10 Aug Everything You Need To Know About Cosmetic Injectables

Whether you’re a beauty influencer or a makeup novice, you’ve likely heard of Cosmetic Injectables. These are medical procedures involving injecting parts of your skin with a substance to alter your appearance in some way. Common procedures aim to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on your face, by treating specific facial muscles which cause expression-related wrinkles like neck creases, crows feet, frown lines, and forehead wrinkles. Or a substance that is known as “filler” is used to make things fuller, such as lips or cheeks.

What you may not know is these same treatments can do a lot more than make you look younger. They can sharpen your jawline. They may relieve the masseter muscle responsible for teeth grinding. And botox, which uses a toxin called onabotulinumtoxinA can temporarily prevent a muscle from moving. It’s also been known to help headaches and migraines, muscle spasms of the voice box, excessive sweating, an overactive bladder, and even a lazy eye.

Wanting to maintain a youthful appearance is nothing new. Plastic surgery for the enhancement of facial features can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, predating anesthesia and antiseptics by several millenniums. Yikes. There is also evidence suggesting reconstructive surgeries were taking place in Ancient Rome and India as well. Let’s just move on and never talk about how these ancient Egyptian, Roman, and Indian old-school surgeons were operating with whatever knows what on people’s faces while they were wide awake for the experience.

More recently, the use of chemical agents for facial augmentation can be traced back to the late 1800s shortly after the invention of the syringe. According to Academic, aesthetic surgery began in 1845 by German surgeon Johann Friedrich Dieffenbach. He specialised in plastic surgery like rhinoplasty and maxillofacial surgery and established many modern techniques of reconstructive surgery. In 1881, New York surgeon Edward T. Ely started performing modifications of the nasal appearance purely for cosmetic purposes. Plastic surgery was born.

In the early 19th century the demand for beauty procedures rose following the growth of print publications that advertised fashion, health, and beauty specifically targeted toward women. Breast augmentation procedures and facelifts date back to the late nineteenth century. As a lot of these were trial and error, they’ve come a long way since its not-so-humble beginnings.

Botox, however, wasn’t discovered for beauty purposes until 1987. Vancouver doctors Jean and Alastair Carruthers unintentionally discovered properties in a toxin used by ophthalmologists. At the time Jean was using botox to treat Blepharospasm – involuntary movements of the eyelids. The patient she was working with noticed it was also making the wrinkles disappear on her forehead.

Jean brought the discovery to her husband Alastair who was a dermatologist and the couple spent their time experimenting with their wrinkle-paralyzing discovery and pioneered the use of botox (botulinum toxin) in the late 1980s. The couple’s discovery changed the face of beauty and developed it into a billion-dollar industry. Holy McMoney!

Before Botox was FDA approved in 2002, an article ran in the New York Times in 1997 called “Drought Over, Botox Is Back,” which helped catapult its popularity and the demand was so high it resulted in a national shortage. The fact that it wasn’t FDA approved yet didn’t slow it down, but it was mainly accessible to the wealthy and celebrities at the time. Cosmetic applications for the injectable neurotoxin were functional, but not so subtle. It has been vastly improved since.

Botox was first approved by the FDA for cosmetic use in 2002 for the treatment of glabellar lines (“eleven” lines between the brows) and was marketed as the “frown-line fixer”. This greenlighted Allergan, now a massive global pharmaceutical company, to begin a multi-million-dollar marketing campaign to boost its already healthy Botox sales, which had already reached $310 million by the end of 2001.

The first dermal fillers trace back to the 1800s. Modern fillers created using animal collagens that were deemed to be safe on humans first appeared in the 1970s. Bovine collagen, which is collagen derived from cows, was used till the 2000s. The FDA then approved an alternative filler, created from a gel that naturally occurs in our skin and connective tissues. This is what we use today. Fun fact. In 2015, Kylie Jenner finally admitted to getting fillers in her lips and Google searches for these multiplied by 11300%.

Thankfully, cosmetic procedures have all come a long way from their early beginnings, and “getting work done” is no longer the secret, or taboo that it once was. Many procedures, especially cosmetic injectables, can now be done quickly and safely administered by a trained professional during one’s lunch break. And dermal fillers are now one of the most asked for nonsurgical cosmetic treatments today, which also have little downtime.

