We Now Mix Lidocaine (numbing solution) To All Our Dermal Fillers!
Dermal Fillers
What are dermal fillers and what do they do?
Dermal fillers are gels or compounds which are injected to fill in creases, folds, and deep wrinkles on the face. They offer immediate improvement in a client’s appearance.
What dermal fillers are used at the Aesthetic Clinique?
We are proud to offer a large variety of fillers which includes:
- Restylane
- Juvederm Ultra
- Radiesse
- Perlane
- Juvederm Ultra Plus
- Artefill
- Cosmoderm
- Captique
Are these natural substances?
Restylane, Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus, Perlane, and Captique are made of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring human substance found in the skin and joints. Radiesse is made of microscopic calcium spheres. Cosmoderm is made of human collagen. Therefore all these require no prior testing to see if there is a reaction prior to their administration. In contrast, Artefill is made of an artificial substance (which has been used in surgeries for decades) mixed with bovine collagen. Artefill does require a skin test at least 28 days prior to injecting its use.
How are dermal fillers administered?
The administration of dermal fillers is done through a series of injections with an extremely small needle. To help counteract any possible pain, topical creams are applied to the skin and lips. In addition, an injection of lidocaine under the lip or in the cheek area is given for additional comfort for those that request it.
Which areas are commonly injected?
The areas injected with dermal fillers are:
- Nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to the corners of the mouth)
- Lips (for fuller lips)
- Under the eyes in the tear troughs
- Forehead creases (usually only after Botox® administration)
- Cheeks (to enhance and lift the cheeks)
- Jowls (actually hides them)
- Marionette lines (vertical lines from the corner of the mouth and downward)
- Frowning mouth (used to turn up the corners of the mouth)
- Chin crease (soften this area)
- Nasal area (to hide humps)
- Wrinkles around the mouth and cheek area, “Smokers” lip lines
How long do the dermal filler last?
Dermal fillers can last anywhere from 3 months, up to 18 months or longer. Dermal fillers are gradually reabsorbed and when they are fully absorbed, you can expect to go back to your pretreatment appearance. It is recommended to have touch up injections rather then wait until complete absorption occurs.
Afterwards, what can I expect?
One can expect some post treatment swelling for a couple days, which may last up to one week. It is therefore recommend to not have this treatment within 2 weeks of any special occasion that is planned. Bruising is fairly common and can last up to 2 weeks. The most common area that bruises is around the eyes because of the large amount of vascularity there.
Tell me about the different fillers.
Restylane
Restylane is by far the market leader of fillers in the world. It is made of crossed linked hyaluronic acid (HA). Restylane will last about 4 months when injected into lips, and up to nine months in the nasolabial folds (smile lines) and tear troughs. It has a soft and natural appearance with instant results upon leaving the physician’s office. Hyaluronic acid absorbs water, which results in prolonging the corrective effect.
Restylane offers a “rewards” promotion in which you will get $25 back on your first treatment and then gradually increasing until you get $200 back on your 6th treatment.
Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus Injection Gel
Juvederm Ultra Injection Gel received FDA approval late 2006. It has been used in Europe and Canada since 2001. The composition is Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is naturally occurring substance found in skin and joints. One advantage of Juvederm Ultra Injection Gel is that of being thinner and softer and therefore, may feel more natural. A disadvantage may be that a thinner material can spread more easily to areas that might not be where filler is desired. It comes in a 0.8 cc syringe whereas Restylane is in a 1.0cc syringe. Juvederm Ultra Injection Gel tends to have slightly less redness and swelling when compared to Restylane, and is slightly more comfortable. Juvederm Ultra Plus has more cross linking than Juvederm Ultra, which makes it last somewhat longer.
Radiesse
Radiesse is a new FDA approved filler that is known for its longevity. It has been reported to last for 18-24 months. Occasionally, a small “touch up” is required at about 6-9 months to achieve this duration. The composition of Radiesse is microscopic spheres of calcium in liquid slurry. The longevity of the correction is the result of the body creating new collagen in response to the Radiesse. The liquid portion of the filler is absorbed in 3-6 months and when that is absorbed, but before the collagen is completely integrated is when a touch up might be needed.
Radiesse is an ideal filler for the nasolabial and marionette lines and is The Aesthetic Cliniques preferred filler for raising the corners of a dropping mouth. One great benefit to using Radiesse is its longevity, and that it comes in 1.3 cc syringes, which is 30-40% more then Restylane and 62-75% more then Juvederm. In addition, 1cc of Radiesse corrects approximately 30% more then 1cc of Restylane or Juvederm.
Perlane
Perlane is a cousin of Restylane. The difference is that Perlane has larger molecules than Restylane. It will be injected at a slightly deeper level in the skin and tend to have more longevity. Perlane is priced slightly higher than Restylane.
Artefill
Artefill is a permanent filler. It is injected in a series of 2 or 3 injections, about 4-6 weeks apart. It requires pretesting to make sure you don't have an allergy to the collagen that is used as a carrier with the filler. It is only used in the nasolabial folds.
Cosmoderm
CosmoDerm™ is a human form of collagen. It requires no allergy testing. It has lidocaine mixed with it so it is very comfortable to inject. It also causes the least amount of swelling of the fillers at the Aesthetic Clinique. It is often used on models before photo shoots. Its duration of action is about 3 months.
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Dr. Steve Weiner is a board certified Facial Plastic/Head and Neck Surgeon. His services include Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, Juvederm Ultraplus, Radiesse, and Artefill injections. He also performs laser resurfacing with the 1540 Fractional (like the Fraxel) Laser, IPL for photofacial, Laser Hair Removal, Laser for Spider veins, and IPL for acne and precancers. He services: Destin, Panama City, Rosemary Beach, Seaside, Watercolor, Watersound, Crestview, Niceville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, and Sandestin.