Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler:
Dermal Fillers are a minimally invasive way to address wrinkles that form on the face or body as a result of repeated muscle contraction, natural wear and tear, and lifestyle choices such as sun exposure and/or smoking. The gradual breakdown of our skin’s collagen and elastin leads to the formation of “static lines” which are lines visible in the skin at rest. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are a safe, effective, temporary, and popular treatment that addresses static lines. HA is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan (a family of polysaccharides or carbohydrate molecules) that plays a key role in the stability, resilience, lubrication, and tissue repair of the skin and joints. Because it’s a key component of our physiology, the body accepts HA and metabolizes it slowly as it would its own products.
Fillers are categorized by their viscosity or thickness. This, in turn, is determined by the degree of cross-linking or connectivity between the HA molecules. HA fillers can be used in creative ways to volumize and smooth the face. However, the art begins with a thorough understanding of how to use the various fillers to enhance the proportions of beauty in a natural non-obvious way. However, fillers are not deposited directly into the wrinkle as the name implies. Rather, they are injected subcutaneously into the second layer or, dermis, of the skin. In this plane, they create an upward force that elevates the underside of the wrinkle to flatten the crease.
Thick dermal fillers are appropriate for areas of substantial volume loss such as the hollows of the cheek or to restore volume to the temples while thin fillers are well suited for small volume delicate work such as the tear troughs, nasolabial folds, or to volumize and soften the lips. We can also use filler in combination with Botox to achieve amazing results! For example, repeated contraction of the frown lines can lead to the formation of permanent static vertical lines known as the 11’s. The use of Botox and filler together weaken the muscles that cause these lines while also replacing the volume loss. This makes these lines apparent even when the muscles aren’t contracted. This gives the Glabella a beautiful, smooth, and youthful look!
THICK FILLERS: RESTYLANE LYFT
As we age and our faces lose volume. Some patients begin to look for ways to regain the youthful definition in their cheeks without surgery. Restylane Lyft, formerly known as Perlane-L, is an injectable hyaluronic acid gel used to correct volume loss and treat wrinkles in the face. It is FDA-approved indicated to lift to cheeks and add volume to correct and smooth the nasolabial folds or, more commonly known as the smile lines. Lyft can also be used to rejuvenate and add volume back to the hands.
Key Procedures:
- Restore volume to cheeks
- Smooth nasolabial folds
VOLUMA®
Voluma is the newest filler from the Allergan family. It is a smooth hyaluronic acid filler which can last up to 24 months but the average is around 18 months. Voluma is FDA approved for restoration of volume loss in the cheek and midface areas. As we age, mid-face volume loss flattens the cheek, reducing support for the eye and lessening contrast with the concavity of the lower face. With optimal correction with Voluma, even areas of the face distant from the injection site demonstrate lift, including the nasolabial folds, corners of the mouth, and jawline. Voluma is a brilliant new tool in the fight against aging!
Key Procedures:
- Restore volume to cheeks
- Restore volume to midface
- Smooth nasolabial folds
THIN FILLERS: RESTYLANE®
Restylane is FDA approved for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles. Restylane is an excellent choice for treatment of the nasolabial folds as well as, following a nerve block or local anesthesia, restoring fullness to the lips. Redness and swelling should be expected for two days after the procedure. Results last up to 6 months.
Key Procedures:
- Reduction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and nasolabial folds
- Restore volume to lips
RESTYLANE® SILK
Restylane Silk is a HA filler well suited for use in the tear troughs just beneath the eyes. Restylane Silk is a good choice for injection close to the surface making it a good choice for the thin and delicate skin around the eyes. It can also be used to fill and smooth the wrinkles known as smoker’s lines on the upper lip to fill and smooth out wrinkles.
Key Procedures:
- Revolumize the tear troughs
- Smooth and reduce smokers’ lines
JUVEDERM®
Juvederm (XC, Ultra Plus) is a hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable gel used for the treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and volume loss at the nasolabial folds, lips, and around the mouth.
Key Procedures:
- Reduction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and nasolabial folds
- Restore volume to lips
Semipermenant Dermal Filler:
While Sculptra and Radiesse are marketed as dermal fillers, they are actually biostimulates. Unlike HA filler, a biostimulate leads to permanent change by stimulating the body’s fibroblast cells to produce and deposit new collagen. Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) and Radiesse (polymethylmethacrylate) gradually fade over two to five years.
Sculptra is FDA approved for restoration of facial fat loss and is well suited to replace volume in the hollow area under the cheek and/or at temples. These fillers are injected twice, eight weeks apart.
SCULPTRA® AESTHETICS
Our faces wrinkle and lose volume as we age resulting in unattractive hollows and loose skin, especially in the cheek, eye, and temporal areas. Sculptra Aesthetic offers and alternative for those who don’t want the pain, expense, or downtime of a facelift. Sculptra is a synthetic material called Poly-L-Lactic Acid which was first introduced for face injections in 1999 but, has been used in sutures for decades. Sculptra stimulates the body to produce collagen which is then deposited in the tissue and revolumnize the face.
Injections take about 30 minutes, are virtually painless, and patients can resume normal activities immediately following the procedure. On average, three treatments are needed over a few months but the number of sessions and the amount used per session will vary from person to person. Results can last from 2 to 5 once the full correction is attained. Sculptra can also be combined with Botox and Restylane for a refreshed, revitalized look.
Key Procedures:
- Revolumnize the face
- Replumps and lift the cheeks
- Revolumnize the temples
- FDA approved for the correction of HIV associated facial fat loss.
- Cheeks hollows
- Fill the temple
- Temporal fossa
- Hollow
- Volume restore
- Permanent filler
- Facial volume loss
RADIESSE
Radiesse is an injectable dermal filler that adds volume and corrects areas of tissue loss by stimulating the body’s natural collagen production for a long-lasting effect. It is used for the treatment of the nasolabial folds, Marionette Lines, Pre-jowl Folds, Corners of the Mouth, and chin wrinkles. It is also used for rejuvenation of the hands.
Key Procedures:
- Adding volume to the cheeks
- Adding volume to the temples
- FDA approved, correction of facial fat loss, HIV.
- Correction of nasolabial folds, Marionette Lines, Pre-jowl Folds, Corners of the Mouth, and chin wrinkles
Non-Surgical Fat Loss: KYBELLA
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) is the first and only FDA-approved injectable treatment that contours and improves the appearance of submental fullness, sometimes referred to as the “double chin.” Kybella is a well-tolerated procedure that consists of multiple injections directly into the fat under your chin. During your initial consult we will help you design a treatment plan tailored to improve your chin profile. Many patients experience visible results in two to four treatments. However, as many as five may be necessary to achieve your desired results. Injections are typically spaced no less than one month apart.
Key Procedures:
- Ablation of fat under the double chin
