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Understanding Injectable Fillers: What Are They?
Injectable fillers, sometimes called dermal fillers or soft tissue fillers, are non-surgical cosmetic procedures used to improve facial features, restore volume, and smooth wrinkles.
They are a popular choice for individuals seeking a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance without the need for invasive procedures.
These fillers are comprised of gel-like substances that are carefully injected into specific areas of the face or other targeted regions of the body. The most commonly used dermal fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a substance that we naturally have in our bodies. Other inject dermal fillers may include substances such as calcium hydroxylapatite or poly-L-lactic acid.
The primary purpose of injectable fillers is to address signs of aging, including wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of volume.
Before undergoing any injectable filler treatment, it is crucial to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
The Benefits of Injectable Fillers
Injectable fillers can do so much for those seeking a natural appearance:
- Restore Volume: Injectable fillers are an effective solution for replenishing lost facial volume, restoring youthful contours to the face, and plumping up areas such as the cheeks, temples, and lips.
- Smooth Deep Wrinkles and Fine Lines: By filling in deep creases, such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and crow’s feet, these fillers provide a smoother, more rejuvenated appearance.
- Enhance Facial Features: They can sculpt and contour the cheekbones, chin, jawline, and other areas, creating a more balanced and harmonious facial anatomy.
- Minimal Risks: When performed by a qualified and experienced medical professional, injectable dermal filler procedures are generally safe with minimal risks. Allergic reactions and other complications from injectable treatment are rare but can be further minimized by choosing a reputable and trusted clinic like Park Plaza Plastic Surgery.
Different Types of Injectable Fillers
Injectable fillers come in various formulations, each designed to address specific concerns and provide tailored results.
Hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture and adds volume to the skin. HA fillers are widely used for various purposes, including smoothing wrinkles, enhancing lips, and restoring facial volume. An example of HA filler is Juvederm.
CaHA is a biocompatible substance that stimulates collagen production and provides structural support to the skin. Radiesse is a common brand of calcium hydroxylapatite filler.
Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) is a substance that stimulates collagen production over time. It is primarily used to treat volume loss in areas such as the cheeks and temples, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
Popular Areas for Injectable Fillers
Injectable facial fillers can be used to enhance and rejuvenate various areas of the face and body: nasolabial folds, marionette lines, lips, cheeks, tear troughs, temples, jaw line, chin, and hands.
JUVÉDERM® Injectable Dermal Fillers
JUVÉDERM is an injectable filler that we use to correct wrinkles, hollows and facial folds. It is derived from hyaluronic acid, a compound naturally found in the skin, eyes, spinal fluid, joints and elsewhere in the body. It is formulated as a smooth gel to minimize discomfort upon injection and give better results more quickly than other hyaluronic-acid-based fillers.
JUVÉDERM is ideal for:
- Correcting smile lines (also known as nasolabial folds or parentheses lines)
- Filling hollows under the eyes
- Filling hollow cheeks
- Lip augmentation
JUVÉDERM corrects different wrinkles than BOTOX® injections. Whereas BOTOX works by paralyzing muscles, JUVÉDERM works by filling in lost volume, making the two treatments ideal complements in facial rejuvenation.
- A non-surgical procedure;
- Can even be performed during lunch breaks;
- Usually injected with a local anesthetic after which it is painless;
- Corrects wrinkles that BOTOX® cannot.
After JUVÉDERM injections, you can normally return to work. You should not massage the treated areas, spend a prolonged period in the sun or expose your face to high heat during the first day or two after treatment.
You can expect some minor swelling and slight discomfort in the treated areas that may last a day or two, although this is less common with JUVÉDERM than with other injectable fillers. Swelling can be treated with ice packs.
There are a few risks associated with JUVÉDERM injections. In rare cases, people have allergic reactions to one or more ingredients of JUVÉDERM, and some people experience more swelling and discomfort than others.
Treatment with JUVÉDERM can significantly decrease the appearance of wrinkles, facial folds and facial hollows. In some cases, these effects of aging may be virtually erased.
The results of JUVÉDERM last for 6 to 10 months, depending on the areas treated.
If you would like to learn about facial rejuvenation using JUVÉDERM injections, schedule a facial filler consultation with Dr. George Lefkovits today.
RADIESSE® Injectable Dermal Fillers
RADIESSE is an advanced facial filler designed to give long-lasting correction of facial folds, wrinkles and other facial signs of aging. New York, plastic surgeon Dr. George Lefkovits uses RADIESSE to help men and women maintain a more youthful appearance for longer. Because it is a substantive filler, RADIESSE can also be used instead of or prior to facial implants for chin augmentation and cheek augmentation that can recontour the face and greatly improve a person’s overall appearance.
RADIESSE can be used to correct:
- Facial hollows
- Facial folds including nasolabial folds (also known as smile lines or parentheses)
- Hollow cheeks
- Weak chin
- Low cheekbones
Unlike BOTOX® injections, which work by paralyzing muscles, RADIESSE works by filling in areas where fat has decreased or been displaced as a result of aging. The two treatments can be used together to perform full facial rejuvenation.
- Injections are non-surgical;
- Injections are long-lasting, approximately one year;
- Usually require some local anesthetic;
- Reversible;
- RADIESSE injections correct wrinkles that BOTOX injections cannot.
RADIESSE injections are performed in Dr. Lefkovits’s office. The injections require only a few minutes, depending on the areas being treated and the amount of filler necessary. Usually, a local block anesthetic is used to eliminate any pain or discomfort.
You can return to work and most activities immediately following your RADIESSE injections. Avoid extensive heat or sun exposure and massaging the treated area for the day following injection.
Because RADIESSE is thicker than JUVÉDERM®, many people experience slightly greater discomfort and post-procedure swelling following RADIESSE injections. The swelling will decrease quickly and probably last only a few days. The risks of RADIESSE injections are very slight, although some people report allergic reactions and some lasting swelling or discomfort.
Following injection, treated facial folds, wrinkles, and hollows will be greatly decreased. With RADIESSE, the results are visible immediately after swelling from the injections goes down. These results should be long-lasting. In clinical studies, about 80% of people saw continued results one year after treatment.
