Whether you call them fillers, cosmetic injectables, dermal fillers, or anti-wrinkle injections, you probably know at least a few people (and plenty of celebrities) that swear by them. They can help you look like the very best version of yourself, unlocking the world’s best-kept beauty secret: confidence. But if you’re new to the world of injectables, you might have a little bit of uncertainty and a lot of questions.
So, we’ve created a guide that breaks down the basics, answering a variety of filler FAQs and covering everything you’ve ever wanted to know about these hot-topic treatments.
What to Know Before Getting Fillers
Plump your lips, fade fine lines, slow down aging, slim your chin, highlight your favorite facial features – with the right dermal filler, you can do just about anything. But before you can start checking things off your beauty bucket list, you’re going to need a crash course in cosmetic fillers.
What are injectables?
As the name suggests, cosmetic injectables are injectable substances that can be used for a wide variety of cosmetic purposes. There are many different types of cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers, each one serving a specific purpose. They offer an alternative option to going under the knife, giving you a way to improve your appearance without an invasive cosmetic procedure.
Generally, you can separate injectable products into one of two categories:
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- Neuromodulators (like Botox and Dysport): Injectable neurotoxins (such as the botulinum toxin in Botox) can be used in very small amounts to relax certain facial muscles temporarily. As a result, the movements (made by these muscles) that cause fine lines and wrinkles will be reduced, smoothing out facial wrinkles in the targeted area as a whole.
- Cosmetic fillers (like Voluma and Juvederm): Gel-like substances that can be injected beneath the skin, used to soften wrinkles, restore volume, or enhance natural facial contours.
What are fillers made with?
There are many different FDA-approved filler products used to treat the signs of aging and other cosmetic concerns, including:
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- Hyaluronic Acid (HA fillers): Hyaluronic acid filler is made from a naturally occurring substance that is already present in your skin. Hyaluronic acid fillers include:
- Juvederm, Juvederm Ultra
- Voluma
- Volbella
- Vollure
- Restylane, Restylane Silk, Restalyne Refyne, Restalyne Defyne, Kysse
- Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA fillers): This injectable gel is made from another natural substance that occurs within the bones. One FDA-approved CaHA filler is Radiesse.
- Poly-L-lactic Acid: Made with a fully biodegradable substance that is biocompatible (safe to use in your body), this type of injectable treatment includes the FDA-approved Sculptra.
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What are the benefits of fillers?
What can fillers do? The better question would be, what can’t they do. Cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers offer a variety of benefits, including:
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- Reduce the visible signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles (including marionette lines, crow’s feet, and smile lines)
- Add volume for a more youthful appearance
- Minimize the appearance of scars
- Improve facial symmetry
- Plump up lips, cheeks, and other facial features
- Increase the rate at which your body can produce collagen
- Reduce facial pain, including from migraines, TMJ, and teeth grinding
- Get rid of a double chin
- Cut down on excessive sweating
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What should you avoid before fillers?
Your pre-treatment plan will depend on the specific filler, but it’s typically a good idea to plan to avoid the following for at least 48 hours beforehand:
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- Topical products, especially those containing Retinol, Retin-A, and glycolic acid
- Hair removal in the treatment area
- Supplements such as St. John’s Wort and Ginseng
- Alcohol
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How do I know what fillers I need?
Still, feeling uncertain about how to know which dermal fillers to choose to achieve your beauty goals? That’s where professional expertise comes in.
A consultation with a trained injector is the best way to know which dermal fillers will give you the results you want. Everything from your facial structure and lifestyle to your target areas and budget will factor into the decision, and a professional will help you make an informed choice. If you encounter a provider that tells you consultation isn’t necessary, your best bet is to run in the other direction – because that’s not someone you want anywhere near your face.
At Focal Point Vitality, each of our guests begins with a one-on-one consultation with one of our specialists. We’ll chat about the results you’re hoping for, answer your questions about your filler options, and offer our expert recommendations for a treatment approach that checks all your boxes. Because we offer such a broad range of fillers in Phoenix, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
How to Choose the Best Place to Go for Fillers
When it comes to getting fillers for the first time, plenty of people are a little hesitant to trust their face to someone with a needle – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Dermal fillers can offer gorgeous results with just the right balance of subtlety and noticeable improvements, but only if they’re administered by a trained (and talented!) professional. When done incorrectly, fillers can look unnatural, make you look older, or even be potentially dangerous.
Before you sign yourself up for fillers from just any random place, make sure that a qualified and skilled professional will be performing the procedure. Sure, you may have received a coupon mailer for fillers from a dentist’s office down the street, or maybe your hair salon does lip fillers on the side… but is saving a little money really worth it?
What qualifications do you need to do Botox injectables (and other fillers)?
The requirements to perform Botox can vary from state to state. Here in Arizona, you are required to be a trained medical professional (such as a nurse, nurse practitioner, or physician) that has completed the proper Botox injection training certification course.
Botox training is so important because it covers how to safely inject Botox and other injectables, including topics like:
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- Proper dosage
- Anatomy of the face
- How to customize the treatment to achieve desired results
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Do you need to go to a specialist for fillers?
Even though just about any medical professional can get certified to inject Botox and other fillers, that doesn’t mean they’re going to be good at it. Usually, the difference between good Botox and bad Botox (or any other filler) comes down to who did the procedure.
Cosmetic fillers are a science and an art, especially if you want your results to look natural. There are certain providers that simply seem to have a talent for using cosmetic injectables to make the world a better, more beautiful place. And, it just so happens that the Focal Point Vitality team is made up of those people – and they’re especially passionate about what they do.
Not only does our team have the professional qualifications, experience, and skill to give you the best possible results from fillers, but we also take a unique approach that sets us apart from other places to get Botox in Phoenix. From the very beginning, we customize a treatment plan that aligns with your individual goals. Your face and your natural beauty is completely unique, and your filler plan should be too!
Get Natural-Looking Results with Injectables from Focal Point Vitality
As a top provider of dermal fillers and cosmetic injectables in Phoenix, Focal Point Vitality is your trusted source for the latest products and the best techniques to help you look and feel your best. Enhance your natural beauty with non-invasive treatments and discover how subtle results can make a dramatic difference in your confidence.
Contact the Focal Point Vitality team to schedule your consultation for cosmetic injectables now!
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