Boston's Best Facial | Functional Medicine

Botox and injectables – what are your thoughts about them?

Botox and injectables – what are your thoughts about them?

face-fillers-botox-injectables

Botox Injactables

This question is asked by many of my clients.

I have absolutely nothing against facial filler injectables to treat laugh (naso-labial) lines, increase volume in the lips, etc as they are made of a hyaluronic acid. This substance is naturally found in our skin and joints. Due to this existence, we have also a natural enzyme that organically breaks down facial fillers slowly.

However botox injectable (Botulinum Toxin)  that causes muscle paralysis scares me! Did you catch the name? Yes, it’s a toxin. Did you know that when Botox is injected into the skin, it may migrate up to 3 cm (1.18 inches!) from where it was injected? Of course, injectable cosmetic doses are significantly lower than the toxic dose and it would take many, many times to cause any harm.

In April, 2009, the U.S. FDA updated its mandatory boxed warning stating that when locally administered, the toxin may spread from the injection site to other areas of the body, causing symptoms similar to those of botulism.

The adverse effect of botox injectables can also include a paralysis of the wrong muscle group. This can result in inappropriate facial expression, drooping eyelids, and double vision. If you opt to try botox, at least do it only with a certified facial plastic surgeon! It’s astonishing that even dentists perform injectables!

It also strikes me that there are doctors who are comfortable to recommending and performing botox on women/men in their early twenties when they have no fine lines or wrinkles! In my opinion, it’s quite unethical to say the least!

I understand the appeal of a quick fix. However, the results of botox and injectables are very temporary, requiring repeated injections over and over again. In my opinion, using botox in the long term can also cause muscle atrophy.

Another aspect to consider before botox and injectables is the overall health of the skin and underlying tissues. Botox and injectables that are injected into dehydrated skin that has TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss) or is deficient in vital vitamins and nutrients (such as vitamin A, C, E, beta-carotene, etc) required to maintain healthy skin, will gorge a filler with much less lasting results.

If you want your botox and injectables to last and look natural, make your skin’s structure healthy with professional products and facial treatments. It’s impossible to build a house without the proper foundation. Your healthy well-nourished skin is your proper foundation.

When it comes to improving the lines on the forehead, it is critical first of all to keep forehead muscles relaxed. Here are some tips on how to achieve this and avoid botox and injectables:

  • Wear sunglasses all year around to reduce/avoid squinting.
  • Wear a baseball hat or hat with the rim all year around to reduce/avoid squinting.

Sun light causes eyes to squint. Those with lighter eyes are even more light sensitive. This will tense up the muscles causing premature fine lines around the eyes, between the brows and on the forehead. This can absolutely lead to the deepening of the lines that can be easily prevented!

  • Relax and decrease your stress. Emotional stress causes corrugator (worry) muscle tension which leads to the formation of frown lines. One of the best ways to relax your body and mind is to get a facial or massage. Any type of exercise as we all know reduces stress and increases happy hormones.                                                                                                           When I perform facial massage on my clients, I often can feel on many clients “bulged” corrugator muscles above their brows which is a sign of accumulative stress in the body. Our facials combine relaxing facial massage with advanced modality (ies) that deliver noticeable results.

Give your face a self-massage. For the massage agent you can use jojoba or hempseed oil or Environ’s AVST Pre-Cleansing Oil. Below are few easy techniques that will help to relax forehead muscles:

  • With the middle and ring finger of each hand, start upward strokes in the middle of the forehead at the brow line. Working upward toward the hairline, one hand follows the other as the hands move toward the right temple, moving back across the forehead to the left temple, then back to the center of the forehead. Repeat the movements 3-5 times.
  • With the middle finger of each hand, start a circular movement in the middle of the forehead along the browline. Continue this circular lateral movement while working toward the temples. Each time the fingers reach the temple, pause for a moment and apply slight pressure to the temple. Repeat 3-5 times, starting again from the middle but at the higher point.

Above mentioned massage steps can be also used during your product application which will ensure better product penetration.

  • Forehead pressure points: Start with the middle finger of the each hand in the middle of the forehead along the brow line, applying pressure and then releasing. Move out laterally towards the temples. Each time start at a higher starting point, moving again outwards towards the temples. Repeat until you reach the hairline.
  • Pressure points around the orbital bone: Starting from the base of inner part of each brow, apply pressure with the thumb upwards on the orbital bone. Hold each pressure point for 3-5 seconds, moving laterally until you reach temples. Apply slight pressure with the pointing finger at the temple, now move down and start applying pressure points on the lower orbital bone moving from outside eye corners inwards towards the tear duct.
  • Massage your scalp as often as you can. That’s a great stress as well as tension relieving technique.
  • Some wrinkles are caused by repeated facial expression. Therefore maintaining a passive face will help to reduce the formation of these expression lines. The key is to be aware of how you move your forehead muscles and to refrain from forehead muscle movement.

