Injectables – Botox and Dermal Fillers
Join the millions of people who use injectables such as Botox® to smooth out those troublesome frown lines between the brows. Botox® treatment takes just a few minutes and you’re out the door!
If you have moderate to severe frown lines between your brows, you may want to consider this simple, non-surgical procedure. Over 11 million people have tried it, with over 97% surveyed feeling satisfied with the results.Explore the individual patient results of patients before and after Botox injections.
What Is Botox® Cosmetic?
Botox® is a well-regulated muscle relaxer. This treatment functions by injecting a powerful neurotoxin precisely into the facial muscles to relax and/or paralyze the affected muscles to achieve the desired results. The treatment is generally effective for improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and is considered a non-surgical procedure.
The bacterium used in Botox® is clostridium botulinum and is generally found in many natural locales, including forests, lakes, and soils. The botulinum toxin is diluted in saline and injected directly into the tissue.
It typically takes between 24 and 72 hours for the treatment to take effect, and it may be as long as 5 days before you are able to see the full benefits of the treatment.How Treatment with Botox® Works
Before Treatment
You’ll probably be seated in a reclining chair, much like you’d find in a dentist’s office. No anesthesia is required for Botox® injections, although we may numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream.
We determine where to administer Botox® injections by examining your ability to move certain muscles in your brow area. The entire Botox® Cosmetic injection procedure takes approximately 10 minutes.After Treatment
There’s no recovery time needed. You’re ready to get on with your day! The most common side effects following Botox® injections include temporary eyelid droop and nausea. Localized pain, infection, inflammation, tenderness, swelling, redness, and/or bleeding/bruising may be associated with the injection.
Patients with certain neuromuscular disorders such as ALS, myasthenia gravis, or Lambert-Eaton syndrome may be at increased risk of serious side effects. Make sure you tell us about any medications you are taking or medical conditions you have before Botox® injections.The Results
Within days, you may notice an improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows that can last up to 4 months. Results may vary.
Request a free comprehensive consultation that will educate you about this unique way to younger skin, without plastic surgery or other invasive treatments.
The Benefits and Risks of Botox®
Benefits
The numerous benefits of Botox® have made it a highly popular cosmetic treatment. When administered by a skilled medical professional, the treatment can help you achieve a younger, more vibrant appearance. The treatment is typically used to treat “dynamic wrinkles” or those caused by muscle movement around the eyes, brows, forehead, and mouth.
Botox® can also be used for contouring around the cheeks and jaw. This makes it an effective alternative to surgical treatments in many cases.
Botox® isn’t just used cosmetically. It has also been found to be an effective treatment for eye twitching, severe headaches and migraines, excessive sweating, and more.Risks
When administered by an experienced doctor, Botox® is generally considered safe. Even so, the treatment can present some mild side-effects, such as:
- Injection site pain, swelling, and/or bruising.
- Flu-like symptoms or headache.
- Drooping eyelids and/or uneven eyebrows.
- Crooked smile and/or drooling.
- Eye dryness and/or excessive tearing.
While unlikely, there is the risk for more extensive negative side-effects associated with the treatment. If the botulinum toxin spreads to other parts of the body, botulism-like symptoms are possible. You should call your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following after receiving Botox®:
- Muscle weakness throughout the body.
- Vision problems.
- Changes in speech or swallowing.
- Trouble breathing.
- Loss of bladder control.
Botox® Cosmetic FAQs
Q. What is Botox and who can benefit from it?
A. Botox is an injectable substance that is capable of reducing the appearance of moderate-to-severe frown lines and worry lines by blocking the nerve signals that tell your muscles to contract and cause lines to form. With those muscles relaxed and unable to contract, the skin smoothes out, and the lines progressively disappear.
People who want to aesthetically soften their faces by smoothing out their frown and worry lines are very likely to benefit from a Botox treatment. Botox can also be used on squint lines (crows feet).
Q. How is the Botox treatment administered?
A. Botox is a non-surgical procedure and is administered via injections to your wrinkled area. The injections are delivered through sterile needles so thin and fine that they minimize discomfort to the point that anesthesia is not needed. For even the most sensitive patient a cold pack or anesthetic cream will suffice.
Botox injection sites are determined after observing the patient’s ability to contract the specific muscles that are causing the wrinkles in the targeted area. This simple procedure usually takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Q. What happens after a Botox treatment and what kind of results can you expect?
A. There is no recovery time needed after a Botox Cosmetic injection treatment; immediately following the completion of the Botox treatment, patients can get on their way to continue the rest of their day!
After the injection, patients should exercise the muscles that make the lines they are targeting, in order to hasten the distribution of the Botox throughout the targeted muscles. Typically, patients experience the onset of the muscle relaxation about 3 days after the injection, with the full affect occurring between 7-10 days.
Some patients may experience some common side effects associated with Botox treatment, such as pain as the needle is inserted, tenderness, inflammation, swelling, redness, infection, bleeding/bruising at the injection site, headaches, nausea, and/or temporary upper eyelid droop. Although rare, the upper eyelid can droop for 2-3 months. Most side effects are rare and should cease within a few days post-procedure.
