Injectopedia

Where science meets the syringe.

Your curated hub for evidence-based techniques and cutting-edge
advancements in medical aesthetics–by industry experts.

Color-coded facial map ranking difficulty and risk of soft tissue filler and biostimulator injections by region.

Identifying Levels of Competency in Aesthetic Medicine: A Questionnaire-based Study

-Sebastian Cotofana, Tristan Mehta, Kristina Davidovic, Et Al;
Aesthetic Surgery Journal
Oct 2024

Stylized illustration by Shoshana Gordon showing gloved hands performing facial cosmetic injections, highlighting risks of unlicensed cosmetic treatment providers.

Warnings grow about unlicensed cosmetic treatment providers

- Tina Reed;
Illutration: Shoshana Gordon
Axios
May 2024

Axial MRI scans showing delayed granulomatous reaction to hyaluronic acid filler in the cheek, with subcutaneous lesion and fat stranding.

Exuberant delayed granulomatous reaction to hyaluronic acid filler material

-Almadan N, Althubaiti R, Uguru C, Et. Al;
J Surg Case Rep.
June 2025

Diagram of lip anatomy showing Cupid’s bow, philtral ridges, upper and lower vermilion borders, and key injection zones for lip augmentation.

Lip Augmentation

- Ghasemi S, Akbari Z;
Dent Clin North Am
July 2022

Anatomical diagram showing intrascrotal botulinum toxin A injection sites targeting the cremaster and dartos muscles.

Intrascrotal Injection of Botulinum Toxin A,
a Male genial Aesthetic Demand: Technique and Limits

- Ramelli E, Brault N, Tierny C, Atlan M, Cristofari S;
Prog Urol
May 2020

Illustration showing submucosal botulinum toxin A injection sites in the bulbospongiosus and pubococcygeus regions for treatment of refractory vaginismus.

Botulinum toxin treatment of refractory vaginismus: a prospective study

- Desai SA, Shah B, Kroumpouzos G;
Int J Womens Dermatol
Nov 2024

Gladys Spencer-Churchill disfigured by paraffin injections – early injectable filler cautionary tale.

The History of Injectable Facial Fillers

-Kontis TC, Rivkin A.;
Facial Plast Surg.
May 2009

Anatomical illustration of the arterial supply to the chin and lower lip showing the mental, labiomental, inferior labial, and submental arteries.

Role of Nonsurgical Chin Augmentation in Full Face Rejuvenation: A Review and Our Experience

- Vanaman Wilson MJ, Jones IT, Butterwick K, Fabi SG;
Dermatol Surg
July 2018

Facial Aesthetic Priorities and Concerns: A Physician and Patient Perception Global Survey

-Fabi S, Alexiades M, Chatrath V, Et Al;
Aesthet Surg J.
March 2022

Gluteal Augmentation with Polymethyl Methacrylate: A 10-year Cohort Study

-Chacur R, Sampaio Menezes H, Maria Bordin da Silva Chacur N, Et Al;
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open
May 2019

Chin marked with injection grid technique for botulinum toxin A treatment, part of a novel approach from Italian clinicians targeting dynamic dimpling and peau d’orange texture. Image adapted from Corradino B et al. Aesthetic Medicine. 2023;9(1):e2023002. DOI: 10.57662/am.v9i1.14729.

Chin imperfections: our experience with botulinum toxin A

- Corradino B, Lorenzo SD, Anna C, Cascino AP;
Aesthetic Medicine
April 2023

Facial filler injection mapping image showing midface aging lines and underlying skeletal injection sites, used in the dual plane technique for restoring facial volume at both deep and superficial levels.

Facial Rejuvenation with Fillers: The Dual Plane Technique

- Salti G, Rauso R;
Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery
Sept 2015

Close-up of a Bellafill nodule being palpated, highlighting the clinical difference between nodules and granulomas after filler injections.

Granulomas and nongranulomatous nodules after filler injection: Different complications require different treatments

-Modarressi A, Nizet C, Lombardi T.;
J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg
Nov 2020.

