For those experiencing deep facial lines, botox and tissue fillers present a great way to get results without undergoing a surgical procedure. In fact, these methods are so popular, that combined they accounted for nearly 10 million procedures last year, or, 6 times the number of all surgical cosmetic procedures combined. Botox was actually the most popular non-surgical procedure last year, and soft tissue fillers were the second most popular
How They Work
As humans age, our faces lose subcutaneous fat over time, leaving the facial muscles closer to the surface of our skin. The repeated creasing of the skin from various facial expressions (think: smile lines and crow’s feet) eventually leads to the appearance of wrinkles in certain areas of the face. At the same time, our skin also stretches a little, leading to the appearance of sagging which also makes wrinkles more prominent. Our facial skin is also affected by other factors such as gravity, sun exposure, lifestyle, and genetics.
In cosmetic applications, injection of Botox can be used to prevent development of wrinkles, by immobilizing the facial muscles. Following treatment, results are usually seen within 3–5 days, however it can take up to 2 weeks to see full results. A recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association: Dermatology found that the risks of Botox are even lower than doctors had previously assumed.
Tissue fillers can be used to enhance lips and cheekbones, and to reduce wrinkles in certain places. The procedure involves a soft tissue filler injected into the skin to help fill in facial wrinkles, leading to a smoother skin appearance. Tissue fillers take minutes to inject and the results can last for months or years, depending on the type of filler you choose and on how your body responds.
What You Can Expect
The nice thing about Botox and tissue filler procedures is that they can be done right in our St. Charles office, as an outpatient procedure, so you can easily come in and then get on with your life with little to no recovery time. With Botox, you can receive this simple and effective treatment in just one visit and should begin to see the results in a few days. Following a treatment session, you will be able to enjoy smooth, younger looking skin for up to four months.
Do keep in mind that Botox and tissue fillers are subtle, non-invasive procedures and as such may not be able to reverse excessive wrinkles or sagging of the facial area. For patients who want to see more dramatic results, a face lift cosmetic procedure can make a world of difference.
For questions about which of these convenient and non-invasive treatments is right for you, contact St. Charles Plastic Surgery to set up a consultation today.
