Anti-aging injections, or injectables, involve the injection of substances into or beneath the skin, or into the muscles to combat signs of aging, such as wrinkles, loose skin, dark spots, and volume loss.

Various injectables are available to combat the visible signs of aging, and they all have different effects on the skin.

Neuromodulators:

Botox is a neurotoxin that temporarily blocks nerve signals to relax the facial muscles and prevent muscle movement. By treating dynamic wrinkles, the face appears softer and wrinkle-free.  Smaller doses of Botox are considered rejuvenating treatments for younger people that want to prevent wrinkles from forming.

Botox also treats excessive sweating, urinary incontinence, muscle spasms, and migraines. The effects of Botox last approximately 4 – 6 months. Other examples of neuromodulators include Xeomin, Jeuveau, Daxxify, and Dysport.

Fillers:

Juvederm products contain a gel-like substance, hyaluronic acid (HA), that is injected beneath the skin to smooth out lines and reduce wrinkles. HA fillers are also used to contour and shape the cheeks and add volume to the face. HA dermal fillers also can stimulate collagen production and retain water, resulting in plumper, healthier-looking skin. The different 

HA fillers in the Juvederm family vary based on the amount of crosslinking and  how much HA they contain. This variation in composition allows the products to be injected into specific areas of the face. They can last 6-24 months, depending on the filler. As with other HA fillers, the advantage is that the results are reversible with hyaluronidase injections. Other families of HA fillers include Restylane, Belotero, Revanesse, and RHA.

Radiesse fillers are made of calcium microspheres. They are known to work well on wrinkles above the bony regions of the face and the backs of the hands. The effects last up to a year.  
Radiesse can also stimulate collagen production. Because this filler creates the greatest lift, it is used to contour the face by augmenting the jawline, cheekbones, and chin. Radiesse normally requires the use of topical anesthesia. Other examples of non-HA fillers include Sculptra and Bellafill.

In some cases, patients opt for Facial Fat Transfer. For this treatment, fat is harvested from other areas of the body with liposuction and is grafted/injected into different regions of the face. Fat transfer treats facial scars, restores volume, and contours the face. The procedure takes about 2 hours, and the downtime following the treatment is 7 – 10 days. The treatment 
must be performed by a board-certified physician.

PRP Facials:

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) facials or Vampire facials combine microneedling with the topical application of plasma from the patient’s blood. It treats scars, hyperpigmentation, loose skin, textural irregularities, lines and wrinkles, and large pores.  The procedure takes less than an hour, and downtime is minimal. While patients with all skin types can benefit, darker skin tones require less aggressive microneedling.

Mesotherapy:

This treatment involves injecting substances, such as hormones, vitamins, enzymes, and plant extracts, into the skin. Initially used to treat sports injuries, the procedure has become part of the arsenal against aging.  Many times a combination of ingredients is used to treat lines and tighten loose skin. The treatment is not yet FDA-approved.

In all instances, it is recommended to seek treatment from a qualified and experienced board-certified physician.