Jessie Pickens Post #3

For the beginning of this week, I followed around a doctor at a medical spa. So far I’ve witnessed injections of Botox and filler and learned all about the laser hair removal and CoolSculpting machines. One thing that has surprised me is how well patients tolerate pain. While getting Botox and filler injections probably isn’t the most agonizing pain on the planet, you’re still letting a doctor put needles in your face! I was both surprised and impressed at how calm patients remained. I think their relaxed states were, in part, due to the compassionate doctor. She goes out of her way to make her patients feel comfortable and secure. Most of the patients I’ve met thus far are returning patients and expressed how confident they are in the doctor’s abilities. When it comes to Botox and filler, I’ve learned that every person likes it done a little differently, and each doctor has a different injection style. In many ways, cosmetic dermatology is like an art. The doctor needs to be precise and needs to be able to adapt to a multitude situations and varying patient requests.
The doctor I’ve been following is extremely intelligent and funny, and she expertly balances fun and professionalism.
From explanations from the doctor and reading materials with which she provided me, I learned about the mechanisms of action of Botox and filler, how the CoolSculpting machine works, and some cool facts about needles.
Botox is a neurotoxin that, when injected into a patient in minute concentrations, paralyzes the muscles in the face (in areas such as the glabella, the forehead, and around the eyes). How does it paralyze these muscles? The neurotoxin blocks nerve cells from signaling the facial muscles to move. Botox can be used to prevent the formation of wrinkles and fine lines and also to keep these lines from getting deeper.
Next, I learned about filler, which is injected into the face (or even the hands). As people age, collagen is produced at a slower rate, and the skin loses its elasticity. Filler can restore volume and reduce wrinkles; however, it is temporary because the body will eventually break it down. I learned about three types of filler: hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid. Hyaluronic acid filler is the safest type because there’s an enzyme that can break it down if there’s a complication. There are some dangers to filler, though, like a risk of blindness, especially if your injector is not experienced.
The image below is a picture of me next to the CoolSculpting machine, which uses the technology of cryolipolysis to break down adipose cells. If these cells reach a certain temperature (about 4°C), they will die a natural cell death (apoptosis).
Finally, I learned that the larger the gauge of a needle, the smaller it actually is. For example, a 20 gauge needle (used to draw up Botox) is much larger than a 32 gauge needle (used to inject Botox).