Injectables, like dermal fillers, and wrinkle relaxers, like BOTOX®, are some of the best treatments available for smoothing and preventing wrinkles, plumping lips or cheeks and achieving a refreshed look. Because they are non-invasive and reveal results relatively quickly, injectables have become an incredibly popular choice for patients of all ages, but results can absolutely vary between injectors. Experience and aesthetics count!
While you may have options like med spas or even your dentist’s office for injectables, choosing a board-certified dermatologist offers superior results and better patient safety.
Dr. Joel Schlessinger, board-certified dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon and Mohs surgeon says, unfortunately, the amount of untrained and unqualified injectors has boomed in recent years. He adds, “Many of our patients come to us with poorly performed procedures, ranging from irregular or overdone results to downright dangerous injection practices. For these reasons, it’s important to visit a medical dermatology clinic where board-certified dermatologists are the only professionals performing the injections.”
Schlessinger MD board-certified dermatologist as well as Mohs surgeon and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Daniel Schlessinger explains how years of experience and education make their expertise invaluable when it comes to injectables. He says, “Think of it this way, when you go out for sushi, do you want to get gas station sushi, or do you want to go someplace where the chefs have been rolling rice for twenty years before they were ever allowed to touch the fish? As board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons, we’re the people who have been rolling rice for twenty years. We have had years of education, experience and a deeper knowledge of facial anatomy and safety before we ever begin an injection.”
Whether you’re a seasoned injectables patient or just starting your journey, Schlessinger MD can help you achieve natural, fresh results. Discover the reasons why a board-certified dermatologist is the ideal choice for wrinkle relaxers and dermal fillers, including:
- The importance of expert training and a skilled aesthetic eye
- Choosing the right injectable product for the right patient
- Rigorous standards for safety and high-quality products
The importance of expert training and a skilled aesthetic eye
The laws vary slightly from state to state when it comes to who can inject BOTOX® or dermal fillers, but generally, doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and even dentists can legally inject. However, meeting minimum requirements doesn’t always mean an injector is well-equipped to provide good aesthetic results.
Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says that you have to be careful when you visit just any injector, explaining, “They may have only attended a one-week course that teaches them how to perform injections. Board-certified dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons have completed years of training and injected hundreds or even thousands of patients during that time.”
Unlike spa treatments like facials or peels, BOTOX® and dermal filler injections are akin to medical procedures. While they can do wonders for re-claiming a youthful look, they should always be injected with the utmost expertise, as they can have detrimental side effects if injected improperly.
In an unskilled provider’s hands, BOTOX® injections can have uneven or “frozen-looking” results or have more serious side effects like drooping or damage to facial nerves. When it comes to dermal fillers, unskilled or untrained injectors may overfill, which can create a very unnatural look (i.e. duck lips or cheeks that look like tomatoes).
Dr. Joel Schlessinger notes poor past experiences can put a bad taste in patients’ mouths, making them hesitant to try injectables again. He says at Schlessinger MD, we take a more subtle approach, explaining, “Rather than overdoing it, we believe it’s important to allow our patients to see reasonable improvement from filler injections, and then consider more in the future if they wish. While hyaluronic acid fillers (the only type we use at SchlessingerMD) are technically reversible, dissolving them should be a last resort.”
Choosing the right injectable product for the right patient
Choosing a board-certified dermatologist with the knowledge of using the right wrinkle relaxer or filler product in the appropriate amounts can also be the difference between results you love and results you regret.
Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says a patient’s age and their unique skin concerns play a role in determining which injectable they choose and how much should be injected, explaining, “In younger patients, I typically use slightly lower doses of BOTOX® or I may turn to a different neurotoxin altogether, like Jeuveau™, which is a bit softer in its effect.” Dr. Joel Schlessinger adds, “Jeuveau™ is also great for those who may have had a ‘heavy’ feeling with other neurotoxins and it works well for treating neck and chest lines.”
For patients who are looking for comprehensive wrinkle relaxation, Dr. Joel Schlessinger often turns to Dysport®, adding, “I use it for many of the same wrinkle treatments or other conditions that BOTOX® is used for, but often, I find it provides the best results for younger patients because it offers more complete relaxation of wrinkles. Dysport® also covers areas like the upper forehead very nicely, so if a patient has tried another neurotoxin and it didn’t get the complete forehead relaxed, I might suggest Dysport®.”
Rigorous standards for safety and high-quality products
When it comes to injectables, the preparation and quality of the product are just as important as technique, skill and expertise. With the unfortunate rise of counterfeit BOTOX® and diluted injectables advertised for lower-than-expected prices per unit, understanding where your injectable products come from and how they are prepared is all the more important.
Dr. Daniel Schlessinger says if the advertised price of BOTOX® or other wrinkle relaxers seems low, it could be a warning flag, adding, “When you go to any injector, you’re trusting they aren’t watering down the formula when they reconstitute. If you see BOTOX® for an unreasonably low price, it’s likely too good to be true because it’s probably watered down, making it less effective.”
Diluted BOTOX® doesn’t typically produce effective results and can even increase the likelihood of adverse reactions. What’s worse, injected counterfeit BOTOX® has recently caused hospitalizations. Receiving injectables from a board-certified dermatologist you can trust ensures you are more likely to experience the results safely and as they are intended.
Dr. Joel Schlessinger says that at Schlessinger MD, we take great care in preparing our injectables for patients, explaining, “When BOTOX® arrives at our medical clinic, each vial contains a pre-filled amount of crystalline powder, which is the active BOTOX®. When you come in for your appointment, right before we inject, we reconstitute the powder with a small, precise amount of saline, ensuring the perfect dose for results that last as long as possible. Unfortunately, not every injector does this or, if they do, they overdo the saline, akin to watering down a drink at a bar.”
Conveniently schedule your injectable treatments
At Schlessinger MD, your skin is not just in good hands, it’s in the best hands. Dr. Joel Schlessinger has decades of experience with over 75,000+ wrinkle relaxers and 50,000+ filler injections performed, honing a technique that smooths wrinkles and plumps the facial contour for natural results every time.
Drs. Joel and Daniel Schlessinger are also 2024 Verified Expert Injectors and the only dermatologists chosen as 2024 New Beauty Top Doctors in Nebraska, an honor that is only given to the very best dermatologists who are committed to the highest level of standards in the industry.
Ready to take the next step in achieving a naturally refreshed, youthful look? You can schedule your complimentary aesthetic consultation with our knowledgeable patient coordinators and Drs. Joel and Daniel Schlessinger, conveniently online through our appointment portal.