Although results may vary, the majority of patients will have a noticeable reduction of their moderate-to-severe frown lines between their brows, and/or worry lines on their forehead within 5-7 days after the Botox treatment, with most continuing to see reduced lines up to four months after the procedure.
Q. What is the difference between Restylane and Botox?
A. Restylane and Botox are two completely different products.
Restylane is a dermal filler that inserts a collagen-like substance (hyaluronic acid) into the skin to plump and smooth wrinkles.
Botox is a treatment to relax or even reset the muscles of the face and surrounding area.
It is also important to note that while Botox tends to have more uses, the results from Restylane generally last longer.
Likewise, the benefits of Restylane tend to be more immediate while you might have to wait a day or two to see the maximum benefits of Botox. Nonetheless, both treatments – Restylane vs Botox – are extremely effective, generally safe, and minimally invasive.
Q. How long before you see the results from Botox injections and how long do they last?
A. Botox usually provides a nearly immediate improvement to frown lines that last between three to six months. Over time, you’ll gradually begin to notice the wrinkles reappear as the muscle action returns.
On a positive note, however, most frown lines do appear less severe and require less treatment over time as the muscle itself shrinks.
What our fabulous patient’s say about their Botox and Filler experience.
Injectable Dermal Fillers – Restylane, Radiesse and Juvederm
Fast and effective dermal fillers can replace the volume your skin used to have in a matter of minutes! Say bye-bye to laugh lines, sagging and wrinkles, with practically no downtime.
As we age, not only does our skin produce progressively less collagen, we also lose some of the fat that lies under the skin. Bottom line, we lose volume, and our weaker older skin simply sags.Explore the individual patient results of patients before and after injectable dermal fillers.
What are Injectable Dermal Fillers?
How Dermal Fillers Help Aging Skin
How Dermal Fillers Help Loss of Volume
With age many people also lose fat under the skin, (subcutaneous fat). This causes the face to lose volume, which changes the shape and contour of the face. Even when the SpectraLift Non-Surgical FaceLift has repaired the collagen, thereby regenerating it, the changes of shape and contour due to the loss of fat will persist.
AMA Regenerative Medicine & Skincare has a variety of dermal fillers designed to specifically and effectively address this loss of volume. They bring about the youthful and healthy facial contours that each patient desires.
Benefits of Dermal Fillers
The Different Types of Injectable Dermal Fillers
There are a number of different kinds of fillers now available on the market, all approved for use in the skin. Each of them utilizes a different naturally occurring substance found in the skin, scientifically modified to last longer than the naturally occurring substance.
Different formulas are specifically engineered to be used in different parts of the face and each of the substances will last a characteristic length of time before the body dissolves it away.
Some of the fillers are designed to create “scaffolding” in the skin to encourage the growth of new collagen. Ideally, after a number of applications sufficient collagen will have grown into the scaffolding to eliminate the need for any further fillers.Restylane® Injectables Collection
Restylane is a synthetically manufactured injectable dermal filler gel. This FDA-approved dermal filler is capable of restoring facial volume, creating a softer facial look, and revitalizing the face’s overall appearance.
Restylane is synthetic which minimizes the risk of animal-based disease transmissions and/or the development of allergic reactions to animal proteins. Nevertheless, Restylane still has the ability to directly enhance your skin’s natural reserve of hyaluronic acid – adding volume, removing wrinkles, and re-sculpting facial features.
A typical Restylane procedure takes about 45 minutes to complete and is associated with having only minimal downtime. Although results may vary, the patient can instantly see facial appearance improvement, and will usually last for about 6 months.
What Is Restylane Used For?
Restylane dermal products are fillers designed to fight the signs of aging by reducing the appearance of wrinkles as well as providing fullness and volume in the face and lips. The products are specially formulated to enhance your natural beauty and serve as a conservative alternative to more invasive treatments to help you achieve natural-looking, long-lasting results.
Restylane can be used in a variety of ways and is most often tailored to:
- Augmenting downturned corners of the lips and mouth.
- Reducing the appearance of marionette lines around the mouth.
- Correcting and smoothing deep nasolabial folds.
- Increasing volume and fullness in the cheeks and other hollows of the face.
- Plumping the lips and filling in any vertical lip lines.
What Are the Risks of Restylane?
While the risks associated with Restylane are generally minimal and can be further diminished by receiving treatment from a certified professional, there is always the potential for side effects with cosmetic treatments. Most patients who undergo Restylane experience very minimal reaction site pain and limited recovery time; however, some patients do experience minor discomfort at the site of the injection, including:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Irritation
- Tenderness
- Bruising
Although uncommon, injections can cause more significant concerns should the treatment be performed incorrectly or the patient to have a reaction. These concerns include:
- Infection
- Hematoma
- Asymmetry
- Muscle drooping
- Allergic reaction
- Severe swelling
Explore before and after photos of patients who chose Restylane as their injectable filler.
