BOTOX® - Denervating Agent:
There is no dispute. Both doctors and more than 3 million patients who underwent BOTOX® injections in 2004 (as reported by Allergan) agree that Botox is effective in treating frown lines and crow's feet. Today, in the hands of an experienced injector, Botox can produce results that allow for some natural movement, yet still produce exactly the desired effect on wrinkles and furrows. Moreover, in the hands of a highly skilled injector, Botox should be a nearly painless procedure. While there is no downtime, results are typically visible in two to three days but may take up to a week to fully develop. Those results usually last three to four months or more. Side effects are rare, including a mild post-injection headache. But if you are like most recipients, you'll experience a blissful break from headaches. In addition, there is a minor risk of experiencing a sometimes reported flu-like condition, which could be related to the
BOTOX®treatment or a result of encountering a virus.
BOTOX® is presently the only FDA-approved neurotoxin for cosmetic use; in the past there was Myobloc, which is no longer marketed in the United States.

RESTYLANE®- Hyaluronic Acid - Dermal Filler:
While denervating agents like Botox prevent lines and wrinkles caused by repeated, localized muscle contractions, soft tissue fillers plump up the skin's structure, restoring its youthful smooth appearance.

Hyaluronic acid plays an integral role in your skin's structure, providing the volume and plumpness associated with young, supple skin. The hyaluronic acid building block fills the space between collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, holding in moisture and maintaining skin's volume.

As you age, levels of natural hyaluronic acid in the skin decrease due to time, sun exposure and other environmental factors. For that reason, the appeal of hyaluronic acid fillers is easy to understand. When injected just under the skin's surface the hyaluronic acid fillers temporarily replenish the skin's volume by replacing deteriorated support layers of the skin.

Ask your doctor about a topical anesthetic to minimize any discomfort associated with the injection itself. Because the body naturally absorbs hyaluronic acid over time, touch-ups are needed to maintain the results. Your improved look will last up to six months or more, depending on the location of the treatment and the amount of filler used.

Collagen
Human derived collagen, under the brand names CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast, is a dermal filler used to fill existing lines and add fullness to soft tissues. These injectables essentially replace and reinforce the structure of the skin, returning it to its plump, youthful appearance. CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast last two to four months depending on the location and quantity of filler used. Results are immediate with little swelling or bruising. The original collagen filler, bovine collagen, launched in the 1980s under the names Zyderm and Zyplast, is also available with similar properties and outcomes to human derived collagen, however it requires a pre-treatment allergy test two or more weeks prior to your injections.