Your Basic Guide To Injectables

I have said a million times in the past, there is just so much noise out there, especially when it comes to skincare treatments and cosmetics. It’s so overwhelming and there are so many trends and buzzwords that it can be easy to think that you need to have them all… but of course, this is not the case.

I see a lot of the time in my clinic clients with skin concerns such as dullness, fine lines, poor skin laxity and a lack of radiance wanting to do more. So what do they do? Google, or nowadays ask ChatGPT, what trends are going on at the moment.

They finally decide, after speaking to friends and watching countless social media influencers, that injectables are the option. Maybe it’s filler, Botox or something else. They have it done and then come to the clinic baffled as to why their skin still isn’t looking how they want.

They have smoother skin, more volume and far less movement, but we need to remember that smooth skin and healthy skin are not the same thing.

I want to also mention that I am not anti-injectables and this isn’t going to be a post bashing them either. Just because I choose not to go down that route, I don’t expect others to follow suit. What this post is about is understanding what they can and cannot do and why you might use them in the first place.

Here is a list of some of the most common injectables that I get asked about and what they do…

BOTOX:

Botox is designed to help relax muscles, soften fine lines that are caused by movement and prevent deeper lines forming over time. Too much though, and the muscle can relax to the point where it becomes completely smooth (muscles naturally have a texture to them), which can start to look a little unnatural.

DERMAL FILLERS:

Fillers add volume to the face whilst also contouring and restoring facial structure that can shrink as we get older. They can create a heaviness and puffiness over time if they are overused though, so be wary with these. These are probably one of the only injectables that I wouldn’t personally recommend people try, mainly because I have seen very varying results over the years and if you don’t like them, they can be difficult to fully reverse and return to your original look.

I see a lot of puffiness and heaviness in the face even years after they have been done. That said, they can be very effective when carried out well and conservatively. Good injectors know that filler should be undetectable, and it really is a bit of a dark art. Unfortunately, I don’t often see them done well, which is why I tend not to recommend them.

PROFHILO / SKIN BOOSTERS:

These tend to be hyaluronic acid based and work to improve hydration and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, but in a different way to filler.

POLYNUCLEOTIDES:

These are more focused on healing and repairing the skin. They help to stimulate cellular activity and support the skin’s natural repair processes. They are often used around the eyes to improve the appearance of the skin and can also help with skin laxity on the neck. They tend to have a cumulative effect, so results are more subtle and build over time.

EXOSOMES:

These are little messengers that signal cells to encourage repair and support collagen production, which may help with fine lines and wrinkles. It’s worth noting though that they are very trendy right now, not always well regulated, and results can vary. I’ve heard very mixed things about these.

PEPTIDE-BASED INJECTABLES:

These are also described as messengers that signal the body to repair and encourage collagen production. The word “peptides” is used a lot at the moment as it’s a bit of a buzzword, but don’t be too easily drawn in by marketing.

Some treatments are labelled as “peptide cocktails”, skin boosters or even polynucleotides and are sold as if they are peptides, when they are not. Some may contain peptides, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they are present in meaningful amounts or formulated in a way that makes them effective. True peptide injections tend to sit more within medical or functional medicine rather than mainstream aesthetics, which is why the term is sometimes used loosely or incorrectly.

The main thing to understand with the majority of these injectables is that they are working beneath the skin rather than directly improving the surface quality. They are not addressing barrier health, redness, pigmentation, congestion or inflammation, so if these are your main concerns, injectables alone are not going to fix them.

I think nowadays, largely due to social media, people link injectables to good skin health because someone claims they’ve had them and then posts a picture where their skin looks great. This is not always the full picture, and we have to remember that social media is often an unregulated world of smoke and mirrors.

So what actually improves skin health?

Consistent skincare that focuses on barrier repair, not overdoing actives, regular treatments and a supportive lifestyle. That includes managing stress, getting plenty of sleep and eating well.

Injectables can help the appearance of the skin to a certain extent, but they are not designed to improve or support the skin barrier or overall skin health. Results can also vary, and just because something has worked for someone else, it doesn’t always mean it will work for you.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with all of this and want to create a skincare plan that actually suits you, please don’t hesitate to book an online consultation with me here or fill out my free skin check-in form here. I can then create a plan tailored to your skin and your needs.

Thank you so much for reading,

Emmaline