nonsurgical procedures

There are a variety of injectable substances or fillers that can be used to restore volume and fill in fine lines in the face. They are classified as temporary or semi-permanent since treatments must be repeated in four months to one year depending on the type of filler used and individual responses to treatment. Many people choose these treatments to achieve smoother skin with a more youthful look and to delay the need for a facelift.

After evaluating your skin type and texture, your provider will make recommendations on treatment options for you. 

Rebecca, Before Juvederm treatment	Rebecca, After 2.5 syringes

The best candidates for treatment with fillers:

• are unhappy with fine lines or creases in their faces.
• have lost volume in areas of their faces due to weight loss or the aging process.
• have scarring or dimpling of the skin on their faces.
• have minor loss of elasticity with some droopiness of jowls.
• wish to enhance their facial appearance and look more youthful.
• have realistic expectations.

Treatments with injectable fillers are outpatient procedures which can be performed in our office. A topical numbing agent may be used, and the procedure takes from 10-30 minutes depending upon the size and number of areas to be treated. A very thin needle is used to inject the filler into the soft tissues of the face, with minimal discomfort (some experience a slight stinging sensation) during treatment. The fillers reduce or eliminate the appearance of wrinkles and creases and add volume to treated areas, resulting in more youthful facial contours. Filler options available for treatment include:

Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane 
These are brand names for FDA-approved fillers that are based on hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally-occurring substance in human tissue - in the skin, cartilage and eyes. It hydrates the skin, lubricates the joints and acts as a cushioning agent as well. It can absorb up to 1000 times its weight in water and has been used in medicine for many years.

Restylane – Restylane is a clear gel made from synthetic hyaluronic acid. Besides reducing wrinkles, it can add fullness or volume to your skin, improving facial features and restoring your face to a more youthful appearance. Because it attracts water, it brings water to the skin surface, helping to restore the freshness and suppleness of youthful skin.

Restylane is most useful in treating moderate facial lines and wrinkles. It can be used in conjunction with Botox or Radiesse injections for more dramatic and longer-lasting results, often 6-9 months or longer depending on individual differences. 

Juvederm – This hyaluronic acid filler has an ultra smooth consistency which gives a more natural look and feel to your facial skin. It is recommended as a filler to soften lines and “plump up” folds in facial skin. It is most useful on the superficial wrinkles of the face. It is recommended as a filler to "plump up" your lips to produce a natural, fuller look.

Perlane - This is a sister product to Restylane and is useful for more pronounced facial folds and wrinkles. The molecules making up this hyaluronic acid filler are “stiffer” and resist compression so they are well-suited to reducing or correcting the deeper folds and creases of the face.

Radiesse 
Radiesse is a compound of calcium hydroxyl apatite microspheres (tiny round particles that are uniform in size) in a gel medium. The substances in Radiesse occur naturally in our bodies. Radiesse is injected beneath the skin under the dermis and subcutis layers where thin connective tissue forms around the microspheres, thus it stimulates the body to produce new collagen.

Radiesse is valuable for restoring facial volume and defining facial contours and for correcting deep facial wrinkles such as those of the nasolabial folds (smile lines). Although individual results vary, the benefits of treatment with this filler are that the results are immediate and long lasting - up to one year or longer.

There is no recovery period. Since a topical numbing agent is used before injections, recovery simply involves having the numbness wear off. There could be minimal swelling, which subsides in 24 to 36 hours and the possibility of light bruising or redness of the treated areas. Any discomfort can be controlled with medication. Normal activities can be resumed immediately, and most people return to work right after treatment, but should stay out of the sun.

These fillers are considered to be extremely safe since they are made from products which naturally occur in the body. Over time, the filler gels will break down, turning into water and carbon dioxide, and will be safely absorbed by the body. When this occurs after 6-9 months or a year, the treatment will need to be repeated to maintain its youthful effect.