Botox® and dermal filler procedures have become increasingly common. According to CNN, filler procedures jumped from 1.8 million in 2010 to 2.6 million in 2016. This is in addition to the 6 million Botox treatments administered per year.
This rise in popularity has also coincided with a spike in complications. A paper published by the Journal of the American Medical Association detailed stories of infections, blindness, and in extremely rare cases, death. While these statistics are scary, they also point to an important conclusion: It’s important who administers your Botox and filler procedures.
To see what a trained cosmetic surgeon can do for you, stop by the offices of Raymund J. Llaurado, M.D. He will work with you to choose the right procedure and products for your needs.
What are Botox and fillers?
We all probably know about Botox, the most famous and well-established nonsurgical cosmetic treatment available today. Botox is made from a neurotoxin that temporarily paralyzes muscles, thereby helping remove wrinkles and fine lines. The nerve endings are frozen in place and cannot move.
While Botox is a neurotoxin, dermal fillers can have a wide range of molecular formulas. Many replicate or imitate naturally occurring substances in the body. Most modern fillers are made to smooth the skin or eliminate undesirable signs of aging.
Some of these fillers, such as Juvéderm® and Restylane®, are well-advertised and recognizable. Others have yet to hit the mainstream and are not well-known outside of the cosmetic community. In total, there are currently more than 25 fillers approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Filler popularity
Fillers are now more accessible than ever as doctors offer more ways to fight the signs of aging. Fillers are also cheaper than they were previously, an important factor for something not often covered by health insurance. Such growth has also led to an increase in injury as less qualified professionals have improperly injected fillers. Many unscrupulous spas and cosmetic centers not run by doctors have begun to offer cheap fillers.
Selecting a provider
Receiving Botox or dermal filler injections should be an easy and largely painless process. Board certified plastic surgeons study for years to earn the privilege of being able to help patients improve the look, feel, and function of their skin. Choosing the right surgeon and practice for your injections is the first step toward a successful procedure and fruitful recovery.
You should research the provider as thoroughly as you would a surgeon or family doctor. Although not surgical in nature, Botox and filler injections are still a serious medical procedure. According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, your doctor needs to have specific training, knowledge, and ability to ensure a safe treatment and natural-looking results. They should be backed by a strong knowledge base and a history of successful procedures. Dr. Llaurado is a perfect example of a doctor who is well-versed in cosmetic procedures.
You should review the work your doctor has done and look at before-and-after photos of other patients. In many instances, the actual injections may be performed by a registered nurse or physician’s assistant. This is absolutely acceptable as long as they work closely with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon.
It’s perfectly normal to feel the need to treat wrinkles, fine lines and aging skin. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Llaurado knows the ins and outs of the cosmetic industry and can help you reach your goals. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Raymund J. Llaurado, M.D. today.