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Injectables 101: Clearing the Confusion about all the Fillers and Injectables Available to the Public.

There are so many Injectables on the market that it is no wonder why the public is confused about which ones to use. Part of the confusion is that there are basically 3 companies producing the same products. So when you hear about all the injectables most people don’t know how they compare to each other. Think of the soda industry in which Coke, Pepsi and Dr. Pepper are all producing a coca cola product, yet they are slightly different enough for the public to have their special favorites. This is what happens in the injectable industry as well. Once you get hooked on the great effects of your injectable you tend to stay loyal to what made you look so good. Below see the table that puts into perspective how they relate to one another and the companies that produce them.   

The Muscle Relaxers

As you see on the chart, the first section is called muscle relaxers: Botox and Dysport are the main leaders in relaxing the muscles of the forehead, 11”s between the brows and the crows feet. These are very effective neuro-toxins that lasts 3-4 months. Xeomin came much later in the game and has not gotten the same popularity as Botox and Dysport. In essence they stop the muscles from squeezing thus reducing the potential of forming wrinkles in the skin. If injected properly, they can offer a non-surgical brow lift effect offering a refreshed and more open eyed appearance.  

Hylauronic Fillers

The next series are all hylauronic fillers. The difference in them is their molecular structure and thickness. The thickness determines where it is best used in the face. The thinnest hylauronic gel fillers are Restylane, Juvederm Ultra and Boletero are  used for fine lines on the face, shallow marionette lines, nasal fold, lip lines, and 11 lines between the brows. Restylane and Juvederm Ultra lasts 6-8 months while Boletero lasts for 3 months.  

Perlane and Juvederm Ultra Plus 

Perlane and Juvederm Ultra Plus are thicker and are used to plump moderately deeper areas, such as lips, lip corners, marionettes, nasal folds and cheeks and lasts 8-12 months. The newest is Juvederm Voluma and is very thick gel that is best used in the upper cheek area to create that apple effect in the mid-face. Because of the thick nature it lasts 2 years.  Voluma has no hylauronic gel filler competitor that lasts as long, but it is very limited on where it can be used.  

Calcium or Boney Filler

Radiesse is a filler, but made from ground up calcium called calcium hydroxy appetite. It looks like elmer’s glue as it is white and thick like tooth paste. As it is made out of boney material, it is often used along the boney structures of the face such as the upper cheeks, dorsal ridge of the nose and along the jaw line. It lasts 8 to 12 months.    

The Collagen Stimulator

Sculptra is in a category of its own as it is NOT a filler.  It is made of poly-l-lactic acid or crystallized dissolvable suture material. Over 20 years ago, researchers identified that this suture material stimulated the formation of collagen during the wound healing phase. They then reformulated it by grinding it into very fine crystals that could be diluted and injected into the face to stimulate the lost collagen during the aging process. There were problems of nodules forming in the early years, because it was not diluted or injected properly. Approximately 5 years ago, it was reformulated, dilution and injection were corrected and today there is very little risk of the nodule problem.  Sculptra is fast becoming the key to truly defying the aging process. Instead of losing collagen over time, Sculptra stimulates the face to grow more collagen maintaining the thickness and elasticity of the skin. The effects are subtle, natural and refreshing and lasts over 2 years once the appropriate number of sessions are completed to get the full effect.  

Complete Facial Rejuvenation Seminar

All of these non-surgical injectables will be discussed in the upcoming Art of Plastic Surgery Seminar given by Dr. Dean Kane and his wife, Lauri on January 25th at the Ritz-Carlton Residences in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. A complete understanding of all the facial surgical and non-surgical rejuvenation options will be covered from 1:30 to 4 with a wine and cheese reception included. The Seminar is FREE, but you must RSVP at Lauri@DrDeanKane.com or call their office 410-602-3322. For those who attend they will receive a complimentary gift and a free consultation. Free valet parking will be available. For a preview of their talk visit www.DrDeanKane.com.   Winter months are the perfect month to concentrate on taking care of your face. It is the ideal time of year to reverse summer sun damage, protect against winter cold and wind and give yourself a real pick me up. You can hide away during the snowy cold days under a nice warm blanket in front of the fire and give yourself time to R and R that is Rejuvenate and Recover.   About Dr. Dean and Lauri Kane Dr. Dean Kane, a board certified plastic surgeon, has been in practice for over 25 years in Baltimore and is dedicated to bringing artistic beauty to his patients. Dr. Kane and his wife, Lauri, work uniquely as a husband and wife team that offers their patients both a woman’s and man’s perspective. Lauri takes the time to truly understand what a woman wants and provides advice and suggestions based on her own personal cosmetic surgical and non-surgical experiences.  You’ll find both Dr. Kane and Lauri provide honest perspectives giving the best care possible for all their patients. Being a dedicated cosmetic surgeon for over 25 years, Dr. Kane is considered an expert in facial aesthetics, covering the entire range of facial procedures from surgical face and neck lifts to the non-surgical liquid facelift.  Visit www.DrDeanKane.com to learn more about these wide range of facial rejuvenation options. Be sure to call their office at 410-602-3322 to schedule your appointment to determine which injectible is right for you.    
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