Face Lift

Injectables Overview

With so many options, how can you decide which one(s) is right for you? There is no one-size fits-all injectable. If you are thinking about injectables, this is where you want to be. We break them down product by product, including all the relevant information on cost, risks and special considerations.

This section includes everything you need to know about the hyaluronic acid based fillers on the market today, including the Juvederm products, Restylane, Perlane and Prevelle Silk. These are great for plumping up mild to moderate creases around your mouth, and the newer ones contain an anesthetic mixed into the injection to help reduce your pain. We also cover Hylaform, Elevess and Captique in a comprehensive overview article on hyaluronic acid fillers.

Botulinum toxin fillers work differently than hyaluronic acid fillers. They paralyze the muscle that causes your wrinkles, instead of filling them in. We provide up-to-the-minute information on Botox as well as the newer Botox alternatives such as Dysport and the latest player in this ever-expanding category, Xeomin. The three products have a lot in common, but they can't be used interchangeably. Unlike Botox Cosmetic and Dysport, which can erase frown lines and forehead wrinkles, Xeomin is not approved for any cosmetic uses yet. There are also a few similar products in the pipeline, including a topical form of this neurotoxin, whose development we are tracking so you don't have to.

We also discuss collagen injections, including a special report on Bellafill, a semi-permanent filler that consists of millions of synthetic microspheres of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which are suspended in purified bovine (cow) collagen.

There's more. Sculptra Aesthetic is garnering a lot of attention and fans these days. This injectable works gradually, but the results can last up to two years. If you are concerned about deep smile lines and sunken areas of your face, check out what Sculptra can do for you. Radiesse (formerly Radiance) may also be an option for smile lines that run between your nose and the outer part of your lips and/or marionette lines that extend from the outer corners of your mouth down toward your chin.

We don't shy away from controversy either. Fat injections sound like a win-win. Your doctor takes fat from an area where you have too much and injects it into a part of your face where you don't have enough. But if something sounds too good to be true it usually is. We'll tell you all you need to know about fat injections and help you make an informed decision.

One of the latest injectables to hit the market is Laviv. This product is actually made from your own skin cells and has been approved for the treatment of nasolabial folds. We'll give you the most up-to-date info on this revolutionary new treatment.

Another injectable treatment is made from your own blood, which is drawn from your body, processed and re-injected into your face. Also known as vampire injections or vampire facelift, Selphyl injections are used to ease away fine lines and fill in hollow areas.

We always tell it like it is, especially when it comes to banned or dangerous products such as silicone injections. Liquid silicone injections are illegal, but highly sought after on the black market. We will tell you why you need to steer clear of these injections.

The best way to choose the right injectable is to do your research and consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon. These are the professionals who are uniquely qualified to perform cosmetic injections. Amateur injectors — and there are many out there — produce amateur results. Good luck!