BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA injection)
Injections of botulinum toxin blocks muscular nerve signals, which then weakens the muscle so it can’t contract. The end result is diminished unwanted facial wrinkles.
ANESTHESIA No anesthesia needed.
IN/OUTPATIENT Outpatient
RECOVERY There is no down time or recovery time. You may resume normal activities immediately.
DURATION OF RESULTS You may notice results within a few days, but it can take up to a week to see the full effect. This improvement typically lasts about three to four months. When the effects of botulinum toxin begin to fade, your muscle reactions and the wrinkles will return.
Side Effects & Risks
RISKS Although generally safe, risks can include: bruising and pain at the injection site, flu-like symptoms, headache, nausea, redness, temporary facial weakness or drooping.
Derma Fillers/Hyaluronic Acid
Dermal fillers are a non-surgical injectable treatment used to restore facial volume, create youthful facial contours, add volume to lips, and smooth out and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and folds.
There are currently many dermal filler products available on the market, the most popular of which are based on Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a substance that naturally exists in the human body, lubricating soft connective tissues, the skin, the eyes, and certain joints. The Hyaluronic Acid found in popular dermal fillers such as Juvederm®, Restylane®, Perlane®, VOLUMA™, and Teosyal® is a synthetic compound that acts similarly to the natural substance. It attracts water molecules and therefore acts like a cushion, propping up existing facial structures that have lost volume and elasticity as part of normal aging. By increasing the skin’s supply of Hyaluronic Acid, dermal fillers revitalize and add volume to the skin, smooth out wrinkles and lines, fill in hollowed out areas, and impart a softer, more youthful appearance.
ANESTHESIA Most patients only experience mild discomfort. As the needles used for dermal fillers are very fine, the amount of pain experienced by patients is minimal and the procedure does not require anesthesia. It should also be noted that many of the dermal filler products available today contain Lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to minimize your discomfort. Topical numbing creams can be used to further minimize discomfort when injecting sensitive areas.
IN/OUTPATIENT Outpatient
RECOVERY One of the most enticing features of soft tissue fillers is their minimal recovery time. It takes approximately a week for swelling and bruising to disappear. Results are usually immediate with the full effect evident in about 48 hours.
DURATION OF RESULTS Results vary, though results of most common brands will last six to twelve months. After this period of time, you will need to receive fillers again to maintain your rejuvenated appearance. If you opt to stop getting injections at any time, your appearance will just revert to its original state.
Side Effects & Risks
RISKS Dermal fillers are very similar in composition to the Hyaluronic Acid that naturally exists in your body, as such it is very unlikely to induce an allergic reaction. The most common complications associated with fillers include receiving results other than you had intended, tiny lumps or irregularities under the skin, and prolonged redness. After receiving dermal filler injections, patients prone to cold sores may develop an outbreak.
Sculptra® Aesthetic (injectable poly-L-lactic acid)
An FDA-approved injectable product that restores and corrects the signs of facial fat loss by replacing lost volume. Also known as “poly-L-lactic acid,” it is synthetic, and biocompatible (does not harm the body) and biodegradable (able to be broken down by the body). Sculptra® Aesthetic is targeted for use in: deep folds between the nose and the mouth, or, smile line; lines framing your mouth (marionette lines); and chin wrinkles.
ANESTHESIA Topical or local.
IN/OUTPATIENT Outpatient
RECOVERY An ice pack is applied to help reduce swelling, and the area is thoroughly massaged to distribute the product evenly. Immediately following a treatment redness, swelling, pain, bruising, or all of these signs may occur in the treatment area. These signs usually go away in a few hours to a few days. Some patients have had some bruising that has lasted about a week. You will be given specific post-treatment care instructions, which will include massaging the area a few times each day for several days after the treatment session.
DURATION OF RESULTS Sculptra® does not produce immediate results. You will likely need about three monthly treatments to achieve your desired results. With each treatment, there is re-stimulation of your own collagen. Then it can take four to six weeks to see the full effect. Sculptra® helps restore lost collagen — restoring the structure under the skin — for smoother skin and fuller volume that can last for two or more years. While this type of dermal filler is considered semi-permanent, you may still need occasional touch-ups.
Side Effects & Risks
RISKS As with all procedures that involve an injection through the skin, there is a risk of infection.
KYBELLA® (deoxycholic acid)
KYBELLA® is the first and only FDA-approved injectable treatment to improve the appearance of moderate to severe fat beneath the chin by physically destroying fat cells.
ANESTHESIA Ice/cold packs or topical and/or injectable local anesthesia may be used.
IN/OUTPATIENT Outpatient
RECOVERY You should be able to resume normal activities after the procedure. You are likely to have swelling. For many people, downtime with Kybella occurred most commonly after the first treatment. Results are not immediate. KYBELLA® works gradually to destroy fat cells.
DURATION OF RESULTS The number of injections and treatments are tailored to the individual patient’s submental fat distribution and treatment goals. Further treatment is not expected once the aesthetic response is achieved.
Side Effects & Risks
RISKS Nerve injury in the jaw and trouble swallowing.
Dysport® (abobotulinumtoxinA)
Dysport® is an injectable solution used to treat fine lines and wrinkles by immobilizing the muscles surrounding the affected area.
ANESTHESIA None, but a numbing cream may be used.
IN/OUTPATIENT Outpatient
RECOVERY Most people will notice results anywhere from one to seven days after treatment.
DURATION OF RESULTS When administered correctly, Dysport® can provide relatively long-lasting, wrinkle-free results. The transition between treated and non-treated areas is usually more natural and creates a youthful appearance, rather than one of perpetual tightness that can be the byproduct of other treatments.
Side Effects & Risks
SIDE EFFECTS The side effects with Dysport® seem to be mild and vary according to the site treated as well as the individual being treated. Headaches after treatment are the most common side effect. One rare side effect is the drooping of the eye. This is not a common occurrence, and when it does happen, the problem usually wears away with time.
RISKS In a very small percentage of cases there can be a complication called “ptosis” (a drooping eyelid) which may last a few days or up to 4 weeks. Rarely, an allergic reaction can cause a skin rash or “flu like” symptoms.
