

Don't be surprised if they mix and match, though: "We often layer and use different ones together to achieve the best result," Bowe explains.ĥ. Point being: Ask your injector exactly what is inside the syringe and why it was chosen over another option. For example, along with Restylane there's Restylane Silk and Restylane Lyft, both of which have slightly different-size particles and are better for filling different areas of the face. Even within each of these brands there are variants. Despite the fact that they're all made of the same thing, there are differences in how the hyaluronic acid particles are linked together, resulting in slightly different end looks. They include Restylane, Juvéderm, and Belotero Balance. The largest category is those that are made of hyaluronic acid, a sugar that's naturally occurring in the body and can hold 1,000 times its weight in water. There's even more variety when it comes to fillers.

Still, it's worth asking which one your injector plans on using, as prices can vary. Dysport and Xeomin are also botulinum toxin injections while the brand names differ, it's the same type of toxin, and most dermatologists agree that the results are essentially the same. "It's like calling any tissue a Kleenex, even if it's a completely different brand," says Bowe. Take neurotoxin-despite the fact that Botox is a household name, it isn't the only botulinum toxin out there. There are many more cosmetic injectables available than you realize, and it's important to educate yourself on the various options out there. That gives you the opportunity to discuss your desires and expectations, and to take some time to think about it before you return for the actual procedure. Book an appointment for a consultation first. Once you've found someone promising, don't rush. Also helpful: Ask to see before-and-after pictures of their patients, not just those from a brochure for the product. But be sure to ask how long they've been doing aesthetic injections and how they were trained.

He or she doesn't necessarily have to be a full-fledged doctor, as it's common for many registered nurses to do injections. But with so many people offering Botox and other injections these days (dentists, gynos, your neighbor and her biannual Botox party), it's also extremely important to inquire about credentials, cautions Ava Shamban, Beverly Hills dermatologist and author of Heal Your Skin. If you know someone who looks amazing (and you know they've gone under the needle), ask who they go to. "The remaining 10 percent is dependent on the product." (More on that later.) Think of it this way: If you got a bad haircut, would you blame the scissors or your stylist? Bowe says word of mouth is the best way to find an injector. "Ninety percent of the success of these kinds of cosmetic treatments depends on who is doing them," explains dermatologist Whitney Bowe, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
