The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, often called Botox, is the most popular non-surgical injection. It temporarily reduces or eliminates frown lines and forehead creases. The toxin temporarily paralyzes the muscles that cause wrinkles, while giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance. It safely eliminates wrinkles around the forehead and eyes for up to six months.

Human and Bovine Injectables and Fat Transfer

Human-based collagen fills out the face including the lip area, below the eyes, crow's feet and frown lines. These treatments are made up of highly purified human collagen, a natural protein that supports the skin structure. It is used to correct soft tissue contours, such as wrinkles and acne scars.

It produces results that may last up to five months. As the individual continues with these treatments, more collagen builds up and remains; therefore, results may last longer. The treatment area is usually overfilled at the first treatment, because many times up to 40% of it dissipates within a short time.

Bovine collagens come from cow tissue and are usually used to add fullness to the lip area, above and below the eye, and to diminish crow's feet and frown lines. Because some people are allergic to it, you should have an allergy test before the treatment.

Results may last for four or more months, but similar to human-based collagen, continued use over a time will find some of the collagen remains and results can last forever.

Also, like human-based collagen, up to 40% of bovine-based collagen soon disappears, so the area is typically overfilled initially.

In a fat transfer procedure, the doctor may extract fat cells from a part of your body, prepare the cells, and then transfer them through an injection to the lip, eye, or nasolabial fold area. Doctors can use various techniques to prepare the fat cells, and the technique used may impact the longevity of the results.

Water, Acid and Synthetic Based Injectables

Water, acid and synthetic based injectables contain particles that are suspended in a water-based solution. These are also used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and skin folds around the mouth and nose. It can also work to fix certain types of scars.

These treatments are non-toxic and can last up to six months or more. Water based solutions should not be placed around the lips because of its larger particle size.

Some brand names contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring carbohydrate that exists in human tissue. Hyaluronic acid fillers treat nasolabial folds, frown lines, crow's feet, and lips. Usually, it is found that, hyaluronic acid fillers offer longer lasting results than collagen-based.

Synthetic poly-L-lactic acid is synthetic made from natural sources. These injectables can treat skin folds, indented chin, hollowed cheeks, and sunken eyes. Results of this procedure can last up to two years.

Off Label Injectables

When the FDA approves a substance for medical or cosmetic purposes, it is for a very specific use. However, the FDA also allows physicians to prescribe fillers for newly discovered uses, which were not originally included in the FDA-approval specification.

During the course of cosmetic treatments, patients may be prescribed filler for a use that is not printed on the label. Cosmetic fillers are commonly used off-label, as many new applications are constantly being found. Doctors may also use a combination of fillers, customized to fit the facial setting of each patient. If a physician prescribes you the treatments off-label, make sure he or she is a qualified, trained, and experienced plastic surgeon with expertise in the specific treatment you are receiving.