The top two most popular non-invasive cosmetic procedures in the United States continue to be injectables and fillers. By diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and returning a youthful look to the skin, they are treatments you can count on.
At Radiant Reflections Weight Loss Clinic & MedSpa, we offer a variety of facial injectables, including Botox and dermal fillers. If you want to improve fine lines, wrinkles, or sagging skin, read on to see which treatment might suit you best.
Botox: What It Is and How It Works
One of the most respected names in the facial injectables industry, Botox, is a purified form of the botulinum toxin. It works by blocking nerve signals from the brain to the facial muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles. These wrinkles, also called expression lines, form after years of repeated muscle movements.
Examples of dynamic wrinkles include:
- Frown lines
- Forehead wrinkles
- Smile lines
- Crow’s feet
When we inject Botox into a treatment area, the substance paralyzes the muscles. Wrinkles are quickly softened, reduced, and even removed. Injectables made with botulinum toxin are also known as neuromodulators and neurotoxins.
Botox injections are not permanent, as most of our patients require touch-up injections every three to four months.
Candidates for Botox are people of all genders who are in overall good health and who want to diminish the appearance of dynamic wrinkles.
Botox for Migraines
Aside from its cosmetic benefits, Botox can treat migraine headaches. The FDA has approved it for people 18 and older who experience 15 or more days of migraines a month.
To treat migraines, we apply Botox to the neck and head at intervals of 12 weeks to prevent future headaches. Botox blocks neurotransmitters, which carry pain signals to the brain. Injections of Botox stop those chemicals from reaching the nerve endings on your neck and head.
Xeomin: Tackling Frown Lines
At our clinic, we now offer Xeomin for the treatment of glabellar frown lines. Like Botox, Xeomin uses botulinum toxin type A to treat dynamic wrinkles. It paralyzes the injected muscles to improve moderate to severe frown lines.
The main difference between Xeomin and Botox is that Xeomin does not contain any additives. The lack of additives means it does not need refrigeration, offering a shelf life of three years.
When you schedule a consultation, we will evaluate the areas you want to target to decide on whether Botox or Xeomin, or a combination of the two, will offer the results you want.
Juvéderm: An Effective Dermal Filler
Dermal fillers like Juvéderm treat static wrinkles, adding volume and fullness to your skin and reducing fine lines.
There are various types of dermal fillers, each made with different active ingredients. Juvéderm contains hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring compound that maintains nutrients and hydration levels in your skin. As you age, your body cannot produce hyaluronic acid at the same levels as in your youth, and static wrinkles can form.
Juvéderm is a gel made from cross-linked hyaluronic acid particles. When injected into wrinkles, furrows, sunken areas, and fine lines, your skin absorbs the hyaluronic acid, giving you a younger appearance.
Fillers are best for treating:
- Forehead lines
- Temple depressions
- Brow furrows
- Crow’s feet
- Under-eye hollows
- Nasolabial folds
- Marionette lines
- Smoker’s lines
- Thin lips
Because Juvéderm comes in different strength levels and various formulas, we will create a customized treatment plan. We often combine injectables and fillers like Botox and Juvéderm to offer the results you want.
Although the results of fillers are long-lasting, they are not permanent.
Good candidates for Juvéderm and other fillers include adults in good overall health who have mild to severe wrinkles or who would like to add volume to certain facial areas. It is an appropriate treatment for all skin types and genders.
Bellafill: Promoting Collagen Production
Bellafill is a dermal filler that can stimulate collagen production. Collagen is a major component of your skin, keeping it strong and maximizing elasticity as well as hydration. As you age, collagen production decreases, leading to the formation of wrinkles.
Along with collagen, Bellafill contains tiny polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) beads called microspheres. When we inject Bellafill, your body absorbs the collagen, leaving the microspheres in place. They offer support, working like scaffolding on which your own collagen can grow.
This dermal filler works best for bags under the eyes, nasolabial folds, lip lines, and more. It can offer effective results for up to five years.
Preparing for Treatment
For injectables and fillers, we will take a full medical history during your first consultation. We will assess the areas you would like treated to find the injectables and fillers you can benefit from. Let us know if you take medications or supplements or if you have had any experiences with injectables in the past.
Before the procedure, avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before treatment, and don’t apply hair-removal creams to the treatment areas. Come to your appointment without makeup or moisturizer.
Treatment sessions for injectables and fillers are short, and there is no downtime. Do avoid touching the treatment areas for a few hours, and stay out of direct sunlight for the rest of the day, if possible.
Let Facial Injectables Help You Look Younger
By turning to injectables and fillers, you can improve your skin’s elasticity, vibrancy, fullness, and smoothness.
If you have wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging, visit Radiant Reflections Weight Loss Clinic & MedSpa in Hattiesburg, MS. We offer a variety of non-invasive and minimally invasive treatment options. Request a consultation today!