Who Invented Botox? The Deadly Origins of this Commonly Used Drug.

                              

Botox, the wonder drug in the skincare and beauty industry, has an interesting origin story. So, to understand where it all began, let’s start at the beginning.

The Scientist Behind The Discovery Of Botox

The scientist who is said to be the father of botox was not a cosmetic surgeon. Dr. Alan B. Scott was an eye surgeon (an ophthalmologist). Little did he know that he would come across the magic drug that has helped men and women embrace their aging process.

Dr. Alan Scott unfortunately passed away on 16th December, 2021, due to ill health and old age, but in his 89 years of  life, he did a lot for the medical and cosmetic worlds. Know more About: Who Invented Botox? The Deadly Origins of this Commonly Used Drug.

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Pros and Cons of Preventative Botox

 We all know that it’s not just the outside that matters, but also the inside. Looks do matter, but they are not the only thing that matter. Your looks can though give people a framework of how they perceive you, how you feel about yourself, and your levels of self esteem.

But when really young people start obsessing over their non-existing wrinkles and fine lines, which are honestly not even that visible to people on a daily basis, and get obsessed to such an extent that they feel the need to get Botox shots “just in case”, well that’s where we need to step back, analyze, and recognize our relationship with our physical appearance. Know More About: Pros and Cons of Preventative Botox

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Improving the Appearance of Your Skin: The Benefits of Hyperpigmentation Treatments

 

Before We Get Into This, What Is Hyperpigmentation?

Melanin is a pigment in our skin which determines our skin tone. In the case of hyperpigmentation, this accumulation of melanin is not even, and some areas have more melanin than others, which results in a darker appearance or dark patches on certain areas of the skin. Occurrence of hyperpigmentation is in no way dictated by the tone of your skin – we are all equally prone to hyperpigmentation.

While accumulation of melanin seems to be the most common cause of hyperpigmentation, there are multiple other causes too – but don’t worry, there are multiple ways to cure this as well. Know more About: Improving the Appearance of Your Skin: The Benefits of Hyperpigmentation Treatments

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

What's The Deal With Your Lips Thinning Over Time?

Full and voluptuous lips are all the craze these days, and why shouldn’t they be? Your lips convey so much – showing your approval or disdain – lips can say it all! But as many people have noticed, as they get older, the fullness of their lips starts to reduce. But why does this happen? And what can be done to reverse this? Read this entire article to find out all you need to know about thinning lips!

Correlation Between Thin Lips And Aging

Before we get into the correlation between thin lips and ageing, let’s first break down our understanding of collagen. What is it, and how does it affect us? Essentially, collagen is a protein that is the building block of bones, skin, muscles and tissues. Our body is constantly producing collagen, but as we grow older, the amount of collagen produced by our body keeps decreasing. So in our youth, our body is at its peak of collagen production. When we start to hit our 30s, our collagen levels begin to dwindle. Every year after the age of 30, it is said that our collagen production falls by 2%. So you can only imagine the depletion in collagen when we hit our 50s and 60s. Know More About: What's The Deal With Your Lips Thinning Over Time?  

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

What is the Best Non-Surgical Treatment for Wrinkles?

 Wrinkles are the creases that form in your skin as a part of the natural aging process and manifest when the skin loses elasticity. They can be often seen in areas of skin that receive the most sun exposure, like the face, neck, and back of the hands.

At some point, it becomes hard to ignore the vivid signs of aging you see in the mirror that are wrinkles. Nowadays, unlike in the past when there were not many options to eliminate these signs of aging without surgical intervention, you can soften the effects of time on your face with numerous nonsurgical cosmetic treatments available.Know more about : What is the Best Non-Surgical Treatment for Wrinkles?

 Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

What Treatments are Available for Drooping and Sagging Cheeks?

 

Aging is inevitable but that does not mean you have to put up with unwanted signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. When it comes to early signs of aging, the cheeks tend to be one of the most problematic parts. These issues can be reduced and resolved thanks to surgical and non-surgical face rejuvenation treatments and cosmetic dermatology procedures. Anyone can undergo these rejuvenation procedures to eliminate the signs of aging. These procedures include cosmetic dermal fillers, facelift treatments, and much more.Know more about : What Treatments are Available for Drooping and Sagging Cheeks?

