INJECTABLES

"The demand to restore a youthful appearance to the face has been an obsession of many since ancient times, but never more so than in today’s society. Up until a few years ago, the ultimate in facial rejuvenation was plastic surgery, but today there are many more options available to those who do not wish to go under the knife.
There are so many possibilities for facial rejuvenation that often the available products and names are confusing. While injectables do not replace cosmetic surgeries, especially when it comes to severe loss of elasticity (sagging) or deep folds, they can drastically improve the appearance of an aging face or even slow down the process. There are two broad categories of injectables. They are botulinum toxin paralyzing agents and fillers.
Botulinum toxins Botox® and Dysport®: When you look at yourself in a mirror with a straight face, any wrinkles or folds you see are referred to as "static." When you smile, frown or grimace, the additional wrinkles that appear are called "dynamic." Botulinum toxins help "dynamic" wrinkles and folds. It does this by immobilizing and relaxing the areas injected, working to paralyze the muscles so they cannot contract. When muscles cannot contract, the skin over the muscles also becomes relaxed, smooth and youthful in appearance. Results are not immediate. In general, it may take up to a week to start seeing improvement.
Dysport is very similar to Botox since they both contain the same main ingredient, made from the same neurotoxin, botulinum toxin A. Dysport seems to have a faster onset. Botox starts working within 24 to 48 hours, reaching maximum effect within 9 to 12 days. Dysport starts working within 24 hours, reaching maximum effect within 5 to 7 days. There is no difference in longevity, which is approximately three to five months.
Botox and Dysport are only FDA-approved for frown lines between the brows. Side effects are infrequent and usually resolve spontaneously in a week or so.
Paralyzing the wrong muscles can lead to very visible abnormalities such as droopy upper eyelids, eyebrow deformity and asymmetries (different on each side). If the entire forehead is treated, the eyebrows can fall, making the patient look tired and sleepy. The patient may lose normal facial expression.

Fillers

While botulinum toxins help "dynamic" wrinkles, fillers help the "static" wrinkles by filling in the grooves, folds and hollows. The products do this by bulking or raising them up, which then smoothes the skin, giving the face a more youthful appearance. Fillers lift sunken and depressed areas, fill in wrinkles, fine lines, creases, hollows in cheeks and under the eyes, as well as enhance lip fullness. "The longevity of fillers varies with the product, the sites injected and the skill and experience of the injector”.
Selection of filler is an important part of the process, as different fillers work best on deeper wrinkles, whereas others are needed for fine lines and creases.

Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in all living beings and a component of connective tissue, chemically identical in all species, no skin testing is required.
Juvederm XC®, Perlane-L® and Restylane-L® are all second-generation hyaluronic-based dermal fillers that work just like the original formulas (Juvederm, Perlane and Restylane) but they contain a small percentage of lidocaine, which numbs the treated area so that the injections become more comfortable for the patient. Hyaluronic fillers can easily be removed by dissolving with an enzyme if the patient is unhappy with the results.
 

Radiesse
Radiesse® is considered a volumizer filler. It is composed of CaHa (calcium hydroxylapatite) similar to tooth material. Radiesse instantly restores volume to the face and also keeps working to stimulate the production of the body’s own collagen. This results in increased volume that may last a year or more. It is used in the correction of facial folds and moderate to severe wrinkles and is often used to lift the cheeks.

Sculptra
Sculptra®, poly-L-lactic acid, works by stimulating the patient’s own collagen until the area is volumized. The procedure consists of a one-time treatment regimen of up to four injection sessions that are scheduled about three weeks apart. Full results may not be seen for several months. It can last for years and is suitable for larger areas such as mid-cheek hollows, states Dr. Palma who refers to Sculptra as a volumizer, rather than a filler. Unlike hyaluronic fillers, both Radiesse and Sculptra must wear off and cannot be removed.

Artefill
Artefill® PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) microspheres, with bovine collagen as the carrier, is relatively new to the U.S. market. Since it is non-absorbable by the body, it is considered a permanent filler. Because the bovine collagen is not identical to human collagen, skin testing is mandatory per the FDA. A four-week waiting period, before the first injection, is required. If the testing is positive, the product cannot be used. Complications, although rare, include hard, red, swollen bumps, which must be surgically removed.
"Longer is not necessarily better as some side effects are known to be associated with longer-lasting products".
 

Collagen
Collagen fillers have been used for more than 20 years and are meant to replace the lost collagen in the dermis. There are two types of collagen-based injectable fillers: purified bovine (cow) collagen (Zyderm® and Zyplast®), which requires allergy testing; and human-derived collagen (CosmoPlast® and Cosmoderm®), which does not require allergy testing. Both of these collagen fillers last from three to six months.

Autologous fat/fat grafting
Fat is usually extracted from the abdomen or thighs. The fat is then processed through a centrifuge and injected into the areas of the face where volume is needed. It is long lasting, even sometimes permanent. It may take more than one series to get the desired result. This procedure requires greater surgical expertise by the physician and a few days of down time.

Selphyl System
The Selphyl® System, referred to as the "vampire facelift," is a new filler that uses the patient’s own blood, which is injected into skin depressions, wrinkles and creases. Upon injection, the platelets release growth factors that trigger the cells to multiply, which increases volume to create a more youthful appearance. Results are immediate but do not reach its optimum capacity for 3 weeks and can last 12 to 18 months.

Treatments and home care to keep your skin in the best possible shape to enhance new look:

• It is best not to do other procedures on the day of a filler treatment.

• Schedule a series of peels, microdermabrasion or other types of exfoliation.

• At home use collagen-boosting and hydrating products as part of your daily regimen.

 
Keeping the skin in optimum shape will certainly enhance your youthful appearance."

Sherry Taylor/ Linda Rae - Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa February 2011