Debunking Filler and AntiWrinkle Treatment Myths

Every single day, hundreds of Australians from around the country head into clinics to receive injectable treatments for a wide array of cosmetic purposes. Yet, despite so many enjoying the benefits of injectable treatments, the injectables industry has long been surrounded by stigmas and myths.

No one knows this more than Dr Nico Foley, Global Medical Director for the Laser Clinics Group After years consulting on and performing dermal filler and botulinum toxin procedures, Dr Foley has heard it all, and is now setting the record straight on some of the most common – and surprising – myths surrounding injectable treatments, to help educate and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their cosmetic journeys.

Myth One: I’m too young for injectables, they’re just for old people who want to look young again.

Dr Nico Foley says, “We all age differently and depending on our life stage, are looking for different outcomes, so it’s all about the individual needs of the person. Yes, anti-wrinkle treatments and fillers can be used by people over the age of 40 to help with the aging process, but they can also work for people in their 20s and 30s as preventive measures, to address early signs of aging before they progress, or to enhance facial features such as symmetry or volume. Wrinkles and other signs of aging can develop at any age due to a range factors, from sun exposure to stress or smoking, so it all depends on the person and what outcomes you’re looking for, not age.”

Myth Two: Anti-wrinkle treatments will make me look 18 years old again.

Dr Nico Foley says, “The goal of anti-wrinkle treatments is to effectively reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but at the end of the day the aging process is inevitable, so it’s simply not feasible to completely remove the signs of aging. Other skin treatments we offer such as BBL Hero, which is the most powerful pulsed light skin treatment available globally, can also help with the effects of aging.

Factors such as age, genetics, and skin condition, including deep wrinkles caused by loss of collagen and elastin in the skin can all influence the effectiveness of any treatments, but a combination of personalised inject treatments and a tailored skin treatment plan is the most effective way to combat ageing. The objective is not to make a 40-year-old look like a teenager, we just want to help you look naturally refreshed.”

Myth Three: It’s called plastic surgery for a reason - it always looks weird and unnatural.

Dr Nico Foley says, “One of the biggest myths around injectable treatments is that they will radically change the way you look or make you look ‘unnatural’, based on tabloid images we remember of celebrities who’ve had lots of work done. We don’t want to make you look less like you, or like you’re wearing a mask, our priority is to help you achieve natural-looking outcomes that are tailored to your needs - whether it be to refresh your appearance, like you’ve just had a great night’s sleep or are flaunting that post-holiday glow, or sharpen areas that have softened or lost volume as part of the aging process.”

Myth Four: Fillers and Botox will permanently change my face.

Dr Nico Foley says, “The muscles in our face are just like any other muscles in the body, they can be trained to function a particular way with the right work. Botox and anti-wrinkle treatments are not permanent, they simply train your muscles to work differently for a period, so if you don’t continue to come back those wrinkles will grow back once the treatment wears off. Repeat treatments simply provide the maintenance pathway that is required to achieve and maintain your desired results.

Most of the common dermal fillers are also not permanent. They are made from naturally occurring substances commonly found in the tissue, so over time they are broken down, reabsorbed and partially redistributed via the body’s natural systems. While dermal fillers should not be entered into without careful consideration, they will not permanently change facial structure when placed appropriately. Overall, the duration of results always depends on the types of ingredients, formulation and dosage that is used.”

Myth Five: Injectable treatments are just for women, it’s not a guy thing.

Dr Nico Foley says, “Whilst fillers and ‘facelifts’ are more associated with women, we have many male patients who come into our clinics for a range of treatments. As women age, we lose the distinction around our cheekbones and lips, whereas for men you often see a softening around the jawline, which can be sharpened with just a couple of mililitres of filler. It’s not a difficult or drastic treatment, and won’t completely change how you look, but it can help bring back that strong youthful jawline you had when you were younger.”

Myth Six: Fillers and Botox are unsafe.

Dr Nico Foley says, “Like any approved medical procedure, cosmetic injectable treatments are safe when performed with proper guidance from trained professionals and adherence to guidelines. Following a procedure, patients may experience minimal side effects, but these are temporary and typically pass soon after treatment. Aesthetic medicine physicians always prioritise patient safety, and at Laser Clinics Australia we have a trained team of doctors, nurses and support staff who work with our patients from the consult through to post-procedure to ensure optimal outcomes.”

Myth Seven: Injectable treatments are all the same.

Dr Nico Foley says, “There is a wide range of anti-wrinkle options available for patients based on their own needs, each with their own unique characteristics and benefits based on the active ingredients, formulation, and your specific aesthetic requirements. The choice of treatment depends on a few things, including the type and severity of wrinkles, individual preferences, and the advice of a healthcare professional.”

@laserclinics @doctor.foley