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Everything You Want to Know About Dermaplaning - Beautiphi

Dermaplaning is the new it-thing in skincare and recently hugely popular on social media. Here is all that you need to know about it!

What’s Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is basically an exfoliation of the skin that removes peach fuzz by using a thin scalpel. It helps remove dirt and dead skin from the topmost layer of the face, thus helping to rejuvenate the skin. 

How does Dermaplaning work?

So, the way this procedure works is that the Beauty professional will use a razor-like tool, and slowly drag it along your skin to remove all the dead skin cells and dirt that make your skin look dull and appear uneven. Know more about : Everything You Want to Know About Dermaplaning - Beautiphi 

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Foods to Protect and Support Your Skin

 

Rejuvenate your skin with Nutrient-dense, Energy-light Foods

Tis the season of fabulous berries, stone fruit, lush vine-ripened tomatoes, avocados, fresh herbs and huge salads packed full of essential vitamins and minerals – these goodies just fall over themselves to replenish and repair the damages of sun, sand and Christmas sugars. It is also the perfect time to include a wide range of nutrient-dense, energy-light foods that not only tempt the tastebuds, and nourish the body, but also protect and support your skin.

11 quick nutrition tips to get maximum benefits –

1. Add as many different coloured vegetables as possible – steamed or in salads – the wider the variety in colours the bigger mix of antioxidants and the greater the health benefits.
2. Make huge salads or cook extra vegetables – the leftovers become the next day’s work lunch.
3. Serve dressings on the side – not over the salad – or preferably just add a squeeze of lemon, lime, garlic and a splash of olive oil.
4. Add a serving of lean/low-fat protein at every meal – meat, fish or vegetable protein.
5. Plan vegetable-based meals on a regular basis. Read more here Foods to Protect and Support Your Skin

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

How Healite II Light Therapy Can Rejuvenate your Skin

 

HEALITE II – the very cool, very expensive LED light treatment machine we have at Beautiphi – is a Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT) device.

What a great name – Heal + Lite – and this is literally what this machine does – heal with LED light at very specific wavelengths. We probably all know of LED lighting by now, as it’s in our houses and cars, even on our Xmas trees, but perhaps not many of us know that certain wavelengths of LED light have been used to fast-track the healing of wounds and for treatment of post-surgery scars.

A surprising side effect of these medical treatments was that certain LED wavelengths were also found to rejuvenate healthy skin.

LED light is very different from laser light. The LED is a Light Emitting Diode, a computer chip encased in a glass-like resin, which emits therapeutic wavelengths (colours) of light energy.

How it works:

If the therapeutic light energy is the correct wavelength, the cells in the dermis layer of the skin convert that light energy into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the fuel that cells use to do their job. Read more here How Healite II Light Therapy Can Rejuvenate your Skin

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Dermal Needling – Affordable Alternative to PRP Treatments

 

What is Dermal needling:

If you can’t afford Platelet Rich Plasma treatments this is the way to go.

Although it will take a little longer to reach the results of PRP treatments, its an amazing treatment in itself or when used in conjunction with PRP. It is a fantastic treatment for wrinkles, UV damage, Lax skin, Actinic Keratosis, Hyperpigmentation, Scars, Acne Scars, Stretch Marks, Rosacea, and Hair Loss.

You can use it with different serums, or hyaluronic acid to enhance the treatments.

Hyaluronic Acid plumps and hydrates the skin leaving you with a fresh youthful result, but there are other serums as well that can specifically treat your particular issue.  Vitamin A for scarring, and a variety of serums for hair stimulation for example. Read more here Dermal Needling – Affordable Alternative to PRP Treatments

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Wrinkles Treatment with Botulinum Toxin & Dermal Fillers

There are a few different reasons to have treatment with botulinum toxin (Dysport® or Botox® or Xeomin®) and dermal filler. Prevention of new wrinkles is one of the most important reasons, as well as the softening of the current lines.

The treatment of wrinkles depends on whether they are

• Dynamic lines – wrinkles that are made worse when you animate or express yourself, such as when frowning or laughing – or
• Static lines – that remain regardless of your expression.

What are Dynamic Lines Wrinkles?

