Injections to Reduce Wrinkles
The price people will pay and the medical procedures they will endure are quite remarkable when it comes to looking younger---and that's particularly true when it comes to reducing or eliminating facial wrinkles, a field that has grown greatly in the past 10 years. Here is a look at several new injectable products available today. Does this Spark an idea?
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Botulinum Type A
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Botulinum type A, commonly marketed as Botox, and its newer counterpart Dysport, are two of the most common injections given to reduce forehead lines, crow's feet and the deep lines formed along the corners of the mouth. These medications work by paralyzing the facial muscles in the area of the injection, which keeps the wrinkles from forming when one frowns or smiles. The advantage of this type of injection is that it offers almost instant results and lasts for several months. The disadvantage is that overuse of the drug can lead to permanent muscle paralysis, giving the user a mask-like appearance.
Hyaluronic Acid
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Derived from sugar, hyaluronic acid is used for moderate to deep wrinkles on the face and neck. Currently marketed under the names Juvéderm, Restylane and Perlane, there are several more medications pending approval from the FDA that are scheduled for release on the market in the next few years. Often paired with lidocaine to help with pain after administration, hyaluronic acid is used to plump deep wrinkles. It often takes several injections of it in order to achieve the desired results. Bruising and pain are common side effects, as well as a bumpy appearance due to the injection clumping.
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Collagen
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Once the only available injectable treatment for wrinkles, collagen's popularity had decreased in the past few years due to the availability of other alternatives. Collagen is becoming popular again due to its improved composition and decreased cost compared to other alternatives. Newer versions are derived from pig sources, whereas older versions were either synthetic or bovine derivatives. Advantages are that it creates a softer, more natural look and causes less swelling and bruising than hyaluronic acid. The disadvantage is that it only lasts about three months.
Synthetic Fillers
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Synthetic fillers are injections that boost your own body to make its own collagen to fill in lines and wrinkles. They are the most effective treatment available to fill in deep lines and boost hollow cheeks. Because they work to trigger your body to increase its natural collagen production, they take much longer to work than other methods. Treatments are given monthly over the period of time in which it takes you to achieve your desired results. The bad news is that this can be quite an expensive treatment, but the good news is that it lasts much longer than most other methods---usually between one and two years, and sometimes longer.
Safety
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Most injectable wrinkle fillers are safe if used by trained professionals. Before undergoing this type of procedure, it is best to ask for references and contact other individuals you may know to decide if this procedure is right for you.
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