Aging is an inevitable part of life and the biggest beauty concerns pertaining to aging are wrinkles. Wrinkles are lines that occur on the face, and are caused by the loosening of the skin due to lack of elasticity. Cells on the skin are not able to regenerate and renew as fast as before due to slow down of body processes. Thus wrinkles and creases develop.

Aside from the natural aging process, studies show how prolonged exposure to the sun can also cause wrinkles. Unhealthy eating and daily habits, such as lack of sleep or exercise, also leads to weakening of the skin, causing wrinkles and other skin problems.

The cosmetic industry has developed various methods for anti aging skin care treatment, classified as surgical or non-surgical procedures. Under the surgical category, there are brow lifts, face lifts, and eyelid lifts. Incisions are made on the facial skin, so that muscle and skin may be tightened to get rid of wrinkles.

Non-surgical forms of wrinkle treatment, includes wrinkle injections. Botox is one which uses a form of protein injected under the skin to tighten and reduce lines. Another injection comes in the form of fillers. The two types of injected wrinkle fillers approved by the FDA are classified as temporary and permanent.

The temporary wrinkle injections include four kinds of products; collagen injections, hyaluronic acid gel, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-L lactic acid. When injected beneath the skin, they fill up the spaces caused by loose skin and fat loss. After several months to years, however, these natural compounds are absorbed by the body, which is why additional sessions for injections are needed. Polymethylmethacrylate beads is the only type  of temporary wrinkle injection approved by FDA. As they are made of synthetic material, so the body can’t absorb it when injected into the skin.

The cost of temporary wrinkle injections ranges from $300 to $500 per injection. Newer forms of treatment, such as PMMA microspheres and calcium hyrdoxylapatite may cost around $1,000. Side effects are temporary soreness or sensitivity of the skin. Some patients may experience itching and bruising.