Get firmer, smoother and wrinkle-free skin
Injectables
Dr. Jonathan Zelken, MD · Board-Certified · Newport Beach, CA
Injectables give patients natural-looking results, accentuating their own beauty without changing their individual appearance.
Approach
Dr. Zelken's Philosophy
Injectables should refresh you, never reveal themselves. At the Zelken Institute for Aesthetic Medicine in Newport Beach, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jonathan Zelken treats every injection as an exercise in restraint — placing product with precision so the result reads as rested, healthy skin rather than an obvious treatment.
As both artist and scientist, Dr. Zelken studies how each face moves and ages, then tailors a plan that softens lines and restores lost volume while preserving the expressions that make you recognizable. The aim is never a frozen or overfilled look; it is a subtle, natural enhancement of the features you already have.
Whether you are considering your first treatment or refining years of maintenance, his approach stays the same: conservative dosing, strategic placement, and honest guidance about what injectables can — and cannot — achieve.
The Treatments
What Are Injectables?
Injectables are non-surgical treatments delivered through a fine needle to smooth wrinkles and restore facial volume with little to no downtime. They fall into two broad families that are often used together. Neuromodulators such as Botox®, Xeomin and Dysport relax the muscles responsible for dynamic lines — the creases that form when you frown, squint or raise your brows. Dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Voluma, Restylane, Radiesse and Belotero add volume back to areas that thin with age, softening folds and refreshing contour.
As we get older, it is natural to lose facial fat, which encourages sagging, hollowing and folds in the skin. A well-planned combination of these products can boost the skin's overall appearance — easing wrinkles and replacing lost volume — through a simple, minimally invasive process that leaves the treated area looking firmer, smoother and more refreshed. Dr. Zelken assesses your individual needs and features to determine the right products, or blend of products, for your goals.
Tailored to You
Products We Offer
Chosen around your goals and anatomy.
- Botox®, Xeomin & Dysport Neuromodulators that relax the muscles behind dynamic wrinkles — most often between the brows, across the forehead and at the corners of the eyes. Results appear within days.
- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers Juvederm XC, Voluma, Volbella, Vollure, Restylane and Lyft restore volume and smooth folds around the nose and mouth, lift cheeks, refine lips and soften under-eye hollows.
- Radiesse & Sculptra Collagen-stimulating fillers that add immediate structure and encourage your skin to build its own support over time, ideal for deeper volume loss and facial framework.
- Fat Transfer In many cases Dr. Zelken may recommend transferring your own fat instead of filler — a longer-lasting solution that can beautifully restore the face, lips, hands and body.
- Combination Plans Used alone or together, these treatments deliver the most natural result when thoughtfully combined. Dr. Zelken selects the most strategic injection sites for your individual anatomy.
Benefits of Injectables
Smooths fine lines, wrinkles and folds.
Restores volume lost to natural aging.
Delivers natural, subtle results — never overdone.
Minimal downtime; often done over a lunch break.
Non-surgical and minimally invasive.
Fully customizable to your features and goals.
Is It Right For You
Who is a Good Candidate?
Injectables suit healthy adults who want to soften early lines, restore lost volume, or refresh their appearance without surgery or significant downtime. Whether you are noticing your first forehead creases, deepening folds around the mouth, or thinning in the cheeks and lips, there is very likely a treatment suited to your goals.
Good candidates have realistic expectations and understand that injectables refresh and enhance rather than dramatically transform. Because results are temporary, most patients return periodically for maintenance. If you are pregnant or nursing, or have certain neuromuscular conditions or allergies, some products may not be appropriate — Dr. Zelken will review your history during your consultation and recommend the safest, most effective plan for you.
What to Expect
Your visit begins with a brief consultation, where Dr. Zelken evaluates your facial anatomy and discusses your goals. He then maps the most strategic injection points and administers your treatment in-office using fine needles, often within minutes. Most injectable appointments are quick enough to fit into a lunch break, and you can return to normal activities right away.
Healing Timeline
Recovery & Aftercare
First 24 Hours
Mild redness, swelling or pinpoint bruising at injection sites is normal. Avoid rubbing the area, strenuous exercise and lying flat for the first several hours.
First Few Days
Any swelling or bruising typically settles within a few days. Most patients resume full activities, work and social plans immediately with little visible sign of treatment.
Seeing Results
Filler results are visible right away and continue to refine as swelling resolves. Neuromodulators such as Botox take a few days to a week to take full effect.
Maintenance
Because injectables are temporary, occasional touch-ups keep your results looking fresh. Dr. Zelken's team will help you plan a comfortable maintenance schedule.
The Outcome
Results & Longevity
Injectable results are immediate for fillers and appear within a few days for neuromodulators — but how long they last depends on the product and the area treated. Botox and other neuromodulators typically last three to four months. Dermal fillers generally last from several months to well over a year, depending on the formula and where it is placed.
Collagen-stimulating options such as Radiesse and Sculptra can extend results further by prompting your own tissue to rebuild support. And in cases where a longer-lasting change is the goal, fat transfer uses your own tissue to restore volume for a more enduring result.
Because these outcomes are not permanent, most patients schedule periodic touch-ups to maintain their look. Dr. Zelken will map out a realistic timeline and a maintenance plan tailored to the products you choose, so your results stay natural and consistent over time.
Transparency
Risks & Considerations
As with any injectable treatment, temporary redness, swelling, tenderness or bruising at the injection site can occur and usually resolves quickly. Less common effects vary by product. Dr. Zelken believes in complete transparency and will review every consideration, along with your medical history and any allergies, during your consultation to keep your treatment as safe and comfortable as possible.
Explore More
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Begin Your Journey
Ready to Refresh Your Look?
If you're considering injectables, contact us today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jonathan Zelken and discover the treatment plan that's right for you.
Common Questions
Injectables FAQ
Answers to the questions Dr. Zelken's patients ask most about injectable treatments.
Botox and similar neuromodulators typically last three to four months. With regular maintenance, many patients find results become more consistent over time.
Most patients tolerate injectables very well. The needles are fine, treatments are quick, and numbing or products containing lidocaine keep discomfort minimal.
Very little. Most patients return to normal activities immediately — injectables can often be done over a lunch break, with only minor, temporary redness or swelling.
Botox relaxes muscles to smooth dynamic wrinkles, while fillers add volume to plump and lift. They address different concerns and are often used together.
Yes. Dr. Zelken uses conservative dosing and strategic placement so you look refreshed and rested — never frozen, overfilled or obviously treated.
Absolutely. Neuromodulators and fillers are frequently combined in one visit for a balanced, natural result. Dr. Zelken designs the right combination for your goals.
When you want a longer-lasting result, Dr. Zelken may suggest transferring your own fat to restore volume in the face, lips, hands or body.