Cosmetic surgical procedures can produce profound, long lasting changes in facial appearance, but are invasive and have an associated recovery period. Many patients who are just beginning to show signs of facial aging desire improvement, but cannot justify the cost or time investment required for surgical intervention. For these patients, the rapidly expanding repertoire of injectable treatments is perfect to suit their needs. Injectables can be utilized during an office visit, rather than requiring a trip to the operating room. With some treatments, no anesthetic is necessary, as the needles utilized are so small that discomfort is minimal. With others, topical anesthetic agents or nerve blocks may be utilized, depending on the patient’s preference and the sensitivity of the region being treated.

From the standpoint of using minimally invasive techniques to treat facial wrinkles, there are two general classes of injectables neuromuscular toxins & soft tissue fillers.

Neuromuscular toxins, which are most appropriate for active lines or age associated wrinkles that are just starting to appear, is to temporarily weaken or paralyze the muscle that is causing the wrinkle. Botulinum Toxin type A is a family of neurotoxins that block nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. The toxin works directly where it is placed, and thus can be artistically used to alter facial expressions. Botox Cosmetic® is widely recognized and a new product called Dysport® is becoming very popular. Risks include bruising at the injection site, rare chance of an infection, and the possibility of unintentionally affecting nearby muscle groups. Specific risks should be discussed with Dr. Guiloff when considering treatment.

The second class of injectable treatments are the soft tissue fillers. This group is rapidly expanding, and many options are available. These injectables are more useful for treatment of firmly established wrinkles or larger lines of facial aging (such as the nasolabial folds). Fillers restore volume to the face and can add structure as well. Depending on the type of filler and the depth at which it is injected, you can smooth out fine lines on the surface of the skin, fill out deep lines (eg: nasolabial folds), augment soft tissues (such as the lips), or even effectively augment facial bone structure. All of these injectable fillers are placed by an injection, so the group carries usual risks of bruising, lumpiness, redness, product specific adverse reactions, and in rare cases local infections.

Many options are available in the filler class, with clinical differences being predominantly governed by how long the effects last, as well as how the filler “feels”. Generally speaking, very soft fillers (that are best for locations such as the lips) tend to have a shorter duration of effect, while fillers that last longer tend to have more structure and are better suited in regions where they will not be palpable (such as the nasolabial folds). In the past, the most widely used fillers were based on collagen, with sources ranging from bovine to human. For some collagen formulations, skin testing before injection is necessary to confirm that you will not have an allergic response to the filler. Collagen based fillers tend to last 3 to 6 months, and for some indications have a very natural feel.

Another class of fillers is based on hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a sugar found naturally in human skin. When first introduced, a major benefit of this filler class is that allergic reactions are extremely rare, and no pre-treatment skin testing is necessary. These compounds bind water similar to the way a sponge absorbs water. Because of this, they hydrate the skin in the treated region and act as a cushion. Several manufacturers are coming out with versions of HA fillers, and formulations vary with the size of molecules (governed by the amount of crosslinking) and other components of the injectate (such as local anesthetic to help decrease the discomfort associated with injections). The various formulations expand the repertoire of options available to your injector, as certain products are better suited for different anatomical regions. Formulations with smaller particle sizes tend to be softer and smoother, and work well in regions such as the lips. Larger particles have more structure, and are best suited for deep folds such as the nasolabial creases. Hyaluronic acids are eventually absorbed by your body, and the length of time is dependent on a multitude of factors including the patient, the location of injection, and the particular product used. Results last from 3 months in high mobility areas (such as the lips), and up to 1 year in regions such as the nasolabial folds, with most patients experiencing the desired effects for 6 months.

Radiesse contains microspheres that are made of calcium hydroxylapatite suspended in a gel carrier. The filler is broken down by the body in two phases, first the carrier and then the spheres. During this process, collagen ingrowth occurs, which is expected to provide a long lasting effect. This prolonged degradation process makes Radiesse a longer lasting filler than those previously discussed, with expected results lasting 10-12 months.

Although there are many options available, there is no “one best product” for any particular use. Our recommendation is to consult with Dr. Guiloff to discuss your areas of concern, and to hear the options he suggests. If you are considering soft tissue fillers, it is a reasonable practice to first try short acting agents to be certain that you enjoy the effects of treatment before utilizing longer acting agents. Dr. Guiloff will work with you to choose a treatment regime that matches your desires, contact him today for your free consultation.

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Please take a moment to look at some before & after pictures of this procedure and many other popular ones in the before & after gallery. To view the before (on the left) and the after (on the right).

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