First, we disinfect the area to be treated. A small amount of filler is then injected into the skin through a fine needle or blunt micro-cannula to fill wrinkles or add volume, shape your face or lips or rejuvenate your skin. After injection, the injector may gently massage the treated area to even out the result.
How long does the treatment take?
A treatment does not take long. Depending on the area and indication, it takes approximately 20-60minutes. A touch-up treatment is sometimes performed approximately two weeks after the initial treatment to optimize the results. Is the treatment painful?Some people may experience the treatment as a mild discomfort. Most dermal fillers contain an integrated local anaesthetic, lidocaine, to provide you with a more comfortable treatment experience, and also come with special needles for easy skin penetration.
Who should not have a Dermal Filler treatment?
Patients with a known allergy to hyaluronic acid based products should not undergo treatment, nor should patients with bleeding disorders, or active skin disease such as inflammation, infection or tumors in or near the area to be treated. Discuss contraindications, warnings and precautions with our providers before treatment.
Can I get Dermal Fillers if I am pregnant?
The effects of Botox and fillers during pregnancy are largely unknown. Few studies have investigated the possibility of Botox or fillers harming an unborn baby or passing into breast milk while nursing. Furthermore, it is unlikely there will ever be significant, formal scientific studies to evaluate the effects of injectables on developing babies. Due to this lack of information, Botox and fillers are not recommended for expecting mothers or while breastfeeding.
How long do the effects of the treatment last?
Results may vary depending on treatments areas. The effects are long lasting but not permanent. They last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on a number of factors including the patient’s age, area treated, type of filler used, quantity of filler used, and lifestyle. The effect gradually diminishes with time. In order to maintain the aesthetic result, touch-up treatments are recommended. Results may vary depending on treatments area.
What should I apply or avoid after the treatment?
Avoid applying make-up to the skin immediately after treatment.Light cover up may be used to conceal any remaining redness after approximately 24 hoursA yellow-toned concealer may be used to hide signs of bruisingIn order to cover up any redness, a concealer with a slight green/yellow tone is recommended.
What are the possible side effects?
The most common side effects include treatment site reactions such as swelling, bruising, redness, pain, and tenderness. These side effects generally disappear within one week after injection. Other potential side effects can occur with dermal filler or Skinboosters injections
What can you do reduce the possibility of bruising?
Avoid aspirin, aleve, ibuprofen and medications like these for 5-7 days before
Avoid any alcohol consumption the week before
Stop non prescription supplements the week before. Things like fish oil, vitamin E, glucosamine, ginseng, ginkgo, garlic, etc can increase bruising potential
Stop drinking or taking green tea supplements the week before
Some say arnica Montana tablets can help reduce bruising and swelling. I recommend you start them 2-3 days before your procedure
Others say eating 1 cup pineapple per day a couple days ahead of time helps. It can’t hurt.. especially if you like pineapple!
If you take prescription fish oil I would recommend holding it for 5 days before your filler injections. This is not necessary for simple Botox injections
If you are on prescription blood thinners, I review this on a case-by-case basis. This is why having an injector with the ability to prescribe and understand prescriptions is vital. Most of the time for Botox/Dysport, its not necessary to stop prescription blood thinners. Of course, there is a much higher likelihood of bruising. In these instances, I will take more time with injections and hold pressure longer after each injection point. For filler services where bruising is much more of a concern I usually recommend they be held. But again, this is where having an injector with medical experience is needed. You need someone who can weigh risks vs. benefits of this with you. In some instances it is not safe to withdraw blood thinners
Consultation with your cardiologist or healthcare provider is warranted.
Neurotoxins vs. Dermal Fillers….What’s the difference??
With so many different injectable options on the market and so many areas that can be treated, we know it can be confusing. Here is some information to explain the difference between Neurotoxins and Dermal Fillers to help you get a better idea of which treatment is right for you.
