Cosmetic injections aren't just for celebrities anymore.
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| | | | Hello again, friends! More and more people are saying yes to cosmetic injections like Botox and dermal fillers. But how exactly do these procedures work? And are they as safe as people make them out to be? We get into these common questions and more below. | | We'll also be talking about: | | | | | Stay sharp,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
August 9, 2023 • 5 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Introduction to injectables | Botox versus dermal fillers: What's the difference? The short answer is that Botox relaxes muscles, while dermal fillers lift and plump facial tissue. Botox is the brand name of botulinum toxin type A, which among other medical uses, fights off wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing facial muscles.
Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are volumizers. Common types of fillers include hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite.
So how do you know which one to choose? There are a bunch of factors to talk through with your healthcare professional — price, safety, preference, etc.
"My recommendations tend to err on the more natural side," says Healthline's head of Medical Affairs, Jenny Yu, MD. That is, when static lines (wrinkles that are present when your face is at rest) [show], one can start Botox. When there are areas of the face with volume deficiency — cheeks, lips, jawlines, etc. — I would consider fillers."
Are these procedures safe? For the most part, yes. Mild side effects like temporary bruising, bleeding, and pain are common. "Most of these more serious complications can be avoided with an experienced injector who knows the anatomy well and properly places the injectables," says Yu.
Avoid cosmetic injections if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a known allergy. And know that the long-term effects of Botox, in particular, aren't well known.
Got questions about injections or other cosmetic procedures? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming edition!)
More about cosmetic injections: | | | | | | |
| | | | Editor faves with health perks | | | | | | |  | | Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen, SPF 40 | | Cosmetic injections may work well for smoothing signs of aging, but they don't protect your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays. (ICYMI: That's the main cause of skin cancer and skin damage.) Nope, for that, you still need a trusty SPF. Unseen from Supergoop is an SPF 40 that not only protects against UVB and UVA rays but also blue and infrared lights (i.e., from screens and LED lights). The oil-free formula may be a safe option for those prone to acne. Plus, all the ingredients are reef-safe! | | | Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | An expert weighs in | Q: Do injections permanently alter your face or skin in any way?
A: It certainly can alter your facial expressions, shape, and ultimately change your appearance, depending on the amount of injectables you receive. There is controversy in terms of the muscle atrophy that occurs with Botox injection — whether it is reversible after injections.
– Jenny Yu, MD, and head of Medical Affairs at Healthline | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Do collagen supplements work? | | Along with elastin, collagen gives skin its plumpness and elasticity. And while our bodies naturally produce collagen, we start producing less of it after age 30 (roughly). Since your skin can't absorb topical collagen (the molecules are 300 times too large), many people have turned to taking collagen supplements to fend off signs of skin aging. But do they work? | | First things first. It's important to know that collagen is the most abundant protein in our body. There's collagen in your skin, bones, muscles, and tissues. And when you take a collagen supplement, there's no way to route that collagen to your face (or wherever you want it to go). | | Possible perks. Some small studies have shown that taking collagen supplements can help your skin (e.g., reduce signs of aging and improve hydration). But according to a 2021 review, those benefits are commonly overblown in the media and especially on social media. While the benefits of collagen supplements remain unclear, you can stave off collagen loss by having certain lifestyle habits, including: | | • | practicing sun protection (sun damage is responsible for the majority of collagen loss) | | • | not smoking | | • | limiting sugar, highly processed foods, and alcohol | | | More on collagen: | | | | | | | |
| | | | Thanks for reading, everyone! Remember that you get to age. And that, in itself, is a gift. We'll be back on Friday with more health stories you need.
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