If You Are Looking Into Cosmetic Injectables, This Is Everything You Need To Know

There are numerous reasons why someone would consider cosmetic injectables, at various stages of their life. If it’s purely cosmetical, you may be interested in freshening up the face and smoothing out some wrinkles. Some people use it as a preventative measure, so they don’t get wrinkles down the line. And some use it for medical reasons, as we mentioned above.

However, there is a lot of fake news and misinformation about cosmetic injectables, especially on social media. So, let’s break down the facts from fiction and discuss everything you should consider before receiving cosmetic injectables and what result you should expect them to produce. Before considering any sort of cosmetic or medical procedure you should speak to a medical practitioner and research as much as possible.

Cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers are non-surgical enhancements that are injected under the skin to either minimise the appearance of wrinkles or lines, or in the instance of dermal fillers, increase the fullness of your cheeks, lips, chin, and under eye hollows for example. Botox and dermal fillers address different things.

Botox is a purified form of botulinum toxin which is obtained from bacteria to freeze your muscles, temporarily preventing them from moving. It works by essentially blocking the nerve signals where it is injected. When these muscles can no longer move, they are significantly reduced, softened, or completely removed. Though it is deadly in larger amounts, the tiny, regulated amount of Botox given to correct wrinkles has been used safely for decades.

When we age, we lose fullness, or essentially fat primarily around the cheeks, nose, eye area, lips, and mouth. This causes loosening skin and a leaner look, and sometimes a “skeletal” appearance. Dermal fillers contain ingredients that aim to replenish this and bring the fullness back. As the name “filler” suggests, they are injected beneath the skin using a needle to fill the areas. It is always best to discuss with your medical practitioner, cosmetic doctor, surgeon, or nurse to decide what’s best for you.

The Different Types of Cosmetic Injectables

Types of Botox

When we discuss botox, we are mostly referring to Botulinum Toxin Injections, however, there are three different brands of Botulinum Toxin registered for cosmetic medical procedures performed in Australia. Botox “‘Botox’ is more of a brand name, like Birken’s is to handbags or Swarovski is to jewellery. The 3 botox brands that are TGA approved and classified as schedule 4 prescription medicines are Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin®

There aren’t major differences between the brands, they’re all effective in relaxing the muscles of the face and reducing lines. It normally comes down to the doctors’ preference or the slight differences in storage, preparation, and shelf life. Doctors legally are not allowed to mention brand names in these medications in ads, articles, and any type of social media, and they are all referred to as anti-wrinkle injections publicly.

Benefits of Botox

• Can prevent facial wrinkles before they occur by freezing the muscle
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet
• Remove other visible signs of ageing
• Can correct some eye conditions
• Has been used successfully as an incontinence treatment
• Can stop excessive sweating
• Provide relief from headaches and migraines
• Can treat neck spasms
• Treats temporomandibular joint dysfunction
• Can reduce joint pain

It is best to organise a consultation with your trusted medical professional to discuss the condition which you want to look at treating.

Types Of Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are a cosmetic procedure that involves injecting a substance into the skin to restore volume and smooth wrinkles. The therapeutic goods administration (TGA) is Australia’s governing body for Pharmaceuticals, including cosmetic injectables, and of course, Zecca only uses TGA-approved fillers.

Dermal filler injection is a safe, low-risk procedure in the hands of an appropriately qualified and experienced professional. The different dermal fillers sold in Australia are Restylane®, Perlane®, Dermalive®, Juvéderm®, Emervel®, Sub Q®, Esthelis® and Belotero®) hyaluronan (a form of hyaluronic acid) – is suitable for deep lines and acne scars.

Benefits of Dermal Fillers

1. Increases collagen and elastin production
2. Very minimal risks involved
3. Immediate results
4. Help boost your confidence
5. The results are long-lasting. Normally around a year.
6. Subtle effects.
7. No time is needed for recovery
8. Can be used in conjunction with other treatments
9. Can reduce the appearance of scars

Who Can Get Cosmetic Injectables

Considering cosmetic injectables is a personal choice and there are several reasons you could choose to do so. Most people seek out these types of enhancements around the ages of 30-55, but some people start using cosmetic injectables before this to stop them from occurring in the first place. It’s best to discuss this with a trusted medical practitioner.

