**The facts on facial fillers - 1

New injectables promise scalpel-free dewrinkiling. But are they worth the rish and expense?
Twenty years ago, the only options for eliminating lines and wrinkles short of a full-fledged face-lift were with bovine collagen of fat injections. But hose limited choices have proliferated into a bevy of crease-reducing alternatives. Botox, for example to paralyze furrow-causing muscles, and a variety of filters—substances injected into the skin to plump lines or stimulate new collagen growth.
The use of these injectables is on the rise. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in New York City estimates that filters such as collagen, fat and hyaluronic acid have increased by 113 percent from 2003 to 2004. And those seeking them are increasingly younger. There has been a marked risen in the number of patients I see in their 30s, says David Colbert, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City.

The current crop of FDA-approved substances offers smooth skin for a few months. But as makers continue the quest for ever-better products, permanence seems to be the next holy grail. Doctors warn however, that the longest-lasting material isn’t always better if it delivers less than perfect result. Many of these options haven’t been around long enough for the medical community to know how they’ll age within skin. (Will they migrate beyond the injection site, leaving a droopy, baser hound-like look?)

To ensure safety, it’s crucial to know exactly what you’ve putting into your face—particularly given the December incident in Florida, in which four people suffered paralysis, reportedly because of homemade Botox. And with many docs using substances off-label (for a purpose other than what the FDA approved) and several options requiring tricky injection techniques, it’s more important than ever to choose a doctor with skilled hands. Putting yourself in the position of a guinea pig could be dangerous—and damaging to your face.

So to fill or not to fill? Self investigated this brave new world for the latest information on these hot shots.

ref: self