Wrinkles are an inevitable part of the aging process, but sun damage, smoking and dehydration can accelerate the formation of such creases. When wrinkles and creases crop up on your face, skin care professionals in the Sutter Health network can help relax facial lines and restore volume.

We offer injectable treatments such as Botox, Dysport and dermal facial fillers that can be used alone or in combination to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Botox and Dysport Injections

Botox is a purified protein derivative of the Clostridium botulinum bacterium that has been safely used for cosmetic purposes since its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002. It’s administered via a series of injections into the muscles of your face. The injections work by inhibiting the transmission of nerve impulses, thereby decreasing wrinkle-forming muscle contractions. Dysport is a similar type of injection that utilizes the same bacterium, and has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration since 2009.

Botox typically starts to improve your appearance in 48 hours, with the maximum effect reached in two weeks. Results typically last three to four months and with repeated treatments may last longer. Dysport typically starts to work in 48 to 72 hours and can last up to four months. As with any medical procedure, risks and side effects do exist. The most common side effects for both Botox and Dysport include bruising, temporary eyebrow or eyelid droop, a temporary headache and, rarely, flu-like symptoms.

Dermal Filler Injections

Dermal fillers are used to increase facial volume and can help smooth your wrinkles and soften creases, with results typically lasting six to 12 months. We offer hyaluronic acid-based fillers such as Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus, which are all approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration.

As we age, our skin’s ability to produce hyaluronic acid decreases, causing collagen to snap like a rubber band and create wrinkles in the skin. Injecting water-loving, viscous hyaluronic acid into your facial skin in the form of a dermal filler can temporarily increase volume and smooth wrinkles.

We also offer Radiesse, a different type of dermal filler that consists of calcium-based microspheres suspended in an aqueous gel solution. This effective dermal filler is injected into moderate and severe wrinkles and folds of the lower face. Results may last up to one year.

Knowledgeable doctors and skin care professionals in the Sutter Health network can help you determine the right treatment for you based on the location of your wrinkles, your specific needs and the amount of correction needed to ensure optimal cosmetic results.