Wrinkles? Acne Scars? Which Filler is For You?
Wondering what injectable muscle relaxers, such as Botox, and fillers, such as laViv, can do for you? If you're considering a facelift, these products may make it postponable, if not completely unnecessary. And fillers can vastly improve the appearance of scars, too. If you have liposuction, you can have your own fat injected. If not, there's a menu of other choices -- natural and synthetic, semipermanent and permanent.
How does your skin look to others? Take the SkinAge Test and find out.
Muscle Relaxers
Muscle relaxers paralyze tiny muscles to stop the expressive movements that etch-in frown lines, crow's feet, neck bands, and brow furrows. This is accomplished with an injection of botulinum toxin A or B.
Brand Names: Botox Cosmetic, Myobloc (not often used for cosmetic reasons), and Dysport
Cost: About $400 per area, but prices vary considerably.
Lasting Power: 3 to 6 months. Over time injections are needed less frequently to maintain the effect.
Tip: It may take a week or so for a muscle relaxer to take full effect.To maintain results, get maintenance injections before the benefit of the previous smoothing disappears.
Look younger in 9 days. No injections required.
Wrinkle Fillers
Wrinkle fillers plump up deep creases, fine lines, sunken areas, and/or some types of scars. About a dozen fillers have become available since collagen debuted in the 80's. They differ in everything from materials, cost and lasting power to the types of problems they correct. An experienced physician ( a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon) will recommend a specific filler or combination to improve scars and take years off your face. Here are your options:
Autologous Cellular Product
Brand Name: laViv (a recently FDA approved bioengineered injectable made from your own skin cells; not to be confused with stem cell transplants, which are still experimental)
Cost: $3,000 to $3,500 and typically includes the entire process, including skin cell retrieval, lab processing, and injection
Lasting Power: At least a year, and the material can be banked for future use
Tip: Since it may take 3 to 4 months for your amped up cells to produce new collagen, start the process well in advance of your high school reunion. Also note that laViv is not the best choice for areas in need of serious volume, such as in cheek hollows.
Hyaluronic Acid
Brand Names: Restylane, Perlane, Hylaform, Juvederm, Hydrelle, Prevelle, Elevess
Cost: $500 to $850
Lasting Power: 6 months or longer
Tip: Avoid aspirin, NSAIDs, ginkgo, vitamin E, or any other blood thinner for 2 weeks prior to injection.
Calcium Hydroxyapatite
Brand Name: Radiesse (The heaviest filler used "off label" to fill deep creases and shallows,)
Cost: $650 and up
Lasting Power: 2 years or longer
Tip: Plumping is immediate and stimulates collagen growth, which maintains the improvement.
Collagen
Brand Names: Zyderm, Zyplast, CosmoDerm, CosmoPlast, Fascian, Cymetra
Cost: $400 and up
Lasting Power: 2 weeks to 6 months
Tip: Have your skin tested for allergy before getting a bovine (cow) collagen injection.
Polylactic Acid
Brand Name: Sculptra
Cost: $1,000 and up
Lasting Power: Up to 2 years
Tip: Results may not be apparent for 10 to 12 weeks or more. Several treatments are usually necessary for plumping shallow contours.
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)
Brand Name: Artefill
Cost: $500 and up
Lasting Power: Forever. It's said to be permanent.
Tip: You may need multiple treatments several weeks apart. Mircospheres of PMMA in the gel prompt skin to produce collagen production, do not degrade, and are not absorbed by your body. Removal if you're unhappy with the results is difficult.
Like any procedure, a second opinion may be worthwhile. Keep in mind, too, that cheaper is not always better. You're not only buying the filler, you're paying for the doctor's expertise, artistry, and skill.
Make these 7 steps daily habits for healthier skin.
Get more health tips from RealAge:
