FACIAL INJECTIONS
What are the benefits?
Facial injections are growing in popularity and present a number of advantages. Of course, the most interesting is that they quickly reduce the signs of aging by filling in wrinkles and folds, plumping up sunken scars or other areas of the face without any surgery or incision. Recovery time is, therefore, quite short, and swelling and bruising are minimal. How long the results last depends on the product used.
What techniques are used?
Botox and fillers are among the numerous products used. Fat injections are also done. Dr. Duclos will recommend the product most appropriate for you. She may also suggest combining Botox with a filler. As a first step, the Botox treatment smooths out the wrinkle and then, two weeks later, a filler injection can plump it up. Another possibility is a surgical procedure in combination with (or without) Botox or a filler.
Botox
Botox has been used medically for 20 years. As a cosmetic procedure it is used to smooth wrinkles caused by the contraction of facial muscles, notably horizontal lines on the forehead, lines between the eyebrows, crows feet, and the wrinkles often found on the upper part of the nose. It can also sometimes be used around the mouth, to ease out lines over the upper lip, or to boost the folds on the sides of the mouth. It can be used on the neck to relax the muscles that go from chin to clavicle and prevent them from becoming ropey.
On crows feet, Botox helps prevent sagging of the lateral part of the eyebrow, which, in turn, prevents the lower eyelid from crinkling. It may even be used to lift the eyebrows.
Contrary to other filling agents, Botox is not injected directly into the wrinkle but rather, into the muscle that causes the wrinkle. By relaxing the muscles, it helps prevent the wrinkles from becoming deeper.
Treatments take only a few minutes, the effect is visible 7 to 14 days later, and usually lasts 3 to 4 months. So factor in regular follow-up treatments.
Any kind of treatment carries a certain amount of risk. Bruising can appear in the days following treatment. Some cases of drooping eyelids have been reported after forehead and eyebrow treatments. Fortunately, the effect is not permanent.
Fat implants
These implants work well as fillers for cheeks and lips and have the advantage of coming from your own body. However, the quantity injected isnt what ends up staying in place. In fact, transplanting fat is risky and in general, many sessions are required (spaced out between four and six months) in order to obtain the desired correction and look. Over correcting the area that has been filled isnt recommended as it may end up being too plumped up for a period of time, and the body will have difficulty reabsorbing the fat.
Fillers
In addition to transplanting fat from your own body, there are many filler products offered on the market. They fall into three major categories: temporary, short-term, intermediate, and products that last for a much longer period of time.
Filler products may be used to smooth away lines or plump up a specific area of the face, like lips, cheekbones and chin. Dr. Duclos will recommend the product most appropriate for you. She may also suggest a surgical procedure like blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) or a face lift together with, or without the fillers.
Temporary, short term
From among the short term products, Dr. Duclos usually uses injections with a hyaluronic acid base (Fine Lines, Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, etc.) that have been developed in the lab and do not require an allergy test. Like collagen, hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the skin.
The injection only takes a few minutes and the effect is immediately visible. This product may be injected into a wrinkle, a scar or to plump up an area of the face. How long it lasts depends on the area treated, personal habits of the patient and the product used.
Expect a bit of swelling in the treated area for about 48 hours. Risk of infection is minimal. Nodules may appear but they can be eased away by massage. In rare cases, inflamed nodules or granulomas have been reported.
Temporary, intermediate
Radiesse is a compound of calcium hydroxyl apatite microspheres that are suspended in a gel composed of water, glycerine and carboxymethylcellulose. Calcium hydroxyl apatite has been in use for many years to repair soft and hard tissue. No allergy test is required before treatment. Radiesse is used to plump up areas of the face, such as cheekbones and chin, reduce the appearance of lines and deep scars, or to remodel the area between the chin and the jowls. The treatment only takes a few minutes.
Some swelling, hardening and sensitivity may occur in the days following the procedure. Some redness may also appear but usually subsides within 48 hours. In rare cases, inflamed nodules or granulomas have been reported.
Long term
A product like Artesense has the advantage of correcting certain areas of the face for a long time. It can help reduce the appearance of lines and scarring (like acne) and plump up the lips, chin and cheekbones.
Artesense consists of homogeneous polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres suspended in a solution of collagen and lidocaine. PMMA has been used since the 1930s in orthopaedics, ophthalmology, cardiology, and dentistry. An allergy test must be performed one month before treatment. Once injected, Artesense stimulates the growth of connective tissue (fibroplasty) and collagen synthesis.
The effect lasts for 5 years or even longer, depending on the patient. Many treatments may be necessary, depending on the area to be treated. Risk of infection is minimal. There could be some inflammation of the area treated, which doesnt usually last long. If the inflammation persists, a cortisone injection may be necessary. If the cortisone does not take care of the problem, excising the nodule may be necessary.