Various injection products are used for different problems. The appearance of age occurs from loss of elasticity as you know, but just as important is the loss of volume. You have heard the comment, “You’ve lost your baby fat” before, usually made to someone in their twenties. Well, you never stop losing it. Your face literally deflates and support is lost causing sagging. The wrinkles are from sun exposure, smoking, and lots of animation.

Injectables such as Restylane, Juvederm, and Perlane are hyaluronic acid products and used mostly for wrinkles such as the nasolabial wrinkles between the corners of the mouth and the side of the nose. Or the marionette lines dropping down from the corners of the mouth. Radiesse, a different compound, is also used for that and into deeper tissues for re-volumizing.

The most common product used in my practice for re-volumizing (inflating) the face is Sculptra. Sculptra is a powder that must be mixed with water for injection. It can be used in almost any part of the face and lasts for about 2 years. Typically, it takes about three injection sessions for maximum benefit, but some amazing results can be achieved with lots of lift. Only topical anesthesia cream is used prior to the injections.

Botox, the most common injectable product causes local paralyzing of the muscles, such as the corrugators muscles, causing the frown lines. Other areas are the “crow’s feet” just outside of the eyes and the forehead furrows.

Often combinations of injections are used if the patient has many different problems, such as deep frown lines and lots of deflation in the cheek area. This may require inflation with Sculptra or another product plus Botox.

For loss of elasticity, if one does not want surgery, a laser such as the Fraxel is best non-surgical opinion. Combining of injections with a Fraxel can reverse the appearance of age from 10-15 years.