Are you thinking about going the Botox route?
If you are I would do quite a bit of research first. It’s what I have done here in hopes of helping anyone thinking of antiaging the injectable way. I am not knocking it or being an advocate for it, I just think you should be well informed beforehand.
So dive in and get your fill, of info that is!
Two Types of Injectables
First, you have your fillers. Dermal fillers are gel-like and injected below the skin’s surface to help restore lost volume, smooth out, and plump fine lines and wrinkles, and they can also enhance the contours of your face.
Next, you have neurotoxins. These are injectable proteins that help relax the muscles that cause wrinkles when they are contracted during facial expressions. These injectables help release or temporarily paralyze the muscles to soften wrinkles.
Brands Of Neurotoxins
Botox was the first cosmetic and therapeutic neurotoxin. It is FDA- approved for lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet, and forehead lines.
Dysport is FDA- approved for lines between the eyebrows and maybe least expensive than others.
Xeomin is approved for the lines between the eyebrows and has the toxin but not the accessory protein that others do.
Jeuveau is the newest on the market and is approved for the lines between the eyebrows.
Brands of Fillers
Juvederm is made of hyaluronic acid. Juvederm Voluma XC is used for the cheeks and chin. Juvederm Vollure XC is for moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, and also mouth lines. Juvederm Volbella XC and Ultra XC are for the lips and surrounding lines. These are all FDA- approved.
Sculptra treats shallow to deep facial folds and wrinkles by using a poly-L-lactic acid which is a bio stimulatory synthetic compound that encourages the body’s cells to make new collagen. This requires several treatments but does last longer than others.
Restylane is another hyaluronic acid filler. You have Restylane Lyft for restoring the mid-face and hands, then Silk for lips and mouth area, Kysse for lip enhancing, Refyne for moderate to severe facial wrinkles, and Defyne for the moderate to severe wrinkles along with the chin.
Radiesse is made of microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite, which is a mineral found naturally in bones and teeth. It volumizes facial wrinkles and folds and rejuvenates hands.
Safety and Potential Side Effects
As far as being safe, they both are, as long as it is being done by a properly trained and licensed or certified individual. Both should be avoided, however, if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or if pregnant and/or nursing.
The side effects of neurotoxins are usually mild and range from a slight headache or pain at the injection site to bruising. There can also be poor results if not done properly, which is why it is important to have an experienced injector.
Fillers can have more serious side effects, but the mild effects are usually pain or tenderness at the site, bruising, bleeding, and swelling. Other risks can include skin redness, discoloration, inflammation, and migration of the filler, although infrequent, which can lead to other complications. Although rare, but serious, is when fillers cause a blocked blood vessel. It can cause tissue to die and blindness if injected into certain vessels, which is why you choose a highly trained professional.
Do the Results Last?
For neurotoxins, the results last usually about three or four months and sometimes as long as six months. For your fillers, it depends on which you get. Hyaluronic acid lasts about six months to a year. The calcium hydroxylapatite lasts about nine months to a year and the series of poly-L-lactic acid lasts up to two years.
Not Ready for the Needles?
If you aren’t quite ready to take that leap, I have a great suggestion to deliver some visible results. RoC Retinol Correction Line Smoothing Serum. They are little cute capsules with just the right amount of serum in them. You use these at night, but don’t forget the sunscreen during the day! I actually use these myself and love them.
You can also read my post on the best anti-aging ingredients!
I have heard of Botox, the other names I have not heard. You cleared up a lot of lack of my own understanding on the subject. I am at an age where some of these treatments would be helpful. However I also have a medical history which would need to be taken into consideration. Is there a topical cream that you can recommend to those who for medical reasons can not get injectables?
Yes I am actually going to blog about radiofrequency, it is another alternative to cosmetic procedures. Thank you for your comment and question. The serum that I recommended is ROC retinol capsules. I use them myself and you use them at night and they have just the right amount in them. Don’t forget sunscreen!
Good day, I’m pleased to meet you. Well, for those which have been FDA-approved, I think these brands of Neurotoxins are indeed safe to use. I have noted the safety and potential side effects you outlined, but my question is can I use Neurotoxins while I have been diagnosed with diabetes? Thank you very much for sharing this important piece of writing.
Best wishes!
Being diabetic usually means longer healing times, but that would be a discussion that you would need to have with your doctor. Thanks for the feedback.