CosBeauty Magazine #94

COSMETIC ENHANCEMENT
ANTI-WRINKLE
INJECTIONS
• Smooths away dynamic lines such as crow’s feet,
forehead lines and the “11’s” between the eyes
• Subtle brow lift effect
• Jawline slimming
Known under the brand names Botox, Dysport and
Xeomin, botulinum toxin is single-handedly the most
popular aesthetic treatment. Botulinum toxin works by
blocking nerve stimulation to wrinkle-causing muscles,
which prevents the muscle from contracting and smooths
away wrinkles and fine lines.
As a muscle relaxant, it is used to treat crow’s feet
around the eyes, the frown lines between the eyebrows
(glabellar lines) and the worry lines across the forehead.
It can also be used to produce the effect of a brow lift
by relaxing the muscles that drag down the brow. It can
also be used (off label) in the masseter muscle to create
a slimmer-looking jawline.
A few tiny injections are administered just under the
skin and the results kick in around Day 4 or 5, reaching
their full result around 2 weeks and lasting on average for
about 4 months. The procedure usually takes about 10
minutes and is generally well tolerated.
FILLERS
• Used to add volume to cheeks, midface, temple hollows and lips
• Fills in static lines, wrinkles, depressions and scars
Fillers are used to add volume and structure, fill deep folds and smooth fine lines and
wrinkles. There are different grades of fillers designed specifically for use in different parts of
the face and for different purposes – from creating fuller lips to revolumising sagging cheeks
to filling in hollowing temples. Fillers can be injected superficially to add volume to lips, fill
in fine lines or reduce under-eye circles and hollows. They can also be used more deeply to
‘sculpt’ the face and add contour, projection and definition to areas such as the cheeks, chin,
jawline and even the nose.
Today’s fillers vary in longevity, composition and viscosity, depending on what and where
is being treated, but all are gel-like in consistency and use a substance called hyaluronic
acid, which is found naturally in the body and can absorb up to 1,000 times its own weight in
water. The type of filler (composition and viscosity), where it’s used and the depth of injection
all influence the final result, and how long they last. Superficial ‘soft’ injections for lips, for
example, may last up to 6 months, while firmer filler designed for building and contouring and
injected deep on the bone can last 12-18 months.
There’s some discomfort associated with filler injections but a topical anaesthetic should
help keep you comfortable. Depending on the amount of areas, this type of procedure will
take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour on average.