Fillers
As you age, your face loses volume and as that occurs, wrinkles, creases or sunken areas form. Dermal fillers are an easy, safe and effective treatment to restore volume to the face resulting in a more youthful and radiant look. Fillers are injected as an in-office procedure following topical anesthesia. Most fillers are made of hyaluronic acid (HA) which is a naturally occurring substance in the body. HA has many benefits for all skin types. It not only increases volume but also increases collagen and elastin in the injected areas.Fillers can also be used to perform a “liquid facelift” or “liquid rhinoplasty” without any scalpels or surgery.
Post injection you might have mild discomfort, bruising and swelling for up to a week. How long the effect lasts depends on factors such as the type of wrinkles filled and the filler used.
Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane, Juvederm, others)
This is the most common filler and is a natural component of the skin’s connective tissue. The results typically last 6-18 months depending on the location.Calcium hydroxylapetite (Radiesse)
This filler also restores volume and is typically for jawline contouring, cheeks and deeper wrinkles. The results can last from 1-2 years.Poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra)
This product helps restore volume lost due to aging or illness. The results last up to 2 years.Fat grafting
Fat is removed from other areas of the body through liposuction and injected into areas of the face. There is some resorption of the fat and therefore often more than one session is required. The effects may be permanent.Botulinum toxin
Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are FDA approved injectables but not fillers. They reduce muscle movement temporarily which in turn reduces wrinkles, creases and frown lines. It is commonly used to reduce frown lines above the nose or smooth wrinkles on the forehead or around the eyes. It can also be used to raise the brows, to reduce the downward turn of the corner of the lips, to change the face shape from angular to more rounded, to reduce the “crinkling” of the chin and to reduce prominent bands on the neck. Botulinum toxin usually takes approximately 7 days to take effect and lasts 3-5 months.Kybella
This is an FDA approved injectable that safely and effectively reduces submental fullness, more commonly known as a double chin. Kybella contains deoxycholic acid which is a naturally occurring substance in the body that helps to break down fat.You are a good candidate for fillers and or injectables if:
- You have wrinkles or lines
- You have deep folds or loss of volume
- You do not want surgery
- You are not a good candidate for surgery
- You want to achieve a more subtle effect than surgery would offer
- You have realistic expectations about how fillers/injectables can help you
- You are comfortable with temporary results or need for repeat injections
