Minimally-Invasive Options to Freshen Up the New Year

If you’re looking for a way to freshen up your appearance in the new year, minimally-invasive options might be the solution! Injectables like Botox and fillers are some of the most popular treatments around, and their popularity has been steadily rising for over a decade. Each one does something different while sharing one thing in common – they’re all minimally-invasive procedures, which means less downtime and a quicker recovery!

Botox is a natural and purified protein that can be used to temporarily weaken and relax the facial lines, minimizing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. This gives the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. Areas that respond well to Botox include glabellar lines (the ‘elevens’ between your eyebrows), forehead lines, and crow’s feet. It can also be used in other areas as well on the neck and face, and is even used to treat migraines and other medical conditions.

Another type of injectables are fillers, like Juvederm, Vollure and Volbella. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin. Fillers sit under the skin to provide volume and fullness.  They can be used to treat various signs of aging, such as plumping thinning lips, filling in shallow areas on the face, decreasing wrinkles under the eyes, and more. There are also different types of fillers – some act as a structural support to help lift the skin, and some lift and smooth folds and wrinkles by adding a subtle amount of volume. Fillers can be used to treat multiple areas of the face, ears, and neck, and many last for up to two years.

Kybella is the third type of injectable offered at our practice. This product is used to help reduce the appearance of a double chin. It is primarily used under the chin, but can also be used to treat facial fat in the jowls and higher, and can even be used for other areas of unwanted fat such as bra fat, anterior armpit fat, dorsal hump, and for postoperative touch-ups (rarely needed).  With Kybella, once results are achieved, re-treatment is not expected to be required. In this way, it differs from Botox and fillers.

These procedures can treat slightly different problems and are usually used in different areas of the face, so it’s always best to discuss your goals and options with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Poulter has over 20 years of injectable experience and holds the Master Injector designation from Allergan.  Schedule a consultation to discuss what’s best for you!