If you’re looking for a way to enhance your appearance without surgery, you may be interested in learning about injectables and threads. This article will explore what these treatments can do and how they work.
Injectable Fillers
Injectable fillers are a popular cosmetic treatment that can be used to address a variety of concerns. They can provide a significant boost to your appearance. A doctor who runs a dermal fillers service can use these to:
- Fill in wrinkles
- Plump up thin lips
- Enhance contours
- Soften facial creases and scars
- Smoothen hands
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are the most well-known. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the human body. This means that there is minimal risk for an allergic reaction.
There are various HA fillers manufactured by two brands. Here are the HA fillers of Restylane:
- Restylane is used to fill in hollows under the eyes.
- Restylane Defyne is used to enhance the jawline.
- Restylane Refyne is used to fill in and soften marionette lines, nasolabial folds, and laugh lines.
- Restylane Lyft is used to lift the cheekbones.
- Restylane Contour is also used to fill in and lift the cheekbones.
- Restylane Silk is used to fill in wrinkles around the lips.
- Restylane Kysseis used to plump up the lips.
Here are the HA fillers of Juvéderm:
- Juvéderm Voluma XC is used to fill and define the cheekbones, jawline, and chin
- Juvéderm Ultra XC is also used for the cheekbones, jawline, and chin plus the nasolabial folds and lips
- Juvéderm Volbella XC is used for more natural-looking lip plumping.
- Juvéderm Vollure XC is used to fill in nasolabial folds and the jawline.
- Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC is used for deeper nasolabial folds.
Other available HA fillers are:
- Belotero Balance from Merz Aesthetics is used to fill in nasolabial folds.
- Revanesse Versa is used to fill in moderate to severe nasolabial folds.
- Resilient Hyaluronic Acid (RHA) fills in wrinkles and folds more naturally.
The results of injectable HA fillers are temporary, usually from six months to a year. The longevity varies across products, though. For instance, Juvéderm Vollure XC can last up to 18 months while Juvéderm Voluma XC can last up to two years. It also depends on individual metabolism.
There are other types of fillers, apart from those made from HA. Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is also a substance found in the body. It is thicker than HA and can last up to a year. It is available as Radiesse from Merz Aesthetics. This is used to fill in nasolabial folds and the jawline.
There are fillers that are completely synthetic but biodegradable. Poly-L-lactic acid filler is available as Sculptra by Galderma. It lasts up to two years and is used to fill in nasolabial folds, smile lines, hollow cheeks, and hollow temples.
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is also a biodegradable synthetic filler available as Bellafill from Suneva Medical Inc. It can last an impressive five years. It is used to fill in nasolabial folds, smile lines, and deep acne scars.
If you are considering injectable fillers, it is important to consult with a qualified physician to ensure that you are a good candidate for the treatment.
Thread Lifts
A thread lift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses temporary sutures to lift and tighten the skin on the face and neck. Sutures that have tiny barbs or cones are inserted under the skin. The barbs grip the skin so that when the suture is pulled, the skin is stretched.
Thread lifts are used to lift the brow and forehead, also lifting the eye and drooping eyelids. It can be used to create a cat’s eye effect. On the cheeks, it can make the cheekbones look lifted, and stretch out nasolabial lines. Sagging jowls can also be lifted.
The threads are made of either polydioxanone (PDO), poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), and polyglycolic acid (PGA). While they are in the skin, they stimulate the growth of collagen. When they dissolve completely in four to six months, the new collagen can retain the lift for up to 15 months. For some, the effect can last for more than two years.
Instant Beauty
Both injectable fillers and thread lifts have minimal downtime. Thread lifts have more downtime than injectable fillers because there can be bruising and swelling for a few days. Injectable fillers have little to no downtime. Both procedures are considered safe when done by a qualified physician.
The results of both are immediate, though the full effect may not be seen for a few days or weeks. Injectables and threads can help you achieve a more youthful appearance.
Some women in their twenties who do not need to look younger also use them to enhance their features — give them higher cheekbones, a tauter jawline, fuller lips, or sultry cat’s eyes.
The choice of injectable filler or thread lift depends on individual goals and concerns. A qualified physician will be able to assess your needs and recommend the best treatment for you.