It’s impressive how the cosmeceutical world is evolving. It has introduced many new effective ingredients that can not only slow down the skin’s ageing process but in many cases even reverse it.

To improve the appearance of frown lines, we love Environ’s Focus Frown Serum, based on 3 peptides which help to keep forehead muscles relaxed. This serum can be used as an alternative to botox and injectables or to prolong the effects of injectables.

 

Environ Focus Frown Serum

Environ Focus Frown Serum – an alternative to botox and injectables- Call or e-mail us to inquire about the price or to place an order.

If you wish to see even faster results by using topical products, we recommend Environ’s one of the rollers which enhance topical product penetration.

Gold Roller

Environ Roll-Cit – Call or e-mail us to inquire about the price or to place an order.

Roll Cit

Environ Cosmetic Roll-Cit – Call or e-mail us to inquire about the price or to place an order.

 

 

 

 

We are open by Appointment for the Services from Tuesday – Saturday and for the Product walk-in purchases during the following days and hours:

Tuesday – Friday 10:00 – 5:00
Saturday 9:00 – 4:00

contact us

(617-595-2510)
264 Beacon St Fourth Floor,
Boston MA 02116

WELLNESS/ LABWORK TESTS:

At my own will, I give a permission to request Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve, Inc to order wellness test(s) through Vibrant America.

I hereby acknowledge and agree that the test(s) need to be pre-paid in full. I understand and agree that the test(s) is/are not refundable.

I give Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve, Inc a permission to receive and review ordered test results which will be e-mailed to me through a HIPAA compliant website.

I do not hold Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve, Inc and Vibrant America accountable for ordering the test(s) and receiving test results.

I hereby acknowledge and agree that the Vibrant America test(s) ordered/purchased through Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is/are designed for educational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

The Client is encouraged to continue to visit and to be treated by his/her healthcare professionals, including, without limitation, a physician. The Client understands that the Functional Medicine Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko is not acting in the capacity of a doctor, licensed dietitian-nutritionist, therapist, psychologist or other licensed or registered healthcare professional. Accordingly, the client understands that Natalie Maibenko is not providing health care, medical or nutrition therapy services and will not diagnose, treat or cure any disease, condition or other physical or mental ailment of the human body. Rather, the Functional Medicine Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko serves as a mentor and guide who helps a client to reach her/his own health and wellness goals through implementing incremental, positive, healthy, sustainable lifestyle changes that help the client to live and thrive using simple methods.

Nutritional, supplemental, fitness, and wellness information provided by the Functional Medicine Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is designed for educational purposes only. If the Client has any concerns or questions about her/his health, the Client should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from the healthcare professional.

Any claims made with respect to dietary supplements, including those made with respect to supplements available at Unique Verve, have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. Dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent medical conditions or disease. You should consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any dietary supplement program.

The Client understands that any therapies that the client undertakes at Unique Verve, Inc are undertaken of the client’s own free will. The Client accept that the ultimate responsibility for her/his health care is her/his own and that Functional Medicine Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is here to support the client in this. The client hereby agrees to assume full responsibility for any manner of loss, injury, claim or damage whatsoever, known or unknown, incurred as a result of same and the Client, her/his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns for any loss, injury, claim or damage sustained as a result of the Client’s attendance and/or participation.

The Client have read the above release and waiver of liability, and fully understands its contents and voluntarily agrees to the terms and conditions stated.

