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Anne-Marie van Geloven
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In 2012 I've launched an innovative medical grade eye lift strip called . It's the first and only product developed for Lily Leading Instant Eye Lift, botulinum toxin related ptosis (droopy eyelid) which became increasingly popular to use for create a temporary eye lift by makeup artists and customers with aging or hanging upper eyelids. Lily Leading Instant Eye Lift is sold in my online shop. Ever since, I started blogging more often about cosmetic related topics and of course injectables like botulinum toxin and dermal fillers. Here is the link to my new blog. I hope you'll visit me there to read my latest online articles.
Or follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn and stay in touch. Anne-Marie van Geloven
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Non surgical procedures like Botulinum Toxin and dermal filler injections show significant growth in popularity due to high efficacy, safety and satisfaction.
An alarming fact is that currently botulinum toxins and facial fillers are offered via the internet, sometimes with very attractive discounts. There are even do-it-yourselve kits available. If you are considering getting botulinum toxin injections or facial filler treatments always seek a skilled, trained and trusted injector, don't do it yourself and never order your own injectables: fillers or botulinum toxins. Your injector can provide you with safe, tested, approved, regulated, proper transported and stored products. Since there are many different products on the market it is very important that your injector has experience with the specific products he or she is injecting and therefor never a great idea to bring your own. What you need to know about ordering product online: 1. Does to syringe or vial contain the promised product? There are many fake and dangerous products available via internet, sometimes even using trusted brand names confusing customers. Only approved products supplied by manufacturers or official distributers themselves should be trusted. Warning signs of counterfeit or illegal product include: ª Misspelled brand names, unknown or unfamiliar names, and catchy marketing names like “Freeze” ª Generic packaging that does not include serial and lot numbers for injectables that correspond to serial and lot number on actual vials and syringes ª Foreign language writing on packaging, a lack of trademarks and identifying holograms ª Logos and type and packaging that are inconsistent with those of approved injectables Logos, packaging, brand names and other identifiers for genuine, approved product are all available, at-a-glance, at www.injectablesafety.org. In addition, the complete list of legal distributors for all currently FDA approved brands is also available at www.injectablesafety.org. 2. Did the supplier / transportation meet the required storage conditions of the product? Some products, for example Botox have guidelines for storage and transportation in order to prevent denaturation and maintain maximum efficacy. Only approved products transported by manufacturers or official distributers themselves should be trusted. 3. Importation of Cosmetic Injectables can be a felony One year in prison and up to $100,000 in fines; it’s a potential steep penalty to pay for importing cosmetic injectables. As recently as August 2009, five physicians, one nurse and a practice manager all from the same New York medical practice pled guilty to charges stemming from the purchase of non-FDA approved cosmetic injectables from on-line pharmacies. Each faces monetary penalties and jail time. Since 2004 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) entered into more than 210 investigations that led to arrests and convictions. “Physicians fax machines and email accounts are filled with offers to buy off-shore, or unbranded cheaper injectables,” said coalition leader Mark L. Jewell, MD of Eugene, OR. “Buying from such sources is not a naïve or innocuous act simply for cost savings on the product. It’s a dangerous act that can cause unexpected adverse events, and ultimately land the physician in prison.” “Genuine approved cosmetic injectables have a safe and predictable record of outcomes. There is simply no excuse to cut corners, import or buy cheaper unbranded and illegal substances,” said coalition leader Robert Weiss, MD of Baltimore. “Illegal injectables can be readily distinguished from the real thing (see listing of tips below),” said coalition leader Ira Papel, MD of Baltimore. “The Coalition urges anyone, physician or consumer, who suspects the criminal act of soliciting non-approved, off-shore, counterfeit or illicit injectables in the U.S. to anonymously report the suspected crime to the FDA.” Information on reporting a suspected crime to the FDA can be found at http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/oci072307.html About The Physicians Coalition The Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety is an alliance of specialty physician organizations including the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the International Federation of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, and the Canadian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The mission of the Coalition is to provide the public with unbiased and necessary information on injectable cosmetic treatments, appropriate injectors and where to safely access cosmetic medical procedures. Our goal is to promote treatment supervised by properly qualified and trained, board-certified doctors and to promote only the use of U.S. FDA-approved, appropriately administered product. The Physicians Coalition www.injectablesafety.org Source: The Physicians Coalition Increase injectable satisfaction: Click here 9 things to consider before botulinum toxin injections: Click here The Leading Injectable Centers of the World® Quality in Beauty Non surgical procedures like Botulinum Toxin and dermal filler injections show significant growth in popularity. Done with approved products, in a medical facility by a well trained injector side effects or complications still occur, but are relatively rare.
