Are botulinum toxin injections safe?

The dose given in injections is so small that you are unlikely to have any harmful effects from the toxin. Botulinum toxin has been used safely for more than 10 years in millions of people.. Botulinum toxin has "an amazing safety record," says Bill Habig, Ph.D., the recently retired deputy director of FDA's division of bacterial products in the Cenre for Biologics Evaluation and Research. "Considering it's one of the most toxic materials known and there was a lot of concern about it, it's turned out to be very safe," he says.

Fillers / Volume: Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane®, Perlane®, Theosyal®)

• Hyaluronic acid produced by bacteria and used for treating facial wrinkles and folds. The hyaluronic acid in those products is called non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) because it is not derived from animal sources. It is a crystal-clear gel. When injected into wrinkled skin it adds fullness and reduces the prominence of the wrinkles in the previously wrinkled area and folds such as nasolabial folds. Hyaluronic acid also attracts and binds water, and this also helps maintain fullness in the area of injection. They are safe and natural cosmetic dermal fillers, and the benefit may last for six months or longer. As you get older, your face loses its shape. Hyaluronic acid is what gives skin its volume and fullness and provide a smoother contour to the face. NASHA is biodegradable and completely biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid.