Thanks to various celebrities, certain skin treatments – particularly injectables – have been in the media spotlight for all the wrong reasons. But as more of us embark on a journey for radiant, youthful, healthy skin, injectables – such as dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections – are becoming less of a taboo topic.
Brandy Wehinger, Clinical Director for Caci, says injectables are far more common than most of us may think. “It’s one of the most popular non-surgical treatments globally,” she explains. “More and more we have noticed that customers are really happy with their results and are now letting their friends know. We often hear about customers who have received lovely compliments and then been asked what they are doing to look and feel great.”
She adds that injectables appeal to people from all walks of life – and the customers they see at Caci are a highly diverse bunch. “Customers come to us with a range of concerns including lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, scarring, redness, uneven skin tone and texture or unwanted hair,” she says. “They may have decided they would like to have an injectables treatment – they might have done a bit of research or been recommended by a friend.”
Wehinger says many customers who are looking to begin their skin health journey will come to Caci for advice. “Often customers seek the advice of our team to recommend the treatment options that will get them the best results – this is why our consultations are complimentary at Caci,” she explains.
Although many celebrities have come under scrutiny for having “too much” work done, Wehinger says it’s Caci’s aim to enhance your natural look. “Each treatment is personalised because we understand that you don’t want to look frozen or overdone. You want to simply look and feel your best.”
Wehinger goes on to explain that there is no one- size-fits-all approach where injectables are concerned – and that different injectables do different jobs. Injectables are often thought of as simply treating lines and wrinkles, but Wehinger explains that Caci also offers dermal fillers that contour and enhance volume.
“Our team will recommend which treatments will be best to treat your specific concerns – sometimes this may be a combination of treatments,” she says. Wehinger explains that anti-wrinkle injectables and dermal fillers work in different ways. Facial expressions – laughing, smiling, frowning – are produced by the movement of the muscles under the skin, she explains. “Over time, these muscle contractions lead to wrinkles and ‘grooves’ forming in the skin. As we age and our collagen and elastin production slows down, these lines become more pronounced.” This is when anti-wrinkle injections, made from a purified protein, can be applied to temporarily reduce the action of the targeted muscles and prevent them from moving. “As a result, lines and wrinkles in the skin are softened – giving you a younger, fresher-looking appearance.” Such injectables can be used on the forehead, frown lines, around the mouth, and for facial sculpting along the jawline.
We also tend to lose volume in our skin as we age – which is when dermal fillers can be used. “[Dermal fillers are] an injectable gel made from hyaluronic acid – a naturally occurring substance in the body,” explains Wehinger. “Once injected, the substance instantly plumps up the skin – smoothing lines, folds and wrinkles in the face, and adding volume to lips or cheeks.”
Dermal fillers can be used in various areas, including the cheeks (to add volume to deflated or sunken cheeks and to define cheekbones), marionette lines (to fill and reduce their appearance), the jawline (to soften sharp or angular jawlines), and the lips (to add volume and definition and to reduce the appearance of wrinkles around the lip area).
A complimentary consultation is the first step on your journey with Caci, and if you decide that injectables are the right treatment option for you, you will be booked in with one of Caci’s registered cosmetic nurses. “The injection process is quick and can take between 10 and 15 minutes,” Wehinger says. “Afterwards we’ll also check in with you for a review to see how you’re feeling after your treatment, and to answer any questions you might have.”
As for whether injectables are painful, Wehinger explains that because the process is so quick, and the needles are small and fine, the treatment hardly hurts at all. “You’ll likely feel a pinprick, but most customers describe the treatment as being a bit uncomfortable, rather than painful,” she says.
Wehinger also says that results will vary from person to person. “Anti-wrinkle injectable results can take a few days to become visible, and the effects of the anti-wrinkle treatment generally last up to three or four months. We’ll check in with you after the treatment to ensure you’re still satisfied with the results,” she says. “With dermal fillers, results vary from person to person, but typically last between 12 and 24 months and are noticeable immediately after the treatment.”
Visit caci.co.nz for more information, or to book your complimentary consultation today.