Dermal Fillers
As skin ages and loses its volume, wrinkles and folds begin to form—a process that is most apparent in fallen cheek pads, sagging jaw lines, and prominent smile lines and (nasolabial) folds between the lips, mouth, and cheeks.
Dermal filler injections are among the fastest-growing nonsurgical ways to correct some of the effects of aging, including:
- Wrinkles
- Shallow or deep creases and lines such as nasolabial folds, (marionnette) lines at the corners of the mouth, and vertical lip lines
- Thinning lips or a diminishing lip border
- Cheek depressions
- Acne scars
- Hollows under the eyes
- Sagging eyebrows
- Facial depressions from loss of underlying tissue
- Jowls
Plastic surgeons at Summit Medical Group are experts in procedures for the dermal fillers:
- Restylane®
- Juvederm®
- Sculptra™
- Radiesse®
- Evolence®
Safe, FDA-approved, and effective, dermal fillers provide long-lasting, natural results. Because they are not permanent, however, you can choose whether to continue using them and decide how much or little achieves the results you want.
Restylane and Juvederm, for example, are natural, plant-derived substances (hyaluronic acids) that closely resemble a substance that naturally occurs in the body. With a smooth gel that binds to water molecules and replenishes the level of hyaluronic acid in the skin, these dermal filler support the surface tissues and immediately soften lines and wrinkles.
Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) is a safe, FDA-approved, synthetic, biocompatible, and biodegradable substance made from fruit acids. Over time, it can provide a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness as well as fill in lines and wrinkles. Like Restylane and Juvederm, Sculptra stimulates the body to procude new collagen. Sculptra provides longer-lasting results compared with many other dermal fillers.
Radiesse is a safe, FDA-approved, effective, next-generation dermal filler for correcting facial lines and creases, wrinkles, and folds. It also can be used to contour the face. Radiesse is made from a unique collagen-stimulating, calcium-based substance. Like Sculptra, Radiesse provides longer-lasting results compared with many other dermal fillers.
Evolence is a safe, FDA-approved, effective, next generation dermal filler that can be used to fill in lines, creases, wrinkles, and folds. Like Radiesse, it also can be used to contour the face. Evolence is made from a natural collagen. Evolence provides longer-lasting results compared with many other dermal fillers.
Your plastic surgeon will recommend which filler or combination of fillers can help you achieve the natural, youthful look you desire.
Consultation
Consultation for dermal fillers includes a discussion about your expectations and concerns as well as limits and risks of the procedure. The surgeon also will review your medical history and examine and take pictures of your face. He or she will discuss filler options and recommend what would be most suitable for you.
Candidates
The best candidates for dermal fillers are healthy men and women who have realistic expectations about their results. Most patients are aged 35 years or more, but people can have dermal injections at any age to correct scarring, pitting, or other facial depressions from acne or other conditions.
The Procedure
Dermal fillers are injected with a very fine needle. The procedure typically takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on the number of areas that are treated. Most patients describe having little or no discomfort during or after the procedure. Some patients have a series of injections to achieve desired results.
Recovery and Results
No down time is needed for recovery after treatment with dermal fillers. Most side effects such as redness or tenderness at the injection site, firmness, swelling, lumps/bumps, itching, bruising, and discoloration are mild and last less than 5 days. Complications with dermal fillers are extremely rare.
After dermal filler injections, patients should avoid:
- Getting too much sun
- Drinking alcohol
- Exercising for 24 hours (to prevent unnecessary bruising)
- Cold outdoor activities
Results with dermal fillers are immediate and often improve over time and with additional injections. Hyaluronic fillers encourage collagen-producing cells (or fibroblasts) to stretch and produce more of the protein essential for youthful, resilient skin. After a few treatments, some patients need smaller amounts of the fillers to achieve desired results. Many patients experience improved skin quality as a result of the treatment.
Benefits of dermal fillers typically last 6 months to 2 years depending on the type of filler; however, skin type, lifestyle, and age have a role in how long the results will last.
