By Michelle Vongphakdy on March 6, 2012 in
There is no proverbial fountain of youth -- or at least it hasn't been discovered. Thankfully we have our makeup, creams and potions to help us look like we've found it. (See our reports on eye cream and wrinkle cream for recommended products.) The question presents itself: Where should we turn when these over-the-counter remedies no longer create the youthful appearance we desire?
Luckily there are a lot of choices so the real challenge isn't ridding the signs of aging, but deciding which options is right for you. This guide, along with in-depth counseling from your physician, will help you navigate through injectables like Botox, dermal fillers and laser resurfacing.
The most popular and well-known injectable is Botox. Botox -- the product name of botulinum toxin type A -- works by freezing the muscle at the injection site so that skin appears smoother and muscles remain relaxed. On the other hand, dermal fillers use synthetic or natural materials to plump up hollowed areas of the skin and to minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Synthetic fillers are generally permanent while natural fillers are not. There are two main types of lasers used for laser resurfacing, also known as laser peels: ablative and nonablative. Ablative lasers remove surface layers of the skin in order to generate new, undamaged skin. Nonablative lasers penetrate deeper layers of the skin to promote the production of collagen, which repairs and rejuvenates skin. The latter generally requires less down time but results are less dramatic and take longer to appear.
It's important to note that results vary depending on the degree of skin damage and the skill of the practitioner. You should interview several doctors before proceeding and choose one with vast experience in treating aged skin. It's also imperative to disclose to your doctor all preexisting medical conditions as well as any medications or supplements you are taking. For a side-by-side comparison of available treatments, see our chart below.
| Injectables | Laser resurfacing | Dermal fillers |
Well-known brands | Botox | CO2 laser; Erbium YAG; Nd:YAG | Restylane; Juvederm; Radiesse; Alloderm; Reviderm; Sculptra and many more |
Common uses | Brow lines; forehead furrows; crow's feet | Wrinkles, loose skin, scars, broken capillaries, dark spots | Nasolabial folds; lips; added fullness around the mouth, cheeks etc.; deep wrinkles; hollowed areas such as under the eyes; frown lines; crow's feet |
Best candidates | Those showing early signs of aging | Light skinned non-smokers | Those looking for significant results that don't want to undergo cosmetic surgery |
Permanent? | No | Semi-permanent; wrinkles are likely to reappear as you continue to age | Some synthetic fillers are semi-permanent to permanent; natural fillers are not |
How long do results last? | 3 -6 months | Several years but varies from patient to patient | Varies depending on filler. Generally 6 months to 2 years |
# of treatments needed | Multiple injections per treatment (one time) | Varies | Natural fillers may require two or three treatments to adjust for absorption |
Recovery time | None for most but some may experience bruising/swelling for a few hours | 7-10 days of resting indoors; up to 2 months for redness and peeling to subside | None, although some bruising may be apparent for a few days |
Side effects | Localized pain, tenderness or numbness. Some may also experience headaches, nausea, inflammation/swelling, redness/bruising and/or temporary drooping eyelids | Temporary swelling, crusting and weeping of the skin, localized pain and discomfort; less common risks include scarring, hyper- and hypopigmentation | Swelling; bruising; risk of lumping and migration (more so with synthetic fillers); risk of permanent disfigurement when used incorrectly |
Estimated costs | $375 - $500 per area treated | $800 to $8000 depending on size and depth of area treated and number of treatments required | Varies from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on number and area of injection sites as well as the type of filler used |
Not recommended for: | Pregnant or nursing women; anyone with preexisting neuromuscular disorder; anyone with an active infection at the injection site | Dark-skinned people; anyone with active skin infections including acne; anyone who has taken Accutane within the last 18 months; those who are especially susceptible to scarring | People with severe allergies |
Other similar options: | Myobloc; REX | Light-based non-laser treatments including IPL and LED technology | N/A |
Other notable facts | Effects can be cumulative and preventative if begun before expression lines begin to appear. Some people can develop a tolerance to the toxin, rendering it ineffective | Anesthesia is given either topically or locally depending on the depth of the peel. Results may not be noticeable for a few months | Some natural fillers (such as Juvederm and Restylane) may help stimulate collagen production thereby reducing the number of future refills needed |
See Our Recommendations
