Wrinkle relaxers and dermal fillers
People often use the two names loosely, so here is the plain difference. Wrinkle relaxers are injected into muscle and act on muscle movement. Dermal fillers are gels placed under the skin in a chosen spot. They are different products with different techniques, and a provider may suggest one, both or neither.
Both are given by licensed providers where state law allows. Who may inject is set by state rules, which differ across the country. Ask any provider you speak with about their license, their training with each product and how they decide what is suitable.
How a provider thinks about product and amount
Choosing an injectable takes more than picking a product from a list. A licensed provider looks at the area you want to discuss, how your face moves, your skin, your health and your medicines. With dermal fillers, they also consider which gel and which technique, such as needle or cannula. With wrinkle relaxers, they think about which muscles and how much.
Ask them to talk you through it. You can also ask what they would not do and why. Injectables are given by licensed providers where state law allows, and who may inject is set by California rules.
Getting ready for an injectables consultation
Before an injectables consultation, take ten minutes to write a few notes:
- the area or areas you want to ask about
- a list of medicines and supplements, including aspirin, fish oil and vitamin E
- allergies, including to numbing creams
- any past injectables, with dates and where you had them
- whether you are pregnant, planning to be, or breastfeeding
- events in the coming weeks, since bruising can show
Bring the notes with photo ID and your questions. A licensed provider uses them to decide what is suitable.
Questions about injectables
Do I need to stop any medicines first?
Do not stop a prescribed medicine without talking to the person who prescribed it. Some medicines and supplements, such as blood thinners, aspirin and fish oil, can make bruising more likely, so bring a full list to the consultation. The provider weighs it and decides what is suitable.
What side effects are possible?
Bruising, swelling and tenderness where the injection was given are commonly discussed, and less common complications exist too. Ask the provider to explain the side effects for the specific product, how they would handle a complication, and who to contact afterward. For anything that worries you, see a doctor.
How do I know which product a provider is using?
Ask. A provider can tell you the product type, whether it is a wrinkle relaxer or a dermal filler, and why they suggest it. You can also ask for the product name and amount to be noted in your records, which helps if you see a different provider later.
Want to know if a treatment may suit you? Request a consultation with a provider near you.
Request a consultationMore consultation topics
Facials and peels
Send a request to talk about skin treatments such as facials, peels or microneedling with a provider near you.
Ask about laser
Skin tone, hair color and the area all matter. A licensed provider decides what is suitable at a consultation.
Body treatments
Non-surgical body treatments such as body contouring. Ask a local provider what a treatment involves and whether it may suit you.