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Complete Guide to Injectables and Fillers

June 9, 2021
Someone getting an injectable

You can’t fight the passing of time. Or at least that’s what the mirror says when you lean in for a closer look at your skin. You might see crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, sunken cheeks, thin lips, or the dreaded “11s” — those vertical frown lines between the eyebrows.

The good news is, you’re not stuck with those age-related issues. If topical treatments aren’t cutting it, but you’re not ready for invasive surgery, a course of injectables could deliver the youthful appearance you’re craving. Injectables can smooth wrinkles and folds or add definition and contouring, and with minimal downtime to boot.

Before you walk into your dermatology center or med spa, it helps to know more about injectables landscape. There are several treatment options, and they don’t all function in the same way. Read on for the scoop on the types of injectables available, including how they’re used, how much they cost, and what you can expect before, during, and after your treatment.

 

Injectables and Fillers Overview

What are injectables?

Injectables are a class of anti-aging treatments for the face, neck, and hands. They get their name from the method of application. A dermatologist or aesthetician injects a medicine into the skin as a temporary fix for wrinkles, lines, or the loss of contouring.

There are three types of injectables, each with a different method of action:

  • Neuromodulators freeze the facial muscles that cause wrinkles.
  • Dermal fillers, explained in more detail below, add volume underneath the skin.
  • Kybella breaks down fat deposits, specifically those that build up below the chin.

What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are gel formulations that plump the skin. They can treat various anti-aging complaints, including thin lips, wrinkles and creases, and age-related definition loss. The face is the primary treatment area — lips, mouth, eyes, jawlines, cheeks, nose, and chin. But aestheticians may also use dermal fillers on the backs of the hands, which can also become sunken with age.

Ingredients you might see in a dermal filler include Hyaluronic Acid (HA), Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA), Poly-L-lactic Acid, and Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA).There is also a procedure that uses fat harvested from the patient’s body as a filler.

 

6 popular types of injectables and fillers

Botox

Botox is the original neuromodulator. Dermatologists and aestheticians use it to smooth crow’s feet, forehead lines, and creases between the eyebrows.

Xeomin

Xeomin, also a neuromodulator, works like Botox but has fewer inactive ingredients. The manufacturing process strips away unnecessary proteins to isolate the active protein, which is botulinum toxin Type A. Dermatologists believe Xeomin’s additive-free formulation prevents people from developing resistance to the treatment — which can happen with Botox. There is no definitive evidence that the purer formulation produces better or different results, however.

Xeomin is FDA-approved for use on creases between the eyebrows, though aestheticians also use it to smooth crow’s feet and forehead wrinkles.

Dysport

Dysport is also a Botox alternative. Compared to Botox, Dysport is more diluted and spreads out more easily after injection. For that reason, aestheticians may recommend Dysport over Botox for larger areas of the face like the forehead.

Juvederm

Juvederm is a brand of gel dermal fillers made of HA. The Juvederm product family smooths moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles. It can also add volume and restore lost contouring of lips, cheeks, and the area around the mouth.

Restylane

Restylane, like Juvederm, is a brand of dermal fillers. Restylane HA gels can correct wrinkles and folds around the mouth and cheeks. Aestheticians also use Restylane to add volume to the cheeks and lips.

Revanesse Versa

Revanesse Versa is a newer HA filler that’s designed to cause less swelling and last longer than other treatments.  As with Juvederm and Restylane, Revanesse Versa fills in facial wrinkles and folds around the mouth and cheeks.

 

Injectable and filler areas for the face

Lips

Lips can show aging earlier than other parts of the face. As skin breaks down with age, lips lose definition and start to look thinner. The corners of the mouth can also begin to droop.

HA fillers remedy those issues temporarily by adding volume and definition, directly to the lips or to the area around the mouth.

Cheeks

When you’re young, your face has naturally occurring fat pockets that add shape and contouring to cheeks and other areas. With age, those fat deposits lose volume and can even move — leaving sagging skin behind.

HA fillers can restore the lost volume temporarily, which also corrects sagging skin.

Forehead

Forehead lines and wrinkles develop from repeated movement of the forehead muscles — usually caused by frowning. These can appear in your 20s and become more exaggerated over time, particularly with sun exposure.

