For nearly 10 years, Botox injections have been used to treat fines lines and wrinkles in the face. While Botox has few side effects, the desired anti-wrinkle effects only last three to six months. Collagen, a natural protein, has been used for over 25 years. Like Botox, however, the effects are short-term and the process needs to be repeated within three to four months. Another anti-wrinkle procedure, fat transfer, occurs when fat is removed from one part of the body via liposuction and used to fill in wrinkles. This is obviously a more involved procedure. Regardless, the results are not permanent, as losses of facial subcutaneous fat are a natural part of the aging process.
Hyaluronic acid, while not yet FDA approved, has been successfully used in Canada in Europe. It has gained respect for its non-invasive nature, and endurance versus Botox and collagen. In fact, Hyaluronic acid results tend to last up to six to nine months. Like Botox and collagen, Hyaluronic acid studies show a low frequency of allergic reaction.
The benefits of hyaluronic acid have resulted in its increased use among both men and women. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2004 the total number of Hyaluronic acid facial injections procedures in the U.S. increased nearly 100 times from the prior year, from 9,635 Hyaluronic acid injections in 2003 to 882,469 injections in 2004.
