What are injectables?

Injectables are liquids and gels that are placed into the skin to achieve a desired result.  Commonly used injectables are Botox and dermal fillers like Juvederm and Restylane.  Injectables also include medications that can be placed into the skin to treat various medical conditions.

What is the difference between Botox and Dermal fillers?

Botox is an injectable liquid with the same consistency as water.  It works by relaxing muscles.  When a facial muscle is relaxed by Botox any wrinkles in the skin over the muscle are reduced.  Dermal fillers are gels that are used to soften fine lines, wrinkles, and folds.

What areas can be treated with Injectables?

The face and the neck are commonly treated with injectables for cosmetic improvement.

Are there other off-brand uses for Injectables and is this safe?

Yes.  Injectables can be used to treat other non-cosmetic conditions.  Two good examples of this are the use of Botox to treat headache and to reduce excessive sweating.  These treatments are completely safe.

Which dermal filler is best for forehead wrinkles?

In our practice, we use Juvederm Ultra to reduce forehead wrinkles.

Can I be allergic to Injectables?

It is extremely rare to be allergic to hyaluronic acid based fillers.  This is because all human beings normally have hyaluronic acid in their skin and in many other areas of their bodies.  Allergy to dermal fillers that are not based on hyaluronic acid occurs more often but it is still uncommon.

I’ve heard of Voluma.  Is that different from other dermal fillers?

Voluma is a hyaluronic acid based filler that has more lifting power than other hyaluronic acid based fillers.  It is part of the Juvederm family of fillers.  Juvederm Voluma is used most commonly to enhance the cheekbones.  It is longer lasting than other fillers, and it can last for up to two years.

Can Injectables be used with other treatments?

Yes.  We commonly combine laser treatments and photo facials with injectables in the same office visit.

Can I use dermal fillers on my lips?

Yes.  Dermal fillers can be used in the lips to plump the lips or to reduce the lines and wrinkles in the lip area.  For this reason, it is important that every patient be given a full lip evaluation prior to starting treatment to determine what should be done to achieve the best possible result.

What are the best Injectables for anti-aging?

There are many injectables available for anti-aging and they do different things.  Therefore, every patient should have a consultation prior to starting injectables to determine what the best injectables would be for that particular patient.  In our practice, the most commonly used injectables for anti-aging are Botox, Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Juvederm Voluma, Belotero, and Restylane Silk.

Are injections painful?

No, the injections are not painful.  Sensitive patients can be numbed with numbing cream.  In addition, many of the dermal fillers are formulated with numbing medication within the filler to further enhance the comfort of the procedure.  Pain is definitely not a problem with Botox and dermal fillers.

Can Injectables take the place of a facelift?

No, dermal fillers do not take the place of a facelift.  However, many patients get enough cosmetic improvement from injectables that they no longer feel they need a facelift.

Who should I trust to treat me with Injectables?

You should trust board certified physicians who have a lot of experience injecting Botox and dermal fillers.  These injectors should also have an artistic side to them because getting the best results from injectables definitely requires a combination of art and science!