Change your beauty destiny

Shape, Feb, 2005 by Sally Wadyka

RELATED ARTICLE: Repair and Refill

How the latest injectables can turn back time

Dermatologists Leslie Baumann, M.D., of the University of Miami Cosmetic Center, and Lynne Haven, M.D., of Greenwich, Conn., explain how the newest fillers work. (The cost of each ranges from $600-$900, depending on the area of the country in which you live and how much filler is needed.)

Hylaform Derived from hyaluronic acids extracted from rooster combs, Hylaform is best for plumping up lips, cheeks and jaw line. Results last four to six months. Downside: Because it's a filler, it can cause bruising.

Isolagen This is an innovative filler that's created from skin taken from behind the ear of the patient. Six weeks after the skin cells are stimulated to reproduce in a lab, a doctor injects them into wrinkles and depressions, where they continue to reproduce and create new collagen. Results are seen three weeks after injection and appear to last longer than collagen. The upside: There's less risk of adverse reactions because it's made from your own tissue. Downside: There's no immediate gratification.

Juvaderm A hyaluronic gel currently undergoing clinical trials, it reportedly gives a very smooth effect (with less risk of inflammation). Downside: As with any filler, it can cause bruising.

Restylane A synthetic version of hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in the skin, Restylane works well for filling or smoothing wrinkles. Results typically last four to six months. Downside: As with any filler, it can lead to swelling and redness.

Sculptra This injectable is used off-label for contouring (plumping up sunken cheeks or other large areas). Injected deeper into the skin than the conventional line-fillers (usually in a series of treatments over several months), Sculptra lasts up to two years. Downsides: Results aren't instantaneous, and because it's hard to learn to use correctly, some undertrained doctors may leave patients with bumps and other unnatural-looking effects.

RELATED ARTICLE: motherly wisdom

Readers share what they learned from their moms about what to do (or not to do) for their skin with regard to aging:

"My mom always told me to stop furrowing my brow. Recently she ripped
out that Botox ad about 'your toughest wrinkle' and mailed it to me!"
--Greer, age 25

"Hydrate from within. My mom never drinks water, and her face is
starting to show it."--Diana, age 35

"Don't ignore your hands and feet when applying sunscreen; my mom got a
melanoma on her foot."--Jennifer, age 36

"When it comes to skin care, my mother reminds me, 'Don't forget your
neck.'"--Karen, age 39

"My mother always uses a rich eye cream. She is 80 years old and still
has beautiful skin, so I follow her lead."--Vicky, age 45

RELATED ARTICLE: Predicting how and where you will age

In his new book, Your Future Face (Viking, 2005), New York City dermatologist Dennis Gross, M.D., explains how to foresee your beauty destiny. He suggests making notes of the particular risks that seem to apply to you so that you can create a customized skin-care plan targeting your skin's vulnerabilities.