Dynamic lines or wrinkles occur when we use our muscles to form facial expressions. When we smile or frown, our muscles contract and cause our skin to wrinkle. For example, when we smile, our eye wrinkles become prominent and when we frown the vertical lines between our eyebrows become noticeable. Read more here Wrinkles Treatment with Botulinum Toxin & Dermal Fillers

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

What Causes Hair Loss? Can PRP Treatment Help?

 

According to Dr Greco, leading hair loss specialist in Miami Florida. Read this excerpt from his blog, if you can get the gist of what it means.

Causes of Hair Loss

Hair loss related to DHT(Dihydrotestosterone) is directly determined by how sensitive you are to androgens. Your sensitivity is determined by triplet repeat mutations in the androgen receptor gene on the x chromosome. It’s the downstream effects caused by DHT binding to the androgen receptor that causes hair loss so a mutation that causes a defective androgen receptor gene is cumulative throughout the generations and each following generation will potentially have MPB that is worse than the previous generation.

Hair loss is multifactorial and stem cells play a much more important role in AGA (male pattern) than previously thought, especially since the findings of Garza et al, 2011. This study essentially demonstrated faulty scalp stem cells result in insufficient quantities of progenitor cells that then allow the 5DHT to begin the miniaturizing of hairs genetically sensitive to 5DHT. Read more here What Causes Hair Loss? Can PRP Treatment Help?

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

4 Important Factors Associated with Latest Anti-ageing Therapies

 

There are a lot of new BUZZ words in anti-ageing therapies.  Here is a breakdown of what I think each of them are and how I think each of them works. I have been going to a lot of Beauty Therapy classes lately and it seems to me, that in order to make beautiful skin you need to damage it and instigate ultimate repair.  The more you damage it (within reason) the faster you see results. Some of these factors below are what the beauty industry is now trying to harness to achieve glowing results with beautiful skin.  I am hoping that being forearmed with this information it will help you make an educated evaluation on which beauty treatments might be the ones for you.

What are Platelets?

When skin is damaged, platelets block up the injury

Platelets are not only the smallest blood cell, they are the lightest.  Therefore they are pushed out from the center of flowing blood to the wall of the blood vessel.  There they roll along the surface of the vessel wall, which is lined by cells called the endothelium.  The endothelium is a very special surface, like Teflon, that prevents anything from sticking to it.  However when there is an injury or cut, and the endothelial layer is broken, the tough fibers that surround a blood vessel are exposed to the liquid flowing blood.  It is the platelets that react first to injury. Read more here 4 Important Factors Associated with Latest Anti-ageing Therapies

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Magnesium – We Are So Lacking In This Important Vitamin!

 

I keep being advised from my colleagues in the anti ageing field right through to the natural health doctors I consult and they are all pointing to a severe lack of Magnesium in our diets leading to a range of issues particularly not being able to manage our stress and difficulty in sleeping at night.  How many of you talk about having these problems.

Magnesium – For almost everything!

MAGNESIUM – THE GREAT STRESS RELIEVER AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

Did you know magnesium is an important mineral that can be used to treat:

•    Stress, depression and anxiety

•    Angina, high blood pressure and heart disease

•    Asthma

•    Insomnia

•    Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia

•    Migraine

•    Muscular complaints

•    Osteoporosis

•    Menstrual pain, premenstrual syndrome, easier births & deliveries 

Read more here Magnesium – We Are So Lacking In This Important Vitamin!

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Common Questions About Dysport and Dermal Filler Injectables

 

Look younger and enhance your appearance

Dysport® and dermal fillers provide a natural-looking way to enhance your appearance: as well as reducing wrinkles and fine lines, Dysport® and dermal fillers can also be used to enhance lips and other facial features. The results can last for many months, yet the time taken for Dysport® treatments is only about 10 minutes to inject. And filler treatments take about half an hour. (Plus your consultation.)

Stacey answers your questions about Dysport® and dermal fillers…

What is Dysport®?

Dysport® is the European brand of Botulinum Toxin Type A. (Botox® is the American brand for the equivalent product.) Dysport® is a simple, effective, non-surgical treatment that works by relaxing facial muscles.  For example on the forehead, thereby reducing and smoothing away frown-lines and wrinkles. Read more here Common Questions About Dysport and Dermal Filler Injectables

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

About Skin – 17 Skin Care Tips

 

1. Your skincare routine should be kept simple and effective.  If you complicate it you will be less likely to continue using the right products for your skin.

