Injectables refers to minimally invasive treatments that “inject” clients with a variety of products. One of the best-known injectables—and most requested at Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care—is Botox. However, just because Botox has been around for decades doesn’t mean you should trust just anyone with this treatment. The skill of your injector matters just as much as getting matched with the right treatment. At our clinic, we are led by Zuzana Likar and our experienced nurse injectors ensure all procedures are as comfortable as possible and yield beautiful results.
Botox is best known for stopping lines, wrinkles, and creases in their tracks. This is achieved by temporarily “freezing” the muscles that cause these unwanted signs of aging. Botox is the most-used neuromodulator and results typically last for 3 – 6 months depending on the injection site and number of units used. Younger clients are increasingly using Botox as a preventative measure to train muscles not to create such deep lines in the first place. However, there are also a myriad of off-label uses for this injectable.
Turning Back the Clock
Botox can do a lot more than address wrinkles. It is also an excellent tool for giving a slight arch to the eyebrows. You can also use small amounts of Botox for a “lip flip,” which essentially flips the upper lip outward so that more vermillion shows. This can help hide a gummy smile and provides the appearance of fuller lips without actually increasing volume. However, for those who do want more voluminous lips—or more volume anywhere on the face—dermal fillers are most often the best option.
The majority of dermal fillers are made with a synthetic form of hyaluronic acid (HA). The HA our body naturally produces attracts water, which is why HA is associated with youthfulness and plumping. The results from dermal fillers are immediate, though some slight swelling and redness is common. Fillers, like Botox, are also temporary, but you still want to make sure you get results you love. “Duck lips” and “trout pout” might be short-term, but since most fillers are in highly visible places you want natural-looking results. An injector without the training, skills, and experience might give you an outcome that is poor and very fake looking.
The Latest in Injectables
There are a few dermal “fillers” that aren’t fillers at all. Instead, they work via collagen induction. Results are not immediate, and it can take up to six months to see results, although slow and steady improvement in volume will be noticed during this waiting period. The benefits of such fillers are that they tend to last longer (up to two years on average compared to the 6 – 18 months offered by HA fillers). Plus, a handful of clients prefer an “all natural” approach to volume improvement. You can also achieve collagen induction with a myriad of other treatments, such as microneedling. Non-HA fillers are less common and newer than HA fillers.
Another recent development in the world of injectables is Kybella. This procedure relies on a series of synthetic deoxycholic acid injected using a specialized stamping device. It treats unwanted fat in the submental (under-chin) area. On average, about 3 – 6 cycles spaced one month apart are needed for most clients. Conservative injections are given because it’s crucial not to over-correct. Once fat is gone with Kybella, it’s gone for good. Nearby fat cells can expand if weight gain occurs, but the specific cells burned with Kybella will not return. It’s important to know if double chins are caused by fat, sagging skin, or both. This can be discussed during your consultation, which is always complimentary. If sagging skin is also a problem, this can be addressed with a variety of in-office skin tightening treatments.
Scheduling Your Consultation
If you’re interested in learning more about injectables and the many other treatments available in our office, schedule your consultation with our expert providers today. It’s not too late to get beautiful skin and results in time for summer vacation. Let’s work together to create a plan just for you. Call Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care during business hours or, for the quickest response, complete the online contact form today.