Cosmetic Injections-Risks, Results, and Reviews

 

By Christine Wheaton, Sassable staff writer

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Did you know that BOTOX® was originally created for infants? Yeah, crazy I know. Specifically infants that had a lazy eye. They would inject it to paralyze the muscle that was pulling the eye one way or the other so that it would relax and look normal. So I guess you have to think well, if it’s safe enough to use on an infant, I should be okay, right? Well, here is a little more information on cosmetic injections and you can make your own decisions. 

 

Generally if you are interested in cosmetic injections it is because of wrinkles. There are other benefits to cosmetic injections like headache relief and stunning sweat glands. But as for wrinkles, you probably have one of these two types of wrinkles, or a combination of both. The types of wrinkles are called static (meaning always there no matter what) and dynamic (meaning they move around depending on your facial expressions). If you have mostly static wrinkles, then BOTOX® is not for you. For you dynamic people out there, you are the prime candidate for BOTOX®. This is how it works:

 

A licensed doctor will use a teeny tiny needle to inject purified botulinum toxin type A (BOTOX®) into all the right muscles that are causing your dynamic lines. It shouldn’t feel more than a prick with some stinging. This paralyses the underlying muscle and allows you to say “hasta la vista” to those fine lines. It works best on forehead creases, crows feet, and smile/frown lines, all those motion wrinkles. It takes a few days for the paralysis to occur and then it completes the job over a course of 2-4 weeks. After this time, it will slowly start to decline and wear off after 3-6 months depending on the individual. The cool thing is you can try it and know it is not permanent if you don’t like the way it looks or feels. The more you get it done however, the weaker those muscles will get and eventually, they will stop responding, so just be aware of that. 

 

Things you should know about the cosmetic injection BOTOX®:

-you cannot use it if you have an infection in that area

-you have to be careful if you have a neuromuscular disease such as Myasthenia Gravis or Eaton Lambert Syndrome so consult your regular doctor about BOTOX® if this is the case

-common side effects are headaches, stomach sensitivity, flue-like symptoms, nausea, respiratory infection, redness and/or swelling, and temporary droopy eyelids or bags (oh no!)

-it only takes 10 minutes and is a non surgical treatment therefore you can go about your normal day immediately after

-there is a milk protein in the BOTOX® formula called Casein, so make sure that is not something you are allergic to

-there has been cases upon where getting injected around the eye area caused the skin to sag creating bags under the eyes

-It will probably run you a few hundred dollars

-make sure you are going to a reputable doctor, pay more for higher quality, cosmetic injection is not something you want to fool around with. 

 

Don’t worry, there is still hope for the static wrinkles! (and dynamic wrinkles can use this method too)

 

Here is a list of different Dermal Fillers that can be injected into deeper static wrinkles around the mouth, eye, cheek, temple areas...so your laugh lines, frown lines, lip wrinkles, cheek wrinkles, etc. The results last about 6-12 months and run approximately $800. 

 

  • Juvederm
  • Restylane
  • Perlane
  • Prevelle Silk
  • Elevess
  • Radiesse
  • Evolence
  • Sculptra
  • Cosmoplast
  • Cosmoderm
  • Artefill

 

Dermal filler is basically an injection of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, all the things your skin needs to be supple, hydrated, plump, and youthful. The different types above will be narrowed down by your doctor. It works by FILLING the lines with what your skin has lost due to age. It is not paralyzing anything. And unlike a surgical face-lift which flattens and tightens the area making it look almost alien, this cosmetic injection plumps and replaces elasticity for a more youthful appearance (also check out this article on creams that plump and repair the dermis). However, if the skin is TOO saggy, this method will not work alone, you might have to do a combo of the surgical and non-surgical. Also beneficial to all aging skin are chemical peels

 

All cosmetic injections need to be looked at seriously. Do not make a snap decision when it comes to the delicate areas of your face. Your face is so important, your eyes even more so, that is where all your emotion comes through. In my opinion I would do BOTOX® on the forehead area and Dermal Fillers on all other areas. Paralyzing your eye area is just too high of a risk! That being said, I have many friends who are barely in their 30’s and have done BOTOX® on their foreheads and I didn’t even know! If you are wanting to do this, get a recommendation-you will probably be surprised how many people you know have done it (115% increase in the last 3 years!). It looks great and very natural. Don't be afraid to ask for a small dose to keep it looking more realistic. Headbands rejoice! Cosmetic injections rule!