Dermal Fillers
The way your skin looks is directly related to the way your skin is supported. Wrinkles form when the natural collagen and hyaluronic acid in your skin diminish during the course of aging. Other factors that cause wrinkles include exposure to the sun, disease, injury, heredity and lifestyle. Collagen provides structure to your skin while hyaluronic acid provides skin volume.
Dermal fillers are substances that are injected just below the surface of the skin to fill lines, wrinkles and scars from the inside out. At our plastic surgery practice, dermal fillers are used to temporarily restore a smoother, more youthful appearance. Dermal fillers can also be used to add definition to the lip border. Collagen dermal fillers have been proven safe and affective for more than 20 years. Our injectors include our experienced and board certified plastic surgeons and the medical team they helped to train.
Visit our advanced aesthetics website
Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant natural protein found in the body and provides structural support to skin, muscle, tendons and bone. Fibers of collagen are woven together, like threads in fabric, to form a framework into which new cells can grow. In the skin, collagen provides texture, resiliency and shape.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar. It is found in the human body in the skin, cartilage, joints and the eye. In skin tissue, hyaluronic acid fills the space between collagen and elastin fibers. The role of hyaluronic acid in skin is to deliver nutrients, hydrate the skin by holding in water, and to act as a cushioning agent
JUVÉDERM®
One of the most popular dermal fillers available, FDA-approved JUVÉDERM® is a hyaluronic acid-based injectable that can reduce the appearance of many common signs of aging as well as facial scars. JUVÉDERM® is often utilized to smooth away fine lines around the nose and mouth and to restore volume on the cheeks and in the lips. The thin, gel-like consistency can allow our experienced injectors to achieve subtle but noticeable rejuvenation in about 30 minutes or less, and downtime should be minimal – if it occurs at all. Benefits are typically visible almost immediately, and results can last between six months and one year. After treatment, some mild redness, bruising, and tenderness at the injection sites is normal, and these symptoms should fade quickly.
JUVÉDERM® is made without common allergens or animal products, so you should not require any special testing prior to receiving this treatment. If you love your results and wish to extend them, occasional maintenance treatment sessions can help you to preserve the outcome.
JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC
JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ is composed of the same hyaluronic acid-based substance as JUVÉDERM®; however, this specialized formula has a thicker consistency that is FDA-approved to aid in restoring volume to the mid-facial area. The natural process of aging and some health conditions can cause the face to develop a sunken appearance. JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ can be used to plump and re-contour the upper, middle, and lower cheeks as well as the jawline for a healthier, more youthful look. This treatment is administered using the same method as other dermal fillers, and downtime is similarly brief. *JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ is longer-lasting than many injectables, and most patients report that the effects continue for up to two years. Benefits typically can be seen immediately, and the outcome can be extended with regular “touch-up” treatments if desired.
*Individual Results May Vary
Radiesse®
Radiesse® can be used to address mild to moderate signs of aging and volume loss on the face and the hands. As with many other dermal fillers, results occur virtually instantaneously and the downtime should be very brief, if it occurs at all. Considered a volumizing filler, FDA-approved Radiesse® is made up of a biocompatible substance called calcium hydroxylapatite, a material that has been used by physicians for decades. In addition to the swift effects, Radiesse® can last between one to two years, although individual experience may vary. Furthermore, occasional maintenance sessions can extend the effects for individuals who love the outcome.
Restylane® / Perlane®
Designed to soften common signs of aging and enhance volume in the face and lips, Restylane® and Perlane® are two additional types of FDA-approved dermal fillers that are comprised of hyaluronic acid. The thin consistency of each solution makes it possible to subtly contour the lips, cheeks, and chin and fill fine lines around the nose and mouth with immediate and natural-looking results. Depending on your anatomic factors and treatment plan, Restylane® and Perlane® can last between four months and up to a year. These fillers should not require any allergy testing, and you should be able to return to normal activity immediately following the procedure. As with other injectables, some minor bruising and redness may be noticeable after treatment, but these effects should subside quickly. Additionally, occasional maintenance sessions can help you to sustain the results beyond the initial period.
Sculptra®
Sculptra® Aesthetic is a facial injectable, consisting of poly L lactic acid, that provides subtle results over a period of time. It acts to gradually replace lost collagen, providing for a more natural looking appearance. Sculptra® Aesthetic typically requires a series of treatments, each several weeks apart, to provide additional volume for up to two years. The product is biocompatible and biodegradable, and the main ingredient has been used by physicians for many years.
This content has either been authored or reviewed and approved by the doctors at Hankins & Sohn Plastic Surgery Associates.