Whether to restore the best features of a younger version of themselves or to reverse the negative effects of the sun and smog, more and more people are going under the knife, or under the needle, to avail of the latest techniques in cosmetic anti-aging. The wrinkles and saggy skin that used to plague those of us who have reached a certain age, or perhaps spent too much time sunbathing, are now readily treatable with a number of common procedures.

The botulinum toxin is one of the deadliest poisons known to man, but in a purified and isolated form, it has become renowned for its widespread cosmetic application, and is perhaps the most prolific non-surgical method today. Known commercially by the name Botox, it works by inhibiting the release of a neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle contraction, which paralyzes the muscle for about three to four months. A few careful injections of Botox are enough to erase wrinkles, laugh lines and other perceived imperfections that become visible with even the slightest muscle movement.

This highly effective anti-aging treatment does come with a number of risks, which do not, however, originate from the poisonous derivation of the substance. Rather, the adverse side effects have been the result of either allergic reaction to Botox, or poor administration of the toxin by inexperienced or incompetent practitioners, which has led to paralysis of the wrong muscle groups and the spreading of the effects to other parts of the body. Some side effects linked to improper muscle paralysis include pneumonia, speech disorders, breathing difficulties and temporary facial deformities. It is important, then, to ascertain the experience and skill of your cosmetic surgeon before agreeing to a Botox treatment.

Another anti-aging procedure that is swiftly gaining popularity is the use of injectable fillers to refill areas like wrinkles and deep folds that have lost their suppleness, or to make lips look plumper, as they thin out and lose their natural shape over time. It can also be used to fill out the hollow portions of a person’s face. The substance that is used is hyaluronic acid, a liquid that naturally occurs in the various body tissues of mammals. Two of the most popular brands of injectable filler are Juvederm and Restylane.

Juvederm has met with consistent praise for its effectiveness compared to other dermal filling agents, as one that provided better correction results based on subject testing and clinical research. According to its manufacturers, Juvederm is superior to its competitor products because it has been subjected to a process known as “cross-linking”, in which the individual molecular chains of the acid have been bound to make the compound a more solid gel instead of a liquid form. Normally, the body metabolizes the liquid within a day, but the gel lasts much longer, and thus, so do its effects.

Restylane is another reputable injectable filler that restores volume and improves skin elasticity, enhancing a person’s features. It is used extensively in facial shaping and skin rejuvenation, and has likewise been utilized in over ten million procedures worldwide since its debut ten years ago.

Injectable fillers last about six to twelve months, depending on the treatment for which the product is used. Often, some form of local anesthetic is used to reduce the discomfort felt during the treatment. Lip enhancement, in particular, normally requires the use of a dental bloc to numb the lips while the substance is being inserted.

Patients have reported various minor side effects, including itching, bruising and tenderness. Inflammation in the treated area is also common. All such effects normally last no longer than several days, although swelling has taken up to two weeks to subside in extreme instances.