Power Players

WITH A FEW QUICK PRICKS FROM A NEEDLE OR A CANNULA, IT’S EASY TO TREAT FINE LINES, ADD VOLUME OR INCREASE HYDRATION.

Neuromodulators

We’ve all heard of Botox, the brand name for an injectable used to treat expression lines such as crow’s-feet, forehead wrinkles or frown lines between the eyebrows (sometimes called “the 11s”). By blocking communication between a facial muscle and the connected nerves, neuromodulators, like Botox, fully or partially freeze the muscle to diminish lines that create a tired or stern appearance— and they can also prevent lines from forming in the future.

PAIN LEVEL: 1/10 DOWNTIME: None TIMELINE: Results take a week or two to reach full effect and last four to six months. COST: $ 400 and up

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Juvéderm, Restylane and Teosyal are gel injectables that plump lines and folds, as well as increase volume, with hyaluronic acid, a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in the skin. For an instant anti-aging effect, most people benefit from filling

the lateral cheeks (an outer region of the cheek)—one of the first areas to lose volume as we age.

PAIN LEVEL: 3/10 DOWNTIME: Possible minor bruising or swelling TIMELINE: Results are immediate and last 12 to 18 months. COST: $ 600 and up

Skin-boosters

Skin-boosting injectables such as Juvéderm Volite, Teosyal Redensity I and Restylane Skinboosters use low-viscosity hyaluronic acid to “draw water into the skin and improve its appearance, elasticity and smoothness,” says Torontobased dermatologist Dr. Lisa Kellett. By using a thin layer of hyaluronic acid over a wide area, your injector can make the skin appear smooth and hydrated while softening fine lines above the lip and on the cheeks, neck, décolleté and hands. This treatment won’t add volume but will improve skin’s texture.

PAIN LEVEL: 2/10 DOWNTIME: Possible minor bruising or swelling TIMELINE: Results last up to a year after three treatments. COST: $ 800 and up per treatment