2. Don’t cleanse in the shower.  This water is hard and comes down onto the skin which is delicate.  This will strip the skin of its natural oils preventing the skin to heal.

3. Don’t just use any sunblock.  A sunblock is going to be your biggest weapon against ageing as in New Zealand the sun causes up to 80% of visible signs of aging.  Being your most important home care product use a good one.  A good one should have 18% plus zinc in the formulation, as this ingredient is a physical block and the only one proven to reflect UVA.  The only other form of sunblock you should be using is a doctor’s formula liposome lotion (Acpinica) which acts as a physical block.

4. Do wear sunblock every day and reapply.  Even if you spend most of the day inside there are windows where rays can penetrate and lighting that emits UV light.  In the winter you will still get UV exposure, especially in New Zealand where we have a huge hole in our ozone. Read more here About Skin – 17 Skin Care Tips

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Importance of Platelet Count in PRP Treatment and 6 Reasons Platelet Count Is Low

Platelet counts are important for optimum results in treatment with Platelet Rich Plasma. The better your platelets are, the better your results. You can have a blood test and check your platelet count to determine whether you will have a great response to PRP but most people don’t bother.

Below are the 6 definite factors that we know of that will decrease your platelets.

• Alcohol damages the bone marrow having a direct toxic effect on the production and survival time of platelets.
• Low platelet count can manifest in many ways such as ease of bruising but more importantly slow healing of wounds which points to not enough platelets and poor quality of platelets.
• Most people are not told their platelet count when they get a blood test however the platelets are always measured on a Complete Blood Count so patients could ask their Dr to look back on previous blood test results rather than having to have a special one-off blood test to find out.” Read more here Importance of Platelet Count in PRP Treatment and 6 Reasons Platelet Count Is Low

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

What is Intense Pulsed Light? (IPL)

Natasha Salt Sheds light on Intense Pulsed Light Therapy –

I have been at several salons lately with my work, and continually hear IPL bandied about but no one is setting light to me as to what it is and what it does and why it is so wonderful.

I have managed to pin down Natasha to shed some light on it and in a later article, I will also consult with some other beauty therapists to get some more opinions.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy – Effective for skin rejuvenation

IPL is used for rejuvenation (making older skin and wrinkles etc fade away) decreasing red veins, but mainly for decreasing pigmentation in the skin and for hair removal.

*Skin rejuvenation (wrinkles)

*Pigmentation and age spots

*Spider veins and redness

*Stretch marks and scars (fresh)

*Large pores and more. Read more here What is Intense Pulsed Light? (IPL)

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Dysport vs Botox – What’s The Difference Doc?

A great unbiased article by Dr Novick (NYC Dermatologic Surgeon). Of particular note is that for people who become ‘resistant’ to Botox® injections, Dysport® provides an alternative. “Botox® Battles Latest Contender: Dysport®” By Nelson L. Novick, MD – New York City Dermatologic surgeon Dysport® may be new in the U.S. (on the market since only April, 2009), but it has been battling Botox® head to head in Europe and elsewhere for several years already. Here’s what we know so far about the battle of these big boys in the nonsurgical esthetic arena: Both Botox® and Dysport® are botulinum toxin type A proteins and work in a similar fashion. Dysport® may be minimally less expensive, but not enough so to make any significant difference cost-wise to the consumer. Dosing is different than Botox®, but this is a technical consideration for the doctor to know and is not really relevant to the patient. Read more here Dysport vs Botox – What’s The Difference Doc? 

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Super Quick Overview of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

 

Incredible results are being shown with this treatment which is already widely used in Sydney but relatively new to New Zealand. We take some of your blood. Centrifuge it with a special gel which separates the Platelet Rich Plasma from the red cells. We draw off the PRP, adding an anticoagulant compound to ensure it doesn’t clot until we have finished injecting it. After applying a numbing cream or gel to your face and neck we make lots of little injections all over the areas to be treated.

