The Secret to Ageless Skin: Top Injectable Treatments You Need to Try
Invasive surgeries are quickly becoming less and less desirable for getting a more youthful visage, aka glow up. Injectable treatments create a less dramatic, less noticeable effect, and not to mention, the recovery times between the two are worlds apart.
Unlike facelifts and other common surgeries, injectables don’t leave patients with the eyesores of heavy bruising, and swelling typically goes down in days or weeks, versus months with major surgery.
Pain is another factor in more people going the injectables route. These anti-ageing solutions hurt momentarily, whereas the pain from surgery can last for days or weeks, sometimes requiring medication to manage symptoms.
So, how do cosmetic injectables provide that youthful, refreshed look with such minimal downtime? And what are the best treatments?
In this guide, we’ll go over the top six injectable treatments we offer at our boutique med spa in Sarasota and what to expect from each.
Top 6 Injectables for a Non-Invasive Glow Up
1. Botox vs. Xeomin: Smoothing Wrinkles & Fine Lines
If we’re talking about smoothing wrinkles and fine lines, Botox and Xeomin are almost always at the forefront of the conversation.
Botox, the gold standard, has a long track record of safety and efficacy. They work by precisely targeting and relaxing muscles responsible for dynamic wrinkles, aka the lines from facial expressions.
When injected into areas like the forehead, crow’s feet, or frown lines, Botox inhibits nerve signals, preventing muscle contractions and smoothing out the overlying skin. Patients typically see visible results within a few days, and the effects last three to four months or longer.
Xeomin, while similar in how it works, can be an advantage over Botox because it's a 'naked' neurotoxin, formulated without any accessory proteins. This makes it particularly beneficial for individuals who have developed resistance to Botox from the presence of said proteins.
In theory, this cleaner formulation reduces the risk of antibody formation, which can diminish the effectiveness of future treatments.
So, who could benefit more from Xeomin than Botox?
If you've previously experienced waning results from Botox or are worried about potential allergic reactions to additives, Xeomin is a great alternative.
2. Juvederm: The Hyaluronic Acid Filler for Plump, Youthful Skin
Juvederm helps restore youthful volume while smoothing deep wrinkles. This hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler replenishes the body's natural supply, which diminishes with age.
When injected into targeted areas, Juvederm fills in lost volume, lifting, plumping, and contouring the face while smoothing out lines. It’s frequently used to enhance the lips, adding plumpness and definition, and to restore volume to cheeks for a more lifted, youthful appearance.
This injectable is also incredibly effective for smoothing nasolabial folds, those lines that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth, and for addressing under-eye hollows that make people look constantly tired.
What sets Juvederm apart is its diverse range of formulations, each tailored to specific treatment areas and desired outcomes:
Juvederm Ultra is ideal for smoothing moderate wrinkles and enhancing lips, while Juvederm Voluma is designed for deep volume restoration in the cheeks and chin.
We often recommend Juvederm Volbella at our boutique med spa in Sarasota for subtle lip enhancement and smoothing fine lines around the mouth.
Generally, Juvederm results can last from six months to two years, depending on the specific product used and the treated area.
3. Radiesse: The Collagen-Stimulating Filler for Long-Lasting Results
Radiesse offers a unique approach to facial rejuvenation, setting itself apart from hyaluronic acid fillers by stimulating the body's natural collagen production.
This calcium hydroxylapatite-based filler not only provides immediate volume restoration but also triggers a process called neocollagenesis, where skin actively generates new collagen. This dual action leads to longer-lasting and more natural-looking results than other injectable options.
Radiesse is best targeted at areas needing structural support and contour restoration. The cheeks and jawline are ideal treatment areas, as Radiesse can lift and define these regions, creating a more sculpted appearance.
It's also a fantastic option for rejuvenating the hands, which often show signs of aging through volume loss and prominent veins. Radiesse can replenish lost volume and effectively smooth out hand wrinkles for a significantly younger-looking appearance.
