Fillers, BOTOX® and More
Minimally invasive surgery
What are Cosmetic Injectables?
There are numerous cosmetic injectable products on the market to help soften the effects of aging. They can be broadly grouped into two categories: fillers and botulinum toxins. BOTOX® is a common brand name of a botulinum toxin (think Kleenex vs facial tissue or XEROX vs copy machine).
Fillers are any type of substance that adds volume to the face. Sometimes the volume is lost as a result of the normal aging process or perhaps following surgery or trauma. This can result in a flat and contour-less appearance. In these cases, fillers can be injected to add a healthy and youthful fullness. Depending on the specific product and the area it is injected into, fillers can last from 4 months to up to 2 years or more. Some commonly used fillers include fat, collagen, and hyaluronic acid, a substance commonly found in your body’s connective tissue.
Botulinum toxins like BOTOX® temporarily paralyze muscles. Your face is controlled by many muscles that relax and contract, often without you thinking about them. When these muscles contract for a prolonged period, they can pull together loose skin resulting in wrinkles in different areas of the face. When selectively injected into a specific area, the botulinum toxins paralyze the target muscles, allowing Dr. Vickers to smooth the area and prevent the muscle movements that cause the wrinkles. These botulinum toxin injections usually last 3 to 4 months, depending on the patient and the area of injection.
frequently asked questions
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Why choose Dr. Vickers for your Cosmetic Injectables?
Dr. Vickers works with each patient’s unique facial anatomy to produce natural looking results leading to a youthful, rested appearance. Botox®, and other injectables, are not for everyone. He will discuss side effects and possible complications during your examination.
Will I be sedated for the procedure?
No sedation is necessary. Dr. Vickers will administer the injectables during a short in-office visit.
How long does the procedure take?
Injectables take only a few minutes to administer. Depending on the specific product and the area it is injected into, fillers can last from 4 months to up to 2 years or more. Botulinum toxins typically last for 3 months
What is recovery like?
As this is not a surgical procedure, there is no recovery period. However, bruising and swelling are possible, moreso with filler than botulinum toxin injection. Side effects and complications are possible and will be discussed during your consultation.
How long does it take to heal?
As this is not a surgical procedure, there is no healing period. Depending on the specific product and the area it is injected into, fillers can last from 4 months to up to 2 years or more.