Injectable treatments are a new generation of quick, natural, non-allergenic dermal fillers approved by the FDA for restoring volume and correcting skin imperfections associated with aging, as well as for enhancing cheeks, lips and the chin. Using a fine needle to inject either a cosmetic filler under the skin, injectable treatments quickly build up the underlying facial tissue that for years has slowly broken down. 

Indictable treat wrinkles, creases, furrows, folds, scars, and depressions, as well as add fullness to lips and cheeks - all while improving the texture of the skin.

There are several different kinds of indictable, each with its own risks and benefits.

- Alloderm is a frequently used material prepared from human skin. It is inserted in small sheets through tiny incisions. Cymetra is a form of Alloderm that has been frozen and fractured into tiny particles so it can be injected through a needle. Cymetra is more easily injected than Alloderm, but it doesn't last as long. The benefits of both Alloderm and Cymetra can be quite impressive. Allergic reactions are rare.

- Botox prevents wrinkles from forming by paralyzing some of the very small muscles in the face. As a result, it stops the repetitive muscle contractions that lead to the appearance of wrinkles. Botox is extracted from the bacteria that cause botulism -- Botulinum Toxin A. It is most commonly injected into wrinkles in the forehead and around the eyes, but is also used on the lips, nose, chin and neck.

- Collagen is one of the most frequently used injectable materials. It is found in the connective tissues of the human body. Patients can therefore choose to donate collagen from parts of their own body (this is known as Autologen) for use in the injection treatment. This requires removal of some of the patient's own skin. Persons undergoing a facelift, breast reduction or removal of a scar probably have extra tissue available for collagen injections. Injected human collagen can last a year or longer.

- Fat injections use material gathered from the patient's own body. This reduces the chance of adverse reactions. However, fat injections don't last as long as other materials. The amount of re-absorption by the body is variable.  Like fat injection, injectable treatments can be performed as a standalone procedure.

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery recommends the following guidelines for those seeking cosmetic injectable treatments:

Don't choose a provider based on price. Indictable are pharmaceutical products and must be administered by trained, qualified clinicians.

Make sure the benefits and risks are fully explained to you in a patient consultation. Plastic surgeons use the consultation process to educate patients about the proposed procedure. Every procedure has inherent risks and benefits; the hallmark of informed consent is the understanding of risks and benefits, and realistic expectations.

Fully disclose any medical conditions you might have, and medications you are taking including vitamins and over-the-counter drugs. This information will help your clinician select the most effective procedure for you, with the fewest side-effects.

Any injectable should be administered in an appropriate setting using sterile instruments. A non-physician who is appropriately licensed and trained may perform the injections under the supervision of a qualified plastic surgeon or dermatologist. Malls and private homes are not medical environments and may be unsanitary.

Know what you are being injected with. There are reports of patients being injected with everything from liquid silicone to baby oil and other unapproved products. Make sure your clinician is using only FDA-approved products purchased within the United States. If he or she refuses to give you this information, seek another clinician.

The position of the Aesthetic Society is that injectable fillers are medical procedures and should be performed only by qualified clinicians in an appropriate medical setting.

For guidance on injectable treatments, consult the Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety online at www.injectablesafety.org. The mission of the Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety is to provide the public with unbiased and necessary information on injectable cosmetic treatments, appropriate injectors and where to safely access cosmetic medical procedures. Its goal is to eradicate the practice of unqualified persons providing injections, to promote treatment supervised by properly qualified and trained, board-certified doctors and to promote only the use of U.S. FDA-approved, appropriately administered product.

Are you considering plastic surgery? If so, please contact a board certified surgeon to become better informed about your options.