On many different occasions, patients try to decide whether botox is a good idea for them or not. What often makes their decision more difficult than it should be, is the spread of myths surrounding botox treatments. Here, we will attempt to clarify some of them.

1. Are botox injections painful?

The number one concern for most people thinking of getting botox, has to do with how much pain they are going to feel. The majority of people who have actually tried it say that it feels like just a bit more than a small pinch. After all, the injection is very quick not allowing the skin to feel pain.

2. Will I still be able to move my face?

When botox is done right, the patient has full control of motion and a more natural result. The injected muscle will relax, contractions will reduce and the area injected with the botox will be smoothed. However, if a patient requests a more frozen look, the dosage is altered to give the “no-movement” result they want.

3. Are there other uses for botox, except for aesthetics?

Going back to when botox started one will find out that it was originally used to treat neurological conditions. Even though it became more popular for its cosmetic purposes, botox is still used as a treatment for many issues, among which are migraines, back and neck pain and arthritis.

4. Is botox unsafe and unhealthy?

The first use of botox in the late 70’s was to actually cure one condition of strabismus. There have been no indications, since then, as to deaths or long-term side effects. For botox to prove fatal in aesthetics, a dose 100 times over the regular one has to be injected to a patient.

5. What is the difference between botox and dermal fillers?

They are both injectable treatments used for cosmetic reasons. Other than that, they are completely different products and therefore have completely different results. Botox softens or prevents wrinkles and fine lines by relaxing the muscles. It can also be used to lift or drop some features, such as brows or lips. On the other hand, dermal fillers “build” an area of the face by giving it volume or reshaping it completely. In terms of duration, dermal fillers are more permanent, as they consist of hyaluronic acid.

6. When should I get botox and how soon will I see results?

You do not have to wait for the first wrinkles and lines to show up on your face, before getting botox. It can be used as a preventive measure to keep the muscles often leading to wrinkles, relaxed. When getting a botox injection, you will have to wait for approximately 14 days to see its effects. If botox is applied in a larger area, the time period is longer.

The “Cleopatra Technique”, developed by professor Cleopatra Nacopoulos, is a natural and completely safe method to rejuvenate and augment the skin, guaranteeing long-lasting results for up to two years after the treatment.

There are a lot of questions regarding micro-needling and PRP facial injections. But, first things first, let’s start by explaining what these two terms mean.

Micro-needling is a procedure, used for aesthetics reasons to lessen the impact ageing has to your skin. What usually happens during micro-needling is the stimulation of new collagen production with the use of a special device containing needles.

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections

PRP injections are used for more tightness and speed of the healing process. Although both procedures can help with scars, spots, wrinkles or stretch marks, PRP injections can only be used in the face area.
PRP injections used to involve actual blood being injected into the patient’s face causing redness in the area, something that gave them the nickname “vampire facials”. After recent advances, only the plasma from the blood is now injected into the face, reducing the redness.

Micro-needling with PRP can only be used for minor aging signs and is not ideal for potential patients who are pregnant, suffer from skin conditions like eczema, scar easily and those who do not heal as easily or have undergone skin radiation in a time period smaller than a year. It is easy to understand that even if PRP injections are minimally invasive, they should only be performed by medically trained professionals, such as doctors, preferably with adequate experience on the procedure.

Before the appointment, patients should prepare their skin by avoiding exposure to the sun and tanning and making sure they drink a fair amount of water during the days leading to the appointment. What is also very important for them to do is arrange for help getting back home and, of course, arriving to the appointment with a bare face (meaning no makeup and no moisturizer).

Before the procedure starts, a cleanser and a topical anesthetic are applied. After they settle, the micro-needling procedure starts, lasting for about 30 minutes. As the anesthetic starts to work and while the face is numbing, a syringe of the patient’s blood is drawn, usually from the arm. A centrifuge, into which the blood is put, separates the PRP solution from the rest of the components. After that, the solution injected into the skin of the face.

Any irritation the patient feels or any redness after the procedure is finished, is soothed with the application of a serum or balm. Possible side effects include slight bruising or inflammation, which tend to subside in only a few days. Other than that, recovery time is generally minimal and patients can go back to their routine soon after the procedure. Of course, it is important they cleanse and moisturize their skin and not burden it with heavy products. During the time the skin is healing, meaning for the first 72 hours after the procedure, patients should avoid the use of alcohol-based products, direct sun exposure, exfoliating and activities that might cause sweating, to minimize the risk of bruising.

