The Best Dermal Fillers and Injectables for Your Skin Concerns

Fillers and injectables have shaken up the world of cosmetic medicine because of their incredible anti-aging benefits. One brief in-office session can give you plumper lips, erase your smile and frown lines, augment your cheekbones, and leave you looking rested and rejuvenated. 

Treatment with these products requires less than an hour, and results in no incisions, stitches, or downtime. When you get your procedure performed by a trained medical professional, the risks and side effects are minor. What are the best ones for your skin concerns? We’ve put together this guide to help you become a more informed patient.

How to Choose Wisely

The world of injectables continues to evolve every year, and now there is a wide array of choices on the market. Selecting the right one – or a combination of products – will depend on several factors, including your degree of aging, the elasticity of your skin, and the goals you have for your appearance. 

Getting cosmetic injectables is a fully customizable experience. Dr. Seth Matarasso can determine which fillers and what precise placement is best for you after evaluating your skin type and talking to you about your concerns. With that in mind, here is an overview of the most in-demand injectables available today.

Botox® and Dysport®

Even if you’ve never researched injectable products, you’ve likely heard of Botox through a TV commercial or a friend who has gotten it. Botox and its cousin, Dysport, are neuromodulators made from a highly purified version of the botulinum protein. These two products work to create a temporary paralysis in the muscles around your eyes and eyebrow region. They cause wrinkles like forehead furrows, crow’s feet, and the “eleven” lines that form between the eyebrows to smooth out, and they also prevent new wrinkles from appearing.

The effects of this pair of neuromodulators last three to four months, which means you will need to return for touch-up treatments a few times per year if you want to maintain your results. You can choose to use Botox or Dysport as stand-alone treatments, or in conjunction with dermal fillers for a full-face anti-aging effect.

Juvéderm®

Juvéderm is a line of hyaluronic acid-based products designed for use in different areas of the face. For instance, Juvéderm VolumaTM XC can help add volume back to the mid-face area. It can also minimize moderate to deep “marionette” and “parentheses” lines around your mouth.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar that is abundant in youthful skin. It’s a humectant, which means it attracts moisture. And, when you get it injected, it creates a plumping and volumizing effect. Because hyaluronic acid is biocompatible, there’s no need to worry about an allergic reaction, even if you have sensitive skin. Though your body will gradually re-absorb the hyaluronic acid, the results of the Juvéderm family of fillers typically last between six and 18 months.

Restylane®

As with Juvéderm, there’s a collection of Restylane products developed to treat varying trouble spots. The original Restylane erases wrinkles and fine lines, and can give thin lips a perfect pout. A thicker formulation called Restylane Lyft (formerly marketed as Perlane-L) can correct volume loss in the cheeks, as well as deep-set wrinkles around the mouth. It’s also received FDA approval to add fullness to the backs of the hands, which often become bony with age. 

The Restylane line is another option if you are interested in the biocompatibility of hyaluronic acid to provide a smoothing and plumping effect. Injections with Restylane may also jump-start your body’s natural collagen production, which means you could need fewer maintenance treatments over time. 

Ask Us About Fillers and Injectables

Fillers and injectables are ideal treatments for anyone who wants to refresh their appearance and look several years younger, but who is not ready or willing to commit to a more invasive surgical procedure such as a facelift or brow lift. These minimally invasive options are virtually painless, and you can get them done on your lunch break and return to work immediately if you prefer. 

As a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and professor of dermatology, Dr. Matarasso is a leading provider of injectable neuromodulators and dermal fillers in the greater San Francisco area. Under his expert care, you will receive results you’ll love, with no need to worry about disrupting your schedule to plan around a lengthy recovery time. If you’re ready to learn more, contact our office to book your private consultation. Our team is waiting to hear from you!