I'm a Plastic Surgeon—This Is What I Use Instead of Botox'
I became a plastic surgeon over twenty five years ago. My father was a professor of molecular biology and did extensive research into the treatments that targeted aging, so it was almost like the family business.
I always knew I would pursue a career in medicine, but I didn't know I would become a surgeon myself until I arrived at medical school. In my opinion, cosmetic surgery is the only surgical field where you can use your artistry and have some freedom; it's a mix of art and medical engineering.
I trained back home in Istanbul before moving to New York University as a visiting surgeon. From 2000 onwards, I worked in my own private clinic and opened my first regenerative treatment center back in 2006.
What causes aging and how to slow it
As faces age, the resorption of bone tissue majorly increases, so our internal bone framework is getting smaller. That is one reason our skin and muscles, in the lower and middle section of the face, start sagging.
For me, the first stage of treatment in this area is always about the regeneration of bone mass. In my experience, the most effective way of treating the aging process in this area is a face lift using stem-cells.
The procedure involves removing fat from the body—because fat is a good source of our own stem-cells— then isolating the stem-cells from the fat and injecting them back into the face. This regenerates skin quality and replaces the volume that is often lost with age.
In my experience, fillers are not the best way of treating the sagging of skin in this area, because they can cause various complications. As fat-derived cells are extracted from your own body, there is less risk of rejection or adverse reactions.
When it comes to the upper face, the dynamic lines on your face are caused by excessive usage of your muscles. There, the only treatment is to relax those muscles. That's where Botox comes into the game.
Botox is an injectable muscle relaxant, which if you inject into the right place, will cause the lines and wrinkles related to those contractions to fade away. Within three to five months, the muscles start working as they would normally and you start to have those same lines again.
When I summarize this, I explain that the face below the eyes is aging in part because of the reduction in bone volume mass. The cheekbones framework, the jawline and the chin are receding and that is why the skin and the muscles fall down. There, the major treatment I recommend to my clients is re-volumization of the face. There you can use stem-cells, fat transfer treatments or some fillers. When aging occurs on the upper part of the face, it's typically because of excessive use of the muscles, so there the treatment is muscle relaxants, like Botox.
I started having stem-cell injections and fat transfers in my lower and middle face around ten years ago, when I was forty three and started to see the increasing effects of aging. At the same time, I started having small Botox injections in my upper face area. In the next two years I also used superficial treatments like radiofrequency treatment to tighten the skin further.
Because my own forehead muscles are very weak, if I don't use those muscles then my eyebrows start to drop down slightly. So after various attempts, I stopped using Botox myself after I turned 48.
I personally love regenerative treatments like fat transfers. I find stem-cells create very natural results for my jawline and cheekbones. So in my case, I treat my mid and lower face with my own fat tissue, but have stopped the injections in my upper face and kept the wrinkles.
I don't like using creams, because I do not believe the majority of them work very well. However recently I have started using cord blood-based cream, which contains stem-cells derived from calf umbilical cord serum.
Stem-cell injections or fat transfers can be done every five to seven years, not because the tissue which has been transferred will go away, but because the bones will continue to recede.
When to start using Botox and facial treatments
Aging starts when you stop growing. So after the age of around twenty three, we usually start to see signs aging. But, people don't typically start seeing the first major signs of aging until after the age of thirty three. This is the time I start suggesting to clients that they may want to begin taking pre-emptive measures; using things like Botox for the upper face and re-volumizing treatments for the middle and lower face. That is universal, I suggest the same for men and women.
How much Botox and fat transfers cost, and what to avoid
I believe the most important thing is to never, ever treat the lower eyelid area, the tear duct area, with fillers. I see at least five patients who have complications concerning this area every day.
Botox injections, depending on the area, might cost somewhere from £300 ($351)-£500 ($586). Fillers may start at £500 ($586), depending on how much you will use. Fat transfers tend to cost around £5,000 ($5,866), because it's a surgical procedure and stem-cells are £7,000($8,212)-£10,000 ($11,732). But that is because this treatment is more complex. I would always recommend going to a trained medical professional to get any treatments.
If stem-cell treatment is not attainable financially, for the lower face only, fillers are okay, however they must be administered properly, but for the cheekbones and lower eye-lid area they are dangerous, so I would suggest going for a fat transfer.
All views expressed in this article are the author's own.
As told to Newsweek editor, Monica Greep.
I have had Botox and fillers a few times and I liked the results very much. As the Dr pointed out they are safe but there are certain places he suggests not to use them. These treatments are expensive and recently I looked into stem cells injections for my knee. It was very expensive. I know knees would use more but I would like to look into the cost for the face. I have used creams as he mentioned but they did not work as advertised.
I get botox in my glabella once a year at most and thats typically if I have an event like a wedding to attend. I get a lip flip which is botox in your upper lip once every two months. They say botox should last between 3-4 months. But it depends on the person really. When I was working out constantly my botox would wear off in about 2 months. Now it takes about 3. Some people get 6 months out of theirs. Botox on the upper lip only lasts about a month.
