If erasing fine lines and wrinkles sit at the top of your beauty to-do list, then you probably want to consider injectables and fillers. While the topic may be a touchy one to broach in your 40s, there are many reasons why you may want to consider these treatments now rather than later, primarily because addressing these signs of aging early on makes them easier to correct. 

The aging process is inevitable, and as we age, changes to our skin and face occur. For example, it’s typical to start to see a change in skin elasticity and volume loss and fine lines and wrinkles. But with so many options available to correct these common signs of aging, how do you know which is best for you? 

Those are some of the exact questions that Candace, a Lux Med Spa patient, had. 

At 47 years old, Candace decided it was time to refresh some of the facial areas that needed a little tweaking, like her thinning lips, crow’s-feet, and the moderate lines around her mouth.

The mother of two has spent the last seven years focusing on her family and business, which left little time to take care of herself and her aging skin, which she says has caught up with her.

40-SOMETHING AND READY FOR A REFRESH

Ready to do something for herself, Candace visited Lux Med Spa for her very first experience with age-reversing fillers and Botox.

She was somewhat nervous and unsure of what to expect during her initial treatment but knew she was in good hands. 

During her consultation with Sonya, a registered nurse at Lux Med Spa, Candace expresses her concerns about her nasolabial folds, crow’s feet, and smaller-than-before lips. However, she wanted to be able to see expressions when moving her brows and forehead. She didn’t want to look overdone or unnatural, just like a better version of herself. 

Candace’s natural bone structure makes her an ideal candidate for injectables and filler, and it doesn’t require adding that much definition. Treating just a few small areas will enhance her beauty yet retain her natural features, so she looks natural yet still like herself.

See More Before & After Results in our LUX Med Spa Photo Gallery

TAKING OFF THE YEARS

First, Candace had BOTOX injections in her forehead to smooth and soften the lines.

Next, she is injected with Juvederm Voluma XC in the cheeks. Adding a little more volume to the cheeks will improve the mid-face and minimally lift the lower parts of the face.

Her injector, Sonya, begins with a tacking-like technique at the back part of the cheek to accentuate them and bring them up just a bit. This technique also marginally improves the nasolabial folds, and putting the right products in the right places makes all the difference.

Immediately after filler, it is normal to feel a slight unevenness or bumpiness, but the product will likely smooth itself out over the coming weeks. Swelling is also common.

After the cheek injections, the crow’s feet were still noticeable but not as prominent as before starting the treatment. So next, Sonya injected a few units of Botox to soften the lines around Candace’s eyes. 

To correct Candace’s minimal nasolabial folds, Juvederm Vollure XC was injected to fill them in and make them less pronounced. The hyaluronic acid filler works exceptionally well to fill the grooves on the face and smooth them over. A tiny bit of the filler, which is hydrophilic (it pulls water to the area to plump), is also used at the corners of her mouth to lift them ever so slightly. While it’s not standard procedure to fully erase the nasolabial folds so they appear flat, it’s also not normal not to have any lines in the area, which can make a face look artificial–it’s more about softening them. 

In her lips, Juvederm Ultra XC, a popular lip filler, was used to help soften the minimal lip lines on her lips. Since Candace’s lips already have a good definition, reinstating the vermillion border was not the main objective, but plumping them up and smoothing and giving the lip a bit of a curl (from a profile view)is. Plus, adding volume to the lips allows for the upper lip not to appear to thin out when smiling. Post-treatment swelling is normal when treating the lips. 

To minimize bruising and swelling after fillers, it’s best not to ‘squish’ the lips and always sleep with the head elevated for a few nights since the fillers’ placement is moldable for the first 24 to 48 hours. 

Candace’s treatment is a mild version of the liquid lift, perfect for patients who are not ready for surgery yet need to replace lost volume and address prejowling. Candace was excited about her new look, but she even said she looked like she used to and 40, not 47. If that isn’t the sign of a happy patient, we don’t know what is!

What are injectables and fillers?

The visible signs of aging affect us all eventually. Injectables and fillers can address a few of the primary causes for visible aging on our face, neck and other areas. As we age it’s common for facial tissue to thin slightly, causing visible wrinkles around the nose and mouth. Cheeks, lips and the area under the eye can look slightly hollow, and less plump and supple as we age. This is why so many people are turning to both injectables and fillers to reverse the signs of aging and to restore their youthful appearance.

There are two main categories of injectables and fillers that are often used in combination to reverse the signs of aging. The first consists of neuromodulators. These 

are used to weaken or even temporarily paralyze muscles in the face or neck. The most common product in this category is Botox, but other options include Xeomin, 

Dysport, and the newest to the market, Jeuveau, also called NEWTOX. Neuromodulators are most commonly used to smooth wrinkles on the forehead and aroundthe eyes. There are even non-cosmetic uses for neuromodulators such as migraine relief and jaw clenching.

The second category is dermal fillers. This is an injectable product that sits under the skin, with the purpose of providing volume to multiple areas around the face like under the eyes or the lips. The most common products used are based on hyaluronic acid (a common ingredient you might notice in hydrating serums).

Despite the growing sensation of injections, these services aren’t new to the beauty scene and have actually been practiced safely for several years, with an estimated 11 million people worldwide who have received injectables. Social media platforms are bringing light to these injections and showing the ways they can transform a patient’s appearance. Patients love these services because they are quick, relatively pain-free and you see the results almost immediately.

If you’re unhappy with how your face is aging and are considering injectables as an option, we’re here to answer any questions you might have. Call us today to set up your free consultation and the talented team at LUX will explain all the options available for the optimal result. We’re here to help!

What types of injectables does LUX Med Spa offer?

• BOTOX Cosmetic

Botox Cosmetic is an injectable most commonly used to reduce lines and wrinkles around the eyes and forehead giving you a more relaxed and youthful appearance. This treatment requires no downtime for recovery and is extremely popular. Botox is one of the oldest and most well-known injectables on the market.

• JEUVEAU

Jeuveau is a newer injectable to the market. Like Botox, its purpose is to help smooth out existing lines which can deepen over time. The procedure has no downtime. Jeuveau is newer in the world of injectables but has been proven safe and effective and has been steadily gaining in popularity because impressive results.

• Dysport

Injectable used for temporary improvement in the look of moderate to severe frown lines.

• Juvederm Ultra, Ultra Plus/ Restylane Refyne, Defyne

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers most commonly used for lip augmentation, restoring volume and fullness to the face and to soften the appearance of wrinkles. They can also be used to fill under eyes. Duration: up to 12 months.

• Voluma XC/Restylane Lyft

HA fillers used to correct age-related volume loss in the midface and cheeks. Lyft is also used to add volume to backs of hands. Duration: up to 24 months.

• Volbella XC

Volbella XC HA filler used to add definition to lips and fill superficial lines. Duration: up to 12 months.

• Vollure

Vollure HA filler is used to smooth out under eye shadows and add subtle plumpness to lips, nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Duration: up to 18 months.

• Kybella

Kybella is a non-surgical option that targets fat deposits under the chin streamlining the neck for a slimmer more youthful appearance. Kybella permanently dissolves stubborn fat and tightens the skin.

Why LUX Med Spa is the #1 Provider

of Injectables in Atlanta

LUX Med Spa offers state-of-the-art nonsurgical cosmetic treatments provided by a team of medical and aesthetic specialists. All handpicked by the renowned Dr. Alan Larsen, a double board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of cosmetic surgical practice. Our team includes a physician assistant and a registered nurse specializing in cosmetic injections, 2 licensed medical aestheticians/laser technicians and nationally certified massage therapists. Our team is dedicated to creating a personalized spa experience where safety, patient comfort, and premium results are our top priorities.

In addition to our staff’s excellent credentials, our practice has also achieved Diamond status from Allergan, the maker of BOTOX, JUVEDERM and KYBELLA products. Only a rare 3% of providers in the U.S. achieve this status which is based on the volume of Allergan products used. This means our staff has an extremely high level of experience and expertise in administering these products and we have earned a reputation as a trusted provider. Additionally, this status has earned us special pricing on Allergan products which translates to savings for you.

Do you want to see what a difference these products could make for you? Call us today to book your free consultation. The LUX Med Spa staff would love to welcome you and present you with all the options available to provide you with optimal results. Remember, most injectable services can be completed in less than one hour in our facility. We want you to be happy with what you see in the mirror… call us today at (404) 465.1234 and we can help you get started!

