Med Spas offer customers a variety of "injectable" anti aging treatments designed to give them a more youthful, rejuvenated appearance by injecting substances into the skin to help smooth out certain trouble spots. Some injectable procedures rely on filler materials to flesh out wrinkles and create a younger look, and others target the muscles that cause wrinkles and other lines to appear in the face.
While some insurance policies might cover a certain portion of the cost of an injectable treatment needed to address a scar or indentation caused by an accidental injury, most injectable treatments will not be covered by insurance. However, because cosmetic injectable procedures continue to rise in popularity, they're now more affordable than ever.
The three most frequently requested injectable treatments are those involving Botox®, Restylane® and colllagen. (Other treatments, including fat fillers and Gortex®, are also available, and a qualified healthcare professional can help clients explore those options).
Botox®
Botox, or botulinum toxin A, was originally introduced in the late 1980s as a treatment for optic muscle disorders. Once the FDA approved its use for cosmetic purposes in 2002, though, it soon became the most popular cosmetic procedure in the U.S. In fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), Botox was used in nearly 4 million procedures in 2005 alone.
Cosmetically, Botox is most often used on individuals from 35 to 60 years old to eliminate crow's feet, frown lines, and furrow lines in the forehead. These wrinkles occur when nerve cells in the muscles release acetylcholine, a chemical that creates wrinkles by contracting the muscles. Botox hampers the release of acetylcholine, essentially freezing the muscle in place and inhibiting the contraction that causes wrinkles.
During a Botox procedure, the physician and the client begin by discussing the goals of the procedure, specifically the wrinkle areas to be addressed. The physician will then pinpoint the injection spots on the client's face with a marking pencil. These injection spots will target the muscles responsible for the wrinkles rather than the wrinkles themselves. After determining the proper Botox dosage, the physician then injects Botox into the chosen spots. The entire procedure typically takes 20 minutes or less.
For the best and safest results, the Botox treatment should be performed in a medical office setting by a board-certified physician. The treatment doesn't require anesthesia, but the doctor can apply a numbing cream to the injection site(s) to reduce any discomfort. The results of a Botox treatment should appear within a week, and they usually last for three to five months. Therefore, longer-lasting results will require an ongoing series of treatments every few months.
Collagen
Collagen is an essential protein complex that humans and animals produce naturally; either human or bovine/mammal-based collagen can be used in cosmetic procedures. Collagen molecules help supply fibers needed to support tissue formation in our skin, bones, cartilage and blood vessels.
Cosmetically, collagen filler is mostly used on 35- to 60-year-old individuals to eliminate crow's feet, laugh and frown lines, scars, thin lips and other skin deficiencies. Pregnant or nursing women, people with allergies to bovine products and/or lidocaine (an anesthetic ingredient of collagen), and people with certain other medical conditions are not candidates for collagen treatment. Individuals should consult with a board-certified physician to determine whether they're appropriate candidates for collagen treatments.
During a collagen procedure, the client will work with his or her doctor to determine the goals of the treatment. The doctor will mark the injection spots on the client's face with a pencil, sometimes choosing multiple injection points for a single area to ensure a smooth result. The doctor then injects collagen filler into the chosen areas to create the client's desired look. The procedure is usually completed within 30 minutes.
Collagen treatment should be performed in a medical office setting by a board-certified physician. Because the collagen contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic, the treatment doesn't usually require anesthesia, although the doctor can apply a numbing cream to the injection site(s) to reduce any discomfort. Treatment results can appear almost immediately, although in some cases swelling can occur. Any such swelling usually recedes within a day or so. Treatment results should be evident within a week and will generally last for two to three months, although sometimes they can last for up to six months. In any case, follow-up treatments will be needed to maintain the results.
Restylane®
Restylane is a clear, liquid gel, biodegradable hyaluronic acid produced naturally by all living organisms. Approved by the FDA for cosmetic purposes in 2003, Restylane has become an increasingly popular treatment for improving facial features.
Cosmetically, Restylane treatment is mostly performed on 35- to 60-year-old individuals to eliminate facial wrinkles, especially around the nose and mouth. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane bonds to the skin, working with and attracting water to the treated area to maintain the volume needed to smooth out wrinkles. Individuals should consult with a board-certified physician to determine whether Restylane treatments are appropriate for them.
During a Restylane procedure, the client and doctor will discuss the goals of the treatment. The doctor will use a marking pencil to identity the injection spots on the client's face and then apply a local anesthetic to the area to reduce the client's discomfort. Once the anesthesia takes effect, the doctor injects collagen filler into the chosen areas to create the client's desired look. The procedure generally takes 30 minutes or less to complete.
Restylane procedures should be performed in a medical office setting by a board-certified physician. The results, which can reduce wrinkles by up to 80 percent, generally appear within a week and can last six months to a year. Follow-up treatments will be required to maintain the new look beyond that time.
