All About the Mainstream Injectable Aesthetic Treatments | ExpatWoman.com
 

All About the Mainstream Injectable Aesthetic Treatments

The most common types of injectable treatments are BOTOX®/Dysport®, Fillers, PRP… Find out more!

Posted on

14 August 2017

Last updated on 4 June 2018
All About the Mainstream Injectable Aesthetic Treatments

“The Ultimate Goal With Facial Aesthetic Procedures Is not to Change Your Appearance, but to Make You Look As Rested & Naturally Youthful As Possible. I believe there’s a definite swing towards a desire for natural-looking outcomes. None of my patients want to look ‘done’. None of them do. They’re in fact, often pleasantly surprised that their friends and family just think they look better but can’t figure out why! I passionately believe in a natural and minimalistic aesthetic and don’t believe in adding frivolous ‘extras’ – only what will give genuine benefit, with outcomes that are predictable and proven.” says Dr Allen Rezai, Consultant Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgeon and the founder and lead surgeon of Elite Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Group in Dubai Healthcare City.

Injectable treatments have become a very popular alternative to more permanent types of treatment, such as surgical approach. The great benefit of injectable treatments is that they enable you to get naturally youthful looking appearance but without the downtime that comes with surgery. With the right indications and correct treatment selection, remarkable results can be achieved.

The most common types of injectable treatments are BOTOX®/Dysport®, Fillers, PRP… you may have heard of these terms and are possibly aware that they are in fact injectable procedures. But you may not fully understand what the treatments involve and how they actually work. Indeed these brand names and terms, given their growing popularity in anti-ageing treatment, can too many people appear very much alike. However, such an assumption is quite misleading since, aside from the fact that they are all injectables, some of them do in fact belong to different categories of treatment.

The following is a convenient summary of Dr Rezai's explanations and guidance which should clarify the use of these treatments which can produce some incredible transformations when performed by a skilled and experienced practitioner.

Botox / Dysport - Line & Wrinkle Smoothing with Muscle Relaxing Injections

Botox / Dysport

Indications: So called expression-wrinkles on the upper face, those caused when certain muscles contract and result in deep lines, wrinkles and furrows. Botox/Dysport is definitely the preferred treatment for reducing these lines and will give better results than any other procedure available.

Technology: A purified protein injectable treatment that temporarily relaxes the muscles and smoothes out lines and wrinkles

Applications: Forehead lines (worry lines), Glabellar lines (frown lines), Droopy eyebrows, Crow’s feet

Effects: Takes from 4-14 days to reach optimum results.

Lasts: 3-6 months, should only be repeated when muscle regains full function.

Risks: Provided the treatment is carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced practitioner, associated complications are relatively rare. However, you should ask your practitioner to provide you with detailed information about ALL possible risks and complications associated with this treatment.

Notes: Should NOT be repeated more than 2, maximum 3 times per year. Through consultation and assessment is recommended to determine your suitability for this treatment. Muscle relaxing injections should not be used to prevent wrinkles from appearing, it should only be used on expression-lines and wrinkles that are already present.

Advice from Dr Allen Rezai on What you should know about Botox & Dysport Injections

