With a beauty market saturated with skincare products all claiming to help patients improve their skin, it can be difficult to decipher what is what! There’s been a surge in wrinkle reduction procedures over the past several years as men and women are addressing signs of aging with other methods besides cosmetic plastic surgery.  Wrinkles of all stages (from early fine lines to deeper folds and jowls), plus the breakdown of collagen as we age, can create a much older appearance than we may actually be and cosmetic injectables is an ideal procedure that many patients choose to explore.  There are currently several FDA-approved cosmetic injectables on the market and at AYA^™ Medical Spa we use a variety of them to help restore a more youthful look for our patients, but are they all equal in their effectiveness?  Simply put: yes and no.  Cosmetic injectables are equal in that they help reduce signs of aging but they are different in the concerns they address, how long the results last and what part of the face it most directly helps.

Expression lines (fine lines, crow’s feet & wrinkles) – these tend to be the first lines that appear between/around the eyes, forehead and mouth largely in part to repetitive facial expressions made over time.  For these early signs of aging patients turn to dermal injectables Botox^® and Dysport^® to relax the expression-causing muscles and create a smoother look.  Both products are FDA-approved (however made by different manufacturers) and are made up of purified botulinum toxin A, and neurotoxin used to relax facial muscles on the upper third of the face.  Botox^® and Dysport^® injections can be administered during your lunch break and little to no required downtime.  Results can last anywhere from four to ten months depending on each patient and since results are temporary, repeated injections are necessary to maintain your results.

Deep wrinkles – when you start to form deeper wrinkling (frown lines, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, jowls) on the forehead or around the nose, cheeks and lips, a facial filler would be recommended to fill out the depressed portions of your facial skin that has seen extensive collagen breakdown and decreased skin elasticity.  Facial fillers are made up of natural substances found in the body including hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid or calcium hydroxlypatite.  Offering Juvéderm^®, Restylane^® & Sculptra^®, many of our patients either have their favorite filler or try out different brands to see which results they like best.  Regardless of the filler you choose, they work to address areas that could use an increase of collagen and firm the skin to help treat existing and future wrinkles.  Depending on the specific facial filler, they can produce results lasting up to two years, with repeated treatments safe to keep your results consistent.

Volume Loss – to keep the skin looking supple and smooth, facial fillers not only need to combat wrinkles but also the effects aging has on lost soft tissue volume that lends itself to creating hollowed cheeks and sagging skin.  To address this combination of concerns, Juvéderm^® Voluma^™ or Radiesse^® may be your facial filler of choice.  Radiesse^® replumps the temples, cheeks and signs of aging around the nose/mouth, plus the hands.  Voluma^™, on the other hand, is used to give a subtle lift to sagging skin on the cheeks by addressing all three areas: the apex, apple and hollow.

If you’re interested in trying an injectable but aren’t sure where to start, our skilled cosmetic injectors can discuss your goals and skincare treatment options during a complimentary consultation to help you achieve your facial rejuvenation goals.  Contact AYA^™ Medical Spa today to set up your appointment or for any questions you may have regarding our services.  Be sure to follow the #AYAGirls on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Google+ for more skincare updates and news.