PRP Shot – Sexual Rejuvenation for Men and Women

Results of PRP Treatment

1. Massively improved skin tone
2. Pore size is decreased

Read more here Super Quick Overview of Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

Beautiphi - Dermal Fillers / Botox / PRP

2c/1 Tika Street, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand

+64223837968

Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty vs. Surgical Rhinoplasty

The shape, size, and projection of a person’s nose have a huge impact on their overall facial appearance. If a person has a nose that makes them feel self-conscious, their nose is limiting their ability to live a more desirable life. 

If a person feels embarrassed or if they feel that every time someone looks at them their entire focus is on their nose, their nose is dictating who and what they are. Most people would agree that this is quite a price to pay.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, a rhinoplasty (a nose job) is one of the most common cosmetic procedures performed in the United States.

Read more about Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty vs. Surgical Rhinoplasty here!

Bunny Lines: What Can Botox Do To Get Rid of Nose Wrinkles?

Although the word Bunny Lines might sound adorable, their appearance is not. Like the dreaded crow’s feet, they are called bunny lines because they are wrinkles that resemble a bunny’s whiskers. But what are these Bunny Lines?

Read more about Bunny Lines and how botox can help to get rid of them here!

Profhilo – Everything You Need To Know!

 Are you looking to boost your skin’s hydration, smooth its texture, or simply achieve a naturally more rejuvenated complexion?

If you’ve recently been considering facial enhancements to address areas of your appearance that you’d like to improve, then you have come to the right place.

According to The Times, Profhilo was called THE Anti-Wrinkle treatment of 2019.

Read more about Profhilo here!

The Secret Dermal Re-modelling – All you need to know

 Micro needling uses tiny, surgical grade needles to create a small amount of trauma to a specific depth within the skin. This provokes the body’s own wound healing mechanism and promotes the growth of stronger, healthier skin. 

Micro needling is also great for addressing scarring by breaking up scar tissue and stimulating tissue repair.

Read more about Dermal Re-modelling here!

The Ultimate Guide to Happy and Healthy Hair

 The phrase “you are what you eat” applies here too. A balanced diet is essential for healthy hair and a healthy scalp. As hair is mainly composed of proteins, experts recommend the intake of at least 45 grams of protein daily to keep your hair healthy. 

A diet rich in nutrients and vitamins improves your hair growth and makes it shinier.

Read more about Guide to Happy and Healthy Hair here!

Men’s Health and Nutrition Guide

 Improving eating routines is very important for health, but physical activity is essential too.

Man nutrition refers to the nutritional and dietary needs of males, according to individual male requirements. Every man is different, and therefore the nutrition demands for each guy vary according to body and age, etc. 

Read more about Men’s health and nutrition here!

BOTOX LIP FLIP: WHAT IS IT & HOW DOES IT WORK?

 Botox Lip Flip is an alternative to lip fillers that enhance your upper lip. Lip flips are recommended mostly if you want a natural look. Lip fillers include the injecting of hyaluronic acid into the top lip to enhance its appearance and make it look plumper.

 Read more about Botox Lip flip here!

Everything You Want to Know About Dermaplaning

 Dermaplaning is the new it-thing in skincare and is recently been hugely popular on social media. It is basically an exfoliation of the skin that removes peach fuzz by using a thin scalpel. It helps remove dirt and dead skin from the topmost layer of the face, thus helping to rejuvenate the skin. 

Read more about Dermaplaning here!

What Treatments are Available for Drooping and Sagging Cheeks?

  Aging is inevitable but that does not mean you have to put up with unwanted signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. When it comes to early signs of aging, the cheeks tend to be one of the most problematic parts.

Read more about treatments available for drooping and sagging cheeks here!

What is the Best Non-Surgical Treatment for Wrinkles?

Wrinkles are the creases that form in your skin as a part of the natural aging process and manifest when the skin loses elasticity. They can be often seen in areas of skin that receive the most sun exposure, like the face, neck, and back of the hands.

At some point, it becomes hard to ignore the vivid signs of aging you see in the mirror that are wrinkles. Nowadays, unlike in the past when there were not many options to eliminate these signs of aging without surgical intervention, you can soften the effects of time on your face with numerous nonsurgical cosmetic treatments available.

Read more about Best non-surgical treatments for wrinkles here!