Injectable Treatments: A Non Surgical Approach to Fighting Facial Aging
The injection of neurotoxins, like Botox, and facial dermal fillers, such as Juvederm XC or Radiesse, has become very popular in the fight against fine lines and wrinkles. Last year alone, over 6 million people received treatment according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Every day at Sunset Cosmetic Surgery in Los Angeles, we see patients seeking alternatives to facelifts using non-surgical, injectable solutions. So many options are available today, providing patients with an arsenal of tools to achieve refreshed, revitalized appearances through treatments that cause little to no discomfort and require very little downtime. What have you been doing to limit the effects of time on your appearance? Interested in learning more about non-surgical injectables? Let’s get to know your options…
Botox®, the brand name for botulinum toxin type A, is used to temporarily relax specific muscles below the surface of the skin, which can help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles that accumulate—especially vertical lip lines, brow furrow, crow’s feet and forehead worry wrinkles. Results are temporary, and typically last 3-4 months and usually can be seen within just a few days.
Dysport®, similar to Botox, is created from the same neurotoxin (botulinum toxin type A) and works by similarly, immobilizing the muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles. Considered to be faster-acting and longer-lasting, it also spreads farther from the injection site allowing a broader area of smaller wrinkles to require fewer injections.
Juvederm® XC works as a facial filler rather than relaxing underlying muscles. Specially formulated from a hyaluronic-acid base, a natural protein found in the human body, Juvederm replaces lost tissue volume and helps to rehydrate the skin. It is a dense, but smooth clear gel that is injected to improve deep facial folds—including highly visible wrinkles around the mouth, nose and forehead.
Juvederm Voluma® XC, similar to Juvederm® XC, is a facial filler but instead of filling in small areas, it is meant to add overall volume in the cheek area, which can give more of a lifting effect vs. standard dermal fillers like Juvederm. Containing a small amount of lidocaine for numbing, it is designed to gently lift the skin and temporarily correct age-related volume loss. Juvederm Voluma® XC creates a natural, youthful appearance with long-lasting results.
Radiesse® is a long-lasting dermal filler composed of calcium particles which stimulates your body’s own collagen production—a protein essential for younger looking skin. Formulated in a smooth gel, Radiesse® injections can reduce fine lines and restore fullness to one’s lips, with results lasting a year or longer.
Sculptra® Aesthetic is an injectable that is only offered by a select few cosmetic practices in Los Angeles, including Sunset Cosmetic Surgery. Commonly used throughout Europe, Sculptra is a long-lasting dermal filler that is used in a series of injection sessions over several months to correct facial fat loss in key areas, including aging skin folds, sunken eyes, hollowed cheeks and indented chin surfaces.
Restylane® is commonly used as a dermal filler, treating the deep wrinkles that form at the corners of the nose and extend to the mouth (known as nasolabial wrinkles). Its “plumping up” qualities come from a hyaluronic-acid molecule structure that binds to the body’s natural stores of water and gradually “plumps up” the skin. Typically, results last about 6 months.
Perlane®, the sister product to Restylane, also contains hyaluronic acid, but in a slightly larger form. The larger particles assist Perlane with deeper skin injections to help combat severe, deep wrinkles. It is another filler effective at improving the large folds between the nose and mouth as well as pesky worry lines that can appear on the forehead.
When it comes to winning the battle against fine lines, wrinkles and the army of time, there are seemingly endless options. The treatment recommended for each person can vary widely and depends on the areas treated, skin type and other factors. Some people may require multiple injections to obtain your desired results. Talk to one of our Los Angeles plastic surgeons or find a board certified plastic surgeon near you to learn more about the options listed above and the longevity of each treatment’s results. Injectable treatments can easily be scheduled to or from your way to work, or even over a lunch-break.
Turn back the hands of time and help give your complexion a youthful boost. To schedule a consultation with one of the double-board plastic surgeons of Sunset Cosmetic Surgery, call (310) 858-9100 or visit sunsetcosmeticsurgery.com to learn more about the non-surgical injectable services we offer.
