting in swelling. It can be pronounced and not go away for a long time.
• Facial asymmetry.
  In the case of Botox in the area around the eyes, it usually appears in the form of asymmetrical eyebrows: one raised, the other lowered, and so on.
• Eye pathologies.
  Due to damage to non-target areas by the drug, eye complications may occur: paralysis of the eye muscles, anisocoria of the pupils (different sizes), mydriasis (pupil dilation), strabismus, blindness.
• Allergy.
  It occurs due to both botulinum toxin and auxiliary components. Possible anaphylactic shock.

Precautionary measures

Working with botulinum toxin requires compliance with safety rules. The popularity of the cosmetic procedure has led to the emergence of pseudo-specialists, negligence, and an increase in the number of counterfeit drugs.

To reduce the risk of complications, you must:

choose a salon or cosmetology clinic that has been providing a similar service for more than five years; see customer reviews; study in detail the qualifications of the specialist, clarify the availability of higher education, since only a doctor can perform injections; check the license and certificates confirming the quality of botulinum toxin; pay attention to the fact that the doctor is obliged to open the ampoule in the presence of the patient and use disposable instruments.

In addition, during all manipulations the rules of asepsis and antiseptics must be observed.

Side effects

Botulinum toxin is a serious and dangerous substance in high doses. It is possible that an undesirable reaction may develop in the form of:

• headache;
• displacement of the introduced component with the formation of folds;
• the appearance of creases under the lower eyelids or on the forehead;
• dry skin;
• allergies;
• tearfulness;
• formation of seals in the area of ​​drug administration;
• drooping eyelids;
• swelling of tissues;
• formation of hematomas;
• lymphostasis;
• facial asymmetry.

Edema can occur for many reasons, they are mainly caused by kidney and liver diseases, ignoring medical recommendations, and violating the rules for administering the substance.

If symptoms persist for 10 days or more, you should contact a cosmetologist for advice and further treatment.

Contraindications

Smoothing wrinkles using this method is not indicated for all patients. The list of contraindications includes:

• acute and chronic diseases in the acute stage;
• pregnancy;
• lactation period;
• menstruation;
• increase in body temperature due to local or systemic inflammation;
• skin diseases;
• functional disorders of the nervous, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems in the stage of decompensation;
• risk of developing an allergic reaction;
• period after surgery;
• individual intolerance to the drug.

Experts' opinion

There are many forums on the Internet where cosmetologists can communicate with each other. Go to them and read what experts really think about Botox. Here are just a few statements:

Botulinum toxin is poison. A person is already exposed to the influence of harmful substances, and during the procedure he voluntarily agrees to the introduction of a toxin

(Alexey, cosmetologist with 15 years of experience, Voronezh)

The drug is addictive – physical and psychological. Under the influence of botulinum toxin, the muscles relax. After the drug wears off, the situation gets worse. From a psychological point of view, a person gets used to a smooth face, so even small wrinkles make him want to urgently inject botulinum toxin

(Nikita Yashin, young specialist in the field of cosmetology, Moscow).

There is a high risk of medical errors. There are very few experienced cosmetologists whose hands do not tremble. If the doctor injects into a point that is only a couple of millimeters away from the desired point, the result may be hopelessly spoiled

(Anton Laptev, cosmetologist in a private clinic, Samara).

Advantages and disadvantages of both methods