Injectables

The Steps You Should Take When Choosing an Injector [Video]

The Importance of Choosing a Qualified Injector [Video]

Cosmetic surgical procedures can produce profound, long lasting changes in facial appearance, but are invasive and have an associated recovery period. Many patients who are just beginning to show signs of facial aging desire improvement, but cannot justify the cost or time investment required for surgical intervention. For these patients, the rapidly expanding repertoire of injectable treatments is perfect to suit their needs. Injectables can be utilized during an office visit, rather than requiring a trip to the operating room. With some treatments, no anesthetic is necessary, as the needles utilized are so small that discomfort is minimal. With others, topical anesthetic agents or nerve blocks may be utilized, depending on the patient’s preference and the sensitivity of the region being treated.

From the standpoint of using minimally invasive techniques to treat facial wrinkles, there are two general classes of injectables:

Neuromuscular Toxins

The first option, which is most appropriate for active lines or age associated wrinkles that are just starting to appear, is to temporarily weaken or paralyze the muscle that is causing the wrinkle. Botulinum Toxin type A is a family of neurotoxins that block nerve signals that cause muscles to contract. The toxin works directly where it is placed, and thus can be artistically used to alter facial expressions. Botox Cosmetic® is widely recognized, and was the first neurotoxin to be approved for cosmetic use in the United States. Other manufactures are producing variant toxins that will likely be approved for use in the near future, including Reloxin and PurTox. These toxins will be differentiated by their time to onset, duration of effect (the clinical effects of Botox Cosmetic® are typically 3 to 4 months), and the distance of effect from the injection site. Risks include bruising at the injection site, rare chance of an infection, and the possibility of unintentionally affecting nearby muscle groups. Specific risks should be discussed with your injector when considering treatment.

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