Simply Beautiful

Cosmetic injections are medications administered under the skin or into the muscles using a small needle to achieve a specific cosmetic effect. They are used mostly for the reduction of wrinkles, for volume replacement, and for facial shaping. They are divided into two major categories: neuromodulators and fillers.

Neuromodulators:

Neuromodulators temporarily relax the muscles responsible for causing wrinkles, giving you a more relaxed and refreshed appearance. The neuromodulator temporarily relaxes or weakens the muscles so they move less. As a result, the skin doesn’t wrinkle; instead, it remains smooth.

The most commonly used neuromodulator is botulinum toxin type A, which is marketed under the names Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin. These are ideal for crow’s feet, horizontal forehead lines, and the “11” lines between the eyebrows.

Dermal Fillers:

Dermal fillers are prescription-grade medications injected into the dermal and subdermal tissues. They consist of hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid, or autologous fat. They absorb water, keeping skin hydrated and plump. The dermal fillers replace lost volume, plump thin lips, enhance shallow facial contours, remove facial creases and folds, reconstruct facial deformities, and can also be used to improve the appearance of scars.

The safety of a procedure is a top concern for potential patients. Even when using an FDA-approved product injected by a trained and experienced medical professional, serious complications such as vascular occlusion can still occur.

Resource: plasticsurgery.org

Choose a Trained Practitioner

The most crucial aspect of a safe treatment is the provider. You should always insist on using a certified medical aesthetics provider for your injectables. These professionals have extensive knowledge of facial anatomy, injection techniques, and the recognition and management of complications. Patients should never have dermal filler injections administered by unqualified providers or at non-medical venues.

Possible Side Effects

The possible side effects of cosmetic injectibles includes redness, swelling, or bruising at the treatment area. An ice pack may help relieve these symptoms. Also, although rare, allergic reactions, infections, and product migration may occur if the product is placed incorrectly (e.g., ptosis from a misplaced neuromodulator injection). A qualified provider will understand how to prevent these complications and how to handle them if they occur. Your provider should review every possible risk with you during the course of your initial consultation.

Resource: fda.gov

The effects of aesthetic injectables are temporary and vary in longevity based on the product, site, and individual.

How Long Do Neuromodulators Last?

Generally speaking, the results of Botox and other neurotoxins will last three to four months. Your muscles will slowly regain activity, and your wrinkles and fine lines will return. You will need retreatment to maintain your results. Most patients report that their results last longer with repeated treatments, as the muscles learn to relax.

How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?

The longevity of dermal fillers can vary from six months to more than two years. The longevity of the dermal filler depends on the material composition, viscosity of the filler, and the area where the filler is injected. Fillers placed in mobile areas, such as the lips, will not last as long as the fillers placed to improve the cheeks. It also depends on metabolic rate; patients with higher metabolic rates may not experience results that are as long-lasting.

The injectable procedure is a simple, quick treatment typically performed in a doctor’s office. Knowing what to expect from beginning to end will make you feel more at ease.

The Initial Consultation

The first step is to come into our medical spa and meet with your aesthetician. We’ll discuss your aesthetic goals and medical history. This allows us to craft an ideal aesthetics plan for you and your budget. This also gives you the opportunity to have all your questions answered by one of our certified, experienced medical aesthetics providers.

During the Injection Process

We first thoroughly and properly clean the treatment area. Your provider may use a topical anesthetic cream or apply a local anesthetic to make you more comfortable. Your medical aesthetician will then administer several tiny injections with a very small needle. The procedure generally only takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of areas being treated.

Follow-Up and Aftercare

Typically, there’s no downtime after this treatment. You should be able to resume your day as usual afterward. However, it’s important to closely follow any patient instructions you may received from your aesthetician. This could include refraining from heavy exercise, heat, and alcohol for at least 24 hours, and avoiding touching or massaging the area to prevent product movement.

Neurotoxins (e.g., Botox, Dysport, Xeomin)

• Per-unit pricing ranges from approximately $12 to $15 in Colorado Springs. The total cost depends on the number of units used—for example, treating crow’s feet or forehead lines typically requires ~20 to 30 units.
• Per-area pricing (e.g., forehead, glabella) ranges from approximately $120 to $300+.

Dermal Fillers (e.g., Juvederm, Restylane, Voluma)

• Per-syringe pricing ranges from approximately $550 to $800+ in Colorado Springs, depending on the product and area treated.
• Per-syringe pricing for lip fillers ranges from approximately $550-$700.
• Premium fillers such as Voluma or Volux may cost approximately $750 per syringe.

Neurotoxins (e.g., Botox, Dysport, Xeomin)

• Per-unit pricing ranges from approximately $12 to $15 in Colorado Springs. The total cost depends on the number of units used—for example, treating crow’s feet or forehead lines typically requires ~20 to 30 units.
• Per-area pricing (e.g., forehead, glabella) ranges from approximately $120 to $300+.

Dermal Fillers (e.g., Juvederm, Restylane, Voluma)

• Per-syringe pricing ranges from approximately $550 to $800+ in Colorado Springs, depending on the product and area treated.
• Per-syringe pricing for lip fillers ranges from approximately $550-$700.
• Premium fillers such as Voluma or Volux may cost approximately $750 per syringe.