An Overview of Dermal Fillers
Before cosmetic enhancers such as Restylane and Juvéderm, the unfortunate truth was that keeping your aging body in top physical condition often sacrificed the soft contours of your face. The result was often a tired, aged, and haggard appearance. The options to reverse this process were few: undergo costly, risky cosmetic surgery, or ease up on the fitness and gain the weight needed to plump up the face.
With the recent advent of Botox and “new generation” dermal fillers, it’s easier and less expensive to maintain a youthful, fresh, rested appearance. Today there are many options to the simple “lift and tighten” face-lift approach. The latest three-dimensional approach to reshaping the face focuses on filling in, plumping up, and contouring.
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Steer clear of individuals who offer to host “injection parties,” ... |  |
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Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are categorized by their ingredients, the longevity of their effects, and treatment areas. You can choose from among a variety of products, such as fillers made from hyaluronic acid, human, bovine, or synthetic collagen, and those developed with microsphere technology. There are long-lasting “permanent” fillers such as Artefill, or location-specific ones such as Sculptra.
As you investigate cosmetic enhancers, keep these things in mind:
All of these treatments should be administered by a certified, experienced doctor. Yes, some places will offer to have a nurse or an assistant do the work on you. This is not illegal and some assistants are highly trained and work under the direct supervision of the medical director, but it’s best to have a physician perform the injections. A physician should have a greater knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of your skin. Remember, the success of the procedure is dependent on the execution. Steer clear of individuals who offer to host “injection parties,” perform the injections in a place other than an office, or are not properly certified.
Some doctors will use the products in an “off label” capacity. This means that they are using a product for a purpose outside of its intended usage. Using prescription drugs off label is a safe, legal, and ethical practice in the United States, but if you have reservations about the applications your doctor proposes, by all means, decline the offer.
Cost of Injectables (Botox, Restylane, Juvéderm, and More)
The cost of cosmetic injectables varies greatly depending on your location, the procedure and the product. To get an idea of the cost, be sure to ask your doctor if they are charging by the syringe, or by the amount of product used. As you make decisions about your treatment, take into consideration factors such as possible multiple treatments or corrective procedures you may need if the product (or practitioner) does not perform well, then adjust your budget accordingly.
Cosmetic dermal enhancers are no longer just for celebrities and the very wealthy. Actually, maybe we should thank them for being “beauty pioneers.” Without their participation in trying out the first incarnations of these products, it is likely that we wouldn’t have as many cosmetic enhancements to choose from.
By Erica Watson, Nov 10, 2008
thanks for this article....I always wondered what were the alternatives to a face lift... cool info!
By Julie Elaine Brown, M.A., Dec 02, 2008
as of today I have not taken the plunge, but as I get older I really notice that I am losing fat in my face and neck and it does make a difference. I think that if you work with a qualified professional, and it makes you feel better and more confident, go for it. However, remember that enough sleep and eating well (good fats like salmon and avocado) and drinking water goes a long way to looking younger. As does staying out of the sun and not smoking.
xo
By Elly G, Dec 11, 2008
Great great great article, very interesting... I'm just wondering if doctor can make wrinkles and lines dissapear using dermal fillers, how about scars? can doctor make them dissapears without any surgery?
By Mari Gold, Dec 27, 2008
I haven't gone done this road, partly because the idea of any injection that's not medically necessary isn't appealing. Just how painful are these treatments? Like the stick of getting a shot say, against the flu? Like the anesthetic a dermatologist injects prior to removing a "suspicious" bit of you? Does it burn? Cost and unecessary pain have kept me out of this particular arena..
By Matt LeBlanc, Jan 28, 2009
Injectible Cosmetic Enhancers (ICE) have helped time stand still. Not everyone reveals their use. Recently, I was reading PEOPLE magazine and gasped at the bikini bods of some stars who are in their late 40s, 50s and early 60s. Some of them don't look a day over 30s if you didn't know their age or were following their long careers. ICE gives a new definition to the term "ageless beauty".
There has been several reported studies and feature articles in many publications where the painful after effects of ICE has been reported. Many are living through the pain everyday. Is it worth the pain?
By Amy L, May 28, 2009
Thanks for all the great info - perhaps you can write an article about the use of Botox for migraines....its a lot of shots in your forehead and back and neck, but supposedly it works....