by Aesthetic Doctor, Tracey Garner
In the ever-evolving landscape of aesthetic medicine, the use of cosmetic injectables has been a game-changer. From erasing wrinkles to enhancing facial features, cosmetic injectables have become a staple in the pursuit of ageless beauty.
In this blog, we delve into the exciting realm of cosmetic injectables, exploring their history, modern advancements, and the ethical considerations that shape their future. Join us as we embark on a journey through time and science to uncover the fascinating world of cosmetic injectables.
Table of contents
- CHAPTER 1: A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE LEGACY AND FUTURE LANDSCAPE
- CHAPTER 2: EXPLORING THE TYPES OF COSMETIC INJECTABLES
- CHAPTER 3: TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS IN COSMETIC INJECTABLES
- CHAPTER 4: THE ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF PATIENT EDUCATION IN COSMETIC INJECTABLES
- CONCLUSION: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF BEAUTY
CHAPTER 1: A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE LEGACY AND FUTURE LANDSCAPE
Cosmetic injectables have come a long way since their inception. The use of injectables for aesthetic purposes can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where natural substances were injected to enhance beauty. As far back as the early 1800s, fat was used to restore lost volume to facial defects and scars
Fast forward to the modern era, as bio-remoddelers such as exosomes and the revolutionary use of stem cells join in, and we find ourselves at the forefront of an evolution in aesthetic medicine.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF COSMETIC INJECTABLES
The origins of cosmetic injectables can be traced to the early 19th century when paraffin wax injections were used to augment facial features. More facial injectables, such as Silicon were developed in the pursuit of eternal youth, however, these early injectables often resulted in permanent complications and disfigurement and were eventually abandoned. These early efforts paved the way for the development of more sophisticated and safer injectable treatments, but it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that injectables regained popularity with the introduction of collagen-based fillers.
The first FDA filler approved for cosmetic injections was Bovine collagen in 1981. From there we had the industry-launching discovery of Botulinum Toxin for reducing the signs of ageing by limiting muscle activity in 1984. Botulinum Toxin was FDA-approved for cosmetic use in 2002. Hyaluronic acid marks one of the most revolutionary discoveries in aesthetic medicine – it has been used as a facial filler since 1996 and in 2003 received FDA approval. Hyaluronic acid is still the most widely used filler today. In recent years a host of bio-stimulators such as PLLA (Poly-L-lactic acid) and CaHA (Calcium hydroxy-appatite) have been added to our list of options for the eternal pursuit of youth.
MODERN-DAY POPULARITY AND ADVANCEMENTS IN COSMETIC INJECTABLES
The 21st century has witnessed remarkable advancements in the field of cosmetic injectables. Innovations such as hyaluronic acid-based fillers and neurotoxins like Botulinum toxin have revolutionized non-surgical facial rejuvenation. The popularity of injectables has surged, driven by factors such as their minimal downtime, immediate results, and growing societal acceptance of aesthetic procedures.
We have seen a move away from the use of facial fillers as the solution to every facial concern and primarily for augmentation, towards using them as part of an array of facial injectables to address ageing at every level of the face. We are seeing a move towards hyaluronic acid being used for foundational strengthening of deeper structures that need to be restored such as lost bone and deep fat, and bio-stimulators such as PLLA and CaHA being used to tighten skin and improve skin quality.
The field of biostimulation is one of the most exciting in the aesthetic landscape at present. The discovery of substances such as bio-peptides, exosomes, and plant-based growth factors, as well as new research into the bio-stimulatory effects of Hyaluronic acid, is driving us into a new world where we are able to stimulate natural regeneration and healthier functioning of the skin and subdermal tissue by injecting these products.
Add the exciting prospects of autologous stem cells to the mix and it’s not difficult to imagine a future where ageing might be a choice.
FUTURE PROJECTIONS FOR COSMETIC INJECTABLES
As technology and research continue to push boundaries, the future of aesthetic injectables holds tremendous promise. The role of doctors will become more crucial in this industry because as our treatment options increase, so does the complexity of potential treatment choices and complications.
Emerging research areas include the development of longer-lasting fillers and toxins and innovative formulations that offer sustained benefits. Furthermore, the fusion of technology and patient demand is expected to drive future trends, resulting in more personalized and effective treatments. As we witness the negative effects of unnatural results from over-injecting, there will be a powerful move towards natural results and the use of biostimulation and stem cells to achieve carefully curated plans and outcomes that are unique to the needs of every individual. In the future, we will celebrate our diversity more and strive to maintain the unique beauty present in every person.
CHAPTER 2: EXPLORING THE TYPES OF COSMETIC INJECTABLES
Aesthetic medicine offers a diverse array of injectables designed to address various concerns and provide tailored results. Let’s delve into the categories of injectables shaping the modern aesthetic landscape.
NEUROMODULATORS: RELAXING THE PATH TO YOUTHFUL SKIN
Neuromodulators, such as Botulinum toxin injections, have become synonymous with wrinkle reduction. By relaxing facial muscles, they effectively smooth out lines and wrinkles.
What sets these injectables apart is their versatility, extending beyond cosmetic applications to therapeutic indications like treating migraines, bruxism, and excessive sweating. They have also been shown to enhance skin quality, reduce the size of pores, and improve acne and rosacea.
