Soft-tissue Augmentation

In soft-tissue augmentation, a substance that is compatible with the patient’s body tissues is injected under the skin to elevate irregularities such as wrinkles, pits and scars. The substances used for injection are primarily:

· Collagen—a fibrous protein substance of all human and animal tissue. It gives toughness and structure to skin, bones, and ligaments. Most of the collagen used for soft-tissue augmentation is derived from cattle. However, for people who are allergic to bovine (cow-derived) collagen, collagen or collagen-related substances may be self-donated by the patient or obtained from a tissue donor. The dermatologist tests the patient prior to collagen injection to determine if the patient is allergic to bovine collagen. Collagen injection is usually given in a series of treatments, until the desired effect of "filling out" a wrinkle or depression is achieved. A local anesthetic minimizes discomfort from the injection needle. The effects of collagen injection may last for 3 to 12 months.

· Self-donated body fat. Fat is harvested from the patient’s own body and prepared for the procedure called microlipoinjection. This fat-transfer procedure is sometimes called "body sculpturing". The injected body fat is used to replace fat lost from under the skin in the aging process. Defects improved by microlipoinjection include creases around the nose, mouth and chin, and the "drawn look" created by loss of fat pads in the cheeks. The improvements in appearance vary between patients. Some follow-up treatments may be necessary. Microlipoinjection is performed in an outpatient clinic. An after-effect of tissue swelling or bruising fades in a few hours to a few days.

Botulinum Toxin

Dermatologists have harnessed the potent biological effects of botulinum toxin to dramatically improve effects of aging such as frown lines, crows feet, and facial wrinkles. Botulinum toxin is the powerful agent of botulism food poisoning. The toxin’s biological effects in food poisoning are to block nerve impulses transmitted from the brain to muscles, causing generalized paralysis including paralysis of muscles used in breathing.

Dermatologists use purified botulinum toxin in very tiny amounts to inject into a targeted facial muscle. The resulting nerve blockade of that muscle causes a local immobilization of muscle movement. This immobilization prevents "crinkling" and "wrinkle" lines from forming when the patient frowns or squints. Results of treatment last 3 to 4 months. To be maximally effective, treatment with botulinum toxin is repeated over several sessions and is combined with a program of muscle behavioral training to minimize "wrinkling" facial expressions. Botulinum toxin treatment may be used in combination with other procedures for facial rejuvenation to achieve a more lasting effect. A botulinum toxin treatment is accomplished in about 30 minutes in a dermatologist’s office

to harness - использовать

potent - мощный

2. Find Russian equivalents to the following expressions:

powerful agent of botulism; food poisoning; causing generalized paralysis; causes a local immobilization of muscle movement; muscle behavioral training; prevents "crinkling" and "wrinkle" lines from forming; to achieve a more lasting effect.