In-Office Procedures

If you have: SMILE LINES AROUND YOUR MOUTH

Try hyaluronic acid injections like Juvéderm and Restylane, which cost between $500 and $1,000 per treatment and should last for six to 12 months. Sculptra, a synthetic poly-Llactic acid injection that runs about $1,300 per session (you'll need about four at monthly intervals, with results lasting up to two years) is a second, less common option.

Both types of injectable are used to restore fullness, but they do it in different ways. Hyaluronic acid is injected directly into the nasolabial folds to fill them instantly, while Sculptra is injected into the deeper layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production, a gradual process that takes about six months. It's a good option for people who have lost substantial fat in the cheeks and around the mouth.

A recent University of Michigan study showed that Restylane triggers collagen production as well, though only a tiny amount when compared to Sculptra. The hope is that you'll need less correction over time since the skin appears to grow smoother in areas injected with fillers. General complaints include pain (a topical anesthetic is typical) and temporary bumps and bruising, which are more common with Sculptra because it's placed deeper in the skin and uses a larger needle.

Hyaluronic and poly-Llactic acid injectables are more popular now than the lower face-lift ($5,000 and up), which requires incisions in front of the ears to tighten the skin in the lower half of the face. Aside from a week or more of recovery, possible side effects include scarring, infection, and asymmetry (when one side of the face is pulled tighter than the other).