Botox®/Dysport®/Xeomin®: These are all neurotoxins that work by blocking the nerve impulse that controls muscle movement, thereby temporarily restricting the ability to contract the facial muscles. When those nerve signals are interrupted, the affected muscle is temporarily paralyzed or frozen. Without movement of these selected muscles in the face, certain wrinkles may be softened, reduced, or even removed. Untreated muscles still work normally, so you can continue to express feelings naturally. Neurotoxins are injected to help smooth the appearance of wrinkles and are generally used to treat the upper face in areas such as frown lines, forehead, and crow’s feet. The results from neurotoxin injections last between 3-4 months and then need to be repeated.
Dermal Fillers: As we age, we lose the volume, collagen, and elastin in our face. The tissues under the skin also start to thin. Dermal fillers can help restore lost volume and even stimulate collagen production by being injected beneath the surface of the skin. They can help correct facial wrinkles and folds in your mid and lower face and fine lines. Filler can also be injected in the lips to plump and replace volume loss. The dermal fillers we inject are comprised of either calcium hydroxylapatite, which is a mineral-like compound found in bones and stimulates collagen production, or hyaluronic acid, which is found naturally in the body and hydrates and adds volume to the skin. Depending on which filler you use, results can last 6 months to a year.
Which is right for you? Upon having a consultation with Holly Willett , PA-C, she will evaluate you and customize an injection plan best suited for your needs. It is possible you may need Neurotoxin injections and dermal filler injections.
JUVEDERM VS. RESTYLANE: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Juvederm and Restylane appear to be very similar on the surface. Both fillers use hyaluronic acid to achieve a volume replacement benefit which reulsts in wrinkle eradication and lifting of the skin. Both treatments are non-surgical, require no downtime and minimal discomfort. Finally, they both can be used in similar facial areas to correct similar aging symptoms.
There are, however, a few key differences between Juvederm and Restylane. Here’s an overview of the benefits and weaknesses of each filler.
FORMULA
The formulas of Juvederm and Restylane use the same active ingredient: hyaluronic acid (HA). Hyaluronic acid is a natural carbohydrate molecule found in all living cells. HA is a well-known humectant which means it has the ability to attract and retain moisture. In fact, it can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. This ability is what allows both fillers to add volume and plump the skin. Since, the hyaluronic acid found in both Juvederm and Restylane are naturally occurring there is little to no risk of allergic reactions among patients.
TEXTURE
The biggest difference between Restylane and Juvederm is their texture. Restylane is granular and more cohesive while Juvederm has a smoother texture. These texture differences give both fillers different strengths. The smoothness of Juvederm makes it better at addressing finer lines and wrinkles in tight facial areas. In contrast, the cohesive nature of Restylane allows it to stay in the place in the injected which makes it ideal for adding volume in specific sunken facial areas. Restylane is also moldable, which allows the injector to better create shapes and contours.
TREATMENT AREAS
Restylane and Juvederm both have different formulas that target different facial areas. Juvederm can be used to address numerous areas of the face including the eyes, cheeks, and mouth. The Juvederm family includes Juvederm Ultra (orgional formula), Juvederm Voluma (FDA approved to enhance cheek volume), Juvederm Volbella (targeting lip lines and other fine lines around the mouth), and Juvederm Vollure (formulated to target severe folds and wrinkles included the nasolabial folds).
Restylane can be used to address many of the same facial areas as Juvederm, however it is particularly effective in treating the lips, cheeks, and area around the nose. It can also be used to for hand rejuvenation by adding volume to the back of the hands. The Restylane family includes Restylane Silk (lips), Restylane Lyft (mid-face, cheeks, nasolabial folds), and Restylane Refyne and Defyne (to address more severe wrinkling).
RESULTS
Juvederm and Restylane have the ability to provide dramatic results, eradicating lines and wrinkles while boosting volume to make the skin firmer and plumper in appearance. Juvederm actually work slightly quicker, its results are apparent immediately whereas the results of Restylane can take a day or so to take full effect.
