In this post, we will go over what each injectable brand does for you and what areas they are used for!
#1 Botox
Botox injections are noted primarily for the ability to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles. They're also used to treat conditions such as neck spasms (cervical dystonia), excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), an overactive bladder, and lazy eye. Botox injections may also help prevent chronic migraines.
How It Works:
Botox injections block certain chemical signals from nerves, mostly signals that cause muscles to contract. The most common use of these injections is to temporarily relax the facial muscles that cause wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes.
How Long It Lasts:
In general, Botox lasts 3-4 months. There will certainly be patients in which it lasts longer, in that 4-6 month range, or shorter, in that 2-month range. It is also common for first-timers to notice that it may not last as long initially but may last longer after the second treatment.
#2 Xeomin
Xeomin is a medically derived subunit of botulinum toxin type a called incobotulinum toxin a.
How It Works:
Xeomin works by weakening the muscles of facial expression that insert onto the surface of the skin. Weakening the pull of these muscles on the skin causes the visible wrinkles to flatten out.
How Long It Lasts:
Compared to other beauty treatments, creams, and at-home anti-aging treatments, this injectable surpasses them all when it comes to providing a long-lasting solution to dynamic wrinkles. Results will last as long as four months, but you are in control of your maintenance appointments.
#3 Restylane
Restylane Lyft, a much thicker gel, is used to correct severe wrinkles and folds like the nasolabial folds, as well as volume loss in the cheeks. It's also FDA approved to add fullness to the backs of the hands.
Restylane Silk is designed especially to enhance the lips, as it is made with smaller particles than the other products.
How It Works:
This is another line of products that rely on the immediate smoothing ability of hyaluronic acid. Injections may also stimulate natural collagen production, so fewer touch-ups may be needed and less material necessary when they are.
How Long It Lasts:
Clinical studies found that with "full treatment," which includes one repeat injection, results with Restylane can last up to 18 months. Results in the cheeks last up to a year and up to six months in wrinkles and folds with Restylane Lyft. Results in the lips last up to six months with Restylane Silk.
#4 Juvéderm Ultra XC
Juvéderm plumps up the lips, as does Juvéderm Volbella XC, which also is used to soften vertical lip lines. Though not totally painless, most HA fillers are infused with the anesthetic lidocaine to minimize discomfort during and after treatment.
How It Works:
The main ingredient in Juvéderm is hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring sugar found in the body that gives the skin moisture, volume, and elasticity. As HA gets depleted with age, skin loses volume and wrinkles are more likely to appear.
When injected, HA acts like a sponge to attract water into the skin. As a result, it plumps up the area in which it was injected. In addition to producing instant smoothing results, research from 2007 shows that HA injections boost the skin's own production of collagen.
How Long It Lasts:
The effects of Juvéderm can last from six months to 18 months before the body gradually absorbs the material.
If you're wondering what happens if you don't love your result, fear not: Fillers that contain HA can be partially or completely removed with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down HA.
#5 Juvéderm Voluma XC
Juvéderm Voluma XC is used to add back youthful contours to the cheeks, which naturally flatten over time. It also smoothes moderate-to-deep "parentheses" lines around your nose and mouth (aka the nasolabial folds) and the lines that run from the corners of your mouth toward the chin (the marionette lines).
How It Works:
The main ingredient in Juvéderm is hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring sugar found in the body that gives the skin moisture, volume, and elasticity. As HA gets depleted with age, skin loses volume and wrinkles are more likely to appear.
When injected, HA acts like a sponge to attract water into the skin. As a result, it plumps up the area in which it was injected. In addition to producing instant smoothing results, research from 2007 shows that HA injections boost the skin's own production of collagen.
How Long It Lasts:
The effects of Juvéderm can last from six months to 18 months before the body gradually absorbs the material.
If you're wondering what happens if you don't love your result, fear not: Fillers that contain HA can be partially or completely removed with hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down HA.
#6 Radiesse
Radiesse is used to treat moderate-to-severe facial creases, such as the nasolabial folds. It also can be used to plump up cheeks and other facial contours. It's not used on the lips.
How It Works:
Radiesse contains microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite, a type of mineral that's found in human teeth and bones. When used in a filler, the calcium particles are tiny and suspended in a thick gel-like solution.
While Radiesse immediately replenishes lost volume, over time the gel is absorbed and the body metabolizes the calcium, leaving behind your own collagen.
How Long It Lasts:
Results with Radiesse last a year or more. However, because calcium hydroxylapatite stimulates natural collagen production, fewer touch-ups (and less material) may be necessary to maintain the result.
#7 Kybella
Kybella is used in adults to improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat below the chin (submental fat), also called “double chin.”
How It Works:
Kybella is identical to something your body makes called deoxycholic acid, which helps to absorb fats, the FDA says. It works by destroying fat cells.
How Long It Lasts:
Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring molecule that helps breakdown and absorbs dietary fat. What does this mean? Well, once fat cells are broken down and destroyed they can no longer regenerate or reaccumulate. This means once you have reached your desired look, no further Kybella treatment or procedures are necessary!