It’s not a secret, anti-wrinkle injections and fillers have stolen the spotlight as an attractive option for restoring youthful volume.
With age, the emergence of fine links and wrinkles, combined with a loss of volume in once-full cheeks, can give a tired and aged appearance to the face. Over the past decade, however, cosmetic injectables have emerged as a convenient and effective means of alleviating some of these ageing characteristics.
For patients exhibiting these characteristics, a combination of anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers, the most popular non-surgical rejuvenation procedures, can trigger an improvement in the skin’s appearance.
New to cosmetic injectables and fillers?
The quest to keep or regain the radiant glow of the young and healthy face prompts many to enter into the cosmetic medicine market. Their yen to capture the fullness and smooth, plump contours of youth is the primary goal.
A typical patient will be starting to show mild to moderate sagging of the skin around the eyes and cheeks, which might be exacerbating the nasolabial fold (smile lines) and marionette lines.
For someone new to cosmetic injectables the most important thing to look for is the quality of the products and the experience of the practitioner.
Backyard procedures are becoming increasingly common and there is a rise in complaints about cosmetic procedures being performed in residential properties by practitioners unqualified or unregistered in Australia. It is important to do your research and only consult with an experienced cosmetic doctor who is a member of recognised college or society.
What is the difference between anti-wrinkle injections and fillers?
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected into the face to help support some of these areas of collapse, particularly the lowering of the brow, the folds in the nasolabial region, the corners of the mouth, the mental crease in the chin and fine lines around the eyes and on the upper lip.
Probably the most popular is a smooth injectable gel that is made from a natural complex sugar called Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is normally found within the human skin assisting in skin hydration. It also combines with collagen and elastin to help provide skin structure and elasticity. Different fillers are used for different parts/areas of the face and it ranges from the softest to firmer gel to restore volume and support.
Fillers can also be used to fill in pockmarks and acne scars, contour or reshape facial features, add volume to lips and as an adjunct to anti-wrinkle injections for a more all-encompassing result.
Anti-wrinkle injections of botulinum toxin can be used to complement the effects of dermal fillers, alleviating the appearance of ingrained expression lines such as crow’s feet and frown lines.
Combining anti-wrinkle injections with dermal fillers will improve the overall appearance.
More recently, long-lasting, more viscous fillers are even being used to reshape the nose and jawline to create harmonious symmetry or iron out any ‘kinks’ that may be worrying patients about their noses.
Cosmetic injectables can do more than just smooth out wrinkles. They can reshape the jawline, treat acne scars and correct facial asymmetry, as well as helping the overall texture of the skin. Often, wrinkle reduction can look too modest when the facial structure is not restored, so it is important to consider treatment from the very surface of the skin, down to the supporting structures of the face for a more holistic, rejuvenated look.
How long do results last?
There is a multitude of different fillers on the market that range in longevity, composition and viscosity, which can be quite confusing for the average consumer.
While a cosmetic doctor is the best person to advise on the best filler for your needs, educating yourself before the consultation will make you feel more comfortable and confident when it comes to discussing your options.
Anti-wrinkle injections typically last about four months, but it depends on the right dosage and the individual. Fillers last from around six to 12 months, or even more, depending on the type of filler, area of injection and the individual. However, there is some evidence to show that there is stimulation of collagen and growth factors that can help rejuvenation and last beyond the longevity of the product.
Facial rejuvenation is becoming the must-have procedure to eradicate lines and wrinkles, restore the glow of youth to skin and tighten sagging jowls. The procedure itself is relatively fast and involves minimal downtime.