When we discuss dermal fillers, there is a level of debate on the age at which collagen and elastin production begins to decrease, but it is accepted that this is around 25. From then on, we can expect a steady decline in elastin and collagen which fullers aim to fill. However, many medical professionals will turn away people who are too young for these procedures, or for other reasons they may determine.

With dermal fillers, patients need to be assessed for skin elasticity, thickness, hollowness, bags present, and where their orbital rim is sitting. Many factors could make a person unsuitable to get under-eye filler such as when introduced to salt, alcohol, or sleep on that person makes the area worse.

What You Should Know Before Getting Cosmetic Injectables.

Like any medical treatment, there are risks involved with getting both botox and dermal fillers. You should thoroughly discuss your concerns with your trusted medical professional. There is nothing wrong with getting a second opinion on this either.

What Risks Can Occur With Cosmetic Injectables

• Where the cosmetic injections are injected there may be pain, bruising or swelling.
• Some people can experience cold, headache, or flu-like symptoms.
• Can cause an eyelid to “droop” or “crooked” “cockeyed eyebrows
• Curved or crooked smile
• Drooling out the mouth
• Eye dryness
• Excessive tears

What Risks Can Occur With Dermal Filler

• Skin blisters that resemble acne
• An asymmetrical or uneven result
• Bruising and swelling of the injection site
• Bleeding
• Possible scarring or other damage to the wound
• Infections
• Lumps
• Palpability of the filler under the surface of the skin.

How To Minimise The Risks

It is essential that you choose a qualified, experienced and registered medical professional that you trust. You should research your decision as much as possible. You should read reviews, speak to your peers, and have as many consultations with someone until you are comfortable with them.

Read reviews from the companies you are considering, and they should have their medical qualifications listed on their website. A qualified and professional injector should also be able to assess, diagnose and manage any issues that arise from the treatments they give you.

Unfortunately, harmful and unwanted side effects can occur, even when the injections are administered by a registered health practitioner. The best way to minimise these risks is to only work with a registered practitioner you trust, and discuss any concerns before the procedure.

To minimise risks, cosmetic injections should be given by a registered health practitioner (such as a nurse) under the instruction of a registered medical practitioner. This medical practitioner should have experience in the field and should have personally consulted the patient.

How To Prepare For Your Appointment

With some slight preparation, your appointment should go as smoothly (see what we did there) as possible. Before your appointment here are some ways you can prepare

• Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours before and after your appointment. Drinking alcohol dries out the skin and makes bruises more likely to appear.
• It’s important to avoid Omega 3 vitamins like fish oil or oil as these also thin the blood increasing the risk of bruising.
• You mustn’t take paracetamol, ibuprofen, or aspirin the day before or after your appointment. If you are using aspirin for medical purposes, consult with your doctor before ceasing treatment.
• If you are prone to cold sores and are getting dermal fillers on your lips, taking a prophylactic anti-viral medication such as Famvir can help prevent them from occurring. You can take it before or after your appointment.
• Always eat something before your appointment, especially if you’re not the biggest fan or have needles. Fainting is a possibility if your blood sugar is low, however, this is incredibly rare.
• If you can avoid it, don’t wear makeup on the day of your appointment as it’ll need to be removed by your injector for hygiene and cleanliness purposes. If you need to wear it afterward, be careful putting it back on.

After Your Botox

After your appointment, it’s best to avoid touching your face, lying down, or doing intense exercise for at least 24 hours. You may have some slight bruising or welts where you were injected, and this is normal and nothing to be concerned about. Avoid saunas and be careful washing your face. And understand that the full effects of anti-wrinkles may take two weeks to settle.

After Fillers

Swelling and bruising are likely after your appointment and you may feel numb for up to 1-2 hours after your treatment. Similar to anti-wrinkle injections you should avoid touching your face, applying makeup, or vigorous exercise for up to 48 hours after dermal fillers. Dermal fillers can take up to 4 weeks for full effect. Avoid facials, laser/energy treatments, and skin needling during that time. You will feel the Zecca difference through the most technologically advanced and innovative non-surgical cosmetic technology and treatments available in Australia.

Every technique is fully approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and is administered by university educated, medically trained and fully accredited experts. Zecca gives you a combination of artistry, science and care that delivers the ultimate aesthetic and sensory experience. To make an appointment, get in touch with our friendly team today!