Patients should be informed in advance that, although PRP can give them a smoother and firmer skin, the results are not permanent and maintenance sessions might have to take place.

“Cleopatra Technique”, developed by professor Cleopatra Nacopoulos, uses two forms of Platelet Rich Fibrin liquid – A-PRF and I-PRF – to rejuvenate and augment the skin, guaranteing long-lasting results for up to two years after the treatment.

Dermal fillers are injectable treatments designed specifically to give long-lasting and natural-looking results. They are not the same as Botox and Dysport, as they serve a completely different purpose. Before you start with their application, here are some basic things you and your patients need to know.

1. Fillers are made of hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in the skin. The most common filler used to be collagen, but nowadays hyaluronic acid has gained popularity due to its ability to store moisture, resulting in a hydrated look. Creams and serums with hyaluronic acid can also moisturize, but they cannot restore the lost volume that its injectable form can.

2. Its effects are long-lasting.

All that is required for hyaluronic-based dermal fillers to have a long lasting effect on the patient’s skin is one visit. The injectable amount of one visit is enough to last for up to three or even six months.

3. The correct way of treatment is invisible.

If injected the right way, hyaluronic acid fillers should be invisible. That means the results of the treatment look natural.

4. There have been huge advancements in the way we apply the technique.

Years ago, when doctors wanted to correct the lines around the patient’s mouth, they injected the fillers directly into the laugh lines, to fill the wrinkles. As the technique advanced through the years, results look more and more natural and the goal is to plump other parts of the face.

5. The right technique is important.

Every doctor has his own techniques he uses when injecting fillers. These techniques also depend on his level of experience. Make sure you have a portfolio of before-and-after photos of real patients for your potential ones to see as a sample of your work and be prepared to answer their questions. Most importantly, do not perform procedures you are not trained and licensed for, as there are big risks when it is done incorrectly.

6. Fillers can be used for prevention.

The age limit people start getting treatments keeps getting lower. There might actually be certain benefits to that. As research has shown, starting at a younger age with small amounts of injections, it can result in a reduced rate of ageing.

7. Every type of filler has different use

There are particles that can rebuild thinner cheekbones and other, smaller ones that are a better match for fine lines and thin lips. It takes knowledge and proper training to know which particle to use in which case for natural-looking results.

What is important to remember is to trust methods that have proven results.

“Cleopatra Technique”, developed by professor Cleopatra Nacopoulos, rejuvenates and augments the skin in a completely natural way, guaranteeing long-lasting results.

The first signs of aging start to become apparent on the surface of the skin from around the age of 25. The first to make their appearance are the fine lines, while wrinkles, loss of volume and loss of elasticity become noticeable over time. Our skin ages for a variety of different reasons. Many of the causes of skin aging are entirely natural and cannot be altered. There are, however, several factors that can cause skin to age prematurely, and these can be influenced.

THE 10 SIGNS

1. Crow’s Feet

“Crow’s feet” are the little wrinkles at the corners of the eyes and can be caused by smiling or squinting.

2. Wrinkles Around Your Eyes

In addition to crow’s feet, wrinkles might also appear under your eyes or between your eyelids and your eyebrows. Another common sign of aging is the appearance of bags under the eyes.

3. Age Spots

Oftentimes, discoloration of the skin is concentrated into small dots, that are called “age spots” and they are simply the result of skin worn over time. Sunspots are caused by extended exposure to the sun’s UV rays and are the result of excess melanin production that can occur at any age.

4. Laugh Lines

Nasolabial folds – or in other words “laugh lines” – are lines that run diagonally from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. These lines are caused by repeated facial expressions and movement.

5. Droopy Eyelids

Droopy eyelids are definitely one of the most common signs of aging. The skin is extremely thin, so it is common for women of a certain age to develop droopy eyelids.

6. Décolleté Wrinkles

The skin on your décolleté, or the part of your chest below your neck and above your breasts, is notoriously thin. This makes it easier for wrinkles and creases to form from side sleeping, sunbathing, and natural aging.

7. Frown Lines

Frown lines are the wrinkles that appear between the eyebrows and the forehead. When two vertical lines form between the eyes, they’re called “the 11s.” These wrinkles can be caused by anything from laughing or smiling to squinting and frowning.