Before and after image of penile girth enhancement using PMMA dermal filler, showing increased volume and definition Before and after images showing non-surgical penile girth enhancement using PMMA filler injections as performed in a clinical setting. Image credit: Casavantes LC, Gomez JB, Palma JF. Use of Polymethylmethacrylate Microspheres for Penile Augmentation: A Retrospective Study. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2020;8(11):e3257. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003257

Penile Girth Enhancement With Polymethylmethacrylate-Based Soft Tissue Fillers

-Casavantes L, Lemperle G, Morales P;
Journal of Sexual Medicine
July 2016

Before-and-after image of a female patient treated for lower face aging, showing significant improvement in jawline, marionette lines, and chin contour following injection-based rejuvenation tailored to facial morphotype.

Contouring of Lower Face and Chin in Consideration of Facial Morphotypes and Shapes- Is it a More Accurate Approach?

- Yutskovskaya YA, Sergeeva AD, Kislitsyna AI, Landau M;
Madridge J Dermatol Res
Dec 2017

Anatomical dissection of the mentalis muscle and clinical photo of chin dimpling before botulinum toxin injection

Tips and Tricks for Facial Toxin Injections with Illustrated Anatomy

- Swift A, Green JB, Hernandez CA, Aguilera SB, Fagien S, Gold MH, Casabona G, Frank K, Nikolis A, Cotofana S;
Plast Reconstr Surg
Feb 2022

Sequential photos showing stages of vascular occlusion following dermal filler injection — blanching, livedo reticularis, bacterial bioburden, coagulation, and eschar formation.

Guideline for the Management of Hyaluronic Acid Filler-induced Vascular Occlusion

- Murray D, Convery C, Walker L, Et Al;
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol
May 2021

Adverse Event: Dimpling Following Thread Lift - Clinical Case Study on Post-Procedure Complications in Aesthetic Medicine.Close-up of a patient’s cheek showing post–thread lift skin dimpling and irregularity caused by dermal tethering from barbed PDO threads.

Complications of thread lift about skin dimpling and thread extrusion

- Cheng-Kun Wang, PhD, MD;
Dermatologic Therapy
March 2020

Before and after photos of a female patient with hyaluronic acid-induced fibrotic bulges along the nasolabial fold, treated with intralesional triamcinolone. Image from: Peros I, Haneke E. “Fibrotic Reaction to Hyaluronic Acid Fillers in the Face,” J Cosmet Dermatol, 2024.

Fibrotic reaction to hyaluronic acid fillers in the face

- Peros I, Haneke El;
J Cosmet Dermatol
Aug 2024

Close-up of a patient’s cheek showing a visible dimple within a red dashed circle, indicating a common complication from facial thread lifting.

Facial Thread Lifting Complications

- Kyu-Ho Yi, Soo Yeon Park;
J Cosmet Dermatol
Jan 2025

Close-up of a person’s face showing extreme swelling of the lips and cheeks, with a slightly parted mouth and visible nasal piercing—potentially indicating an adverse reaction to hyaluronic acid filler or hyaluronidase.

Guideline for the Safe Use of Hyaluronidase in Aesthetic Medicine, Including Modified High-dose Protocol

-Murray G, Convery C, Walker L, Davies E;
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol
Aug 2021

Color-coded anatomical illustration showing midface structures relevant to filler placement, including premaxillary and prezygomatic spaces, infraorbital artery, deep medial cheek fat, and angular artery.

An approach to structural facial rejuvenation with fillers in women

- Fitzgerald R, Carqueville J, Yang PT;
Int J Womens Dermatol
Dec 2018

Close-up of a lower face showing a visible calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) nodule in the jowl area, indicated by a black arrow.

Successful Treatment of Noninflammatory CaHA Nodules Using Focused Mechanical Vibration

- McCarthy AD, Berkowitz S, Chernoff WG;
Aesthet Surg J Open Forum
March 2024

Close-up of the anterior neck showing multiple visible linear nodules after hyperdiluted calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) treatment.