  • Aesthetic use of muscle relaxing injections has only been approved to treat the upper part of the face: areas such as the forehead, horizontal wrinkles, the glabella in between the eyebrows, and the lateral sides of the eye to treat crow’s feet wrinkles. Botox and Dysport used in other areas of the face are considered to be “off-label” use.
  • Botox & Dysport are also proven to be effective in the reduction of Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and for Migraine
  • Units vs. Area - In the US, Botox & Dysport treatments are charged per unit whereas in the UK and Europe, by area, where the frown lines is considered one area, the forehead a second area and crow’s feet a third area. A reduced rate is often given when treating multiple areas.
  • Thoroughly research your Practitioner/Clinic. Word of mouth and recommendations from people you know are usually the most reliable guide.
  • Treatment should be carried out in a medical setting using sterile needles and syringes.
  • Beware of Cheap Botox/Dysport providers. Cheap Botox/Dysport usually comes at a price. It usually means it is counterfeit, diluted, or administered by an inexperienced, non-qualified practitioner.
  • Injectable treatments should only be carried out in a clean, safe and appropriate clinical environment to avoid infection and permanent physical damage. Treatments should be carried out in a clinical facility and NOT in a home setting or, for example, a nail bar or tattoo parlour.
  • A good practitioner will have a thorough initial consultation with you, check your medical history, listen to your concerns, cover all aspects of the procedure, including possible risks and complications, and provide you with a bespoke treatment plan to achieve the best possible outcome. You should always be given enough time to make an informed decision and you should NEVER feel rushed.
  • Typically, patients will come into the clinic and point to a specific line that they don’t like. Good practitioners shouldn’t just look at treating this specific line but will look beyond the line, at how the face looks as a whole, as treating just one individual line might make the face look unnatural or create new lines in nearby areas.
  • Avoid the “Frozen look”. You should not lose the ability to show expression when you are treated by someone who is licensed, trained and a medical expert in facial anatomy.
  • Excessive and frequent use of muscle relaxing injections may cause long term complications such as heavy and drooping upper face, hence it is strongly recommended that you limit your muscle relaxing injection treatments to 2, maximum 3, per year and only if there is the right indication present for the latter.
  • Aim for Natural Results. Treatment should be adapted to the individual patient’s need to achieve a subtle, natural look which softens the lines and wrinkles, producing a more youthful and overall smoother appearance yet still permits normal facial movement.
  • Aftercare is an important aspect of any treatment. You should always ask the practitioner about the aftercare provided, especially if anything were to go wrong.
  • Never feel pressured into undergoing a treatment without fully understanding all the implications.

    Dermal Filler Injections - Restore facial volume, enhance the lips and plump up wrinkles and lines

    Dermal Filler Injections

    Indications:Ageing, sun exposure, smoking, air pollution, gravity, stress and even excessive movements of our facial muscles can all age our appearance. Our skin becomes dry and the face's underlying tissue that once kept our skin looking fresh, youthful and plumped up begin to break down resulting in loss of facial volume and deepening of natural lines and wrinkles

    Technology:Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are a natural skin-hydrating solution aiming to temporarily reverse these effects through direct injection of the filler into the skin with the purpose of plumping that area to the point where the wrinkle, depression or fold is gone.

    Applications: Tear troughs, Cheek structure, Nasolabial folds/laugh lines, Smokers lines/lipstick lines, Lips including cupid’s bow and vermilion border, Marionette lines/mouth frowns, Chin, Pre-jowl area and jawline.

    Effects: Immediate but will improve over 2-4 weeks

    Lasts: Up to 3-18 months

    Risks: Potential risks and complications of Dermal Filler treatment are minimal, provided genuine quality fillers are used and the treatment is carried out by a qualified and experienced practitioner. Allergic reactions to the hyaluronic acid fillers are exceptionally rare since they are free from animal proteins and completely biocompatible with the hyaluronic acid already in the human body.

    Notes: In expert hands, Dermal Fillers work exceptionally well and dramatic improvements can be produced, resulting in an astonishingly smoother and rejuvenated look to what was previously a tired and ageing face. Through consultation and assessment is recommended to determine your suitability for this treatment.

    Advice from Dr Allen Rezai on What you should know about Dermal Filler Treatment

    • A thorough initial consultation is essential. You should fully understand all aspects of the procedure and be given time to discuss your concerns and questions with the practitioner before undergoing treatment.
    • Cheap is not necessarily best. Don’t base your decision on price alone. There are many varieties of Dermal Filler on the market. Make sure that you are aware of the type being offered and the reasons for it.
    • Thoroughly research your Practitioner/Clinic. Word of mouth and recommendations from people you know are usually the most reliable guide.
    • Injectable treatments should only be carried out in a clean, safe and appropriate clinical environment, so as to avoid infection and permanent physical damage. Treatments should be carried out in a clinical facility and NOT in a home setting or, for example, a nail bar or tattoo parlour.
    • Do not get Dermal Filler treatment from sources outside a doctor's office. Know what you are being injected with and ask your doctor if an FDA-approved Dermal Filler is being used and if it was purchased directly from the manufacturer or manufacturer’s representative. If a provider will not give you this information, do not let them carry out the procedure.
    • Dermal Filler Treatment can be REVERSED if you do not like the result! Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers such as all Juvéderm® range fillers, Perlane® and Restylane® can be dissolved using a Hyaluronidase Injection. Opting for hyaluronic acid Dermal Filler provides the opportunity to reverse the procedure if you decide you don’t like the results.
    • Use Sunscreen daily to help preserve the filler and protect against post-inflammatory pigment changes due to the needle sticks from injections.
    • Keep hydrated - before and for a few weeks following the Dermal Filler treatment. If your body is dehydrated, the filler will be resorbed much faster than it otherwise would.

      Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy – Repair, Restore & Rejuvenate

      Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

      Indications: Ageing skin, Sun-damage, Acne scars, Rosacea, Dark circles and Hyperpigmentation, Dull skin, Poor skin tone and texture, Enlarged pores, Fine lines and wrinkles, Hair loss.

      Technology: PRP Therapy also known as “Vampire skin Rejuvenation”, is a natural injectable treatment involving a small amount of blood being drawn from the patient, centrifuged to separate the red blood cells from the Plasma – producing a golden-yellow liquid known as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma). PRP is the concentrated part of the blood that contains the platelets which are fundamental to the body’s ability to stop any bleeding and repair damaged blood vessels and cells. The PRP is then injected into the deep dermis or fat layer of the skin using a very fine needle, similar to that used for injecting Botox. The various proteins and growth factors in the PRP stimulates collagen production, cell renewal and repair, improving skin radiance, tone and texture, promoting an overall skin rejuvenation.

      Applications: Face, Neck, Around eyes, Décolletage, Scalp for hair restoration.

      Effects: Gradual over 3-4 months, an initial course of treatment is recommended.

      Lasts: After desired result is achieved, maintenance sessions are recommended once every 6 to 12 months.

      Risks: There are no risks associated with PRP therapy. Because PRP is harvested from the patient's own blood, there is no chance of experiencing any serious side effects or allergic reaction. In addition, PRP contains a concentrated amount of white blood cells which are the body’s natural defenders against infections. As a result, infection is extremely rare.

      Notes: Smokers are not good candidates for this treatment as their PRP may not contain the necessary growth factors. Through consultation and assessment is recommended to determine your suitability for this treatment.

      PRP Therapy can be had alone or in combination with other non-surgical treatments. The most popular treatment combinations amongst our patients are:

      PRP with Dermal Fillers - The fillers provide an instant fill or volume correction. And the PRP, injected above the filler, immediately kick-starts a skin regeneration process. The use of PRP with fillers not only enhances the skin tone and texture but also prolongs the longevity of the filler - sometimes 3 to 6 months longer than when fillers are used alone.

      PRP with Laser Rejuvenation – This combination is aimed at individuals who have lost their skin's natural elasticity and suffer from poor skin texture and tone. PRP is performed first in order to repair the skin cells which have been damaged due to ageing, sun exposure and other factors. It is applied in the form of sub-dermal injections. Then after 7-10 days the Laser Skin Rejuvenation is performed. Whilst PRP repairs the damaged cells within the deeper layers of skin and also stimulates the building of collagen, Laser Skin Rejuvenation, whilst also stimulating collagen growth, works on different layers of skin closer to the surface. Thus in combination all skin layers are treated, significantly improving the skin's elasticity and texture, resulting in a much fresher and youthful appearance.

      PRP with Radio Frequency (RF) Facial Sculpting – With this combination, similar results to combining Laser Skin Rejuvenation with PRP are obtained. However, the Radio Frequency and Ultrasound treatment also contours the face.

      PRP with Micro-needling – The micro-needling makes tiny “wounds” in the skin which accept the PRP serum and begins the process of collagen creation along with the tissue enhancement from growth factors found in the PRP. It stimulates the body's own natural healing processes and collagen production by delivering the completely natural PRP, directly into the middle layer of the skin (mesoderm), targeting problem areas, through controlled superficial microinjections into the tissues, where cell repair, renewal and growth occurs, resulting in a fresh, firmer, evenly toned and a more radiant and rejuvenated appearance.

      Advice from Dr Allen Rezai on What you should know about PRP Therapy

      • A thorough initial consultation is essential. You should fully understand all aspects of the procedure and be given time to discuss your concerns and questions with the practitioner before undergoing treatment.
      • Thoroughly research your Practitioner/Clinic. Word of mouth and recommendations from people you know are usually the most reliable guide.
      • Cheap is not always best. Don’t base your decision on price alone. Find out how many syringes of PRP are used per treatment. In our practice, typically 17-21 syringes of PRP are used in a session to treat the whole face.
      • Treatments should only be carried out in a clean, safe and appropriate clinical environment, so as to avoid infection and permanent physical damage. Treatments should be carried out in a clinical facility and NOT in a home setting or, for example, a nail bar or tattoo parlour.

        For more information or to book a consultation call +971 4 431 2396.