Injectables. There’s a whole world of confusion and questions surrounding the word.
Which ones are right for me? How much do I need and am I even a candidate? To help clear things up, our Beauty Nurse Majid sat down to answer a few of your questions.
Q: What are the different types of injectables?
A: This is a common question, as there are a lot of brand names and different types of treatments thrown around without a solid explanation of what they do.
The are two main types of injectables:
- Dermal fillers, like JUVÉDERM®, Restylane and Teosyal®
- Neuromodulators, like BOTOX COSMETIC® and Dysport
Dermal fillers are used to restore or recreate (inject) volume in the facial structure, while neuromodulators weaken the muscles that cause frown lines and expression-related wrinkles.
There has also been a new treatment added to the injectables arena, BELKYRA™ (KYBELLA® in the U.S.). This new injectable treatment is used under the chin, and it non-surgically improves (corrects) submental fat—or the double chin. We are really excited about BELKYRA™!
Q: What is dermal filler made of?
A: The dermal fillers used today mainly consist of hyaluronic acid or HA, which is a naturally occurring sugar molecule found in your body. HAs generally have a soft, gel-like consistency. Hyaluronic acid is an important component of the skin, along with collagen and elastin, all of which we, unfortunately, begin to lose with age. Once injected into the skin, HA retains water and can absorb more than 1,000 times its weight, which helps to hydrate your skin and increase its volume and density.
Q: What does dermal filler do? When would you use it?
A: Dermal fillers are mainly used to increase volume and create three-dimensional structure, thereby minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and thinning skin and giving definition to facial features. Dermal fillers are commonly used in lip augmentations to give a more pillowy pout, for the cheeks to increase facial volume, and to give the lower face a lift. (You can learn more about lip fillers and see before and after pictures in our related blog post.)
Dermal fillers can also be used to treat tear troughs and to get rid of undereye bags, and they are even used in the nose for non-surgical rhinoplasty and in the chin to balance facial rejuvenation proportions. They are a really very multifunctional product!
Q: What is a neuromodulator? Is it different?
A: YES! Neuromodulators are very different—totally and in every way completely different from dermal fillers!
When we make certain facial expressions, like frowning or raising our eyebrows repeatedly, we create lines that are known as dynamic wrinkles. When neuromodulators like BOTOX COSMETIC® or Dysport are injected, they weaken and relax those muscles, preventing deep dynamic lines from forming in the skin above the muscle. This gives your face a relaxed and refreshed appearance, allowing you to achieve that well-rested and energized glow.
Q: So what if I don’t know if I need BOTOX or dermal fillers!?
A: Then you should definitely come visit us! We will assess your facial structure and skin integrity and discuss your goals with you. Take a look at our patients’ injectable before and after pictures to see their excellent results—both with dermal fillers and neuromodulators.
Q: What if I don’t like my injectable results?
A: This is a common fear that holds many people back from pursuing facial rejuvenation with injectables. And it’s exactly why our team takes the time to discuss your goals in detail. We are known for our exceptional skill and natural outcomes that arise from an in-depth consultation process. Should you desire a change that is transformative, such as lip augmentation with increased volume, our team will often perform your treatment in stages. This allows time between treatments for you to adjust to the changes in your appearance and yields more natural-looking results. Whatever your goals, we can develop a plan to help you achieve exactly what you’re looking for!
Ready to refresh your look? Book a consultation at our Waterloo, ON, practice today by calling us at (519) 746-1132 or using our online form to request a consultation.
