I'd like to share with you an article concerning injectables that I recently received from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.  As a cosmetic surgeon in Fort Myers, Florida, who is a board certified member of the ASAPS, I receive these insightful articles regularly. It's the kind of information a lay person would not normally be exposed to. I will excerpt it here:

"In the hands of a licensed, expert injector, wrinkle treatments such as Botox and Dysport or a Hyaluronic Acid Filler, such as Juvederm or Radiesse, could help you rejuvenate and refresh your look. 

In the increasingly competitive plastic surgery field, however, an alarming number of unlicensed, unqualified individuals are trying to pass themselves off as plastic surgeons.

There also are the ever-present unscrupulous individuals offering back alley Botox, illegal silicone butt injections and other toxic, non-medical procedures. 

A recent news article highlighted a woman who lured a UK woman to the US and injected illegal, toxic silicone into her buttocks in a hotel room, which caused her death from a pulmonary embolism. 

It has never been more important for you, as a consumer, to do your research. Find out if your injector is qualified and the facility where you are being injected is accredited, and look at the label before anyone begins injecting.

There have been a number of new procedures and updates as well. The increasing use of social media and web-cam chat programs encourage what some like to call the “Facetime Lift,” which uses injectables like Botox and fillers, in conjunction with surgery, to create better angles and volume in certain areas. 

Recently, a German-based company, Kythera Biopharmaceuticals has completed clinical trials in Europe on a new injectable that could help you lose that double chin. Instead of having a costly liposuction procedure for thousands of dollars, you could have an injectable that targets small pockets of fat and save the cost of having an invasive surgery, the time for the procedure and a lengthy recovery. The company is currently doing clinical trials in the US that should be completed by mid-2013. At that time the company plans to submit the product to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval to sell here in the States. 

Men might not be the big beauty spenders, but don’t underestimate their growing use of popular injectables. Over 10% of all Botulinum Toxin type A injections are for men, making it the most popular plastic surgery procedure for both sexes. Many men who work on Wall Street or high-stress work environments that are very competitive are turning to injectables to look refreshed and compete in the workforce. The subtlety and less dramatic changes achieved from injectable procedures also draw men in, one news source reports. They are looking for improvements, not a complete makeover.

Whatever your reason for choosing an injectable procedure, be sure to do your research. Pick an injector based on experience and medical licensing, not solely on cost.