When trying to decide which wrinkle-busting treatment to receive, how do you weigh your options? In today’s market, there are a number of different aesthetic injectables. Some of these products have a very similar chemical makeup, while others use different ingredients. The question is, which one should you choose? We are going to narrow down your options to two very effective neurotoxins: Jeuveau® and Botox®. 

What is Jeuveau®?

If you have not yet heard of Jeuveau®, it is most likely due to the fact that this neurotoxin treatment, also being referred to as #NEWTOX, is relatively new to the med-spa industry. Couple Jeuveau®’s lack of tenure on the market with the duration of other available neurotoxins, and you might wonder…why bother? At first glance, Jeuveau® is very similar to alternative injectables like Botox®, however, there are a few significant factors that set Jeuveau® apart from the rest. One very important factor that makes Jeuveau® so unique is the company that makes the product, Evolus.

Evolus has a state-of-the-art facility located in Santa Barbara, California. Unlike many of their competitors, Evolus is solely focused on beauty…especially the beauty of its consumers. Being a customer-centric company isn’t something Evolus would only boast about and not deliver. So when the people asked for a reasonably priced neurotoxin that still provides excellent results, Evolus said, “sure, no problem”.   

What is Jeuveau®? Jeuveau® is a play on the French word “nouveau” which translates to “modern”, or “up-to-date”. So if you think about it this way, Jeuveau® is like the modern version of older available neurotoxin-based treatments. In the case that you chose Spanish class over French, or if the French language is just simply foreign to you, Jeuveau® is pronounced: Ju-Vo.

PrabotulinumtoxinA-xvfs—aka Jeuveau®—is the first aesthetic-only neurotoxin treatment approved in the United States. If you are wondering why Jeuveau® being an “aesthetic-only” product is worth any consideration, the answer is because this exclusivity allows Jeuveau® to be a bit more inexpensive. When a neurotoxin treatment is also indicated for medical use, there are a number of factors that come into play—particularly with the cost. Avoiding insurance coverage factors, reimbursement, and the medical industry’s vetting allows Evolus to make Jeuveau® more cost-friendly. 

For now, Jeuveau® is only indicated for the treatment of glabellar lines—aka “frown lines”. In particular, these incredibly stubborn lines have plagued a huge percentage of society. Even worse, depending on how intensely a person carries their frustrations on their face, these frown lines can become a major annoyance even at a young age. Depending on your perception of cosmetic treatments, you may believe that receiving a treatment, like Jeuveau®, should be reserved for recipients later on in life…but we are going to explain why that common idea is counterproductive. 

Considering the fact that these pesky glabellar lines can begin to take away from your youthful appearance early on, you would think that meeting with a specialist now is in your best interest. You would be right to assume that, but not just for the sake of reversing this furrowed-brow wrinkle. You will actually be better off with treating these types of wrinkles before they’re too noticeable. Injectables like Botox®, Dysport, Jeuveau®, and Xeomin work best as preventative treatments. So keep this in mind the next time you head to LUX Med Spa. 

What is Botox®?

Chances are you have heard of the injection, Botox®. Botox®, or onabotulinumtoxinA, is an injectable treatment that has been around for decades. Botox® is owned and manufactured by a company called Allergan and it is used for both aesthetic and cosmetic purposes. Not only the first of its kind, but Botox® is also the only FDA approved treatment to temporarily reduce moderate to severe frown lines, crow’s feet, and those ever-aging forehead lines. 

Botox®, a brief history…

Botox® was first used in the year of 1977 and approved by the FDA in 1989 to treat strabismus, a disorder that causes the eyes to look in different directions. As a cosmetic treatment, Botox® was approved by the food and drug administration in 2002 but was used by doctors to treat wrinkles as early as 1996. Since 1996, specialists have discovered all sorts of different uses for the toxin.

This dual-purpose product can be used to treat the following medical conditions:

• Pediatric upper limb spasticity 
• Facial spasticity
• Overactive bladder
• Eyelid spasm
• Cervical dystonia
• Chronic migraine
• Hyperhidrosis and so much more.

As far as cosmetic treatments go, Botox® can be used to treat the following:

• Crow’s feet
• Forehead lines
• Under Eye creasing
• Glabellar line
• Gummy smile
• “Bunny lines” which are the lines on the sides of the nose that can be severe when a person smiles.
• And Botox® can even make your top lip appear bigger by causing a “lip-flip” when applied to the orbicularis oculi muscle—aka, the area around the mouth.

