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Botox, Fillers, Kybella, Oh My! Here’s How to Choose the Right Injectable

You want to refresh your appearance, that much you know. But with so many injectable treatment options out there, how do you know which one (or ones!) is right for you? 

In short, the best injectable for you will depend on your goals, expectations, and trouble spots. For a more detailed explanation of the differences between some of the most popular injectable cosmetic treatments and who they’re best for, read on. 

Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin 

Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin are different brands in the same class of injectable wrinkle treatments known as neuromodulators. These injectables contain botulinum toxin, which temporarily relaxes the muscle contractions that cause fine lines and wrinkles in areas of your face that often move — think crow’s feet, forehead wrinkles, and “11 lines” between your eyebrows. 

But don’t worry; when administered by a trained professional, Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin can yield very natural-looking results. Dr. Azza Halim of Sanctuary Medical Aesthetic Center told Byrdie that the goal of Botox and other neuromodulators is to “relax facial muscles without over-freezing,” thus creating a smooth, natural look and avoiding a “frozen” face.

Generally speaking, neuromodulators last around 3 to 6 months before another treatment will be needed to maintain results. However, there is some evidence that starting Botox early may be able to prevent wrinkles from forming in the future.

Juvéderm, Radiesse, Sculptra, & Other Fillers

Juvéderm, Radiesse, Sculptra, Beloterro, and Bellfill are all types of injectable fillers, though not all brands of fillers necessarily contain the same active ingredients or work in the same way. 

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers like Juvéderm and Beloterro work by plumping your skin from the inside out using hyaluronic acid, which has the ability to bind to and retain up to 1,000 times its molecular weight in water. This plumping effect temporarily “fills in” lines and wrinkles and can also add volume to areas like your cheeks or lips. On the other hand, Beloterro has a tendency to retain less water than other HA fillers, making it an excellent treatment option for the eye area, where you do not want puffiness and swelling, as Dr. Halim explains in an interview with Shape.

One of the benefits of hyaluronic acid fillers is that they can be dissolved using a special enzyme at any time. This is not possible with other types of fillers, which need to gradually wear away over time to restore your normal appearance. HA fillers can last anywhere from 6 to 18 months, depending on the brand and treatment location.

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How to Care for Your Skin in the Winter: 5 Expert Tips

In the cooler winter months, your skin requires a little different attention than it might need in the summer.

“Hydration is one of the biggest concerns in the winter because of the temperature getting colder, as well as the humidity levels dropping,” says Licensed Medical Aesthetician Cheryl Staurowsky. However, there are several small changes you can make to your warm-weather skincare regimen to help your skin stay hydrated and healthy in the winter months, including these five she shared with us.

1. Switch to a Heavier Moisturizer

While a lightweight moisturizer might be enough to keep your skin smooth in the summer, it might not be enough to prevent dry skin, flaking, and itching caused by cooler winter air. Switch to a heavier moisturizing cream in the winter for added hydration. If you don’t want to use a heavy cream under makeup, you can simply add the heavier moisturizer to your nightly regimen.

2. Add Hyaluronic Acid to Your Regimen

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occuring sugar that is very effective at pulling in and retaining moisture, so adding a hyaluronic acid serum like PCA Skin’s HA Boosting Serum to your winter regimen can help your skin stay hydrated.

However, hyaluronic acid is a humectant, which means that it will pull moisture away from your skin if there is no moisture available in the surrounding air. So pair this ingredient with an occlusive like beeswax or jojoba oil to create a barrier between your skin and the environment so that vital moisture cannot escape.

3. Use Lip Balm

The thin, delicate skin on your lips is an easy target for the colder weather, wind, and drier air in the winter. To prevent dryness, chapping, and cracking, apply a moisturizing lip balm when you go outside. Even better yet, choose a lip balm that contains SPF to keep your lips protected from the sun.

4. Moisturize the Backs of Your Hands

In addition to your lips, the backs of your hands can easily suffer from dryness and cracking in the winter. Apply a heavy moisturizing cream to the backs of your hands daily or as frequently as needed to keep them supple and soft. Wear gloves when outdoors to protect them from the dry air and wind.

5. Wear Sunscreen

You may not realize that the sun’s UV rays can still reach and damage your skin in the winter, even if it is snowing, raining, or overcast. In fact, if you live in a snowy climate, the sun’s rays can reflect off of snow, making them even stronger when they reach your skin. Therefore, it is important to wear daily SPF all year-round, even in the winter.

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Are holiday festivities helping or hurting your skin?

The holiday season is usually marked by delicious meals, sweets and festive cocktails. But did you know that some of the holiday foods that we commonly eat could wreak havoc on your skin, while others could help you get your glow on?

We break down some of the best and worst holiday foods for your skin, plus offer a few quick and easy skincare tips for a smooth, radiant complexion.

Holiday Foods Great for Your Skin

Lots of holiday foods that you’ll find on the table are actually very beneficial for your skin, so stock up on these festive favorites:

  • Cranberries. Rich in antioxidants, cranberries help to fight harmful free radicals to protect your complexion and ward off signs of aging. Whole cranberries are best, as cranberry sauce tends to be high in sugar.
  • Walnuts. Not only do walnuts contain high levels of antioxidants, but they are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help your skin stay smooth, hydrated, and protected.
  • Carrots. You could call these orange holiday staples nature’s retinoid cream. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A within your body. Vitamin A is the derivative from which retinoids come.
  • Fish. Many cultures eat fish on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and other holidays. Fish is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which your skin needs to stay moisturized.
  • Chestnuts.Roast these over the fire to boost your vitamin B. Some studies show that vitamin B may help your skin to create new skin cells more quickly and efficiently.

Holiday Foods Not So Great for Your Skin

These foods and drinks, on the other hand, aren’t so great for your skin and could worsen existing skin conditions or leave you with a dull, lackluster complexion post-holiday:

  • Cookies and sweets. Sugar is your skin’s enemy, as it causes a chemical reaction called glycation. During glycation, sugar molecules bind to and damage proteins like collagen, accelerating the aging process.
  • Eggnog. Not only is eggnog usually high in sugar, but it’s also high in saturated fats, which can cause inflammation throughout your body, including your skin. If you struggle with acne, you may want to avoid eggnog and other dairy products, as studies show that dairy is one of the biggest food-related culprits of acne.
  • Veggie dips. Veggie dips also traditionally contain dairy and saturated fats. Hummus is a healthier alternative that also comes along with the added free-radical-fighting benefits of the manganese found in chickpeas.
  • Alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumption dehydrates your skin and can also cause a flare-up of existing skin conditions like rosacea.

Easy Skincare Tips to Get Glowing Skin

Whether you’re looking for a quick boost of radiance right before the holidays or you want a little skin pick-me-up after a festive night, here are a few quick and easy skincare tricks you can try:

  • Create a honey and sugar scrub. The sugar crystals are small and soft enough that they don’t damage your skin, but they do offer gentle exfoliation. Honey is full of beneficial antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, and can also help to draw moisture to your skin.
  • Make a DIY face mask for glowing skin. Combine cacao powder, papaya, and a dash of aloe vera gel to make an at-home face mask that’s jam-packed with beneficial ingredients for your skin. Leave this mask on for about ten minutes, and then gently wipe off with a washcloth.
  • Keep a consistent skincare routine. Don’t forget about the power of a daily skincare regimen! While you won’t see overnight results with a brand new regimen, you will see long-lasting improvements to your skin as you continue to use it.

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