As we age, both the skin and the shape of our face will change. When we are younger, collagen keeps the skin supple and smooth and the youthful volume of subcutaneous fat below the surface of the skin keeps our cheeks firm and perky. But as we age the fat becomes thinner in the face, the skin loses elasticity and becomes more lax, and the fat and skin sag and gives us that traditional older appearance with loss of volume, folds and wrinkles. The first place you may see this, even in some people in their early 30’s and 40’s is the midface. This is an ideal situation and time to restore volume in this area.
If you are looking to restore fullness, Dermal fillers and volumizers are a great option. Fillers are injected into the facial tissues at different levels as needed to temporarily restore lost volume and reduce the appearance of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. They can give the appearance of a smoother surface, restore volume in the face, and plump the lips. We have a variety of dermal fillers available in the office based on your individual needs. Some of these are:
JUVÉDERM® XC – A hyaluronic acid based dermal filler used to provide temporary correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as nasolabial folds (smile lines), perioral lines, and to plump the lips.
JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC – The first FDA-approved injectable gel to add volume to the cheek area for correction of age-related volume loss. It can provide a “lift” to the midface creating a more youthful appearance. With optimal treatment, it can last up to 2 years.
Restylane – An FDA-approved product designed for lip augmentation and smoothing of wrinkles around the mouth, Restylane is a trusted, established hyaluronic acid filler that can provide our patients very natural-looking results.
Restylane Refyne – A hyaluronic acid specifically formulated to help correct nasolabial fold lines and the marionette lines (the downward lines that form at the corners of the mouth with age). The unique crosslinking of the Restylane Refyne gel is designed to help support natural facial movement and expression.
Restylane Lyft – Restore fullness to the cheeks and midface with Restylane Lyft. Specifically designed to restore natural looking volume in the cheeks and moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as the nasolabial folds.
RHA Collection – The RHA Collection of dermal fillers is designed for natural-looking results. These fillers are made to adapt to your dynamic facial movements for a look that’s beautiful at rest and flawless in motion. They are formulated to more closely resemble the natural hyaluronic acid (HA) in your skin.
Sculptra – Sculptra does more than just fill in lost facial volume – it can help stimulate natural collagen growth to help restore facial volume and fullness over time. This makes it a very long-lasting filler with natural results lasting 2 years or more.
Dermal Fillers Q&A
How do dermal fillers work?
Injectable fillers are often made from certain natural substances
with a very low risk of allergic reaction. They are placed in areas that can benefit from increased volume and stay there for between three to 12 months until naturally reabsorbed by your body.
Which areas of the face can be treated?
Dermal fillers work best to treat areas of the mid to lower face. This may include creating more volume in the cheeks, treating lines and wrinkles around the mouth, and plumping up lip volume. They also may be used to improve the appearance of facial blemishes and scarring.
How long does the treatment take?
Dermal filler appointments typically take only 30-45 minutes and are often performed over a lunch hour. We don’t want to rush, but we do want to help you get on with the rest of the day’s activities as soon as possible.
Is it painful?
Generally, dermal filler procedures do not require anesthetic or other pain medicine. Many dermal fillers contain a local anesthetic to maximize comfort. We can apply a topical anesthetic if you are concerned about the small pinch of the syringe needle.
When will I see results?
Results from filler injections are immediate. Note that you may experience some minor swelling or bruising for a brief time after your appointment, but after that, your final results will be revealed.
How long will the results last?
Duration of results depends on the formulation of the filler used, how much is injected, and how quickly your body reabsorbs the filler material. In most cases, expect results to last about six months, but some products may help you achieve results for a year or more.
Are side effects common?
No. Fillers are made of substances that already naturally occur in your body, so there is very little risk of allergic reaction.
What if I don’t like the results?
Unlike many cosmetic procedures, fillers are reversible. They can be dissolved partly or fully depending on what you would like. That said, our patients are overwhelmingly happy that they chose a dermal filler to enhance their appearance.
Getting Started with Dermal Fillers in Boise
It’s important to remember that even though filler’s are considered minimally invasive, it is still a medical procedure that should only be done by a well trained and qualified professional. Do your homework when considering filler injections. All new patients requesting fillers in our plastic surgery practice will be evaluated by Dr. Kramer for appropriate treatment, and ongoing treatments are continuously evaluated. Call our office for your complimentary filler consultation.