Non-inflammatory nodule formation after hyperdiluted calcium hydroxyapatite treatment in the neck area

- Nipshagen MD, Velthuis PJ, Cook E, Mosmuller DGM;
Dermatol Ther
Sept 2020

Illustration labeling facial overfilled syndrome features including flowerhorn forehead, sunset eyes, chipmunk cheeks, duck lips, and witch chin.

exploring facial overfilled syndrome from the perspective of anatomy & the mismatched delivery of fillers

- Ting-Song Lim MD, Rungsima Wanitphakdeedecha MD, Kyu-Ho Yi MD PhD;
J Cosmet Dermatol
June 2024

Cross-Sectional Anatomy of the Penis for Hyaluronic Acid Filler Augmentation - Male Genital Aesthetic Enhancement

Penile augmentation with injectable hyaluronic acid gel: an alternative choice for small penis syndrome

- Zhang CL, Quan Y, Li H, Li Q, Bai WJ, Xu T, Zhang XW;
Asian J Androl
April 2022

Medical leech therapy applied to nasal tip following ischemic event from vascular occlusion after dermal filler injection.

Complications of Injectables
in the Perioral Region

- Ben Talei MD;
Facial Plast Surg
2019

Anatomical gluteal mapping diagram for PLLA injections in male patients showing quadrant-based collagen stimulator distribution using the C-Tech method

Novel therapeutic approaches with poly-L-lactic acid for treating gluteal skin laxity in male patients

- Antony de Paula Barbosa, Alan Cristian Marinho Ferreira, Aline Castellar Duarte, Rafaella Vilela da Silva;
Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
March 2025

Lip injection with syringe delivering dermal filler into lower lip to enhance shape, volume, and contour. Image adapted from: Hoffmann C, et al. From Extreme to Mainstream: The Future of Aesthetic Injectables. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023.

from extreme to mainstream: the future of aesthetic injectables

- Leclerc O, Peters N, Scaglione A, Waring J;
McKinsey & Company
Dec 2021

Illustration showing four anatomical variations of the frontalis muscle—Type I Full, Type II V-shaped, Type III Central, and Type IV Lateral—with corresponding forehead wrinkle patterns.

A Novel, Customizable Injection Protocol for Treatment of the Forehead with IncobotulinumtoxinA

- Carla de Sanctus Pecora;
Clinical, Cosmetic & Investigational Dermatology
2020

Cadaveric dissection of the face highlighting key anatomical structures, including the orbicularis oris muscle (OOM), levator labii superioris alaeque nasi (LLSAN), and the transverse facial septum, relevant to facial overfilled syndrome.

Anatomy Behind Facial Overfilled Syndrome - The Transverse Facial Septum

- Cotofana S, Gotkin R,
Frank K, Et Al;
Dermatologic Surgery
Aug 2020

Surgical excision of a poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) filler nodule on the anterior neck showing the encapsulated lesion being removed with forceps.

Nodules on the Anterior Neck Following Poly-L-lactic Acid Injection

- Austin Dunn, Tyler Long, Matthew Zarraga, Shino Bay Aguilera;
Cutis
June 2022

Forehead foreign body granuloma following polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) filler injection, prior to successful treatment with allopurinol.

Foreign Body Granulomas From Polymethylmethacrylate Treated Successfully with Allopurinol

- Reisberger E, Landthaler M, Wiest L, Schröder J, Stolz W;
Arch Dermatol
Jan 2003

Anatomical illustration of the orbital and zygomatic cutaneous ligaments (OML, ZCL) relevant to festoon and malar mound formation.

Novel Approaches to the treatment of festoons

- Bradley S. Bloom, MD;
New York University School of Medicine

Botulinum Toxin A (Botox) for Relieving Penile Retraction - Original Research on Male Genital Enhancement and Rejuvenation Techniques

Botulinum Toxin A (Botox) for Relieving Penile Retraction

-Osama Shaeer, Kamal Shaeer, Ahmad Shaeer;
The Journal of Sexual Medicine
Oct 2009

Pre- and post-injection photographs showing correction of mild eyelid ptosis with botulinum toxin to the pre-tarsal orbicularis oculi muscle, demonstrating improved lid height symmetry

Use of Botulinum Toxin for the Correction of Mild Ptosis

- Hamzah Mustak MD, Michael Rafaelof BS, Robert A. Goldberg MD, Daniel Rootman MD;
JCAD
April 2018

Composite facial images demonstrating the effect of varying upper-to-lower lip ratios (0.5:1 to 1.2:1) used for aesthetic consultation in the Step-by-Step Phi Technique for lip augmentation.