Recently, physicians and cosmetic professionals have begun injecting patients underneath the jaw area to reduce the appearance of a double chin. As strange as it may seem, the reaction a person’s body has from “freezing” a certain muscle, or muscles, can have bizarre, yet amazing, results. For these types of uncommon treatment areas, you will be better off consulting with a specialist who is specifically trained for unique cases. 

How are Botox® and Jeuveau® similar?

One common factor between Jeuveau® and Botox® is that they are both extracted from the same type of bacteria. This similarity makes both Jeuveau® and Botox® seem nearly identical, as far as the treatment effectiveness. Another key factor between the two treatments is their interchangeability. If you have received Botox® without any adverse side-effects, you can safely switch to Jeuveau®, and vice versa. 

Botox® and Jeuveau® are not technically “permanent” treatments, however, if one were to receive consistent injections they would experience a semi-permanent reduction in wrinkles. The reason the treatments can have semi-permanent results is due to the repeated weakening of the muscles in the area being treated. When these muscles are weakened again and again over time, they eventually lose the strength they once had, thus reducing the severity of the wrinkles in general.

What is the difference between Jeuveau® and Botox ®?

The most notable difference between Jeuveau® and Botox® is the company that each is manufactured by. Evolus, the manufacturer of Jeuveau®, is a new company that is dedicated solely to cosmetic-based products. Allergan, the manufacturer of Botox®, is a bit more liberal with their products as they manufacture treatments for both medical and cosmetic purposes. Allergan has also been around for quite some time and has garnered a loyal customer base. If you think that Allergan’s tenure in the industry is a major influence on a patient’s preference over other companies, you wouldn’t be wrong…but there is a catch.

Products and companies that have a reputable and long track record generally have a great standing with consumers. However, there are many consumers who are attracted to up-and-coming companies, and particularly companies that are able to break into such a competitive industry, like that of cosmetic injectables. Evolus has done what many companies have tried and failed to do, and that is to become a direct competition with Allergan’s Botox®. Even though Allergan’s Botox® is FDA approved to treat more than just frown lines, there are many patients who are only focused on treating their frown lines, and they desire a company that has the same focus. 

Now, the fact that Jeuveau® is a strictly cosmetic treatment is not the only factor to appeal to consumers, but this specific reservation is a major factor that allows the manufacturers of Jeuveau® to set the price lower than Allergan’s Botox®. As discussed previously, Evolus is able to control the price of their product, Jeuveau®, without the red-tape and cost inflation of the medical industry. Unfortunately for Allergan, because Botox® is FDA approved for medical use and some treatments are covered by insurance, the company is then forced to increase the cost of Botox® as a whole. This isn’t all bad news for Botox® lovers, as Botox® can be used to treat a variety of ailments and the cost difference is not severe.

Last but certainly not least, an important factor that makes Jeuveau® different from Botox® is the same difference that separates Botox® from other muscle-freezing injectables. Each recipient of these injectables reacts differently to the toxins at different points of their lives. You can be experiencing successful Botox® results for years and suddenly notice a lack of longevity in each treatment. This is the same case for Jeuveau®, Dysport, and Xeomin. Cosmetic injection specialists and practitioners are not quite sure why, but each patient’s experience with Botox® and Jeuveau® varies. What’s great is, if Botox® loses its effectiveness within your muscles, Jeuveau® is a safe option to try. 

Where should you go to get your injectable treatment?

As is known in the med-spa industry, where you go to get your treatment is equally as important as what you choose to inject into your muscles. If you live in the Atlanta area, there is no better place to receive Jeuveau®, or Botox®, than LUX Med Spa. LUX Med Spa is as comfortable as it is beautiful. From the talented and caring staff, to the top-of-the-line products available, LUX Med Spa is your one-stop-shop to the most beautiful and youthful You possible.  

If you’re a virgin to cosmetic injectables and you’re not quite sure if the treatment is right for you, call LUX Med Spa to make your complimentary consultation today. There is no pressure to book and the professional staff at LUX Med Spa and Buckhead Plastic Surgery are happy to answer any and all of your questions. 

You don’t have to live with your wrinkles and frown lines if you don’t want to. There are few things in this world we have control over and wrinkles do not stand a chance against these treatments. Begin your journey towards a more youthful appearance and book your appointment today with LUX Med Spa, the best place to finally nip those pesky creases right in the bud.