Our patients are always looking for ways to treat their aesthetic concerns in the least invasive way possible. Sometimes surgery is the best route, but our amazing Beauty Nurse® team has put together a series to give our patients the best information on the three pillars of non-surgical intervention: Injectables, lasers, and skincare. Tune in over the next three months to learn all about this amazing trio of options.
First Up: Injectables With Majid
What role do injectables play in non-invasive facial rejuvenation?
When it comes to facial rejuvenation with injectables at our Waterloo, Ontario, clinic, there are quite a few options to navigate, from dermal fillers to neuromodulators (they’re not the same thing!), to fat-busting, injectable double chin treatments, to Juvéderm® VOLITE, a new injectable brightener that people are loving! So, we have asked Majid, our resident injectables master, to fill us in on the different options available to our patients.
Q: So, Majid, what is the deal with injectables?
Majid: Injectables are truly revolutionary- they provide incredible treatment options that can lift, smooth and fill out facial volume without undergoing surgery. Injectable procedures have different components but are all designed to refresh and renew the appearance of your face without being invasive. And the best part? There’s zero to no downtime so you can dive back into your everyday commitments feeling like your best self.
Q: Why would you recommend injectables to a patient?
Majid: If you have a nagging concern like mild wrinkles, depleted volume in your cheeks, temples or lips, or deep smile lines, there is a likelihood that it is affecting your confidence and the way you feel you are perceived by others. I recommend injectables to patients when they are concerned about volume loss, the development of dynamic wrinkles, or other cosmetic concerns that are below the surface of the skin. Injectables work wonders because they can give you the effect of a facelift, just without the surgery.
Q: So, what about the different injectables?
Majid: Let’s start with the wrinkle busters: neuromodulators.
Neuromodulators, s
uch as BOTOX COSMETIC® and Dysport Aesthetic™, are proven options for relaxing facial muscles, leading to a more refreshed, rejuvenated appearance. How, do you ask? Well, frequent, repeated muscle contractions like frowning or squinting can cause dynamic wrinkles; a neuromodulator works by relaxing the muscles that cause these deep wrinkles to give the face a more relaxed appearance. The initial results appear right away, but many patients choose repeat treatments for maximum results.
> BOTOX® Cosmetic is injected into the muscle in the area to be treated. This injection blocks a nerve impulse from reaching that area; as a result, the muscle relaxes and the wrinkle over the muscle is smoothed away. Many people combine this treatment with dermal fillers or other non-invasive procedures like a skin peel or microneedling. Millions of patients have successfully used this neuromodulator and it has been approved for cosmetic use in Canada for almost two decades.
> Dysport Aesthetic™ is a newer alternative that achieves a similar result. It involves a similar injection procedure to soften frown lines and forehead wrinkles for up to four months. Dysport has a thinner consistency, so it is better suited to treat larger, more diffuse areas of the face. Some patients find that Dysport results appear sooner compared to other neuromodulator injections.
Q: Ok so neuromodulators get rid of wrinkles, but what about volume loss?
Majid: Yes – The dermal fillers!
Dermal fillers are a great treatment option for lifting and refreshing the face. Many of the fillers we offer contain hyaluronic acid and provide instant results that last from six months to two years, depending on the specific dermal filler, individual metabolism and where the dermal filler is injected.
Q: Are there different types of fillers?
Majid: Yes! During the consultation, I will discuss the specific concerns and any unique needs the patient has, and then we will determine the best type of dermal filler to use. Here are some options:
> JUVÉDERM®
The JUVÉDERM family of fillers is very popular; all products contain hyaluronic acid and lidocaine. Each product is specially formulated for a specific purpose, such as:
- Smoothing away mild to deep wrinkles around the nose and mouth
- Refilling facial and cheek volume
- Reducing deep smile lines (nasolabial folds)
- Filling tear troughs under the lower eyelids
- Adding fullness and definition to the lips
> BELOTERO®
BELOTERO fillers also contain hyaluronic acid and are known for their ability to smooth deep facial wrinkles and restore volume while still allowing completely natural facial expressions and integrating into the skin for long-lasting results.
> Teosyal®
These hyaluronic acid facial fillers are considered to be the purest fillers available. They can address concerns like sagging skin, creases, dull complexions, fine lines, acne scarring and more. Teosyal® Redensity is a new skin rejuvenation concept that combines dermal filling techniques with mesotherapy to restore the skin’s light reflecting properties, resulting in a beautiful glow!
Q: So those are the main injectables?
Majid: Yes! There are however further options when it comes to treatments that can be done via injections.
> BELKYRA™ is a new fat-busting injectable treatment that addresses chin fat and double chins. Learn more here.
> PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) injections use the restorative power of your own blood to revive tired skin and trigger healing.
>Non-surgical rhinoplasty is a new but extremely popular procedure that we are doing at the clinic! It is a great way to address concerns that patients may have with their current nose profile, without the downtime of surgical interventions. Check out some before and afters here.
Many patients choose to combine injectable treatments to create a result that is natural and rejuvenating – a holistic change that they can feel great about with little to no downtime.
Q: Will I still look and feel like me after treatment?
Majid: All of these non-invasive treatments are designed to help you feel like a refreshed, healthy, better version of yourself. These injectables are used to rejuvenate without compromising your natural beauty or expressions, to give you the overall effect of a well-rested and bright appearance. They don’t have an effect on the sensory nerves, so you will retain normal feeling even in treated areas.
Q: What about results and recovery?
Majid: It may seem overwhelming to have so many options, but the broad array of choices allow our team to select the perfect procedure that suits your specific concerns. I have specialized training and expertise in the use of injectables and will help you choose the right treatment plan for you.
Q: Anything else we should know?
Majid: One of the best parts about doing injectables at our clinic is the support, supervision and insight we receive from our highly trained plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Shenker. Dr. Shenker is always available to consult with or discuss aesthetic concerns; he tirelessly supports our team and each and every one of our patients. Our patients enjoy peace of mind in knowing that all of their treatment providers are highly trained and work under the supervision of a renowned, board-certified plastic surgeon.
As with all aesthetic decisions, we take our consultation process very seriously. The first step in your TCSC journey is to meet with a member of our The Beauty Nurse® team, where she/he will discuss your cosmetic goals and examine your facial anatomy and areas of concern before recommending a treatment plan.
