As our skin ages, facial wrinkles develop from sun damage and gravity. Facial wrinkles become prominent as collagen and the supporting elastin fibers beneath our skin surface breakdown. Replacing this missing or degraded collagen and elastin with fresh biodegradable material in the dermis is one option to help lessen the appearance of wrinkles and lines on our face. Dermal fillers today are more sophisticated than the bovine collagen from the past which still requires a skin allergy test before its use.
Dermal fillers presently are animal derived or non-animal derived. We offer many types of dermal fillers depending on your specific needs. In some cases, dermal fillers are combined with Botox® Cosmetic for enhanced results. Because we are a medical spa you may request topical anesthesia or a dental block with lidocaine to maximize your comfort. General treatment times vary but are usually between 20-30 minutes, if you anticipate the need for an anesthetic agent than you should add an additional 25 minutes onto your treatment time.
After the treatment there is generally no down time, you may experience some mild redness and swelling at the treatment site. The most common facial sites that individuals request treatment for at our office are the creases between the cheek and lip (nasolabial fold), the creases that tend to arc down from the corners of the mouth (marionette lines), the lines between the eyebrows (glabellar lines) and to enhance the upper or lower lips.
Juvederm is an injectable gel for deep injection into the cheek and wrinkles around the mouth. Juvederm is made from hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance in the skin that delivers nutrients and helps the skin retain its moisture and softness. Hyaluronic acid also adds volume to the skin which helps to add the look of youthfulness to your skin. No skin testing is necessary before its use. Our medical office offers Juvederm Voluma XC, Juvederm ULtra XC and Juvederm Vollure XC.
CosmoDerm™ and CosmoPlast™ are human derived forms of collagen. Because these products are derived from humans, no skin allergy test is required. These products are also formulated with an anesthetic for your comfort during administration. This collagen is excellent for correcting deep lines and wrinkles. The treatment results last up to six months.
Perlane® is made up of a non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid. No skin testing is necessary before its use. It is similar to Restylane® but consists of a different particle size. Perlane® is injected into the dermis with an ultra-fine needle to replace or replenish aged or depleted hyaluronic acid. It is excellent for filling deep lines in the face around the mouth.
Hylaform® and Hylaform® Plus gel are a highly purified form of hyaluronic acid that are FDA approved as dermal fillers. Hylaform is derived from materials of avian (bird) origin. Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar found in all living cells. Hylaform® is injected into the dermis to treat unwanted lines and wrinkles, it binds water to plump up the dermis. A pre-treatment skin test is not required prior to its use. As with most skin fillers there may be mild redness, bruising and swelling at the treatment site, this usually resolves within 24-48 hours. Hylaform® has been used in international markets for many years.
Radiesse® is composed primarily of calcium hydroxyapatite, a component of natural bone. It has been used for many years by physicians for dental, maxillofacial and orthopedic surgery. The microspheres of calcium hydroxyapatite are suspended in a gel carrier, the gel carrier is resorbed by the body and is replaced with the body’s own soft tissue in growth. Radiesse® treatments tend to last longer than other fillers up to 18 months, touchup treatment may be necessary to maintain soft tissue fullness. Radiesse® is commonly used around the nasolabial region, repair of traumatic or congenital facial defects, and volume enhancement around the cheeks or to augment the lips.
Restylane® is a biodegradable non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid gel that is injected into the dermis in small quantities to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Developed in 1996, Restylane® helps to replace the natural hyaluronic acid found in the dermis. Restylane® is injected into the dermis to plump up this layer, by adding fullness to targeted regions, lines and wrinkles can be effaced leaving a smooth contour.
Captique™ gel is composed of hyaluronic acid. It is non-animal derived and is produced from bacterial origin. Hyaluronic acid is a component of skin, it diminishes with age. Captique™ is injected into the dermis to help correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles. It has undergone extensive testing and is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a dermal filler.
For your safety, all dermal fillers and anesthetic care are administered by a licensed plastic surgeon. Our office stocks a large variety of dermal fillers, however, uncommonly used fillers are often ordered per individual request.
For more information on dermal fillers, call for an appointment with one of our estheticians at 502.899.9998. We can help you look your very best, call today.
Medical Disclaimer: All medical procedures are associated with some degree of anesthetic and operative risks. Surgical results may vary from person to person.Your specific anesthetic and operative risks will be outlined at the time of your consultation.