Facial Rejuvenation with Neurotoxins and Fillers

Do you feel like your skin could look better than it does at the moment? Do you wish you had fewer lines or wrinkles, or perhaps you’ve lost volume in your cheeks that you feel makes you look older than you really are? Facial rejuvenation is a term that is used to describe cosmetic treatments that are designed to improve and enhance the appearance of the face.

One of the most effective ways to rejuvenate your appearance and turn back the clock on the aging process is to explore injectable treatments, and more specifically, neurotoxins and fillers.

What are neurotoxins?

 In the world of facial rejuvenation, you are probably most familiar with Botox®, which is the brand name of a specific type of neurotoxin – botulinum toxin. There are also some newer,  alternative brands that work in exactly the same way, such as Dysport®, Jeuveau® and Xeomin®. In small doses, neurotoxins have been FDA-approved as a cosmetic treatment that can target fine lines and wrinkles on the face, reducing and eliminating their appearance in order to create smoother, younger-looking skin.

How do neurotoxins work?

Neurotoxins like Botox® work by blocking nerve impulses to the muscles in the face. This prevents them from contracting and instead they remain completely still. As a result, the skin covering the muscles also cannot contract but instead lays flat. This prevents lines and wrinkles from forming and the skin looks smoother and more youthful.

Whatever brand of neurotoxin treatment you choose is administered via injection. These injections use ultra-fine needles so that they cause little to no discomfort. The solution is injected at pre-determined locations in order to achieve the desired effects. The entire process usually takes just a few minutes  and there is no downtime, meaning patients can get straight back to their usual activities.

What areas of the face are suitable for neurotoxins?

While Botox® and other brands of neurotoxin can be used on any area of the face, they are most often used to target areas where muscle activity most influences facial features including:

Glabellar lines (the vertical lines that form between the eyebrows)

• Wrinkles around the eyes, such as crow’s feet

• Horizontal lines across the forehead

• Lines in the corners of the mouth

• Bunny lines on the nose

• chin

How long do the effects of injectable neurotoxins last?

The effects of cosmetic neurotoxins are temporary and usually last between 3 and 6 months, after that, the muscles will start to regain some movement. At this point, patients can choose to extend the effects by undergoing further treatment.
 

What are fillers and how do they work?

As their name suggests, dermal fillers are a treatment that is designed to fill spaces under the skin where fat has been lost as part of the aging process. Fillers can also be used to change the shape and appearance of certain facial features, such as the nose, chin and lips. There are various types of filler available, each with a core ingredient that is responsible for the effects that it produces. The two most common dermal fillers contain active ingredients that are either collagen or hyaluronic acid. Both of these are naturally-occurring ingredients that start to diminish with advancing age. By reintroducing them to area beneath the skin, they stimulate fresh production of collagen which plumps the skin from the inside out, smoothing out lines and wrinkles and promoting a more youthful look. 

Like neurotoxins, fillers are administered using injection and can be performed in a few minutes or even over a lunchbreak. There is also little to no downtime, and you will be able to return to work or your usual daily routine immediately.

What areas of the face are suitable for fillers?

Fillers are predominantly used on the cheeks and the lower half of the face, which is where the majority of volume is lost during the aging process. They can be used to:

• Plump the cheeks

• Add volume to the lips

• Eliminate lines that run between the nose and lips (nasolabial folds) and the lips and chin (marionette lines)

• Reshape the chin and jawline to provide greater definition and reduce sagging

• Fill in forehead lines

How long do the effects of fillers last?

The effects of dermal fillers are instant, and you will be able to see a change in your appearance immediately after injection. However, it can take up to 4 weeks for the filler to fully integrate into the tissue and for you to see the final result from your treatment. The results can usually be sustained for between 6 to 12  months before further treatment is needed.

If you are considering facial rejuvenation and you’d like to find out more about injectable neurotoxins or fillers, don’t hesitate to call the team at Green Dermatology &  Cosmetic Center at 954-947-4500 today.

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