Radiesse® Injectables Collection
Radiesse is an injectable “sub-dermal” filler gel formulated from a naturally occurring substance – calcium hydroxylapatite – that is FDA-approved. It is capable of diminishing the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles around the nose, mouth, and eyes. Calcium hydroxylapatite is completely natural. This means that it does not carry the risk of allergic reactions. Additionally, it does not need to undergo testing for animal-based disease transmissions.
Specialists consider Radiesse a “sub-dermal” filler that works to remove wrinkles from below the skin’s surface. This does not only replace lost volume creating a “plumped up” appearance of the face, but also encourages the production of new collagen. When injected, Radiesse is “laid-down” in a manner resembling a scaffold. This promotes collagen cells to naturally and optimally grow around it.
What Is Radiesse Used For?
Radiesse is intended for use by anyone wanting to improve the appearance of deep lines and wrinkles around the mouth and cheeks. The cosmetic filler can also be utilized for individuals who have scarring or deep skin depressions as well as those desiring to augment the size and appearance of the lips.
With its versatility and functionality, Radiesse can be used for:
- Filling in deep nasolabial folds.
- Reducing the appearance of marionette lines.
- Correcting smile and frown lines.
- Adding volume to the lips.
- Augmenting the shape of the nose.
- Enhancing the appearance of the cheeks.
- Reshaping the chin and jawline.
What Are the Risks of Radiesse?
Like other dermal products, Radiesse has undergone years of study and research through which it has been proven to be safe and effective. Like Restylane, Radiesse does not require an allergy test prior to injection because it is made of a substance naturally found in the body. Nonetheless, there is the potential for some injection site discomfort, including:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Explore before and after treatment photos of patients who chose Juvederm as their injectable facial filler.
Juvederm™ Injectables Collection
Juvederm is an injectable dermal filler gel formulated from a substance that naturally occurs within your skin – hyaluronic acid – that is FDA-approved. It is capable of effectively removing wrinkles as well as hydrating and replenishing volume to the patient’s face.
Because hyaluronic acid is all-natural, meaning that it is neither derived from animals sources nor tested on animals, no allergy or animal-based disease transmission tests need to be performed prior to injection with this dermal filler.
What Is Juvederm Used For?
As with Restylane, there is an entire line of Juvederm products each with its own intended use and purpose. Nonetheless, Juvederm can be used to achieve a variety of goals, including:
- Filling in the lips.
- Firming up the under eye area.
- Improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Reducing the appearance of acne scarring.
- Adding volume to the cheeks.
- Filling in the “parentheses” around the nose and mouth.
Again, it is important to work with your provider to determine which Juvederm product is right for you; there are several option to choose from.
If you’re starting to see age lines you don’t like, the above dermal fillers can help you in your quest to fight the aging process.
Treatment with Injectable Dermal Fillers
After the proper filler has been selected to match the patient’s needs, the most critical elements in a successful dermal filling procedure are the technique and artistry of the doctor who is doing the procedure. How gently and accurately the filler is injected into the skin is all about technique. Where and how much filler is injected to achieve the best esthetic results is all about the artistry.
Bottom line: you want a doctor who has mastered both disciplines.Preparing for Treatment
Getting an injectable treatment isn’t as simple as showing up, laying down, closing your eyes and waiting for results. Like all treatments, it is important to prepare and know that there are a few simple steps you should take before having your injectable treatments.
1. Avoid vitamin E, St. John’s wort, ibuprofen, aspirin and other anti-inflammatories for 10 days to two weeks before your injections, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Avoiding these will reduce swelling and bruising.
2. If you are seeing a new physician, it’s important to notify your injector of the last time you had any injections, what was injected and specifically where. Not all injectables mix well, so be thorough.
3. Do not undergo injections if you are intoxicated or under the influence of any controlled substance.
4. If you are prone to cold sores, notify your doctor in advance. A prescription of anti-herpes medication can prevent a post-injection outbreak.
5. Don’t plan your treatment within a day or two of an important event. You may have visible swelling and bruising that not even a great concealer can hide.What to Expect During Treatment
This product is administered via a syringe injection into the area of the face where the appearance is to be filled or augmented with dermal fillers. An anesthesia (numbing medicine) may be used to reduce the discomfort of these injections or may be iced prior to injection to reduce the risk of swelling with treatment.
The area being treated will be first cleansed with an antiseptic.
Dermal Fillers are a substance that will be injected under the skin using a small gauge needle. The depth of each injection will vary depending on the area and severity of wrinkle being treated or feature being augmented. Multiple injections may be required to achieve the desired cosmetic result.
Following injection, the injector will massage the areas treated to even the contour of the treated area with the surrounding tissues. Ice may be applied after injection to reduce any swelling that may result from the treatment. After the initial treatment, repeat injections may be required desired cosmetic results. Periodic touch-up injections may help sustain the desired level of correction.
