Battles against aging, the quest for younger-looking skin and the ability to turn back the clock have a powerful new ally–medical science. But is anti-aging really a national obsession? Irrefutably. Let’s face it, being proud of our wrinkles is so last century. Thankfully, wrinkle-busting technologies have replaced cold creams faster than the iPod replaced compact discs.
Enter: the injectable.
Face the facts
Injectables are big business, and, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the fastest-growing non-surgical cosmetic procedure in the United States. Why so popular? Plain and simple: results–delivered with virtually no pain, no scarring and no wait. “People want instant results,” says the youth-granting Dr. Stefan Adair, a plastic surgeon who recently moved his Beverly Hills practice to Atlanta. “[Clients] don’t want any downtime, because they are very concerned about getting back to their routines quickly.”
Somewhat appropriately then, in less time than it takes to fill out a medical history form (no easy feat these days), an expertly administered syringe of Botox will turn back years of dermal distress by temporarily paralyzing the tiny muscles beneath the skin that cause the pesky appearance of wrinkles. While the most commonly used and known injectable currently on the market, Botox consistently produces effective results, which is why more than 3 million people each year smooth away unwanted lines. And at a cost of up to $1,000 per treatment, Botox has become a remarkable billion-dollar annual enterprise.
Miraculous or not, Botox has its limits, especially with regard to what Adair calls “established wrinkles,” or the appearance of fine lines well-entrenched on the surface of the epidermis. “[Botox] is not a treatment for deep-seated wrinkles on the face,” he cautions. “This is where fillers with more soothing names like Juvéderm, Restylane and Radiesse literally fill in.” And have they ever–just in time to meet an increasingly eager demand. Atlanta practitioner Dr. Brian Maloney, medical director of Derma-Luxe spa and founder of The Maloney Center for Facial Plastic Surgery, says, “There has been an explosion of fillers over the last few years. About 60 different fillers have popped up just in the past year or two.”
Seek expertise
Filler expert Jill Jones of Aesthetic Advancements instructs doctors and nurses how to properly administer the latest injectables and says that the sheer number of dermal fillers currently available can overwhelm prospective consumers. Her company assists users on how (and how long) the latest procedures work. However, Jones stresses that what is best for some is not always what is “the latest” market trend, and emphatically states that, “It is vital consumers see a practitioner who is very knowledgeable in each product.” She further cautions that many doctors are only comfortable with one or two.
Different fillers serve different purposes. For example, “Hyaluronic acid products like Restylane, Perlane, Juvéderm Ultra and Ultra Plus are intended for moderate to severe lines and wrinkles and should not be injected into what are considered to be very fine lines, as it can result in a discoloration of the skin,” Jones says. “Radiesse, a calcium hydroxylapatite, and Sculptra, a poly-L-lactic acid, are injected even deeper in the skin than hyaluronic acid products and should not be used in the lips.”
The myriad of wrinkle-fillers keep market prices competitive, and both Maloney and Adair agree that the perfect time to shop around if you are in need of services is now. They also say that the new-to-market Juvéderm, (coined the “next-generation dermal filler” by its makers), is one of their favorites injectables. It is, according to Adair, “thicker and longer lasting than Resylane, and more natural and predictable.” Jones concurs, adding that it is also softer. Sculptra, another filler favorite, works wonders by “plumping up” a sunken face, while still providing it with gradual improvement. “It triggers patients’ own production of collagen,” Jones says. “People really like that!”
The skinny on fat
The effects of most fillers last anywhere from three months to more than a year. For individuals seeking longer-lasting results, Maloney advises them to consider using their own fat reserves. “I love fat!” he exclaims. “Fat is wonderful!”
While the good doctor’s endorsement comes as good news to many of us, know that a fat-grafting procedure is not as simple as say, receiving a dose of Juvéderm. Despite this, Maloney says that it is the ultimate fix for the long run. “It’s absolutely wonderful for most people,” he says. “They hold on to it forever, and it restores fullness to the cheeks, [returns] volume back to the eye area and [adds] fullness to lips.”
But not all experts are enthusiasts. Jones believes that fat grafting is “unpredictable” because fat is a living tissue, but does agree that doctors skilled in the procedure can achieve amazing results.
The future
What should we expect? According to Adair, the industry will keep producing increasingly natural-looking and longer-lasting fillers, products that last years sans side effects. Maloney says that Reloxin, a new product, is slated to hit the market in the next year and could give Botox real competition. But whatever the future holds, do not be cavalier when choosing an injectable or a practiced expert to administer it. “It’s important that the injector is a physician,” says Maloney, explaining that expertise is necessary in order to select the right filler for the area to be treated, and to properly layer the fillers, which is the art that makes the science work–safely and beautifully.