A Safe and Effective Lip Augmentation Method: The Step-by-Step Φ (Phi) Technique

-Keramidas E, Rodopoulou S, Gavala MI;
Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open
Feb 2021

Frontal and lateral facial analysis showing horizontal facial thirds and the golden-ratio projection of the upper and lower lips, illustrating ideal lip proportions in facial aesthetics.

Is it possible to define the ideal lips?

-Kar M, Muluk NB, Bafaqeeh SA, Cingi C;
Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital
Feb 2018

same for this image. 1st pic is one i edited. 3rd pic is original so you can see the edits i did

The Current Preferred Female Lip Ratio

-Heidekrueger PI, Juran S, Szpalski C, Larcher L, Ng R, Broer PN;
J Craniomaxillofac Surg
Feb 2017

Caucasian male facial images showing three lip height-to-width ratios (1:2, 1:2.5, 1:3) used in a cross-ethnic study analyzing global aesthetic preferences for male lips.

Influence of ethnicity on aesthetic preferences for lip characteristics in Caucasian male and female faces

-Kempa J, Alfertshofer M, Chua D, Et Al;
J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg
Aug 2024

Close-up of woman receiving radiofrequency microneedling treatment on the face, a popular aesthetic solution for patients on GLP-1s like Ozempic or Mounjaro experiencing skin laxity and volume loss after weight loss.

GLP-1s are boosting demand for medical aesthetics

- Leigh Jansen, Nils Peters, Olivier Leclerc;
McKinsey & Company
Feb 2025

Side-by-side comparison of dermal filler syringes used over the past 130+ years, showcasing the evolution from early fat transfer devices to modern hyaluronic acid-based fillers.

The History of Dermal Fillers in Dermatologic Surgery

Minokadeh, A. MD, PhD; Kakar, R. MD;
Dermatologic Surgery
May 2025

https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/life-sciences/our-insights/here-to-stay-an-attractive-future-for-medical-aesthetics

Here to stay: an attractive future for medical aesthetics

- Leigh Jansen, Olivier Leclerc, Nils Peters;
McKinsey & Company
Feb 2024

Adapted infographic showing that 60% of medspa owners are non-core physicians and none of the top 10 U.S. medspas are owned by core specialists, based on data from Modern Aesthetics and AmSpa’s industry report.

The Rise of Non-Core Doctors, and What It Means

-Alex R. Thiersch, JD;
Modern Aesthetics
July-Aug 2018

Adapted infographic inspired by Stifel’s 2023 Dermatology Healthcare Market Overview, summarizing key U.S. medspa growth data—$14.1B market size, 3× increase in male procedures, and ~3,000 clinics in North America.

2023 Stifel Dermatology Market Overview

- Patrick Krause;
Stifel
Feb 2023

Pie chart of six medical aesthetics consumer types—The One-Timer, Glam Extrovert, Deal Hunter, Reluctant Ager, Beauty Routiner, Growth Catalyst—used in Heddy injector training

The Six Types of Medical Aesthetic Consumers, And How to serve them all

- Sergio Rossi, Christine Barton, Andrea Agnolio, et al;
BCG
July 2024

Curious to
learn more?

Let's map out your path to mastery—book your complimentary consult today.

Injectopedia

Get smarter. Stay sharper.

Our newsletter is the witty sibling to our glossy online Injectopedia Index–dropping into your inbox once a month.

Subscription Form First Name

Spam Free. Pretension Free.

3D medical illustration of the human face showing half skeletal anatomy and half facial musculature, used in Heddy Tech’s scroll-triggered interactive learning graphic.
Black-gloved hand holding a dermal filler syringe
ready to level up your practice?

© 2025 Heddy Tech All Rights Reserved.