Dermal fillers are the other category of injectables. True to their name, dermal fillers are injected beneath a wrinkle or crease and they add instant volume, pushing the skin back up and erasing the wrinkle. They can also instantly return the contour to areas that have flattened, such as the cheeks, the lips, and the backs of the hands.
Dermal fillers are categorized as “natural” or “synthetic.”
Natural or HA fillers
The entire Juvederm®, Restylane®, Belotero®, and Prolium lines are the most popular — are made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the human body responsible for hydrating, plumping, and firming the skin. Hyaluronic acid does this by binding with nearby water molecules.
They are popular because they are temporary and reversible. Over that timespan, the HA naturally degrades and gets absorbed by the body. That breakdown can be sped up with an injection of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that dissolves HA. The ability to undo and/or refine results is especially helpful but not recommended for patients who are new to filler.
Depending on the product, treatment area, and patient’s metabolism, hyaluronic acid-based fillers generally last six to 12 months.
What to Expect:
Injected to a greater depth to return the volume to an area. For that reason, we apply topical numbing anesthetic prior to your session to keep you comfortable. Many of the fillers we offer also have some Lidocaine in the formula to help keep you comfortable.
Types: Juvederm® fillers (Juvederm, Ultra, Volbella, Vollure, and Voluma) and the entire line of Restylane® fillers ( Restylane, Defyne, Refyne, Lyft, and Silk). We also offer Belotero® and Prolane (versa).
Synthetic fillers or biostimulatory fillers
Use manmade ingredients, such as calcium microspheres, to add volume and encourage new collagen production.
Unlike HA-based fillers, which are absorbed into the body, the collagen created by biostimulatory injectables remains. Instead of providing an instant plumping effect, these injections stimulate the body’s own processes for longer-term smoothing and volumizing.
Radiesse® is part of this family. This filler is made of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHa), which is a mineral-like substance that’s one of the ingredients in your bones. Radiesse® is often injected into areas that have become bony, like hands or cheeks.
Generally speaking, the visible results of biostimulatory injectables last 12 to 24 months, at which point they can be touched up. So, while they require less maintenance than HA fillers, they cost more and it can take six weeks or more to start seeing results.
Due to their thick nature, they’re not good for areas that require a super soft touch, that includes the lips and under the eyes — two areas of concern for many people coming into our office.
Unlike HA fillers, biostimulants cannot be dissolved or reversed. Since the purpose and results of biostimulatory injectables are quite different, it is important to discuss your options with Your provider.
Caution: Our qualified providers with the necessary experience, will evaluate and decide what kind of filler to use for what area. They will also discuss the risks, benefits, alternative treatments, and potential complications in depth.
To summarize, the Fillers can be used for:
cheek augmentation/ top model look
jawline/chin augmentation
tear trough
hand rejuvenation
Vertical lip lines
pronounced nasolabial folds
lip rejuvenation and augmentation
liquid facelift
sagging earlobes
fillers for forehead (mid-forehead and between the brows)
fillers for temples
fillers for nose
fillers for neckbands
Caution: not recommended for active autoimmune diseases like Lupus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Disclaimer
Results may vary from person to person.