Neuromodulators are the injectables of choice for smoothing out forehead wrinkles. Since these formulas freeze the muscle, they can also slow the formation of new wrinkles.

Chin/jawline

Aging-related volume loss in the chin can create an imbalance in facial features. The chin or jawline can appear weak or undefined as a result.

An aesthetician might recommend a dermal filler to restore chin or jawline definition, smooth wrinkles, or even to fill in a cleft chin. For a double chin specifically, Kybella is also an effective treatment.  

 

How much do injectables and fillers cost?

Neuromodulator injectables are sold in units. The units themselves are inexpensive, but the total price of treatment depends on how many units you need. A targeted treatment might be as low as $75, though most will pay $400 to $500 per session.

Dermal fillers cost more than Botox and its competitors. Depending on the type of treatment and the formula being used, you might pay $525 to $1,000 per treatment.

 

What to expect during your injectable or filler treatment

Your injectables procedure should always begin with a consultation. That’s when you share your skin concerns with your dermatologist or aesthetician. Based on your input and a skin exam, your skincare professional will recommend a treatment plan.

Neuromodulators

At the time of treatment, your professional will clean your skin. You should not need anesthesia for neuromodulator injections. The pain is minimal — you’ll feel only a small prick. You will need multiple injections, but the exact number depends on the treatment area. You might get four injections to smooth forehead wrinkles, and only two to correct lip wrinkles.

One thing that can be confusing is the difference between a unit of Botox or Xeomin and an injection. To be clear, each injection can include more than one unit of the medicine. For example, you might get 20 units of Botox administered in four shots.

Your neuromodulator treatment should take 15 to 20 minutes.

Dermal fillers

The dermal filler procedure is similar but with two key differences. First, the procedure may take longer — up to 60 minutes, depending on the treatment area. Second, specific to Restylane injections, you may receive a topical anesthesia. Juvederm and Revanesse Versa generally don’t require anesthesia.

 

Recovery time after receiving injectable and filler treatments

Most people experience minimal to no downtime after their injectable treatments. The most common side effects are swelling and bruising around the injection site. The swelling normally resolves itself within an hour but bruising and soreness can last up to two weeks. For that reason, it’s smart to clear your calendar of any special events for two weeks following your treatment. 

 

How long do injectable and filler results last?

The smoothing effects of Botox, Xeomin, and Dysport normally last two to four months. Dermal fillers can retain their effectiveness for up to one year.

 

Which injectable or filler is right for you?

Injectable treatments may seem routine and commonplace, but they are medical procedures. As such, it’s critical to work with a qualified provider who can recommend an individualized treatment plan — and then deliver that treatment safely and effectively.

milk + honey Medical Aesthetics partners with renowned dermatologist Dr. Tyler Hollmig so you receive the highest quality care available. Hollmig, along with a team of Board-certified medical professionals, can skillfully identify the best injectable treatment for your skin and your lifestyle.

Turns out, you can fight the passing of time. Set up a consultation today and get ready to look your best tomorrow!

Wellness

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It’s no secret that we’re all spinning a lot of plates. Life was moving at warp speed as it was, and then 2020 decided to throw a few curveballs into the mix. We’re all facing new demands on our lives, and balance seems more elusive than ever. In all likelihood, self-care has slipped to the bottom of many of our to-do lists. 

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While massage is often viewed as the ultimate act of self-care, or a treat, or a luxury, the truth is regular massages can be incredibly good for you, and there are plenty of massage benefits beyond the obvious indulgence. Most people know that massage can be relaxing, but what you may not know is that massage can have a profound effect on your overall health and wellness.  If you’re feeling a little sore, a little tight, a little tense or anxious, massage therapy can help you get things back into balance. Ahead, we’ll take a look at 5 reasons why massage is good for you. 

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Products

our intention for skincare

February 27, 2019

I’m beyond excited to introduce you to our new skincare line — not only because we’ve been working tirelessly to develop products that are hyperclean and effective but also because I know you (and your skin) will love it as much as I do. We have even more skincare products on the way, but there’s no better place to start than with our first two hydrating heroes: the Intense Hydration Cream and Luxe Face Oil.