While hyaluronic acid fillers typically last from six months to two years, Radiesse provides results that last up to 18 months or even longer in some cases. This happens because of the ongoing collagen stimulation, improving skin quality long after the initial filler has been metabolized.
4. Sculptra: The Slow & Steady Approach to Ageless Skin
Sculptra is a unique injectable approach to facial rejuvenation that gradually restores natural-looking volume to the face. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers that provide immediate plumping action, Sculptra stimulates the body's collagen production over time.
This poly-L-lactic acid-based injectable acts as a bio-stimulator, prompting your skin to continuously rebuild its internal support structure.
Sculptra is best suited to treat overall facial volume loss instead of targeting specific, isolated wrinkles like you would with Botox. It's often recommended for hollowing in the cheeks, temples, and jawline to trigger replenishment.
The Sculptra treatment schedule typically involves a series of around three injections spaced several weeks apart. Although you won't see immediate changes, the full benefits of Sculptra become apparent over several months as the skin naturally regains youthful fullness, elasticity, and vibrance.
One of the best parts about the Sculptra treatment is that it’s commonly an effective complement to other injectables. For example, Sculptra can restore overall facial volume while hyaluronic acid fillers can address specific areas like the lips.
Doctors at our medical spa in Sarasota commonly leverage neuromodulators like Botox or Xeomin to soften dynamic wrinkles in conjunction with Sculptra treatment. This creates more balanced, natural-looking results.
5. Kybella: Dissolving Stubborn Chin Fat for a Sculpted Look
Kybella is a more revolutionary injectable for submental fullness, aka the dreaded double chin. This treatment permanently eliminates stubborn fat cells beneath the chin, creating a more defined and sculpted jawline.
Kybella's active ingredient, deoxycholic acid, is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that helps break down and absorb dietary fat. When injected into the chin area, Kybella destroys fat cells that then get naturally eliminated by the body's metabolic processes.
A good candidate for Kybella is someone with a moderate to severe double chin. It's important to have realistic expectations and understand that Kybella is designed to address localized fat deposits, not to tighten loose skin.
Kybella treatment usually requires a series of injections spaced out over several weeks. The number of sessions required varies depending on the amount of submental fat, but most patients achieve optimal results with two to four treatments.
The results of Kybella are gradual and become more noticeable over several weeks as the body eliminates the destroyed fat cells. Once the desired aesthetic is achieved, most results are considered permanent, as fat cells in the area are no longer present. However, it’s important to maintain a stable weight to guarantee sustainable results.
6. PRP Injections: Rejuvenation With Your Own Growth Factors
PRP injections harness your body's own regenerative power to revitalize skin texture and elasticity. Platelet-Rich Plasma from a small sample of blood contains a concentrated dose of growth factors and proteins that stimulate collagen production and promote tissue repair.
PRP is an all-natural treatment for dull skin, fine lines, and acne scars. The growth factors in PRP help improve skin tone and texture, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a more radiant complexion.
For acne scars specifically, our medical spa in Sarasota uses PRP injections to stimulate collagen remodeling, softening the appearance of scars and improving smoothness. The natural healing process results in subtle, yet noticeable improvements that build over time.
One of the most effective ways to maximize the benefits of PRP is to combine it with microneedling. Microneedling creates tiny, controlled micro-injuries in the skin to further stimulate the body's natural healing response.
When PRP is applied to the skin immediately after microneedling, the growth factors penetrate deeper into the dermis, triggering collagen and elastin production. This synergistic effect leads to more dramatic improvements in texture, tone, and elasticity.
The PRP procedure is minimally invasive, drawing a small amount of blood that is then processed in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma.
Which injectable treatments are best for you?
Non-invasive injectables offer increasingly sophisticated solutions for achieving a glow-up with minimal side effects.
With advancements in formulations and techniques, the future promises even more personalized and natural-looking results.
You can explore these options and consult with the specialists at our medical spa at Elite Medical Spa of Sarasota to discover how injectables can help you achieve your aesthetic goals with minimal downtime.