Fillers

As we age, our faces begin to show the effects of gravity, sun exposure and years of facial muscle movement, such as smiling, chewing and squinting. The underlying tissues that keep our skin looking youthful and plumped up begin to break down, often leaving laugh lines, smile lines, crow's feet or facial creases over the areas where this muscle movement occurs.

Soft-tissue fillers can help fill in these lines and creases, temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. When injected beneath the skin, these fillers plump up creased and sunken areas of the face. They can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks. Injectable fillers may be used alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure, such as a laser treatment, or a recontouring procedure, such as a facelift.

If you're considering a facial-rejuvenation treatment with collagen or fat here are a few items to consider. Please ask your doctor if there is anything about the procedure you don't understand.

RESTYLANE/PERLANE/JUVEDERM/JUVEDERM PLUS
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The Restylane and Juvederm are sterile gels consisting of non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid. It is injected into the skin to correct facial lines, wrinkles and folds to enhance the appearance & fullness of lips in over 60 other countries. Depending on the area treated, These fillers can last 6 months or even longer (lips: approximately 4 - 6 months). Touch-up and follow-up treatments help sustain the desired degree of correction.

After the injection common reactions include swelling, redness, itching, bruising, skin discoloration and tenderness at the implant sight. They typically resolve spontaneously 2 - 3 days after injection into the skin and within a week after injection into the lips.

RADIESSE
Radiesse FN is calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres in a gel carrier. It is injected into facial folds or lines, depressed scars, or other areas of depression. Radiesse cannot be called permanent, although it can last for up to years. Reabsorption of implant will probably occur.

Initial swelling (edema) will be noticeable for at least several hours and perhaps as long as several days. This effect is temporary, and does not affect the long-term tissue response.

EVOLOENCE
Evolence is made of natural collagen, a protein that is responsible for skin structure and strength. As we age, we lose collagen, leading to facial wrinkles and folds. The results of Evolence are immediate, and cause minimal to no swelling or bruising - leading to less downtime. It lasts at least 6 months and does not require a skin pre-test.

SCULPTRA
Sculptra therapy is the injection of poly-L-lactic acid into the skin and underlying tissues. It is designed to help correct skin depressions, such as creases, wrinkles, folds, scars, hollow eye rings, degenerative skin aging, and facial lipoatrophy (loss of fat).

Sculptra (Poly-L-lactic acid) is a biocompatible (does not harm the body), biodegradable (broken down or metabolized by the body), synthetic polymer from the alpha-hydroxy-acid family (fruit acids). Poly-L-lactic acid has been used medically for many years in dissolvable stitches, and does not require pre-treatment skin testing for allergies.

Depending on the area and condition treated and the volume of Sculptra used, the effect of the treatment may last from 1 to 2 years, but in some cases, the duration can be shorter or longer. Most areas of treatment will require 2 - 4 sessions, usually at 3 to 6 week intervals, for optimal correction. Because individual responses to Sculptra therapy may vary, the exact number of treatment sessions required cannot be predicted with complete accuracy. Additionally, in order to maintain the desired degree of correction, intermittent touch-up treatments may be needed.
Common injection-related reactions may include swelling, redness, pain, itching, discoloration, and tenderness at the injection site. These typically resolve spontaneously, usually within 1 to 15 days after injection.

Initial swelling (edema) will be noticeable for at least several hours and perhaps as long as several days. This effect is temporary, and does not affect the long-term tissue response.

What to expect: The most important fact to remember about injectable fillers is that the results are not permanent. Injected material is eventually metabolized by the body. You should not expect the same long-lasting results that may be gained from cosmetic surgery. In some individuals, the results may last only a few weeks; in others, the results may be maintained indefinitely. Researchers believe that age, genetic background, skin quality and lifestyle as well as the injected body site may all play a role in the injected material's "staying power." However, the precise reason for the variation of results among patients has yet to be identified.

Risks: When injectables are administered by a qualified healthcare professional, complications are infrequent and usually minor in nature. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions and their healing abilities. The outcome of treatment with injectables is never completely predictable.

Treatment: Facial rejuvenation is very individualized. That's why it's important to discuss your hopes and expectations with a healthcare professional who has experience with many different types of surgical and non-surgical facial procedures. In your initial consultation, your dermatologist will evaluate your face - the skin, the muscles and the underlying bone - and discuss your goals for the surgery. Your doctor will help you select a treatment option based on your goals and concerns, your anatomy and your lifestyle. Your clinician will ask you about your medical history, drug allergies, and check for conditions that could cause problems, such as active skin infections or non-healed sores from injuries.

Anesthesia: If you are especially sensitive to pain, your doctor may use a topical cream anesthetic to numb the injected area. Or, you may elect to have an injected local anesthetic or sedative drugs.

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