ELLE explores some of the non-invasive cosmetic procedures that will fill in those lines to help you look - and feel - younger!
Pagination
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Fill inIt's one of life's cruel jokes: as we age, we tend to gain weight on our lower bodies, but - thanks to gravity - our faces become thinner and hollow-looking. Injectable fillers are the go-to solution for plumping up areas that have lost volume.
• Best for...GRADUAL VOLUME: Sculptra
Targeted at those in their 40s and up, this semi-permanent filler is a volumizing agent that stimulates new collagen production. But you'll have to be patient: unlike most fillers, this one - which is made from poly-L-lactic acid (a biodegradable material derived from fruit acids) - shows results over time. You'll need about three sessions ($2,500 to $5,000 in total) before you notice a difference. Results can last up to two years.
• Best for...THIN LIPS: Juvéderm Ultra
One of the newest hyaluronic acid formulas, this easily mouldable filler has low allergenic potential and works well even on delicate areas, such as the lips. According to Dr. Jean Carruthers, an oculoplastic and cosmetic surgeon in Vancouver, hyaluronic acid fillers like this one are ideal for adding pucker to your pout because they last the longest: unlike older-generation fillers - which last only four to six months - Juvéderm Ultra can last up to one year. One treatment session costs between $400 and $700.
• Best for...MINOR CONTOURS: Evolence Breeze
This new animal - based collagen filler lasts longer than previous collagen formulas and works best on delicate areas, such as the lower eyelids. Results from one session (about $500 per syringe) can last up to a year - and, unlike most animal-collagen fillers, no allergy testing is required.
Hissy fit
If you're needle-shy, Botox injections can be scary. But celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow are flocking to a new ingredient - snake venom - as an alternative. Syn-Ake, a synthetic peptide based on the venom of a Southeast Asian temple viper, is thought to work in a similar fashion to Botox by blocking the neurotransmitters that tell muscles to contract. You'll find it in Peter Thomas Roth Un-Wrinkle, Z.Bigatti Rescue Intensive Facial Treatment and Sonya Dakar UltraLuxe.
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