Cosmetic Dermal Fillers

If you are looking for a nonsurgical facelift or want to smooth out some fine lines or deep-set wrinkles, injectable fillers are for you. As skin ages, it begins to lose collagen filled with hyaluronic acid (HA). Collagen and HA add structure and volume to the face; therefore, a lack of HA causes the skin to sag and wrinkle–that is where dermal fillers come into play. Each dermal filler is unique in its way but similar in that they plump the skin to gently lift and restore collagen loss due to the normal aging process as well as prompts the body to create its natural collagen to restore the face to a more natural, youthful appearance.

Dermal fillers are injectable gels made from naturally occurring hyaluronic acid that is minimally invasive injections and very safe. As with any procedure, there are potential risks with the most common being post-injection bruising and swelling which are usually minimal and resolve quickly. Most dermal fillers are formulated with lidocaine to make the treatment more comfortable, and some patients may request a topical numbing agent or ice to further reduce any discomfort. Results are immediate after treatment, and there is typically little downtime aside from expected bruising and swelling. It is important to note that dermal fillers are temporary and that the amount of time that the fillers last is impacted by several factors that may increase or decrease their longevity.

Juvéderm

Juvéderm® is a hyaluronic acid dermal filler collection from the makers of Botox Cosmetic®. Juvéderm has been FDA-approved since 2006 to correct facial folds and wrinkles.

At our clinic, we offer Ultra XC, Ultra Plus XC, and Voluma XC. “XC” means the hyaluronic acid comes in sheets that are cross-linked together to provide a stable ingredient that your body will not break down as quickly and will last a fairly long time when injected.

What is JUVÉDERM® XC

First approved by the FDA in 2006, JUVÉDERM XC corrects moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the parentheses lines or ‘smile lines’ around the nose and mouth. JUVÉDERM XC is injected into areas of facial tissue where moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds occur to temporarily add volume to the skin, which may give the appearance of a smoother surface.

Juvéderm Voluma XC is FDA-approved to temporarily restore volume loss and increase fullness to the mid-face and chin. Other areas of application include but are not limited to the temples, jawline, under eyes (tear trough) using a blended formula of Voluma XC, and the bridge of the nose. Juvéderm Voluma XC can be injected in small aliquots on the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) to give a lifting effect on the nasolabial folds. This effect is referred to as a “liquid facelift” which is similar to that of a surgical facelift. Juvéderm Voluma XC typically lasts 9-12 months but can last over a year.

Juvéderm Ultra XC/Ultra Plus XC

Juvéderm Ultra XC/Ultra Plus XC are other hyaluronic acid dermal fillers most commonly used for temporary lip augmentations and perioral injections to provide a hydrated lip appearance. Another application for Ultra Plus XC is to reduce the appearance of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds like the nasolabial folds. Juvéderm Ultra XC/Ultra Plus XC typically lasts 6-9 months.

The Restylane® Family of Products

The Restylane family of products includes Restylane, Restylane-L®, Perlane®, and Perlane-L®. These products are made of a clear gel formulation of hyaluronic acid, which is biocompatible with the human body and eventually broken down naturally. They can be used individually to add volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds). Restylane and Restylane-L are the only products FDA approved for lip enhancement in patients over 21 years, and are uniquely formulated to give your lips fullness and definition.

About Restylane & Restylane-L Injectable Gels

Treat your moderate to severe wrinkles and folds:

Products in the Restylane® family add volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds). Restylane® and Restylane¬-L® can also add fullness and definition to lips in patients over 21 years, providing natural-looking results with just one treatment.

Restylane

The Restylane line of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers was originally developed in Sweden and is now marketed in the US by Galderma, a leading pharmaceutical company that also produces Dysport®. Restylane is an excellent alternative to other fillers, such as Juvéderm, which is FDA-approved to correct facial folds and wrinkles. All Restylane products are non-animal-based and free from animal protein. Clients who are allergic to avian-based hyaluronic acid treatments can safely use Restylane since it is derived from bacterial origins; however, those with a history of allergic reactions to gram-positive bacterial proteins should not use the product. Restylane fillers are minimally cross-linked which makes them similar to the natural hyaluronic acid found in the body. At our clinic, we offer the entire portfolio of Restylane fillers which include: Restylane-L, Lyft, Silk, Kysse, Refyne, Defyne, and Contour.

Where can Restylane be used?

The lift and the lips you’ve been looking for:

The Restylane® family of products instantly adds volume to help restore youthful contours, so you’ll see results immediately following your treatment. The Restylane® family of products can be used to add volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, including the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds or laugh lines), the area just below the nose and above the upper lip; the corners of the mouth; and marionette lines—the area that extends downward from the corners of the mouth to the jawline. Restylane®, Restylane-L®, and Restylane® Silk are the only FDA-approved products for lip enhancement in patients over 21 years and are uniquely formulated to give your lips fullness and definition.

Restylane-L

Restylane-L is the world’s first hyaluronic acid filler, followed by Juvéderm. Restylane-L is approved for corrections of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the nasolabial folds, and indicated for lip injections. Other common applications include but are not limited to the under eyes (tear trough), frown lines between the eyebrows, marionette lines, ear lobes, and on the brow bone to lift the brows. Restylane-L typically lasts 6-8 months but can last as long as 12 months.