I have always been interested in getting botox at an earlier age so upkeep is not as bad as starting it later on. I have also looked into getting my lips done. It can get very expensive when you are upkeeping it often, but if it seems to last a while, or you are doing it mostly for an event then it can be worth it.
Great article to know if someone is interested in getting botox, this article is clear about better options. It's best to do your research because you'll find better options such as mentioned: Stem-cell injections, fat transfers, & radiofrequency
@madisonmauldiniectskin-com yes it is very expensive I definitely agree, it is true when they say you get what you pay for 😊
@paigebrickhouseiectskin-com I've always been interested in this, I'm guessing you like it? I have so many questions!
I've always been interested in getting botox in my underarms, glabella, and lips but just haven't had the chance to get it done or have a consultation. My only concern is the upkeep and cost of it all. I'm sure that by my 30s I'll be involved with botox though
@sydneyhurdleiectskin-com Yes I agree! I'm sure I'll struggle trying to find the right place to go to when I finally get it done.
i have been wanting to start getting botox and fillers, not a lot, just a little here and there to maintain so that when i am well of age, i can feel good about myself and not have to possibly have a more intense treatment such as a face lift.
@sydneyhurdleiectskin-com you get what you pay for.... so true. especially when it comes to things like this. there are so many people traveling to other countries to have work done because it is cheaper. while this can be a good thing, sometime you can end up going to the wrong place and having a botched job and having complications after. i personally would rather stay close to home and pay to have the job done the right way
@camrynauxtiectskin-com ive been wanting to get botox and fillers for a while, but it can be hard to just go get it done when there are so many places now that do this, its hard to pick out the best and be comfortable knowing you are getting the best
I have been interested in botox in a few years to prepare for incoming wrinkles and to reduce the possibility of them developing.
@noracrainiectskin-com I agree! Itis a great alternative without any downtime needed afterward like you would with a surgery.
@sydneyhurdleiectskin-com I agree, very informative for someone who may not know much about botox or hasn't decided if they want it or not.
Botox has so many uses! We hear more about the uses for the lines of expression but to treat pain as well as prevent excessive sweating and even to treat migranes is game-changing.
@karyssamarleriectskin-com It has become more more common over the years not just for older women but even a younger younger crowd who wants to take care of some laugh line around the mouth. I knew somebody in her early 20s who used to get botox injections because she used to laugh a lot and the lines showed. She looked fine to me but it was one of her concerns.
@noracrainiectskin-com Yes, we have to be careful and even the most knowledgeable expert can make mistakes. A couple of years ago I was watching a video of an influencer (I can't remember her name, I didn't follow her), she was something like a lifestyle guru and used to have botox on a regular. Her injector went too close to a nerve and an entire side of her face got droopy. It took months for her face to get back to normal if I remember correctly.
the first time I ever got botox I also got filler. I modeled for this new company and got a whole face rejuvenation for their portfolio. I got Botox, lip, cheek and chin filler! I loved it but it is definitely costly to keep up with which is why I haven't touched up anything since.
@noracrainiectskin-com definitely something to research before choosing someone for Botox and filler
@camrynauxtiectskin-com I was thirty when I got mine done for the first time. and I wouldn't have honestly had I not had a close trusting resource to vouch for their work.
I have been getting botox injections in my armpits for a few years now. It is a great solution for the issues I was having. I also have had botox in my forehead and between my eyes. It sure softens my "pack of hotdogs" forehead. I have strong facial expressions, so I have worked them over the years.
I got botox for about a year and that was years ago. I think I'd be interested in the stem cells or fat transfer. I do see a difference though in my skin already with using the products I've received from IECT though and it doesn't even look like I need botox.
I have also thought about getting botox. I have gotten botox in my upper lip before for the lip flip. It only lasted about a month which is typical when you do a lip flip. This is a great article for information about botox. I just turned 23 so this is defiantly making me want to start them like I have been wanting to.
@karyssamarleriectskin-com Me as well. I want to start preventing aging as early as I possibly can
@madisonmauldiniectskin-com It defiantly does get very expensive. I think it's worth it thought because they do last quite awhile.
This was a great article since I recently had Botox for the first time after 40. I wish I would have started a little sooner. I have strong expression lines and they became so prominent in the last few years.
@melissalandersiectskin-com I have heard great things about Botox in the underarm to support conditions.
I have always heard women talk about Botox and how much they love it. I never really thought about having it done at all. But now that I tried it for the first time about two weeks ago, I understand what all the praise is about. I'm amazed how it took care of my 11 lines decreasing the depth so naturally. I definitely want to explore with Botox on other parts of my face.
@camrynauxtiectskin-com My niece gets Botox in her underarms to stop her from excessively sweating. The condition was having a major effect on her quality of life, with her being a teenager in high school. After the Botox shots, she gained her confidence back.