The rejuvenation and aesthetic industry is a very profitable and interesting market with great appeal not only for licensed medical professionals and producers who can guarantee your safety, comfort, satisfaction and proper follow up. Some alarming facts: - Bad injectors, some with no medical background offering treatments - Treatments offered outside a proper medical practice - Dangerous fake products and even “do it yourself” kits are offered with high discounts or at very competitive rates This contributes to a significant increased risk of unwanted results and side effects., that can ONLY be treated in a well equipped medical facility by a trained and experienced professional for several reasons: - injected with (unknown) substance can only be detected, traced and removed with special equipment only available in a medical facility - a proper diagnose of the problem and possible solution and correction treatment can only be offered by a skilled, trained and experienced professional - experienced and trained physicians most often received a special training how to deal with (rare) side effects / complications and have standard operational procedures (treatment guidelines) in place how to solve the problems that may occur. Some even are specialized in treating complications and can offer additional services. The best advice is to avoid all the mentioned alarming facts to prevent problems and to ensure your safety, comfort, satisfaction and desired results. In case you are a “bargain” victim suffering from complications or you are not just not satisfied with the results, you will most certainly will find the best solution offered by an experienced injector working in a well equipped medical facility with special treatment guidelines for complications. Read more about related topics in my other blogs: Increase injectable satisfaction: Click here 9 things to consider before botulinum toxin injections: Click here The Leading Injectable Centers of the World® Quality in Beauty Botulinum toxin is the no 1 aesthetic treatment and also used in many other than cosmetic procedures. Under the right circumstances, botulinum toxin is considered safe and effective. Whether you’re receiving botulinum toxin injections for hyperhidrosis or for (dynamic) facial / neck wrinkles, 9 things to consider before botulinum toxin injections:
1. Avoid amateur injectors Botox® shots require precise knowledge of facial anatomy. These injections have to be provided by a professional, trained & experienced physician. You have an increased risk for negative effects when an unskilled clinician injects Botox® using improper techniques. These unwanted effects may lead from drooping eyelids, asymmetry of facial features to more severe “side effects” like swallowing, speech and respiratory disorders. Ask the physician about her or his training, background and experience and check this before making the appointment for example online. How many patients did he/she treat and how satisfied were they? 2. Avoid unsanitary conditions Botulinum toxin or any injectables should be administered in an appropriate setting like a doctor’s office, hospital or maybe a medical spa, using sterile instruments and an appropriate chair. In case of an adverse event or acute severe allergic reaction, it would be helpful to have the appropriate medication or treatment in the facility at hand. Don’t use injectables like botulinum toxin at home. Regardless of how neat and hygienic you are, your property is likely not the appropriate venue for this procedure. Besides the actual injection, it’s important that the clinician is also skilled at handling and disposing of the needles so that potential contaminants cannot be transferred. 3. Avoid tainted, watered down botulinum toxin or (dangerous) other liquids There have been some reports of people being injected with other liquids not comparable with from liquid silicone and baby oil to tainted or watered-down botulinum toxin, sometimes with disastrous results. There are numerous types of botulinum toxin products currently available including Botox®, Botox Cosmetic®, Vistabel®, Dysport®, Azzalure®, Xeomin® & Bocouture®. These products cannot be used interchangeably and all requires special preparation and dosing. Only trust a skilled, licensed doctor / practitioner from an aesthetic practice to offer pure products in appropriate doses. There’s no bargain botulinum toxin. You normally get what you pay for, also when it comes to botulinum toxin injections. Special prices, like $99 should be a warning. The serum may be watered down, or worse. The desired result is also related to: proper storage of the product, selection of the correct dose and proper reconstitution (mix the powder with liquid). Guideline for Botox® reconstitution: https://hcp.botoxmedical.com/what-is-botox/Pages/botox-reconstitution-guidelines.aspx Ask your physician to show the vial he/she is using. Make sure it is what he/she said it would be and ask for the dosage (units) used and write this down, or ask for an “injectable passport”. Be aware that for some strong / deeper wrinkles, you may need a different dosage / more units. 4. Don’t nip and then tuck Consuming alcohol, even just a nip, before, during or soon after botulinum toxin injections can increase the risk of bruising and swelling. 5. Try to avoid substances that increase the risk of bruising and bleeding: Heparin, warfarin, dextran, aspirin, ibuprofen and other NSAID’s (similar to ibuprofen) and certain supplements like: vitamine E, ginkgo, garlic, danshen, devil's claw, dong quai & papain. 6. Make sure the doctor takes your medical history as you might not be the proper candidate for botulinum toxin. Before receiving any botulinum toxin injections, you should tell your physician about: • Any breathing, swallowing or bleeding problems • Plans to have surgery • Previous facial surgery • Muscle weakness or atrophy in the injection area • Drooping eyelids or any other changes to your normal facial appearance • Allergies to any of the ingredients in Botox® or similar other brands • Any previous treatments with any botulinum toxin • All prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking • Vitamins and herbal products use • Any use of muscle relaxants • Antibiotic injections you have received • All diseases you suffer from (chronic or not, relevant or not), like diabetes 7. You should not have botulinum toxin injections if you: • Have any diseases that affects your muscles and nerves • Have a skin infection near the site to be treated • Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant • Are breastfeeding • Have a neurological disorder • Are under 18 or over 65 years of age • Have had a botulinum toxin injection less than 2 months ago 8. For more information check the Summary of Product Characteristics Botox®: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/112/SPC/BOTOX+100+Units Vistabel®: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/17580/SPC/vistabel Dysport®: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/870/SPC/dysport/ Azzalure®: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/21985 Xeomin®: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/20666/SPC/xeomin%20100%20units/ Bocouture®: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/23251/SPC/bocouture/ 9. In good hands and the right setting, botulinum toxin injections are safe and effective. 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