Wrinkles are formed when the skin loses elasticity due to aging. Facial expressions and environmental exposure don’t affect the skin when you are young, but as your skin ages and loses elasticity, wrinkles begin to form. That doesn’t have to be a life sentence, though. Injectables are designed to fill the skin and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, creating a smooth and rejuvenated look.

Let’s take a look at our three most popular injectables: Botox, Juvederm, and Restylane.

Botox

Botox is a naturally occurring substance that is injected into select facial muscles to relax them. This makes it impossible for wrinkles to form in the area the Botox has been injected, and smoothes out current lines and wrinkles. Botox injections are the most common cosmetic procedure in the United States, with more than four million procedures completed so far. Botox injected by an experienced cosmetic surgeon who is familiar with the procedure and knows exactly where it should be injected can help a patient achieve a younger appearance and eliminate wrinkles.

Botox can relax muscles anywhere in the body, but it is commonly used in the troublesome forehead and eyebrow area. Each injection is effective for between three and six months, and the injections may be repeated as needed to prevent the formation of wrinkles. Patients can resume normal activities right after receiving Botox injections, making them a simple and low-impact wrinkle remedy.

Side effects are rare and temporary, and include anxiety, dizziness, headache, swelling, redness, and sensitivity to light.

Juvederm

Juvederm is an injectable facial filler made of hyaluronic acid. This substance is naturally found in the muscles, tendons, and skin of mammals. It can fill lines and wrinkles anywhere in the chest, neck or facial areas, but is commonly used for diminishing the appearance of lines that form between the corners of the mouth and the corners of the nose. These lines are sometimes referred to as “smile lines.” Juvederm is also used to fill thin lips and to plump areas of the skin that have been affected by scarring. Hyaluronic acid is a beneficial treatment because it binds with the collagen and elastin that occur naturally and even helps to move more nutrients into the skin. These nutrients help the skin look younger, healthier, and more vibrant.

Juvederm injections generally last between six and nine months, but these effects may last all the way up to a year. Side effects of Juvederm can include itching, redness, pain, and swelling. These effects usually occur upon injection and go away within a couple of days. People who have had Juvederm injected into their skin can usually resume their normal activity level the same day, but should stay out of direct sunlight and avoid strenuous activities directly after treatment.

Restylane

Restylane is similar to Juvederm because it is also made of hyaluronic acid that occurs naturally in the skin. Restalyne stimulates the body’s natural production of hyaluronic acid, adding volume and fullness to the area around the injection site. It is used to treat wrinkles in the eye, mouth and lip areas. It is also used to treat crow’s feet, lower eyelid wrinkles, deep scarring and smile lines. An appointment to have Restalyne injected usually takes about half an hour, depending on the condition of the patient’s skin and the number of injection sites.

The side effects of Restalyne vary, but they include bruising, temporary numbness, redness at the injection site, and swelling. Patients can resume their normal daily activities right after being injected with Restalyne, but they may have to wear heavier makeup than normal to cover up any bruising. The effects of Restalyne can be seen immediately and normally last about six to eight months. The results of each Restalyne treatment depend on the age of the patient as well as the severity of their wrinkles. Patients who are being injected with Restalyne to make their lips appear fuller may find the injections last less than six months.

These three types of injectables are well-researched and commonly used with great success. Whether you’re just looking to fill in a couple lines or take five to ten years off your appearance, Restalyne, Botox, and Juvederm offer low-risk solutions.