The number one non-invasive cosmetic treatment in the United States is a simple 10 minute procedure where you inject Botox or Dysport.  Botox has been used for years in Hollywood (off label) and was approved for cosmetic use by the FDA in April 2002 to treat moderate to severe frown lines. Dysport was FDA approved in April 2009.  

So, You Are Wondering: What Are Botox and Dysport?

Botox and Dysport are purified proteins produced by botulinum bacteria and work by blocking the communication between nerves and muscles.  The nerves are simply unable to tell the muscles to contract.  When muscles are not able to contract, the appearance of wrinkles minimizes and wrinkles even disappear in some patients.

Another popular procedure that rejuvenates with minimal downtime is the use of dermal fillers, which include: Restylane, Perlane, Radiesse and Juvederm.  These fill in wrinkles and provide volume.  According to Rhonda Narins, MD, professor of dermatology at NY Medical Center in New York City, that’s just the beginning. “What’s really significant is that we can now use these fillers to volumize skin anywhere on the face, so you can really sculpt a lifted, youthful look without surgery,” according to Narins.

It is exciting to know that you can now soften the signs of aging with a wide range of non-surgical procedures for the face in a matter of a few minutes.  Areas on the face that are commonly filled with dermal fillers and some other uses of fillers, include:

• Nasal labial folds (the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth)
• Lines above the upper and lower lips (“smoker’s lines”)
• Lift corners of lips
• Marionette lines (lines on the corners of the chin)
• Around and under the eyes
• Volumize cheeks, lips and chin
• Correct facial asymmetry

The newest and latest “craze” when using fillers is a procedure called  the “liquid lift” or injectible thread lift.  The thread lift is where you use a variety of fillers to lift the desired area – areas on the face including the eyebrows, jowls, lips and corners of the mouth.  

Ultimately, dermal fillers help stimulate your body’s own natural collagen production to help maintain a more youthful glow.