8. Forehead Wrinkles

Forehead wrinkles, or brow furrows, are yet another one of the most common signs of aging.

9. Loose Skin On Your Cheeks And Along Your Jawline

As the elastin in your skin cells begins to break down, your skin may sag. Your lower cheeks and jawline are particularly susceptible to droopy skin. When sagging occurs along your jawline, the condition is referred to as “jowls”.

10. Crepey Skin

Crepey skin, or “elephant skin”, is the term for dry, coarse skin that feels rough to the touch.

“Cleopatra Technique”, developed by professor Cleopatra Nacopoulos, is a natural and completely safe method to rejuvenate and augment the skin, guaranteeing long-lasting results for up to two years after the treatment.

In your battle against aging, there are some cases where the use of “heavy guns” is required and some other cases where you can fight with simpler and more natural means. Before going in to your doctor’s office with surgical plans and requests for fillers or Botox treatments, there are four simple beauty tips that you can use on your everyday routine. Let’s take a look below:

1. Beauty Sleep

Beauty sleep can make a huge difference in your skin’s appearance.

• Getat least seven or eight hours of sleep every night.
• Sleep on your back to avoid scrunching up the skin on your face and chest.
• Satin sheets help reduce friction between your skin and the fabric.

2. Skincare

Taking a great care of your skin will definitely help reduce the signs of aging!

• Gently wash your face and body.
• Dry your skin with a soft towel.
• Do not rub your skin, just pat it.
• Use face cleansers to wash your face.
• Use lukewarm water that cannot dry out the skin.
• Keep your showers as short as possible. Frequent washing and drying your skin can cause skin dehydration.
• Moisturize your skin several times a day.
• Exfoliate once or twice a week.
• Apply sunscreen everyday with an SPF 30.

3. Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is essential in the fight against all forms of aging, not just the signs of aging skin.

• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Drink a lot of water.
• Eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, avocado, almonds etc.
• Avoid alcohol consumption.
• Do not smoke.

4. Exercise

Getting fitter, even by a little bit, can improve your health and the appearance of your skin and body.

• Aerobic exercises, such as jogging, may help reverse some heart damage from normal aging.
• Walking – another form of cardio – could help reduce the risk of heart failure.
• Strength-training moves like tai-chi are best for preserving muscles from age-related decline.
• Cycling may also protect your immune system from some age-related decline.
• Cardio workouts improve the look and feel of your skin.

“Cleopatra Technique”, developed by professor Cleopatra Nacopoulos, is a natural and completely safe method to rejuvenate and augment the skin, guaranteeing long-lasting results for up to two years after the treatment.

A 2018 systematic review found that microneedling is a safe and effective way to rejuvenate the skin and treat scars and wrinkles. A press release from the American Academy of Dermatology also states that people can expect a reduction in the “appearance of large pores, fine lines and wrinkles, scars and stretch marks.”

What Are The Benefits?

1) Rejuvenate Your Skin

By the term “skin rejuvenation”, we mean building up new collagen and elastin, tightening up the skin, and reducing the appearance of large pores and fine lines.
Microneedling rejuvenates skin through the healing process that happens after the “injury” of those tiny needles.

2) Reduce The Appearance Of Scars

Microneedling can reduce the appearance of unsightly scarring. In a study titled “Microneedling Therapy in Atrophic Facial Scars: An Objective Assessment”, 34 out of 36 microneedle patients “achieved a reduction in the severity of their scarring by one or two grades. More than 80% of patients assessed their treatment as “excellent” on a 10-point scale.”

3) Make Wrinkles Less Visible

Microneedling makes the wrinkles less visible thanks to a boost in collagen production that fills and smooths your skin.

4) Avoid Chemical Peels

Microneedling could be a good option for you, if your skin is too dark for a chemical treatment, like a facial peel.

5) Treat Yourself At Home

While we recommend going to a professional, there are special tools for a homecare kit. It’s less expensive than an in-office procedure, and since the needles are shorter and blunter, it’s not quite as uncomfortable. But of course, since the “injury” is not as deep, the results won’t be as noticeable.

Microneedling treatment can be combined with several materials such as Hyaluronic acid, vitamins and your own blood – CLEOPATRA TECHNIQUE TM.

The “Cleopatra Technique”, developed by professor Cleopatra Nacopoulos, is a natural and completely safe method to rejuvenate and augment the skin, guaranteeing long-lasting results for up to two years after the treatment.