I want to share a little bit more on why it’s taken us so long to launch our skincare line. Full disclosure: getting to a point where we were ready to debut these products was exceptionally challenging. It has been a long process of trial and error of trying to refine our formulas so they have an appropriate shelf life and will be just as effective and delightful to use in six to 12 months as they are the day you open the bottle. It also took quite a bit of time and patience to find non-toxic, non-irritating preservatives that keep our products safe and stable. At every point, I wanted to make sure we checked all of our “boxes” while never compromising on a luxurious experience. You should never feel like using a clean, safe alternative to conventional beauty products is less effective or enjoyable.

Most importantly, I’m lucky to work alongside our talented team of estheticians at milk + honey, who have provided us with crucial feedback and expertise throughout the development process. Their hands-on knowledge and daily connection to both the spa and our clients differentiate us from just another product line.

Have questions about skincare? Feel free to write me at [email protected] or shoot me a message on Instagram @alissa_bayer. For all other behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, be sure to follow @milkandhoneyproducts.

Stay tuned for more skincare product launches in the coming weeks!

Cheers,
Alissa Bayer

Body, Products

Sale’s On! Arnica Balm to the Rescue.

August 13, 2015

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Whether you’re an athlete, dealing with everyday aches and pains, or simply live by the “work hard, play hard” mantra, our Arnica Balm will help you recover. This powerful Arnica-infused balm stimulates the senses as it zeroes in on tired muscles and joints. The icing on the proverbial cake? It’s on sale through August 31, 2015.

Shop it right here.


Image courtesy of Instagram user nikerunning

Giveaways, Products

Just In: ZINK Scarves and Shawls (Plus, a Giveaway!)

August 4, 2014

 

scarf-red

We take great care and pride to feature products in all of our locations that we personally love, use, wear, etc. That’s why we’re excited to let you in on the newest product to hit our “shelves.” We now carry locally-made ZINK scarves and shawls at our 2nd Street District location.

These ZINK Shibori scarves and shawls are made from 100% unrefined cotton, are dyed by hand in Austin, and each one is unique and special. Wondering what ‘Shibori’ means? It’s a Japanese term for dyeing fabric using a variety of methods – like binding, stitching, folding, twisting, compressing, or capping – that result in an intricate graphic pattern.

To celebrate ZINK scarves being sold at our 2nd Street District location, we’re giving away TWO scarves. How to enter: from today, Aug 4, 2014, through Friday, Aug 8, 2014, make sure to LIKE both the milk + honey spa Facebook page and the ZINK Collection, then like our official giveaway post right here. That’s it — good luck!

Giveaways

What Does ‘Christmas in July’ Mean at milk + honey?

July 2, 2014

This month we’re celebrating . . .

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What does ‘Christmas in July’ mean?

We have three new summer-exclusive packages. Call 512.236.1115 to snag yours. All summer packages are valid to redeem through September 30, 2014. After September 30, you have the $ amount of the package to use, which never expires.

Beach Ready Retreat, $129
60-minute Lux Massage – OR – 60-minute Signature Facial
m + h Manicure

Holiday in the Sun Retreat, $179
60-minute Lux Massage
60-minute Signature Facial

Ultimate Summer Retreat, $249
Ultimate Massage
Ultimate Pedicure

But that’s not all. Starting Monday, July 7, we’re kicking off our ’12 Days of milk + honey Christmas.’ How does it work?

Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in July, any client who has received a service/treatment on that particular day will be automatically entered to win an awesome prize. Gifts include the Clarisonic Mia 2, RevitaLash, milk + honey bath and body products, Cosmedix, and more. So, make sure to pre-book your appointments for Monday through Wednesdays in July — you might just win something great!

Beauty, Products, Skin Care

Our Summer Skin Care Must-Haves All in One Place.

June 16, 2014

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From sunscreen to daily moisturizer, to a gentle (yet effective) body wash, we’ve got summer skincare on the brain. And rightfully so. With the sunny skies overhead, it’s as important as ever to apply a strong SPF, rinse off thoroughly after a long swim in the lake or the pool, and to hydrate consistently. To reinforce those summer-y feelings, we’ve selected the beauty products we can’t live without come summertime — and quite frankly, neither should you.

Click here to see — and shop — your favorites of the bunch.

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