Captique™

Captique™ is a dermal filler that was approved by the FDA in 2004 for cosmetic use. Captique™ injections can be used to fill deep folds and wrinkles in the face, resulting in improved facial contours and a rejuvenated appearance.

What Is Captique™?

Captique™ injections are used to fill deep facial folds and wrinkles, such as the nasolabial folds that often form on either side of the nose and extend down to the sides of the mouth. Because Captique™ is composed of plant-based hyaluronic acid, no pre-testing for allergic reactions is necessary before Captique™ injections are administered. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in the body and in all living cells. It attracts and binds water, hydrating the skin where it is injected and providing more volume.

Captique™ is a colorless gel that provides immediate volume enhancement results, whether it's used to fill wrinkles and folds or to plump up lips. However, more than one treatment may be necessary, depending on the depth of the wrinkles or folds or the desired plumpness of the lips. The results of Captique™ injections can last anywhere between four to six months and up to one year; to maintain the results, maintenance injections will be necessary.

Captique™ has become one of the most popular wrinkle reducers in the United States and worldwide since its FDA approval for cosmetic use in 2004.

What Areas Can Be Treated with Captique™?

Captique™ injections can be administered to any part of the face or neck that has moderate-to-severe wrinkles, creases, furrows, or folds, such as:

• Around the eyes
• Around the nose
• Between the eyebrows
• Around the mouth
• Vertical lip lines
• "Marionette" lines that turn down the corners of the mouth
• The cheeks
• The jawline
• The forehead

Captique™ is also an excellent volume enhancer for the lips.

Captique™ Cost and Financing Information

Captique™ injections cost approximately $400 to $500 per 1 cc syringe, with the average treatment requiring between 3/4 and 2 cc. Captique™ injections must be repeated to maintain results — often, the treatment is repeated every six to twelve months. The total cost of Captique™ for your individual case depends on factors such as the extent of treatment needed, your doctor's fee schedule, and the geographic area in which you receive Captique™ treatment.

The cost of Captique™ injections may be reduced if they're performed in conjunction with another type of treatment. Captique™ can be used in combination with other skin procedures such as collagen injections, CosmoPlast®/CosmoDerm®, and other hyaluronic acids such as Hylaform® Plus. Captique™ injections work very well with BOTOX® Cosmetic, too.

An example of combination treatment is Captique™ injections in the lips and nasolabial folds, and CosmoPlast® around the border of the lips. BOTOX® Cosmetic can be used to relax the muscles around Captique™ injection sites.

Financing for Captique™ treatment may be offered by your cosmetic surgeon's office. There are also a number of private cosmetic surgery financing organizations that may be of help.

What to Expect Before, During, and After Captique™ Treatment

Before Captique™ treatment, you will have a thorough consultation with your cosmetic surgeon. He or she will carefully evaluate your skin’s tone, thickness, and fragility. It's very important to disclose to your doctor any and all medications and supplements that you take or have taken within the two weeks prior to your scheduled treatment, and whether you smoke. The facial areas to be treated will be evaluated to determine the optimum depth for the Captique™ injections.

Captique™ injections are not particularly painful; it's a softer filler compared to other products. However, a topical anesthetic can be used before Captique™ injections to numb the injection sites if desired.

Captique™ treatments take less than one hour. There's essentially no downtime. You may experience redness or other minor effects, but most patients are able to return to their daily activities within an hour or two of receiving Captique™ injections.

If you're planning on having Captique™ injections before an important event such as a wedding, your high school or college reunion, or an office party, scheduling Captique™ treatment a week or so before the event will ensure that no remaining redness or swelling is present by then.

Your surgeon will clean the area to be treated, mark the exact sites for the injection(s), and use sterile, ultra-fine needles to inject the Captique™ gel. More than one injection might be necessary for a given wrinkle, line, or fold. Lip enhancement will probably require more than one injection.

After Captique™ treatment, you may experience redness, swelling, itching, or minor pain. Although these symptoms will fade quickly on their own, icepacks can be used to help accelerate healing. Makeup can be applied within a few hours if your surgeon approves it. You should minimize your exposure to the sun for a few days, and contact your doctor if you are experiencing any problems related to the Captique™ injections.

Risks and Benefits of Captique™ Injections

As with any injection, there is a slight risk of infection after Captique™ injections . Other minor risks of Captique™ injections include redness, swelling, bruising, pain, and itching around the treated area. There have been reports that Captique™ injections result in less swelling and bruising than other dermal fillers.

Other extremely rare side effects include tissue hardening and bumps around the treated area.

Although Captique™ is a safe treatment, it's not for everyone. Captique™ injections are not recommended for individuals who have hypertrophic scarring, skin pigmentation disorders, or susceptibility to keloid formation.

The benefits of Captique™ are a fresher, younger appearance; the reduction or elimination of moderate or severe wrinkles, lines, and folds in the face; and plumper, fuller lips. In addition, the effects of Captique™ injections last longer compared to many other dermal fillers, making Captique™ a cost-effective option for significantly improved skin and lips.

To Learn More about Captique™, Consult a Cosmetic Dermatologist near You

If you'd like to learn more about Captique™ and what it can do for you, use the DocShop network to find a qualified cosmetic dermatologist near you.