The Best is Yet to Come

I started freaking out as my 30th birthday approached a few summers ago, and now I look back and can honestly say that my 30's are far surpassing my 20's. I'm more established, confident, healthier, and am all around happier. I also travel more, and still love a good night out. But what is creeping up to remind me I'm not that fresh faced 20-something anymore are wrinkles and fine lines. Injectables used to freak me out, but now with the extra comfort measures and quicker procedures I'm definitely ready.

Injectables: It's Really Easy to Give Them a Try

If you've got a bothersome line, wrinkle, or an area of your face that's looking a little flatter than it used to, you've probably entertained the idea of injectable treatments. But if something's still holding you back — time, fear of needles, or worries about getting your money's worth — those apprehensions may be misplaced. 

More Comfortable

Yes, injectable treatments require the use of a needle, but they're not nearly as painful as some needle-phobics expect. Many injectables, including the ever-popular JUVÉDERM®, come already formulated with lidocaine, an exceptionally popular and very effective anesthetic. 

That's not to say you'll feel absolutely nothing, but it's safe to say that a quick pinch is about as bad as it gets. After treatment, ice or a cold compress can help a lot, and any residual redness, tenderness, or itching will typically go away within a day or so. 

Increasingly, doctors are putting a big emphasis on patient comfort, too. Especially at practices with a day spa or medical spa component, many have the concept down to a science. Some, like Dr. Edward Gross of metro Orlando, offer BOTOX® and other injectable patients the option of nitrous oxide (that's "laughing gas" to us laypeople) to help take the edge off during treatment. 

Faster In and Out of the Office

In a really efficient doctor's office, an injectable treatment can last only a few minutes, getting you back to your regular daily activities in a flash. Once your appointment is over, there's no downtime or recovery to worry about. You can return to work, home, school, or wherever your day takes you, as soon as you'd like. 

Keep in mind that some doctors advise against strenuous activities, such as working out, for the remainder of your treatment day. But that's about as disruptive as an injectable treatment can be to your normal daily routine.

Results Now, Results Later

With injectable dermal fillers, there's no reason to choose between seeing results instantly and seeing results in the long term. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers add volume to wrinkles instantly, so you'll be looking your best as soon as you leave your appointment — and more importantly, the results of some of today's fillers can last more than a year. 

BOTOX is a bit different, though. While it's still an injectable, it's technically a neuromodulator. It works by temporarily blocking the nerve signals to the muscles that cause us to be expressive in ways that produce wrinkles. It takes some time for it to fully take effect, so patients can expect to see their results emerge about a week after their initial appointments, with a smooth, lifted look lasting between 3 and 6 months. 

Best of all, injectables can be administered completely on your terms. Whether you'd like to undergo a single session in preparation for a special day, or you're ready to make injectable treatments a regular part of your beauty regimen, working with an experienced plastic surgeon or dermatologist can help you look your best in a way that blends seamlessly with your lifestyle. 

Have you ever tried it? If not, are you considering any treatments to treat wrinkles?

**This was a sponsored with Etna Interactive**