Think injections are just for just foreheads and fillers are just for lips? Think again! The non-surgical cosmetic procedure industry continues to evolve each year with the ongoing development of promising breakthrough treatments. However, new uses for current products already on the market are often discovered. According to the American Society for Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), minimally invasive procedures, such as cosmetic injectables, are up 132 percent overall from 2000 to 2016. Patients are loving the results they can get with little-to-no downtime and all of the new found uses for cosmetic injectables.

DON’T SWEAT IT

Neuromodulators, such as Botox, are commonly used for fine lines and wrinkles, but, recently, they have gained traction for another reason. Neuromodulators can also be injected into the underarms to help people with excessive sweating – a condition known as hyperhydrosis. By blocking a chemical release in the body, the botulinum toxin (Botox) suppresses sweating at the area of injection. It is a relatively painless and a quick procedure to have done, with little-to-no downtime, and people suffering from this condition often love their results.

BACK TO THE GRIND

Another popular use for neuromodulators is for treating people who grind their teeth or have temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJDs). According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, TMJDs are the second most commonly occurring musculoskeletal conditions resulting in pain and disability (after chronic low back pain), affecting approximately five to 12 percent of the population, with an annual cost estimated at 4 billion dollars. Many people who have had neuromodulators to treat this condition experience significant tension and pain relief. The injections help relax the muscles to relieve jaw clenching and teeth grinding for months at a time, including at night when those actions are often involuntary during sleep.

THE NONSURGICAL NOSE JOB

If a person’s nose is not causing physical issues, such as breathing problems, they may not need to resort to rhinoplasty to get the desired look they are trying to achieve. A nonsurgical nose job can be performed in about 20 minutes with cosmetic filler injections. This treatment can easily smooth out bumps, balance indentations, raise the tip of the nose, create better symmetry, or provide projection anteriorly and laterally. Whatever a person’s desires, great results can often be achieved noninvasively.

DO YOUR EARS HANG LOW?

Ear lobes are getting a lot of attention in recent months thanks to reality television star and business mogul, Kris Jenner. While she opted to go the surgical route, many people are opting for nonsurgical corrective fillers to help shape their lobes. The most common ear lobe complaints are sagging lobes, often due to years of wearing heavy earrings; volume loss, simply due to aging; or asymmetry, having ears that are noticeably different shapes. Adding filler improves lobe structure, restores volume, and corrects shape asymmetry to create a more youthful, balanced appearance.

ALL HANDS ON DECK

Hands go through a lot every day – it is almost unfathomable how many tasks they do in just one short year. With hands being exposed to the elements (cold, wind, snow, sun, and so on) and daily hand washing with soap (which can be drying), it is no surprise hands seem to age faster than other parts of the body. As people age, tendons, veins, and wrinkles all play a role in making hands look older than they are. Cosmetic fillers can be used to smooth out hollows and fine lines giving a fuller, younger, and smoother overall look.

HAPPY FEET

In recent years, everyone from athletes to business women have been injecting cosmetic fillers into their feet to give a little more cushion to their step. The fat pad at the bottom of the forefoot acts as a shock absorber. This pad begins to shrink and shift with age and use and this anatomical change can cause pain in the feet or numbness in the toes while standing or walking. Fillers help restore the cushion at the forefoot and rejuvenate the lost tissue and fat atrophy. It is a quick procedure with immediate results. Recovery is simply resting for a few days before any major physical activity. The result can last up to a year, depending on body weight and activity.

SAVING FACE

Volume is a major factor in determining how youthful someone’s face looks. As people age, they naturally lose hyaluronic acid, fat, and collagen from their face. On average, it is a general guideline that people lose a teaspoon of volume from their face every year, starting in their thirties. This laxity, descension, and significant volume loss can make the face look flattened, sunken, tired, accentuate fine and deep lines, and show all the tell-tale signs of aging. By replacing natural volume loss in areas such as the forehead, temporal lobes, orbitals, cheeks, lips, and the jawline, professionals can help restore the client’s plumpness, add contour, and achieve the facial volume clients desire.

CHINNY CHIN CHIN

Contrary to popular belief, double chins do not just occur with weight gain. Many people in the best shape of their lives suffer from a sagging jaw and neck line due to a myriad of factors. Now there is a cosmetic injectable that can help reduce the submental fat under the chin by dissolving the fat cells. The lysis of the fat cells creates inflammation, which results in an overall contracting and tightening of the area. This treatment has been very effective in contouring double chins and restoring jaw lines to a firmer shape.

BATTLE OF THE BULGE

The same procedure mentioned above can be used to treat other areas of the body, like stubborn bra bulge by the axilla, posterior back fat, love handles, small areas of the abdomen, and inner thighs. Body fat-melting injections take about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated and are typically well-tolerated. Following the procedure, one may expect levels seven to 10 of redness, swelling, and some tenderness. It requires two to three sessions on average for solid results and appointments are typically spaced eight to 12 weeks apart. While these procedures do not replace surgical options, they do have a great impact on a person’s appearance and confidence with little-to-no downtime. If utilized in combination with other procedures, such as microneedling, peels, and laser skin tightening, results can be even more enhanced.

In summary, the noninvasive cosmetic procedures that are already available on the market are giving consumers a plethora of options with shorter treatment lengths. It is important to note before any procedure that a client’s personal health history is crucial as to which treatments are safe and effective for them. They should always consult with their doctor before undergoing any treatment.