Know Your Injectable Wrinkle Fillers

If you are in the market for injectable wrinkle filler treatment, it’s best to know the types and their upsides and downsides before making a decision. There also are some basic do’s and don’ts of the decision making process. For example:

• Don’t let price make the decision for you. A lower price than is typically available could be more costly in the end because of shortcuts or some other unknown. Don’t bargain with your face.

• Be sure you have the treatment done in a medical setting with properly sterilized instruments.

• Know where the injection material came from and make sure it is an FDA-approved substance. Baby oil and even industrial-grade silicone have turned up being used.

Not all fillers are for all wrinkles

Before heading to your first treatment, get to know the various types and what they offer. Below is a brief synopsis:

• Hyaluronic acid – The most popular type comes in a variety of brands, including Juvederm, which are all slightly different in their presentation and results. It is approved for use against severe wrinkles and lasts up to a year. It may cause swelling, bruising, and redness at the injection site, but these side effects improve with time and are rare.

• Synthetic wrinkle fillers – These are man made and don’t resemble anything produced by the body. Radiesse and Sculptra are two types. They tend to last longer, but they could cause the appearance of bumps under the skin. If they are not properly injected, they could cause permanent disfigurement.

• Collagen injections – Modern advancements have reduced the risks of side effects. But if the source is an animal such as a cow, allergy tests should be taken before treatment. It doesn’t last as long as other treatments, but can be used by a wider range of people. It’s approved for frown lines, crow’s feet, scar filling, vertical lip lines, and forehead lines.

It is always a good idea to know all of your options before going through with any type of cosmetic procedure. Discuss these different options with your provider to help make sure that the one you choose is really best for you.