Dermal Fillers

Overview of Procedure

Injectable dermal fillers are made of natural or synthetic materials and used to reduce facial wrinkles and fine lines by restoring lost facial volume, plumping up the tissue.

There are several dermal fillers on the market today and each has its advantages and disadvantages. The best option for you will depend upon your personal needs, age, goals, and lifestyle. Physicians administer all treatments.

Newer products offer longer-lasting results than earlier fillers. They can be combined with botulinum toxin, which relaxes select muscles to achieve a more rested, natural look.

Am I a Candidate?

Often called the liquid facelift, dermal fillers are a non-invasive solution for patients who want to plump up sagging skin and smooth out wrinkles for a younger appearance but who are not ready for surgery.

Dermal fillers can help patients:

Obtain fuller lips
Enhance their natural lip outline and definition that decreases with aging
Plump up deep wrinkles and nasolabial folds (smile lines) so they are less pronounced
Fill in facial depressions, such as those from acne, trauma, or surgery

Options for use of fillers decrease with age.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Fillers are injected through small needles into lips, wrinkles or facial folds such as "smile lines." The procedure takes only minutes.

Typical Results

Temporary bruising, swelling, and redness just after injection, especially in the lip area, are common. Click here to see a list of items to avoid or reduce to minimize the bruising.

Patients typically are able to return to work the next day. Rarely, some patients experience more significant swelling that takes a couple of days to subside.

The length of time results last depend on the type of filler used, how an individual metabolizes the filler, and if the filler is used in areas where there is a lot of movement, such as the mouth.

Procedures don’t provide permanent results, so patients may want to have periodic touch-ups.

A follow-up appointment may be recommended to ensure symmetrical results.

Types of Dermal Fillers

Juvederm™ is a trademark of Corneal Industries SAS
Radiesse® is a registered trademark of BioForm Medical, Inc.
Restylane® is a registered trademark of HA North American Sales AB
Sculptra® is a registered trademark of Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc.