Dermal Fillers
Dermal Fillers help to diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness in the face.
As we age, our faces naturally lose subcutaneous fat. The facial muscles are then working closer to the skin surface, so smile lines and crow's feet become more apparent.
The facial skin also stretches a bit, resulting in a lack of facial volume. Other factors that affect the facial skin include sun exposure, genetics, lifestyle and smoking.
Dermal fillers can be used to:
- Plump thin lips
- Enhance shallow contours
- Soften facial creases and wrinkles
- Improve the appearance of recessed scars
- Restore volume around eyes, cheeks, temple area and hands
Dermal fillers can be very helpful in those with early signs of aging, or as a value-added part of facial rejuvenation surgery.
Juvederm™ XC
Everyone's skin ages differently and Juvederm may be used to rejuvenate multiple problem areas, from smile lines to vertical lip lines. It is an advanced smooth gel dermal filler that was FDA-approved in June 2006 for the treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as deep lines from your nose to your mouth (nasolabial folds.) It is also useful for enhancing lip volume and for reshaping cheek contours.
Juvederm includes hyaluronic acid, a natural complex sugar that bolsters skin elasticity, resulting in a smooth and supple appearance. It is biocompatible, supplementing the body's natural hyaluronic acid, which age has depleted, and is infused with lidocaine to improve comfort during treatment. Juvederm lifts and adds volume to the wrinkles and folds in the treatment area. After six to nine months, the biocompatible compound is naturally absorbed into the body.
Juvederm™ XC is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc.
Radiesse™
Radiesse is made of microspheres of calcium hydroxylapetite, a composite of inorganic material found in teeth and bone. When injected into the deep dermis and subcutaneous layer, Radiesse helps the body's own tissue grow and add volume. In this way, it is used for soft tissue augmentation of the face and hands and can help to fill in deep skin folds and wrinkles.
A small needle and local anesthesia is used, making the injections tolerable. There may be some bruising after the procedure but most patients return to normal activities the next day. There are no allergic reactions associated with this filler. One of the advantages of a treatment with Radiesse is that it can last up to 18 months.
Radiesse™ is a registered trademark of BioForm Medical, Inc.
Restylane™
Restylane is a clear gel formulation of hyaluronic acid that is specifically formulated to act like your body's own naturally produced hyaluronic acid, helping to visibly correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, including the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds or laugh lines), the corners of the mouth and marionette lines — the area that extends downward from the corners of the mouth to the jawline.
Additionally, Restylane and Restylane® Silk are FDA-approved for lip enhancement in patients over the age of 21, and are uniquely formulated to give your lips fullness and definition.
Dermal Fillers (Juvederm XC, Radiesse, Restylane)
Dermal fillers are injectable solutions that help to diminish facial lines and add fullness to features.
Consultation
You will meet with Dr. Oser, an associate or one of our practitioners to discuss your goals and whether a dermal filler would be the right option for you. They will examine your skin and ask you questions about your general health. You will then be able to choose a dermal filler and decide on a treatment plan.
Considerations
Candidates for dermal fillers may have:
- Good physical health
- Realistic expectations
- Deep lines around the mouth or nose
- Flat eyebrows
- Flat cheeks
- Jowls
- Aging hands
Preparation Before Your Procedure
Make sure to follow all instructions and advice given to you prior to your procedure. To help avoid bruising, it is best to stop using blood-thinning medications a week before your procedure. These include ibuprofen and aspirin.
Procedure
Dr. Oser, an associate or one of our practitioners will inject the filler directly into the wrinkles or lips. A topical numbing cream is often used to make you more comfortable. Pain is usually very minimal.
Recovery
Bruising, swelling, redness and itchiness can occur for one to two weeks after treatment. Please let us know if any of your symptoms become severe. It can also take up to a week for the results of your filler to fully settle in. Avoid exercise for one to two days following your procedure. Do not squeeze or massage the injection sites as this can alter the results of your treatment. If you experience swelling, you can use a cold compress and/or acetaminophen as necessary.
Results
Most patients are very happy with their dermal filler results. You will most likely notice an immediate improvement of fine lines and wrinkles, with the final results settling in within a few days to a week. The results usually last from four to nine months and then the procedure can be repeated.
