Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are used to correct facial creases/folds and restore volume by replacing hyaluronic acid that is naturally found in the body. Hyaluronic acid is a molecule that attracts and binds to water to keep our skin looking full, smoothe and youthful. With aging, hyaluronic acid depletes overtime and causes folds, wrinkles and creases in the skin. Injecting a dermal filler into these areas results in immediate volume enhancement and noticeable results. Dermal fillers are used to smooth out moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Additionally, they can be used to volumize specific areas such as the lips and cheeks.
Dermal fillers are commonly injected into the nasolabial folds (area from the outer nostril to the outer corners of the mouth), marionette lines (creases from the sides of the mouth down to the chin) and for lip and cheek augmentation. Dermal fillers are injected under the skin after applying a topical anesthetic. Additionally, most dermal fillers contain lidocaine (numbing medicine) which helps to minimize pain associated with this type of injection. Below you will find a description of each dermal fillers used in our office, their specific indications and how long they last. We can help you decide which filler is best for you at a complimentary consultation.
Side-effects of dermal filler injections most commonly include swelling, bruising, and pain at the injection site. If you have a special event coming up, it is best to give yourself 3-4 weeks between getting dermal fillers and your event. Bruising and swelling can be minimized by doing the following:
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Avoid blood thinners, NSAID's (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Ibuprofen, etc. for 7 days before your treatment, unless medically necessary.
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Avoid herbal supplements/vitamins such as Fish oil, Vitamin E, Ginko, and Ginseng
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Ask us about Arnica Montana. This herbal sublingual (under the tongue) pill and topical gel help to reduce post-treatment bruising and has few associated side-effects.
Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus
Juvederm ™ contains the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid of all the dermal fillers. It was approved by the FDA in 2006. This filler has a unique, smooth-gel consistency, which results in a soft, natural look.
Juvederm Ultra is typically utilized for lip augmentation and Juvederm Ultra Plus (thicker) is most often used for moderate to severe lines and folds such as nasolabial folds (parentheses lines) and marionette lines (turned down mouth).
Juvederm lasts up to a full year when treating moderate to severe facial wrinkles and lines.
Volbella
Volbella ™ is Bellisima for the lips! Volbella adds subtle fullness and softens vertical lines in and around the lips. Volbella lasts up to a full year (longer than most other fillers used in the lips). This is our favorite new dermal filler for the lips and the area around the lips.
Vollure
Vollure™ is new hyaluronic acid dermal filler using cross-linked technology (Vycross) that makes it more dense and longer lasting than other fillers used to treat moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles. It is also unique in that it the first and only dermal filler proven to last up to 18 months in moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (nasolabial folds, marionette lines, etc.).
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Voluma
Voluma™ was the first FDA-approved dermal filler for volumizing the cheeks. Over time, the cheeks flatten and the skin begins to sag. This is caused by the natural loss of volume in the cheek area. Voluma™ adds volume beneath the skin's surface to lift and contour the cheek area. It creates a very youthful appearance by bringing definition and volume back to the midface area.
Voluma™ is also a hyaluronic acid filler, like Juvederm, but Voluma uses a unique cross-linked technology (Vycross) that makes it more dense and longer lasting. Voluma™ is the only dermal filler proven to last up to two years in the cheek area.
Lasts
up to
2 years
Restylane
Restylane™ is one of the original hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. It is typically used to correct mild to moderate facial wrinkles and folds, including the nasolabial folds (lines that run from the sides of the nose toward the corners of the mouth), marionette lines (folds/lines that run from the corners of the mouth toward the chin, and to add volume to the lips. Restylane lasts 6-9 months.
Restylane Silk
With age, our lips lose
volume, becoming thinner
and show more lines and
creases. Restylane Silk™,
a hyaluronic acid dermal filler, is used to correct the fine vertical lines around the lips and to add volume to the lips. It can also be used to treat other fine, superficial lines/wrinkles. Silk is designed to provide natural-looking results in these areas by using smaller, smoother particles than those used in other hyaluronic acid fillers. Restylane Silk results last 6 to 9 months.
Restylane Lyft
Restylane Lyft ™ is also a hyaluronic acid dermal filler approved by the FDA to lift cheeks as well as smooth lines, folds and wrinkles on the sides of the mouth. In clinical trials, the majority of patients still saw a natural lift in their cheeks at 12 months after treatment. In comparison to Restylane® Silk, Lyft uses larger particles of hyaluronic acid, which work deeper under the skin to provide more volume for the mid-face area.
Restylane Refyne and Defyne
Restylane Refyne™ and Defyne™ are the two of the latest FDA-approved advancements in hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. These dermal fillers incorporate a unique manufacturing process called XpresHAn technology. XpresHAn technology customizes the cross-linking of the hyaluronic acid in these products, providing flexibility and support for a variety of lines, folds and areas of volume loss. These hyaluronic acid fillers do not attract water and they create a sense of elasticity which leads to a more natural look.
Restylane Defyne™ is used to correct moderate to deep facial folds and wrinkles - such as the nasolabial folds and marionette lines.
Restylane Refyne™ is great for treating the vertical lines above the upper lip, the fine lines on the side of cheeks, and the "parentheses" or fine lines on the sides of the mouth .
Studies show that Refyne and Defyne are proven to last up to 12 months.
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