Do you know your Botox from your Cosmoderm? If not, then read on to find out which wrinkle smoother is best for you. Beauty clinics all over the country offer these popular injectable treatments as quick and less invasive options to cosmetic surgery. In some cases you can nip out in your lunch hour, have a few shots to enhance your facial features, and be back at your desk relatively pain-free.

Injectables and skin fillers can be used to increase volume in skin tissue, reduce wrinkles and re-contour the face. To help you make an informed choice here is a list of the most popular injectable treatments available and what they do.

ARTECOLL

This is a skin filler that gives long lasting results due to its special construction. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres suspended in bovine collagen provide skin with an almost permanent support structure. Most other fillers are re-absorbed over time by the body and therefore have to be renewed regularly, but these microspheres are not naturally absorbed.
BEST FOR: ACNE SCARS, NASOLABIAL FOLDS, LIPS, CHEEK AND CHIN CONTOURING.

COLLAGEN

Collagen has been in use since 1976 and is one of the most popular wrinkle fillers. A natural protein found in the body, collagen helps to support skin and give it a plumped up look. Natural collagen depletes with age and can eventually leave the face with a saggy appearance. Injectable collagen is often sourced from cows and some people find they are allergic to it. Doctors should offer a skin test to check for this prior to treatment. Cosmoderm and Cosmoplast are from human collagen and can help avoid allergic reactions. Cosmoderm is perfect for fine lines whilst Cosmoplast is ideal for deep wrinkles.
BEST FOR: WRINKLES, DEFINING LIPS, FINE MOUTH LINES AND SMOKER’S LINES.

BOTOX COSMETIC

This is the brand name for botulinum toxin type-A, a purified protein that has been in use in the medical industry for years and is the world’s best known injectable. Injected in highly diluted doses it causes muscles to relax and when used on the face will help stop the muscular contractions that create lines and wrinkles over time. The effects will last around 3 to 6 months so top up treatments are necessary.

BEST FOR: CROW’S FEET, FOREHEAD LINES, NECK LIFTS, MOUTH CORNERS, UPPER LIP LINES, BROW LIFTS, LIFTING A NOSE TIP, CHEST CREASES, SCAR REDUCTION, EXCESSIVE SWEATING AND TAPERING JAWLINES.

RESTYLANE

This is made from biodegradable hyaluronic acid, a substance that is found naturally in the body. The body breaks it down easily over time and when injected into skin binds to water - it is ideal for creating ‘volume’. There are different forms of Restylane that can be used to treat specific areas of the face.

BEST FOR: FINE LINES, WRINKLES, DEEPER CREASES, CHIN AND CHEEK CONTOURS, LIP SHAPING.

PERLANE

Another hyaluronic acid-based filler that is similar to Restylane but has a thicker gel consistency. It is perfect for reducing the look of deeper wrinkles and lines whilst plumping up facial contours especially lips.

BEST FOR: LIP DEFINITION AND VOLUME, DEEP LINES AND WRINKLES, FACIAL CONTOURING.

JUVEDERM

Some people may find they have an allergic reaction to hyaluronic acid and so this formula, which is made from biosynthesised, non-animal hyaluronic acid, is a preferred option. It is free of the allergens that can cause some reactions in certain people but still provides the same cosmetic enhancement benefits.

BEST FOR: LONG LASTING (UP TO 12 MONTHS) RESULTS FOR FACIAL CONTOURING AND LIP ENHANCEMENT. IDEAL FOR THOSE ALLERGIC TO RESTYLANE.

SCULPTRA

This is the brand name for poly-L-lactic acid, a material that has been used for years in dissolvable stitches. It’s used to add volume to hollow areas such as creases, folds, pitted scars, sunken areas around eye sockets and concaved cheeks. It is not an instant gratification treatment and generally takes around 3 treatments to achieve the best results.

BEST FOR: AGEING HANDS, CHEST WRINKLES, HOLLOW AREAS AND CREASES ON THE FACE.

MICROLIPOINJECTION

This is regarded as one of the safest injectable treatments as it uses the patients own fat. Fat is extracted using a low power form of liposuction from either the buttocks, stomach or thighs. It is then injected into areas of the face that need volume. Although a large amount of the fat is re-absorbed by the body as much as a third of that injected can remain for years.
BEST FOR: VOLUMISING CHEEKS AND CHIN, LARGER FACIAL HOLLOWS.

PRE-INJECTION TIPS FROM WENDY LEWIS, THE WORLD’S LEADING INDEPENDENT BEAUTY CONSULTANT.

Although a few injectables include pain relief and are injected straight in with the substance, there are many without. Doctors can apply numbing agents beforehand, especially when it comes to lip enhancement which is the most painful. Otherwise ice can provide welcome relief!

• ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR A CAINE-BASED PRODUCT SUCH AS BETACAINE, EMLA 5%, LMX4 OR ANESTOP AND APPLY BEFORE INJECTIONS. LEAVE IT LONG ENOUGH TO NUMB THE SKIN. SOME DOCTORS WILL APPLY A NUMBING AGENT USED FOR DENTAL PROCEDURES PRIOR TO LIP ENHANCEMENT.
• AVOID ASPIRIN PRODUCTS, NUROFEN AND IBUPROFEN, BLOOD THINNERS AND VITAMIN E FOR ONE TO TWO WEEKS BEFORE TREATMENT. THIS WILL HELP PREVENT INCREASED BLEEDING AND BRUISING.
• AVOID HAVING A TREATMENT ON AN EMPTY STOMACH AS THIS MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS OR FAINTING.
• USE ICE PACKS BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENTS TO HELP REDUCE PAIN AND SWELLING.
• TAKE A GOOD CONCEALER WITH YOU TO COVER UP ANY BRUISES OR NEEDLE MARKS AFTER TREATMENT.