Anti-wrinkle injections, filler and threads.
You've probably heard the terms, but what's the difference? What are the risks? And do they... hurt?
When it comes to injectables, there's a helluva lot of information out there.
Having become increasing popular over the last few years, more people are giving them a go and more people are talking about what they've had done.
But there are still a lot of assumptions about these tweakments that are total BS.
Dr Naomi McCullum is a renowned Australian cosmetic physician and a pioneer in the field of non-surgical cosmetic medicine.
Speaking to beauty expert Leigh Campbell during Mamamia's Skin Summit, Dr Naomi debunked the common myths so we can all be informed to make better choices.
Here's what she said.
Myth #1. Anti-wrinkle injections are bad for the muscle.
As Dr Naomi explained, an anti-wrinkle injection is a "purified protein" that stops the message getting from the nerve to the muscle. In short: it stops the muscle from working.
Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily.
"The muscle over time can definitely atrophy (decrease in size or waste away) because it's not getting worked," Dr Naomi said.
"[But] in some ways, it's a good thing - because you might need less anti-wrinkle injections over time, so people see that as a positive."
Dr Naomi added that some patients actually want atrophy.
"For example, people who want facial or jawline slimming," she said.
And although there are some places you might not want it - for example around your temples - the muscles are so tiny, "it's not that relevant clinically," she said.
Myth #2. Injectables only help reduce fine lines and boost collagen.
One of the most common myths surrounding injectables is that they're only good for increasing volume and making fine lines disappear.
While that magic does happen, there's a bunch more things they can help with.
"There are injectables that we use to target the skin, [including] skin boosters, platelet-rich plasma or PRP, and Aqua Gold," Dr Naomi said.
As she explained, a skin booster is like a filler treatment but really fine, and commonly used under the eyes.
PRP is popular all over the face (you can learn more about it here), and Aqua Gold helps with decreasing pore size, reducing redness and improving the skin's quality and texture.
The more you know.
Myth #3. Filler might stretch the skin.
Starting with the basics, filler is "completely different to anti-wrinkle injections," Dr Naomi said.
"It can be used in some of the same spots, but filler is a gel that sits under the skin."
Filler works to either give volume where it's been lost, reshape areas of the face (for example the lips) or to fill fine lines.
During their Skin Summit chat, Leigh pointed out that people worry filler might stretch the skin because it's adding volume.
Dr Naomi shut down that concern.
"We're often using [filler] for volume loss so it's not really stretching the skin, it's replacing it," she said.
"Then when we're using it in lines, we're really putting it onto the surface where the line is and also stimulating collagen."
"It's not something I worry about clinically at all," she added.
Myth #4. You can’t fix filler that’s migrated.
We've all seen not-so-happy-looking filler. It happens!
Most commonly, when it's moved above the lips or away from the undereyes and towards the nose.
Where tear through filler migrates. Image: Skin Summit.
"It's just not a good aesthetic result," Dr Naomi agreed.
But it's not a big deal, she says.
"Because if it happens, we just treat it. It's like bruising, it's like swelling. If it happens, we address it. It's not catastrophic at all."
And how do you fix it, you might ask? You dissolve it.
Myth #5. Anti-wrinkle injections and filler are your only options.
If you're on the fence about trying either anti-wrinkle injections or filler, there's another option: threads.
Here's how they work.
"Basically, we just put a number of [short threads] in [the face] - anywhere from 10 to hundreds - and it just stimulates the collagen," Dr Naomi said.
The size of a thread. Image: Skin Summit.
They work for a number of skin concerns and are great for patients with darker skin tones as they don't have the risk of hyperpigmentation that lasers have.
"The other people who like them are those that don't like extra volume," Dr Naomi added.
"People who want to look natural [but] don't want volume enhancement."
Unsure about filler? Consider threads.
Myth #6. Injectables are very painful.
And lastly, the most common misconception: that these tweakments are very painful.
Yes, they're using needles, but as Dr Naomi explained, two out of three treatments are "very low pain".
The least painful? Anti-wrinkle injections.
"I would say the majority of people wouldn't even need happy gas for that... A lot of patients don't even want ice, although ice is good for bruising" she said.
"It's very, very quick, and it's not that painful."
As for threads? "They're are not very painful," the expert said.
"However, it comes down to the number of threads being used. You're okay for like the first 20... but if you're having a lot of threads, patients get a bit pain fatigued."
And word of warning, despite having local anaesthetic in it, filler is the most painful.
"[Getting it done in] the centre part of the face is painful, [but] the outer part of the face isn't as painful," Dr Naomi said.
"The lips are really painful because of the nerves."
There you go!
Did you miss The Skin Summit presented by Mamamia? Get on-demand access to the best skin experts in the world. Whether you love nerding out over a 12-step skincare routine or still use a bar of soap, the summit is the secret to the best skin of your life. Streaming directly to your couch. Catch up on-demand here.
For more from Dr Naomi McCullum, follow her on Instagram.
Feature image: Supplied.
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