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It is an unfortunate truth:  we cannot REALLY skip our birthdays. To your friends and family, you may be celebrating your tenth “29^th” birthday, but your body, especially your skin, knows your real age. The aging process can be harsh, etching wrinkles across your face, leaving you feeling more than a little irritated at your genetics and mother-nature. So what can you do?
There is a solution. It is simple. It is easy. It is available for you today! While you are not going to find it in the arsenal of moisturizers, night creams and plumping serums lining your bathroom counter, we have a compiled a list of dermal fillers that will erase those annoying laugh lines and crow’s feet that stare back at you in the mirror every morning.
Turn Back the Hands of Time
Juvederm – Not only does Juvederm smooth out your fine lines and wrinkles, it also adds volume and hydration to give your skin an all over restoration. Made of hyaluronic acid, Juvederm is applied directly under the skin, plumping up your face in areas such as the nasolabial folds (also called “parentheses lines” or “smile lines”) and the lips.
Restylane & Perlane –  When you are battling a more moderate to severe case of wrinkles and folds, you will need a stronger weapon. This is where the Restylane family comes into play. Restylane and Perlane are also hyaluronic acids and produce similar results as Juverderm, but it is the average particle size and the placement of the injection that creates the difference in these wrinkle fillers when compared to Juvederm. For the very stubborn wrinkles and folds, Perlane will be used and injected deeper into the skin to help fill in more predominate creases.
Sculptra – Collagen is a natural substance found in the skin and Sculptra’s job is to stimulate your body’s production of collagen to fill in grooves that have formed in the skin. Sculptra is a synthetic serum made up of Poly-L-lactic acid that gradually increases volume over a period of time. It is highly recommended that Sculptra not be used around the eye area.
Radiesse – Radiesse is also a collagen stimulator used for complete facial contouring. Unlike Sculptra, Radiesse offers immediate results. Your wrinkles can vanish with just one treatment, and the smooth, youthful look you receive can last for up to a year! In addition to the normal areas around the lips and nose, Radiesse can also be used to restore volume to the jowls, chin and the back of the hands.
Belotero Balance – Another option for deep, persistent wrinkles, Belotero Balance can tackle problem areas such as vertical lines above and below the lips, corner lines, smile lines and chin wrinkles. It is a prescription injection that has little downtime, feels natural, and preserves flexible movements and effortless facial expressions.
Botox Cosmetic
Botox Cosmetic is also used to treat wrinkles but is not a dermal filler. You will need a prescription for the serum and Botox Cosmetics should not be confused with other formulas of Botox that are used to treat medical issues such as migraine headaches. Botox Cosmetics, a formulation in the Botox family, contains tiny amounts of a highly purified botulinum toxin protein that is used to relax muscles in the face, which in turn, produces smooth, younger-looking skin. The serum also keeps the muscles from contracting when you squint or frown, creating a temporary reduction of wrinkles in the treated areas. The effects can last for 3 to 4 months, and when you notice the effects beginning to wear off, you can repeat the injections. Botox Cosmetics is most commonly used to treat lines between the eyebrows, forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet. It can also be combined with the wrinkle fillers listed above for complete facial rejuvenation or in combination with a face lift to maintain lasting results.
You will want your results to look and feel natural, so finding a provider with the necessary skills and experience is crucial. Before getting Botox Cosmetic injections or dermal fillers, you will want to have a consultation with your provider to make sure that you are comfortable with them and they have experience in performing these procedures. Discuss the risks and get a realistic idea of what you can expect during the recovery period. It is also important to have reasonable expectations about your results and your surgeon can help. Botox and dermal fillers are quick, nearly painless and will take years off of your face. You can once again claim that “29^th” birthday and no one will know the difference!