Aging can create many undesirable changes to the body, including the development of facial wrinkles, skin and muscle laxity, and the appearance of worn, aged skin. While many middle-aged and older patients choose to undergo facelift surgery to address their age-related cosmetic concerns, sometimes the best approach is in nonsurgical, minimally invasive facial contouring options.

Dermal fillers and other injectable treatments can create anti-aging results similar to those of a facelift without undergoing an invasive procedure that requires downtime. At Cole Aesthetic Center, Dr. Eric A. Cole and his expert staff offer comprehensive facial contouring options using injectable treatments, in addition to cosmetic surgery options. If you have ever been interested in eliminating deep facial wrinkles, reducing the appearance of a double chin or creating fuller lips, then schedule a consultation with us to learn more about injectable treatments.

How Do Dermal Fillers & Injectables Work?

Dermal fillers and injectables are comprised of a wide variety of products with different formulations and effects. Most products can be broken down into two categories: fillers and neuromodulators. Dermal fillers include popular brands like Radiesse, Restylane and Sculptra. The neuromodulator brands offered at Cole Aesthetic Center include Botox and Dysport. Kybella is an additional injectable treatment that falls into its own category as the first FDA-approved injectable fat loss product.

Dermal fillers work by resupplying the skin with hydration, often using synthetic hyaluronic acid. Some products use poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) or calcium hydroxyapatite to create anti-aging effects and induce increased collagen production. Hydration is a key factor in determining the appearance and overall age of skin. Dermal fillers provide instant and direct hydration to the skin, filling in wrinkles, folds and fine lines in the face. The increased collagen production that some fillers stimulate will naturally and gradually increase the strength and resiliency of underlying supportive tissue, producing skin that appears younger and feels smoother.

Injectable neuromodulators such as Botox and Dysport focus on preventing wrinkles from forming in the first place by safely and temporarily immobilizing small facial muscles. Neuromodulators are comprised of botulinum toxin type A, a substance that blocks the signals sent by the brain to move muscles. When used in small and controlled amounts, this toxin can prove beneficial in halting the movement of muscles that create wrinkles and deep skin folds over time. Botox and Dysport are both FDA-approved for use in the face and will not create a negative change in facial expression when injected by a board-certified medical professional like Dr. Cole.

Kybella is the only FDA-approved injectable treatment of its kind that can directly kill fat cells using its unique properties. Kybella is only intended to target fat located in the submental region under the chin and has been shown to eliminate the appearance of a “double chin.” Kybella is made using synthetic deoxycholic acid, which breaks down the outer membranes of fat cells but leaves all surrounding tissues unharmed. The treated fat cells lose their ability to store fat and are harmlessly flushed away by the body to create a tighter and smoother jawline.

What Brands of Dermal Fillers & Injectables Do You Offer?

At Cole Aesthetic Center, we carry a wide variety of injectable treatment products in order to provide our patients with accurate and effective treatment across a breadth of concerns. We offer Radiesse, Restylane, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Defyne, Restylane Lyft, Sculptra, Botox, Dysport, and Kybella, all of which are FDA-approved and administered to our patients by qualified professionals.

Together, Radiesse, Restylane, Restylane Defyne, Restylane Refyne, Restylane Lyft and Sculptra can target a large list of common cosmetic concerns, including:

  • Nasolabial folds around the nose and mouth
  • Marionette lines at the corners of the mouth
  • Smoker’s lines around the lips
  • Thin lips that lack volume
  • Hollowed cheeks from aging or fat loss
  • Lack of fullness in the midface
  • Chin wrinkles and fine lines

Botox and Dysport are both FDA-approved to treat glabellar lines, the wrinkles that form between the eyebrows. These wrinkles are also commonly referred to as “11s” and can contribute to an unwanted angry or upset appearance. Botox is also FDA-approved for treating crow’s feet around the corners of the eyes. Botox and Dysport may also be used off-label by an experienced and qualified injector to target other cosmetic concerns.

Kybella is only FDA-approved for treating submental fullness beneath the chin. With a series of Kybella treatments, patients can expect to develop a sleeker and more aesthetically-pleasing facial profile.

During an injectable treatment consultation, Dr. Cole will discuss each brand of filler or neuromodulator with you, helping you understand the subtle or vast differences between each product. Occasionally, the choice of which brand to use may come down to personal preference, and Dr. Cole will always offer a professional recommendation to help patients experience complete satisfaction. Some patients may even benefit from the use of multiple types of injectable fillers or neuromodulators to receive optimal results.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Injectable Treatments?

Good candidates for injectable treatments include healthy adult patients of most ages who are interested in targeting signs of aging in the face using minimally invasive, nonsurgical methods. Patients who are interested in facelift surgery but who are not good candidates for the procedure or would like to wait until later in life to undergo a facelift make great candidates for injectable fillers and neuromodulators. Patients who have already received cosmetic surgery to treat facial wrinkles can also benefit from injectable treatments to maintain their younger and rejuvenated appearance.

Ideal candidates need to have realistic expectations about the results they will see from their treatment. Dr. Cole evaluates each of his patients during an in-person consultation to determine if they are good candidates for injectables. He will also discuss each type of product, the side effects, and expected downtime in detail to help patients make an informed decision in their process of eliminating signs of aging.

What Is an Injectable Treatment Appointment Like?

Most injectable treatment appointments are quick, lasting just 15 to 30 minutes. Some patients may experience longer appointment times if they opt to undergo a comprehensive treatment that utilizes multiple products to target a range of concerns throughout the face. Some injectable products are directly formulated with lidocaine, a local anesthetic, making their injection painless and relatively comfortable. In other cases, Dr. Cole may opt to use lidocaine, a topical anesthetic or ice packs to help patients experience as comfortable of an appointment as possible.

What Is the Recovery for Injectable Treatments?

Following any type of injectable treatment, patients are free to leave our offices and resume most normal activities. Some products, like Kybella and Sculptra, may create immediately visible side effects like swelling or bruising. Other products, like Botox and Restylane, produce minimal side effects. While patients will be healthy enough and may feel able to resume work or other responsibilities immediately following treatment, some patients may wish to wait 24 to 48 hours for visible side effects to diminish. After receiving Botox or Dysport injections, patients should avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours.

Side effects vary depending on which product was used and the locations of the injections but can include swelling, bruising, numbness, itchiness, lumps, redness, and tenderness. All side effects are temporary and will improve within one to two weeks, if not much sooner. Patients can use ice packs and other methods to alleviate any pain and help reduce swelling to experience quicker results and more comfortable recovery.

How soon the results develop will depend on which type of treatment the patient received. Some products, like Botox and Dysport, will develop results in less than one week. Other products, like Sculptra, will create quickly noticeable results that continue to improve over several months due to increased collagen production. Results following Kybella will increase with each treatment, with most patients requiring an average of two to six sessions spaced about one month apart for full results.

Results from most dermal fillers will last between one to two years, and patients should plan on scheduling annual maintenance appointments to continue enjoying their improved appearance well into the future. Injectable neuromodulators will need to be used more frequently for sustained results, with most patients scheduling maintenance appointments every three to four months. The results following Kybella treatments do not require maintenance of any kind as the fat cells are gone for good, although patients should maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid developing new fat in the submental region.

Cole Aesthetic Center

Dermal fillers and injectables constitute a variety of treatment options that allow patients to turn back the clock on their appearance. Whether you are interested in dermal fillers to fill in facial folds and creases, neuromodulators to prevent wrinkles or Kybella from eliminating your double chin, we offer it all at Cole Aesthetic Center.

To learn more about the diverse injectable treatment options we offer, call/text us today at (360) 776-6888 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Cole.