Fillers & Injectables

Dermal fillers are gel-like substances composed of a variety of ingredients that are injected beneath the skin’s surface to smooth wrinkles and/or add volume and create contour. Fillers are most commonly made with either hyaluronic acid (HA), calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), poly-L-lactic acid, or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). HA fillers, which include Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero products, tend to plump and hydrate the skin. CaHa, which is a component in Radiesse, is a substance typically found in bones. As a type of filler, it’s thicker than the consistency of hyaluronic acid fillers. Poly-L-lactic acid is a biodegradable synthetic substance used in a variety of medical devices. These types of fillers, which include Sculptra Aesthetic, can stimulate collagen to smooth fine lines and rebuild your natural collagen. PMMA fillers form microscopic spheres beneath the skin to provide structure.

When patients hear the word filler, they often think of smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles. Dermal fillers can do exactly that for a variety of areas including forehead wrinkles, temples, glabella wrinkles, crow’s feet, nasogenian folds, perioral wrinkles, marionette lines, and more. However, they also restore volume in cheeks and temples, plump lips, and improve facial symmetry. Certain fillers can be used to minimize wrinkles in the hands or fill in dimples or cellulite in other areas of the body such as the hips, thighs, or buttocks.

After receiving dermal fillers, you should be able to walk out of the office and go back to your normal daily activities. However, it is recommended you avoid intense physical activity for one-to-two days. Initially after application, you may experience temporary side effects including swelling or bruising, numbness, redness, lumps or hard areas, or hypersensitivity. These effects should disappear within a few hours or days.

Collagen, hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and polymethylmethacrylate fillers will offer immediate results. Poly-L-lactic acid typically takes two-to-three weeks to produce results.

Most fillers are temporary and require multiple treatments to keep up results. The results vary based on the type of filler used. Collagen lasts approximately two-to-three months, hyaluronic acid lasts four to 12, calcium hydroxylapatite six months to one year, poly-L-lactic acid one-to-three years, and PMMA is permanent. As soon as the filler seems to dissipate and the signs of aging reappear, you can get another treatment.

Immediately after treatment, you may experience redness, swelling, bruising, and tenderness. However, these side effects are temporary and should clear up within a few hours or days. If not, contact your physician as soon as possible. Serious side effects are less common and, if you engage a board-certified plastic surgeon, the risk should be minimal. If the filler injector isn’t a trained medical professional, you’ll likely experience complications such as lumps, over-filled areas, allergic reactions, infection, and severe swelling.

There are a wide variety of brands that offer a range of fillers and injectables, so it can be tough to decide which is right for you. Discuss the areas you want treated with your plastic surgeon and they’ll create a treatment plan that can help you achieve your desired results. Below is a brief explainer of each filler/injectable to keep you informed before you attend your consultation:

Botox: Botox is the first FDA-approved filler to temporarily smooth frown lines, crow’s feet, and forehead lines. This filler can also treat conditions such as excessive sweating, overactive bladder, lazy eye, migraines, neck spasms, and TMJ.

Xeomin: This filler contains Botulinum toxin type A and is typically used to improve severe frown lines between the eyebrows, also known as glabellar lines.

Dysport: Dysport is a botulinum neurotoxin that temporarily prevents the muscle movements that cause frown lines.

Belotero: This injectable filler smooths fine to severe facial lines and wrinkles.

Radiesse: This filler adds volume to smooth facial wrinkles, including creases that run from the corner of your nose to the corner of your mouth.

Juvederm: This hyaluronic acid facial filler treats fine lines and wrinkles, restores facial volume, and redefines your lips.

Restylane: These hyaluronic acid fillers can be used for the lips, back of the hands, and facial lines.

Restylane lift: A hyaluronic acid-based filler, Restylane lift creates volume to smooth out skin and improve wrinkles.

Kybella: This injectable treatment destroys fat cells under the chin.

Sculptra Aesthetic: This injectable supports natural collagen stimulation to smooth fine facial lines and wrinkles.

Filler enhancement when performed improperly can lead to a unnatural and even harsh appearance. However, you can achieve a natural appearance if you engage the right medical profession.. Prior to any injections, a board-certified surgeon will ask you a few questions to determine the image you desire, what areas you want to focus on, and how much filler you need or want. Discuss the brand and type of product you’ll need, the amount to be injected, the placement, and your surgeon’s technique. Ensure you’re clear that you want to look natural. This can mean your surgeon will administer the injection in a few lines or wrinkles to subtly smooth them out.