Elective facial surgeries are an increasingly popular way for patients to smooth and fill in wrinkles, shore up sagging skin and reduce the visible signs of aging. In the past, facial rejuvenation involved surgical procedures designed to tighten the skin. Nowadays, the focus is more preventative in nature, with many patients opting for non-surgical treatment involving injectable facial fillers.
What Kinds of Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Treatments Are Available?
Injectable relaxers and fillers are the most common non-surgical injection treatments to get the younger looking skin you desire. Injectable fillers fill in lines and wrinkles to add volume to facial features while injectable relaxers work by relaxing the muscles. During your consultation appointment, your doctor will discuss the different types and their effective uses based on your unique goals.
Injectable Relaxers
According to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, injection relaxers are the most popular minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure available. In fact, last year, Americans underwent more than seven million treatments.
Injections are primarily used to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles by blocking signals from your nerves to your muscles, preventing them from contracting. This causes the wrinkles to relax and soften. They are most useful in treating:
- Forehead lines
- Crow’s feet
- Frown lines
- Excessive sweating
Results usually take a few days to appear and will last anywhere from three to 12 months. Maintenance injections are needed if you wish to continue treatment beyond the initial dose.
The facial plastics team will discuss all potential side effects and considerations with you during your consultation.
Botox
Botox has been closely associated with cosmetic procedures for years, as it has been proven to reduce facial wrinkles and creases. It works by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles, preventing them from contracting. This causes the wrinkles to relax and soften.
Dysport
While Botox and Dysport both use the same base molecule, the added components of Dysport differentiate the two. This means that Dysport spreads through your cells easier and starts working slightly faster than its counterpart.
Xeomin
Xeomin blocks the release of chemicals that cause facial muscles to contract; ultimately, this leads to softened frown lines.
Treatment takes 10 to 20 minutes; no anesthesia is required. You will see results from Xeomin three to four days after the injection. The maximum effects occur around day 30.
Jeuveau
Jeuveau is used to improve the look of moderate to severe frown lines between the eyebrows in adults temporarily.
Injectable Fillers
Soft tissue fillers are injected into or under the skin to give you a more youthful appearance. They fill in lines and wrinkles that are the result of aging, smoking, sun exposure and gravity. The typical procedure takes less than thirty minutes and targets the following areas of the face:
- Lips
- Hollow areas
- Scars
- Cheekbones
- Fine lines
- Wrinkles around the nose, mouth, eyes and brow
Injectable wrinkle fillers use substances that fill in lines and creases and add volume to facial features. They can be used to plump up cheeks and lips, soften facial features and reduce saggy skin. Often, they are used in conjunction with other skin treatment procedures (e.g., facelifts and Botox injections).
A variety of soft tissue fillers for facial rejuvenation are available based on your needs and preferences. There are three main categories: fat transfers, hyaluronic acids and bio-stimulating products.
Fat transfer or autologous (derived from the body) implants use the patient’s own fat. The procedure is safe and inexpensive, and there’s an abundant supply.
Hyaluronic acids are naturally occurring tissue compounds that help to lubricate the tissues and are a natural component of healthy, youthful skin. Results are instantaneous. There are a large and growing number of these safe and reliable products available.
Bio-stimulating products are a popular alternative due to their cost-effectiveness and long-term results – many last for at least a year, and some offer permanent results.
The facial plastics team will discuss all potential side effects and considerations with you during your consultation.
Juvederm
Juvederm is a family of injectable hyaluronic acid based fillers used to reduce smile lines, add volume to the lips and skin and fill in facial scars. The treatment is safe and effective. Juvederm is administered with a thin needle under the skin. Hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the body but diminishes as we age, is immediately restored, adding volume and reducing lines, folds and wrinkles.
Restylane
Restylane is also a family of hyaluronic based injectable fillers used to treat facial wrinkles and folds and add fullness to your lips. Treatment with Restylane usually lasts 6-12 months depending on the patient’s lifestyle, age and skin type. Afterward, follow-up treatments can be given on a regular basis.
Belotero
Belotero is an injectable filler that works by replacing lost hyaluronic acid. Products are designed to smooth and fill wrinkles, augment lips, restore facial volume and rehydrate skin. Lidocaine, a numbing agent, is also available with Belotero.
Radiesse
Radiesse is an injectable filler composed mainly of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres made of the same component as the human skeleton. Radiesse stimulates natural collagen production to improve volume and reduce wrinkles for a year or more. Injections are fast and typically require no recovery time.
Contact ENT of Georgia North for more information or to schedule an appointment.