DERMAL FILLERS AND BIO-STIMULATORS: AGE-DEFYING AND REGENERATIVE TREATMENTS
Dermal fillers and bio-stimulators have emerged as transformative tools for age-defying results.
Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers provide immediate volume and can achieve a lifted appearance, particularly when they are used deep and as myomodulators, improving the way our muscles function. Bio-stimulators like Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA) and Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA) trigger the skin’s natural collagen production for lasting rejuvenation.
BIO SKIN REMODELLING AND PRP: HARNESSING THE POWER FROM WITHIN
Bio-skin remodelling combines the use of traditional hyaluronic acid-based fillers with bio-remodellers such as peptides, exosomes, and plant-based growth factors to enhance skin quality. Stabilized hyaluronic acid boosters offer immediate hydration, while platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell treatments can be utilized to stimulate the body’s natural healing properties for skin texture improvement, scar reduction, and hair revival.
HYBRID FILLERS AND MESOBOOSTERS: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN INSTANT AND LONG-TERM
Hybrid injectables are one of the newest additions to the aesthetic landscape. They hold the potential to achieve more with one treatment. The first hybrid injectable combines the immediate volumizing effects of hyaluronic acid-based fillers with long-term collagen stimulation from calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA), offering the best of both worlds: immediate improvement with ongoing tissue stimulation and tightening.
Mesoboosters are a form of biostimulation that takes a holistic approach to rejuvenation, stimulating collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production across all skin layers for enhanced vitality.
CHAPTER 3: TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS IN COSMETIC INJECTABLES
Advances in technology have redefined the possibilities of injectable treatments, ushering in a new era of efficacy and safety. We will be seeing more use of technology for patient assessment and treatment planning. Improved and standardized photography with AI will assist with facial morphometry assessments and treatment recommendations.
We already have apps that can show how you may look if you alter a certain part of your face but imagine being able to predict what a certain treatment or injectable might do, how you might age with or without it, and whether it will be the best for your face. The future holds this possibility.
We are already using ultrasound to see beneath the skin as we work, and I believe that technologies like this will become more crucial to improve our understanding of facial structure and function and to ensure patient safety and outcomes.
LONGEVITY AND EFFICACY OF MODERN COSMETIC INJECTABLES
Researchers are exploring formulations that promise longer-lasting results, reducing the need for frequent touch-ups. We will also have the option of shorter and quicker-acting toxins in the future, which will open many treatment opportunities, including the ability to test new treatment areas, or for patients to see what longer-lasting treatments might have on offer for them, without the commitment.
We will be seeing more in the development of safer products, new biostimulators, and tissue remodellers as the holy grail of eternal beauty becomes more reachable.
MINIMISING SIDE EFFECTS WITH MODERN FORMULATIONS
Hypoallergenic formulations and advanced injection techniques are minimizing side effects and discomfort, ensuring that injectables are safer and more accessible than ever before.
The use of patient assessment tools like ultrasound to ensure correct and safe product placement will also improve our accuracy and outcomes in the future.
PERSONALISING FORMULATIONS FOR AN OPTIMAL PATIENT JOURNEY
Personalised aesthetics is becoming the norm, with bespoke facial filler plans and compositions tailored to individual needs, concerns, and goals. The integration of artificial intelligence is predicted to play a significant role in predicting aesthetic outcomes and enhancing patient satisfaction.
Gone are the days when the goal was to make everybody look the same. In the future, we will celebrate and preserve each person’s unique beauty.
CHAPTER 4: THE ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF PATIENT EDUCATION IN COSMETIC INJECTABLES
As the field of cosmetic injectables evolves, maintaining ethical standards and ensuring patient education are of paramount importance.
SETTING ETHICAL BOUNDARIES IN COSMETIC INTERVENTIONS
Balancing patient desires with realistic and safe outcomes is crucial to maintaining ethical standards. The medical community plays a pivotal role in upholding these principles and ensuring responsible cosmetic enhancements. The role of your aesthetic doctor is becoming crucial to ensure your safety and beauty in the incredibly complex developing work of facial aesthetics.
INFORMED CONSENT AND EXPECTATIONS
Open and transparent communication between clinicians and patients is essential for achieving optimal results. Informed consent empowers patients to make well-informed decisions, while resources and tools aid in setting realistic expectations.
We see our patients becoming well-versed about their concerns and treatment options and we predict that this will grow in the future. In the era of information being available at our fingertips, our patients will become more well-informed. They may also become more vulnerable to being misinformed, which is why having a practitioner that you can trust will become more crucial.
CONCLUSION: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF BEAUTY
The future of aesthetic injectables is undeniably bright. The fusion of science, technology, and ethics is propelling the field toward new horizons. As we stand at the crossroads of history and innovation, one thing is certain: the journey to timeless beauty is ever-evolving, and cosmetic injectables are at the forefront of this transformative voyage.
Embrace the possibilities, empower yourself with knowledge, and embark on a path toward a radiant future with an aesthetic doctor that you can trust.
Email capetown@drnwilkinson.co.za to enquire about your consultation with our team of aesthetic specialists today.
