As we age, our facial features show the negative effects of gravity, actinic change (sun damage), tobacco smoke exposure and years of facial movement, such as smiling, frowning, squinting, chewing and even drinking with a straw. The underlying structural tissues that provide fullness to the face start to break down and are no longer plump as they age. The resulting cosmetic concerns are an increase in facial wrinkles in the form of glabellar furrows (between the eyebrows), crow’s feet, smile lines and nasolabial folds (the line that runs from your nose to your mouth). Soft-tissue fillers, most commonly injectable collagen or fat, can help fill in some of these lines and creases temporarily restoring a smoother and younger looking appearance when injected properly. They can also be used to provide fullness to the lips. Injectable fillers can be used alone or in conjunction with other procedures, such as with Botox® Cosmetic, laser procedures or cosmetic facial surgeries such as a facelift. Recovery time from injectables is quick depending upon what you have done. You usually won’t need more than a day or two of rest although there may be some bruising lasting a bit longer. The cost of various treatments will vary according to the material injected and how much is required.

While fat and collagen are the most common fillers, there exists a confusing assortment of injectable fillers on the market, some of which are approved for use in the United States and some not. There are many categories which include temporary absorbable substances and some permanent products which can be very difficult to remove if you are unhappy with the effect. You must be very cautious about who and what you allow to be injected into your body, more importantly your face.

What To Expect From Treatment

The most important thing to remember about temporary injectable fillers is that the results are not permanent. Eventually, the body metabolizes all injected material. There are materials that are more permanent in nature but with them come the obvious cautions because correction of poor results is very difficult. Don’t expect the same long-lasting results that can be gained from properly performed cosmetic surgery. For some patients, the results may only last only a few weeks, while for others, the results can be maintained to some degree indefinitely. Scientific study has shown that age, genetics, skin quality, lifestyle in addition to the location of the injected body site all play a role in the longevity of the benefits. If you have had a short-lived result from fat injections, you should not necessarily assume that collagen injections will work better for you and visa versa.

Risks Related To Injectables

When injectables are administered by a fully-qualified provider, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Still, individuals vary in their anatomy, their physical reactions and their healing abilities. Allergic reaction is the primary risk with collagen and is protected against by skin testing unless you use a human-derived product such as CosmoDerm™ or CosmoPlast™. The risks with the permanent fillers are due to their permanence as was mentioned earlier.

CATEGORIES OF AUGMENTATION MATERIALS

TEMPORARY INJECTABLE FILLERS

Temporary injectable fillers such as bovine (cow) collagen and hyaluronic acid products are overall the most commonly used soft tissue products. They can be used to soften wrinkles, deep folds such as the nasolabial fold (the line that runs along side your nose to your mouth) and the glabellar area between the eyebrows.