SKIN WELLNESS AND/OR DETOX PROGRAM:

  1. I hereby request and consent to the performance of all aspects of the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program provided by Unique Verve, Inc, Functional Medicine and Skincare Practitioner Natalie Maibenko.
  1. I am consenting to submit to participate in the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program of my own free will, that I will accept any and all responsibility for any undesirable consequences that may occur. I understands that it is my sole responsibility to consult with my physician prior implementing the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program.
  2. I understands that method of the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program involves taking nutritional supplements, recommendation for lifestyle and nutritional changes.
  3. I understand that the Detox program is a private outpatient program that is non-refundable.
  4. I certify that I am here on this and on any subsequent visit or contact, whether by mail, telephone, or in person solely on my own behalf and not as an agent or representative of any federal, state, county, or local government or private agency on a mission of entrapment or investigation.
  5. I understand that due to the nature of the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program, it might involve cleansing reactions in the form of fatigue, headache, or other symptoms. These symptoms will abate with time. Because all individuals are unique, Unique Verve, Inc and a Functional Medicine Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko can not gauge or guess client’s reaction(s) to the Detox and/or Skin Wellness program.
  6. DISCLAIMER and CONDITIONS: Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko encourages the Client to continue to visit and to be treated by his/her healthcare professionals, including, without limitation, a physician. The client understands that Natalie Maibenko is not acting in the capacity of a doctor, licensed dietitian-nutritionist, therapist, psychologist or other licensed or registered professional. Accordingly, the client understands that the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko is not providing health care, medical or nutrition therapy services and will not diagnose, treat or cure any disease, condition or other physical or mental ailment of the human body. Rather, Functional Medicine and Skincare  Therapist Natalie Maibenko serves as a coach, mentor and guide who helps a client to reach her/his own health and wellness goals through implementing incremental, positive, healthy, sustainable lifestyle changes that help the client to live and thrive using simple methods. The Client has chosen to work with the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko and understands that the information received should not be seen as a medical or nursing advice and is not meant to take the place of the client seeing licensed health professionals. Nutritional, fitness, and wellness information provided by Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is designed for educational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your healthcare professional.
  1. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RELEASE OF HEALTH CARE RELATED CLAIMS

The Client acknowledges that the Client takes full responsibility for the Client’s life and well-being, as well as the lives and well-being of the Client’s family and children (where applicable), and all decisions made during and after this program. The Client expressly assumes the risks of the Program, whether or not such risks were created or exacerbated by the provider. The Client releases the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, his/her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, its officers, directors, shareholders, employees, teachers, lecturers, agents, health counselors and staff (collectively, the Releases) from any and all liability, damages, causes of action, allegations, suits, sums of money, claims and demands whatsoever, in law, admiralty or equity, which against the Releases, the Client ever had, now has or will have in the future against the Releases, arising from the Client’s past or future participation in, or otherwise with respect to, the Program. Unique Verve, Inc and the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko is in no way liable for client’s health or safety.

  1. The Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko, is not a licensed Dietitian, Naturopathic Doctor or Medical Physician or Doctor and does not diagnose diseases, disorders or conditions.
  2. Nutritional, fitness, and wellness information provided by the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is designed for educational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Do not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health-related advice from your healthcare professional.
  3. Any claims made with respect to dietary supplements, including those made with respect to supplements available at Unique Verve Inc by the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. Dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent medical conditions or disease. The client should consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any dietary supplement program.
  4. In providing wellness program to the client, the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko, is relying upon the truth, accuracy and completeness of all information the client have provided to her. Any recommendations the client follows for changes in diet, including the use of nutritional supplements, are entirely client’s responsibility.
  5. NO GUARANTEES
    The role of the program is to support and assist the client in reaching the goals, but the success depends primarily on the client’s own effort, motivation, dedication, desire commitment and follow-through.
    The Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist, Natalie Maibenko does not guarantee that the client will attain a particular result, and the client understands that results differ by each individual. As with any health-related program or service, the results may vary, and will be based on many variables, including but not limited to, client’s individual capacity, life experience, unique health and genetic profile, starting point, expertise and level of commitment.
  6. The client understand that any therapies that she/he undertakes at Unique Verve, Inc are undertaken of her/his own free will.

The client accepts that the ultimate responsibility for her/his health care is the client’s own and that the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve Inc is here to support the client in this.

The client hereby agrees to assume full responsibility for any manner of loss, injury, claim or damage whatsoever, known or unknown, incurred as a result of same and the client, her/his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns for any loss, injury, claim or damage sustained as a result of the client’s attendance and/or participation.
The client has read the above release and waiver of liability, and fully understands its contents and voluntarily agrees to the terms and conditions stated.

 I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREE TO THE TERMS OUTLINED ABOVE. I UNDERSTAND THIS AGREEMENT TO BE A FULL AND FINAL RELEASE OF ALL COSTS, CLAIMS, CAUSES OF ACTION AND DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE  WELLNESS PROGRAM offered by the Functional Medicine and Skincare Therapist Natalie Maibenko, Unique Verve, Inc.