Restylane Lyft

Restylane Lyft, formerly known as Perlane-L®, is approved for deep injections to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles like the nasolabial folds, cheek augmentation, and restoring volume in the midface due to age-related contour deficiencies. Lyft is also indicated for dorsal hand injections to restore volume loss. Other common applications include but are not limited to the chin, jawline, and nose. Lyft is created using Galderma’s NASHA Technology that confers rigidity to provide lift when injected. Restylane Lyft typically lasts 6 months in facial wrinkles and hands to 12 months in the midface.

Restylane Silk

Restylane Silk is approved for lip augmentation and to correct perioral wrinkles. Silk provides soft, natural-looking fullness for the lips for clients seeking subtle enhancements. Restylane Silk typically lasts 6-9 months.

Restylane Kysse

Restylane Kysse is approved for lip augmentation and to correct upper perioral wrinkles. Kysse was created using XpresHAn Technology so that the hyaluronic acid in the filler blends with your own body’s HA to maintain a natural-looking lip enhancement. Restylane Kysse typically lasts 9-12 months on the lips.

Restylane Defyne

Restylane Defyne is approved to correct moderate to severe, deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as the nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Defyne is also indicated for chin augmentation to create a more V-shaped face and provide projection to improve the overall facial profile. Defyne was created using XpresHAn Technology which crosslinks the hyaluronic acid to incorporate with the body’s HA; this affords the dermal filler durability and flexibility so that it can move naturally through your facial expressions. Restylane Defyne typically lasts 9-12 months in the smile lines.

Restylane Refyne

Restylane Refyne is approved to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds like the nasolabial folds. Refyne can also be used to restore volume in the temples and add fullness to the forehead. Refyne was created using XpresHAn Technology which crosslinks the hyaluronic acid to incorporate with the body’s HA; this affords the dermal filler durability and flexibility so that it can move naturally through your facial expressions. Restylane Refyne typically lasts 9-12 months in the smile lines.

Restylane Contour

Restylane Contour is the newest addition to the Restylane family and is approved for cheek augmentation and to correct contour deficiencies in the midface. Contour was designed using XpresHAn Technology to confer flexibility so that the filler moves naturally through a range of facial expressions. Restylane Contour typically lasts 9-12 months.

Blunt Tip Cannula

This is a game-changer for filler injections. Anyone not using some form of blunt tip cannula injection in their practice is not practicing with the patient’s best interests in mind.

The blunt-tipped cannula, or simply blunt needle, is a small tube with an edge that is not sharp and designed for less traumatic injections of fillers such as Juvéderm, Restylane, Sculptra, or even your fat. Since it is not sharp, the blunt cannula simply glides underneath the skin in a plane that has little resistance. The cannula does not pierce or shear any structures, such as blood vessels or nerves, by pushing these important structures to the side and minimizing the collateral damage. Blunt cannulas have revolutionized dermal filler corrections to make them safer, less painful, and with less downtime. Some treatment areas will still require some form of needles to be used to deposit precise micro-droplets of product, such as the tear troughs and lips.

Which Filler To Choose

Picking a filler is a very daunting and arduous task, especially for those new to fillers. You have to figure out which filler is best for what you are trying to accomplish, and at the same time make sure the practice is not just picking something expensive for profit’s sake.

At our clinic you don’t have to worry about any of it.
Our team of experts are very experienced with all the different filler manufacturers. They ranked us the top 8% of entire country for Allergan, and also one of the top tier accounts for Galderma–makers of the Restylane family of fillers and Sculptra.

What to avoid before your treatment to minimize your chances of bruising:

Although bruising can always happen after any procedure, here are some recommendations you should consider to help minimize bruising after dermal fillers or any injectable procedure that involves a needle penetrating your skin:

Avoid consuming these medications/supplements five (5) days prior to your treatment: aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil) or any similar anti-inflammatory medication, Vitamin E, fish oils, Omega-3, garlic, and gingko biloba. Tylenol and narcotics like Vicodin/Norco/Percocet are fine.

Avoid alcohol consumption at least two (2) days before your treatment.

Eat fresh fruits–especially pineapple, as it contains bromelain that is known for preventing bruising.

Post-treatment recommendations

Here is a list of recommendations that you can do post-injection to reduce bruising:

Use an ice pack: Wrap an ice pack around a clean paper towel and use that to apply to the skin. Do not apply ice directly on the skin. You can ice the area 5-10 minutes at a time several times throughout the day. Ice constricts the blood vessels and lessens the chance of bruising to spread.

Avoid touching the treated area: Avoid massaging or rubbing the treated area for at least 24 hours after the treatment. Touching will make the injectable spread to other untreated areas too. Also, touching an open wound with unclean hands can quickly lead to an infection.

Apply arnica gel: It is a homeopathic medicine that is used to reduce bruising. Make sure to apply the gel with clean hands every two hours for at least 24 hours after the treatment.

No topical products: Avoid wearing lipstick or makeup on the treated area (especially the area with open poke marks) for at least for 24 hours after the dermal filler or injectable treatment.