Dermal Fillers
DERMAL FILLERS
Dermal fillers reproduce a youthful look. They can be used to replace lost volume that occurs naturally as we age. Dermal fillers work by restoring lost volume to the facial skin, this decreases the appearance of moderate to severe folds. Dermal fillers can also be used for enhancement and contouring of the shape of your face in areas of the lips, jaw, and cheeks. Dermal fillers can also be used to restore youthful-looking hands, which until now was a giveaway of our age.
Dermal fillers can last anywhere from 6 months up to 2 years depending on the type of filler, location of the filler, and how dynamic the area is. Dermal fillers are only recommended for those that are at least 22 years old.
What dermal filler is right for me?
We offer many different dermal fillers to suit a multitude of needs. There are different types of dermal fillers made with hyaluronic acids or PRP. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are available with different consistencies and are injected at different depths to achieve desired results. To enhance cheekbones, Voluma XC or Restylane Lyft will be recommended. These products are injected close to the cheekbone and provide an additional structure that may have been either lost over time or for the desired supplementation. For nasolabial folds, Versa+, Vollure, Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, or Restalyne Defyne would be recommended to reduce the appearance of moderate to severe folds and wrinkles. Our lip-enhancing dermal fillers are Volbella, Versa+, Juvederm Ultra Plus, and Restylane Kysse. These fillers are designed to create or enhance your beautiful full lips while pliable enough to appear and feel natural. They can also be used around the mouth to fill fine lines and wrinkles. For hand rejuvenation, Restylane Lyft is the only FDA-recommended dermal filler.
We also offer the option of dermal filling with platelet-rich plasma or PRP. PRP contains growth factors and cytokines that stimulate new skin growth with the production of new collagen and fibrin. This is all-natural and comes from the patient, therefore no foreign substances are introduced into the body. PRP is obtained through a small blood draw. A vial of blood is drawn from the patient and placed in a centrifuge which separates the platelets for use in the treatment. PRP can be used alone or in addition to hyaluronic acids. PRP is a great option for tear troughs and nasal labial folds.
How should I prepare for and what should I expect at the time of treatment?
A consultation will be completed that includes examination, pre-treatment photos, and discussion of treatment goals. Allergies, current medications, and supplements will be reviewed as well as your past medical history. We will review your skin health including any breakouts of acne, skin infections, and prevalence of cold sores. Preparation begins with the discontinuation of medications that may thin your blood such as NSAIDs, aspirin, and herbal supplements such as Ginkgo Biloba, St. John’s wort, and vitamin E. These will need to be discontinued 2 weeks prior to procedure. Discontinuation of these medications will reduce the risk of swelling and/or bleeding at the injection sites. If you are on any prescription blood thinning medications prescribed by your cardiologist or neurologist such as Plavix, Brilinta, Effient, Coumadin or warfarin, medical clearance will be required prior to discontinuation. We recommend smoking cessation as this will help in the healing process. We also recommend you to be well hydrated before and after the treatment, as hyaluronic acids are hydrophilic, meaning they love water. This will help achieve the best results.
On the day of procedure, the treatment area will be thoroughly cleansed and a topical anesthetic will be applied to the treatment area. It is important to notify the provider if you are allergic to lidocaine as some of the filler contain lidocaine, which is designed to help alleviate discomfort. A waiting period of about 10-15 minutes will be necessary for the numbing effects to be achieved. Once the topical anesthetic numbing effects have been achieved, the treatment area will be thoroughly cleansed a second time. Next, several small injections will be used to deliver the dermal fillers to the desired treatment areas. Treatment time will vary but will be about one hour. Results will be visible at the time of treatment. No waiting period is needed to see your results.
DERMAL FILLERS FAQs
You must be at least 22 years old. Consider dermal fillers if you would like a non surgical treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles or folds, or would like to contour and enhance facial structures.
If you are younger than 21, pregnant, or breast-feeding you cannot have dermal fillers administered. If you have any active skin infections or cold sores you will need to wait until these are resolved. You may also need to be pre-medicated prior to the procedure if you are prone to cold sores.
Patients may return to work usually the same day. There is little to no downtime associated with treatments, however there may be swelling, bleeding, and or bruising associated with the treatment areas. These side effects are usually mild and temporary. Use of cold compresses to the treatment are will help resolve these side effects. Refrain from touching the treatment area for at least 6 hours and do not use cosmetics and lotions in the area for 12-24 hours. It is recommended to avoid extreme temperatures, sun exposure, alcohol, and strenuous exercise for 24 hours. Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications for at least one week.
Common side effects include tenderness, lumps, bumps, itching, swelling, bruising, redness, and slight bleeding at the injection sites. Side effects tend to subside within a week for the facial skin, and within14 days for the lips. Older patients may be more prone to bruising, while younger patients may experience more swelling. There is also a small risk for infection. This is why it is very important to follow post procedure instructions. While rare, there is a possibility of vascular occlusion, if this occurs it will usually be within minutes of treatment. In the event this should occur, a medication will be administered to dissolve the filler that is creating the ischemia, which will help restore circulation to the affected area. It is important to notify us about any bruising, signs, or symptoms of infection. There is also a rare chance of scarring, stroke, and visual problems.
Duration of treatment will depend on several factors including product used, treatment area, patient’s age, and attending follow-up appointments. The more dynamic the treatment area or movement occurring in the treatment area results will not last as long. For example lip enhancements will typically last about 6 months, whereas cheek enhancements may last up to 2 years. The patient’s metabolism rate will also determine how long the results last as the dermal filler is metabolized over time.