Cosmoderm, Restylane, Radiesse & Juvederm
FILLERS – What you should know prior to treatment
What are fillers, and how do they work?
The way your skin looks is directly related to the way your skin is supported. As we age, the natural support layers in the skin diminish resulting in the formation of wrinkles. Two important substances, collagen and hyaluronic acid, form the foundation of your skin. Collagen is a protein that provides your skin with structural support. Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar found in all living cells that attracts and binds water, hydrating your skin and giving it volume.
With time, sunlight, and other factors, collagen and hyaluronic acid in your skin diminish, the skin loses structure and volume, and unwelcome lines and wrinkles appear. An emerging trend is to temporarily replace this loss by using collagen, hyaluronic acid, and a variety of other fillers either alone or in comibination to smooth away unwanted lines and wrinkles.
What are my options?
There are several products used either independently, or in conjunction with each other to give you the most effective treatment. Hyaluronic acid treatments, such as Juvederm, add volume to your skin by mimicking the hydrating effects of your skin’s natural hyaluronic acid. These fillers are injected just below the surface of the skin temporarily adding volume, thereby filling lines, wrinkles and folds from the inside out. Radiesse is a new filler which gives long lasting results by using a material consisting of calcium hydroxylapatite to give deeper, nonsurgical correction. Juvederm is an injectable filler made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration. Juvederm is injected under the skin to instantly restore your skin’s volume and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds.
Will the injections hurt?
In general, injections may cause some discomfort. The products are injected directly into the skin using a fine needle to reduce injection discomfort. Anesthetic creams or other techniques may be used to diminish discomfort. These will be discussed prior to treatment.
How safe are the injected fillers?
The injection process and injected fillers are very safe. The fillers have undergone extensive testing including scientific clinical trials to establish safety and effectiveness. However, as with any cosmetic procedure, there are risks. Please be sure to discuss these with your provider prior to treatment.
What should I expect immediately after treatment, and how should I care for the treated area?
Immediately after the treatment most people feel comfortable in resuming their normal activities. Temporary puffiness of the treated areas should be expected. There may be temporary redness, slight bruising, and tenderness around treatment sites. A complete discussion of what to expect after fillers are injected as well as care of the area will occur prior to treatment.
Does the correction last forever, and if not, how often will I require treatment?
Correction is temporary and repeat injections are usually needed to maintain optimal benefit. The duration of correction is different for everyone, but on average, wrinkles will return about 12-20 weeks for collagen products. The results usually last 12-32 weeks for hyaluronic acid products, depending on the area injected and the product used. Radiesse typically lasts about 14 months.
