DERMAL FILLERS
What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal Fillers are FDA an approved aesthetic injectable treatments used for wrinkles and volume loss. Most are made up of hyaluronic acid, a natural occurring substance in the body. A few of these types of fillers include, Juvederm and Restylane. Some fillers are made of other substances like calcium hydroxylapatite, such as Radiesse. There are also long lasting/permanent fillers made up of PMMA named, Bellafill.
There are many different dermal filler products on the aesthetic market and each of them have their own unique characteristics. This is where complete trust in your injector is important, as they will be able to guide you to your desired outcome by using the correct products. Experience and trust is very important when receiving these types of aesthetic treatments.
What areas can be treated with Dermal fillers?
Dermal Fillers can be used all over the face and body. They reduce smile lines, create or enhance cheeks, contour the jawline, erase neck lines, fill under eye hollows, and help remove dark circles. They can provide eye brow lifts, temple volume, and upper eyelid rejuvenation.
Fillers are used for non-surgical nose jobs, adding volume to lips, erasing lip lines, adding volume to the chin, and can fill in marionette lines (no more resting bitch face). Also, it can be used in the hands, chest, and buttock areas for enhancement.
*There are so many uses for fillers and they can be combined with other amazing treatments for optimal results. Don’t forget to check out the information on Sculptra and PDO Threads.
How long to fillers last?
Fillers can last anywhere from 6-24 months depending on the treated area, product chosen, and the amount used. Areas of less movement will last longer than areas of more movement. For example, lips tend to last less than cheeks. Lifestyle and metabolism can affect the longevity of fillers, same as with Botox or Dysport.
How much do fillers cost?
Fillers typically range in price from $500 all the way to over $5000 depending on what the desired end result is. Most injectors price the product per syringe which can range from $500-$800 depending on the filler type used. The cost can be expensive, but also can be affordable when you choose your injector wisely. An experienced and knowledgeable injector can actually save you money. They will be able to choose the right filler for the right area and know where to inject it for maximum results with minimum product. I cannot stress enough, that a qualified and experienced injector is key when choosing filler services.
What should I look for in a filler injector/provider?
Credentials and experience matter when receiving dermal filler procedures. Fillers are a medical procedure that should be administered by a qualified medical professional. When Fillers are in the right hands, they can yield amazingly natural and safe results. Fillers carry rare but significant risks such as, vascular occlusion, skin necrosis, and in a small number of cases even blindness. This should not scare you away from receiving filler treatments, but it should make you conscious and aware that there are risks, so be careful and find a qualified provider. Ask about your injectors experience and credentials. If they are not a medical provider, I urge you to look elsewhere.
Be very careful in partaking in filler parties carried out in homes or when you see prices that are lower than we have listed. There are many bad things that happen in the aesthetic world that many patients as well as the general public do not know about, such as illegal Filler products. Fillers can be purchased illegally from unapproved sources because the price is very cheap. This can be extremely dangerous because you cannot be certain what is in these filler products. This could result in potentially be injected with something hazardous or even deadly. Using illegal filler products is wrong and unethical, but it still happens unfortunately. Always remember, if the price is too good to be true then it is, period.
Are fillers safe?
Unless you have specific medical contraindications that prevent you from receiving treatment such as pregnancy, breast feeding, or autoimmune diseases, fillers are very safe and millions of procedures are performed yearly. When they become very unsafe is when they are in unqualified hands. As mentioned prior, nothing is without risk and fillers can cause problems when injected into vessels or the wrong areas. When you find a qualified injector your risks go down significantly. Always feel comfortable with your provider before receiving any aesthetic procedure. If you are not, do not hesitate to say no.
*Do not ever feel pressured into a procedure.
Here are Dermal Fillers listed by product brand name and some information about each: All of these products have their recommended areas for placement. With a skilled injector they can be used in all places and deliver unparalleled results.
Juvederm:
Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus are injectable hyaluronic acid gels that are used to enhance lip volume, smile lines, marionette lines and hollowing of the cheeks. Juvederm Ultra Plus is slightly thicker and a more robust product when you want a little more volume. Both are manufactured by Allergan.
Restylane:
Restylane is an injectable filler made up of hyaluronic acid similar to Juvederm. Restylane has a consistency that mimics Juvederm Ultra but can hold its shape slightly more than Juvederm. It can give more definition when using it in the lips and is also great in the nasal folds and marionette lines. Restylane is manufactured by Galderma.
Juvederm Voluma:
This is a nice rich filler that was developed to mimic bone. We inject Juvederm Voluma very deep where we need to create volume and structure. It is great for cheeks, jawlines and for the chin. Juvederm Voluma has a 2 year FDA longevity because of Vycross technology which makes it a long lasting and quality product. It can be used in other areas of the face and even in Lips when extra volume is desired but the outcome will depend on the Injector. Voluma is made by Allergan.
Restylane Lyft:
Restylane Lyft is extremely similar to Voluma although do to NASHA technology it yields a higher g-prime which makes it exceptional for cheek enhancement. Restylane Lyft is made by Galderma.
Volbella:
Juvederm Volbella was created to address the peri-oral lines around the mouth and to give lips more hydration than volume. Juvederm Volbella has a small molecule size and a very smooth consistency which makes it’s perfect for detailed work. This product is made by Allergan.
Restylane Silk:
Restylane Silk is a beautiful product that was made to give the lips the look of hydration and minimal volume to yield natural results. It is used to fill in small lines and lines around the mouth. Restylane Silk is made by Galderma.
Juvederm Vollure:
Juvederm Vollure is a newer filler made of hyaluronic acid that is meant for softness and longevity. It has an 18 month duration and it’s versatility allows us to use it in many areas such as lips, smile lines, lower face or really anywhere we want a nice smooth dose of volume. This product is made by Allergan.
Restylane Refyne and Defyne:
Restylane Refyne and Restylane Defyne are newer dermal fillers with patented expression technology. They are meant to be used in expression rich areas such as smile lines and lips and are created to move with your facial movements so everything looks very natural. Restylane Refyne has a smaller molecule size and will give slightly less volume than Restylane Defyne. Both are made by Galderma.
Radiesse:
Radiesse is a different type of dermal filler that helps to stimulate collagen and is made of calcium based microspheres. It is best for cheeks and thicker skin. Radiesse does last slightly longer than hyaluronic acid dermal fillers but it is also not dissolvable should there be an issue or if you do not like the results. This product is made by Merz.
Belotero:
Belotero is the only dermal filler that has the smallest molecule size and completely integrates into the skin tissue. Belotero is perfect for under eyes as it has the least risk of bluish discoloration or tindle effect. It is amazing for super detailed work for the finest of lines. It does not last as long as most dermal fillers. Belotero is made by Merz.
Revanesse Versa:
Versa is a newer filler to hit the market from Canada. It is a pre-hydrated hyaluronic acid which is intended to reduce post-swelling. It is a nice product and is a cross between Juvéderm and a Restylane.
Bellafill:
Bellafill is termed the 5 year filler. It is composed of PMMA in a collagen carrier. The PMMA is permanent, therefore, it is very long lasting. This product is also FDA approved for treatment of acne scarring. Seeking a highly qualified injector who has experience with Bellafill is very important. This product is made by Suneva.