An A-Z Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Cosmetic Injections
A - Aspirate
To aspirate is to pull back on the plunger (before injecting) of the syringe when the needle is under the skin. This is a safety precaution every injector should take to ensure no blood has pulled back into the syringe. If there is blood, it means that you have hit a blood vessel and hence not safe to inject.
B - Botulinum toxin
Botox, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau are all made up of Botulinum toxin Type A. Also called neuromodulators, they stop the nerve signals that tell your muscles to contract. This temporary blocking of muscle contractions is what smooths and eliminates fine lines and wrinkles.
C - Credentials
When choosing an injector, check all of their credentials. Check their licenses, certificates, before and after pictures, and reviews.
D - Dermal filler
Any substance that can be injected into the skin or underneath it to fill, lift, or volumize certain areas of the face. In the U.S., there are currently 15 different kinds of approved fillers: permanent, semi-permanent, and HA fillers.
E - Experience
Experience is extremely important in the injectables world. Practice makes perfect of course. Not to say a new injector will never be good, and not to say a 10-year injector will be amazing. Make sure the injector goes to continuing education classes and look at their before and after pictures.
F - FDA approval
FDA approval is based on the review of data collected from controlled clinical studies that evaluated the safe and effective use of the fillers and toxins when injected into specified areas of facial tissue.
G- Glabellar Lines
Glabellar lines, often called the 11's, are the two vertical lines that form between the eyebrows. These form as a result of frowning, scowling, or merely focusing on something. These lines are easily treatable with toxin.
H- Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a water-attracting molecule that is naturally found in the body and is used in HA (hyaluronic acid) Dermal Fillers.
I - Injectable
A catchall term for fillers (like hyaluronic acid) and botulinum toxin.
J - Juvederm
A long-time HA Filler that is FDA approved for the injection of cheeks, lips or the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds.
K - Kybella
A fat-dissolving injectable that breaks down fat cells in areas such as the double chin, bra strap bulge, and many other areas.
L - Licenses
Make sure your injector is a Registered Nurse (like Michele Hunter, ZONA Med Spa’s experienced injector), board-certified dermatologist, or plastic surgeon. They cannot perform injectable services if they are not! Their licenses are of public record so you can verify it.
M - Masseters
The Masseters are a jaw muscle that can be injected with Botox to slim down the face. Some people have very strong, square jawlines and Botox can not only help slim it down, but also helps with jaw clenching.
N - Numbing cream
A topical numbing cream that is applied before any filler is injected. Ours is a combination of Benzocaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine; otherwise known as BLT cream.
O - Overfilled
The term we use when the patient has received too many dermal fillers from another practice.
P - PRO-NOX
PRO-NOX is a gas system designed to deliver a 50% oxygen and 50% nitrous oxide mixture to provide immediate pain and anxiety relief. Just like laughing gas at the dentist! It’s out of your system in 5 minutes and you are perfectly safe to drive home after.
Q - Quality Before & After Pictures
Quality before and after photos are so important when deciding on an injector. Make sure they have plenty of them, make sure they are recent, and make sure the injector is skilled and does not over inject. An experienced and credible injector will have a portfolio of before and after pictures.
R - Restylane
Restylane was the first hyaluronic acid filler to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cosmetic injection into subdermal facial tissues. The Restylane family can be used in the lips, cheeks, chin, jawline, and other areas.
S - Sculptra
Sculptra is an injectable filler that can be used to restore facial volume loss due to aging or illness. It contains poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a biocompatible synthetic substance that stimulates collagen production. It can be used to treat deep lines, creases, and folds to give a more youthful appearance
T - Tyndall Effect
The “Tyndall effect”, is a blue discoloration under the skin where filler was injected. It is common with under eye fillers, however, Belotero completely integrates into the skin tissue, therefore does not cause this unsightly effect. This is why we prefer Belotero in the under eyes!
U - Under Eye Filler
Tear trough rejuvenation is a non-surgical injectables treatment for patients with dark under-eye circles or under eye hollowness. Some people are naturally born with dark circles and/or hollowness, however, this is also a process of aging. Tear trough filler is not a simple procedure. The area is considered high-risk and should only be performed by highly experienced and trained injectors.
V - Versa
Versa is also a Hyaluronic Acid (HA) based filler. The particles are uniquely spherical and uniform, providing the perfect balance between smoothness and volume. Versa has also proven to cause less swelling than other fillers. Versa filler can last up to 12 months, however, in the lips, a more realistic timeline is 6 months.
W - Wash up and out
If you've ever received Botox/Dysport injections at ZONA, you've definitely heard us saying this phrase. Wash up and out is an important part of aftercare to help ensure that you don't move the toxin around.
X - Xeomin
XEOMIN® is a Botulinum toxin that relaxes the facial muscle, temporary blocking of muscle contractions to smooth and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles. Xeomin is unique because it has no accessory proteins. Because of this Xeomin is considered the "purest" version of all the toxins.
Y - Yes, it will look natural!
We get this question all the time: "Will it look fake? Will everybody know I had something done?" The answer is simple: NO. Injectables should be undetectable when done right. Natural injections are what we specialize in!
Z - ZONA Med Spa
Your favorite local med spa! We specialize in natural-looking injectables, rejuvenating skin treatments, and in-office and at-home skincare. We believe in educating our clients to help guide them through their options and building a skincare plan together.
