Injectables (plastic surgery)

What are injectables?

Botulinum toxin is a muscle relaxant used to temporarily relax the facial muscles. Fillers are made of hyaluronic acid (or other materials) and are injected into the skin to restore volume and improve skin firmness.

What kind of injectables are there? 

Muscle relaxants are mostly used to reduce dynamic wrinkles, such as frown lines, crow's feet and forehead wrinkles. These are caused by repeated muscle movements in the face. Muscle relaxants reduce muscle activity, preventing the muscles from contracting and forming wrinkles.

Fillers are used to treat static wrinkles such as the folds running from the nose to the corners of the mouth, the lines from the corners of the mouth to the chin and lip lines. Fillers are also used to enhance facial contours, such as enlarging the lips or defining the cheekbones.

Skin boosters are used to improve the quality of the skin. They hydrate the skin from within and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. This makes the skin smoother, fresher and more elastic. Skin boosters are particularly suitable for dull, dry or slack skin and give a natural result without changing volume or facial contours.

How does it work?

Injectables are administered into the skin with a fine needle. Muscle relaxants work by preventing the muscles from contracting and forming wrinkles. Fillers work by adding volume to the skin and underlying tissues, making the skin smoother and reducing the visibility of wrinkles.

Result

The effect of muscle relaxants usually becomes visible after three to five days, with the maximum effect after about two weeks. The results last for about three months. Fillers generally provide immediate results, lasting up to twelve months or longer, depending on the type used. Skin boosters provide a gradual result. The effect usually lasts for six to nine months.