Injectable 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, most commonly Restylane, Radiance, or fat, 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 re-contouring procedure, such as a facelift.

If you're considering a facial-rejuvenation treatment with Restylane, Radiance, or fat, this sheet will give you a basic understanding of the procedure - when injectables can help, how the procedure is performed, and what results you can expect. It may not answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please ask your doctor if there is anything about the procedure you don't understand.

Consultation (Always No Charge)

Learn about cosmetic fillers through a complimentary consultation with Dr. Stewart. In your consultation, Dr. Stewart will evaluate your face, skin, muscles and bone structure and discuss treatment options that will accomplish your goals. If you have any specific concerns or questions, now is the time to discuss them.

Temporary Fillers for Facial Lines and Wrinkles

Injectable fillers and fat are primarily used to improve the appearance of the skin's texture. They can help fill out deep facial wrinkles, creases and furrows, "sunken" cheeks, skin depressions and some types of scars. They can also be used to add a fuller, more sensuous look to the lips.

Sometimes, injectables are not sufficient for severe surface wrinkles on the face, such as multiple vertical "lipstick lines" that sometimes form around the mouth. Instead, Dr. Stewart may suggest a resurfacing technique, such as chemical peel, dermabrasion, or laser treatments. Rather than filling in facial lines, resurfacing methods strip away the outer layers of the skin to produce a smoother appearance.

Restylane

Restylane has been called the “new and improved” alternative to collagen. Restylane is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to sever facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. Restylane is the first dermal filler made of non-animal based hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that already exists in the human body and is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane is a crystal clear gel called NASHA™, or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is biodegradable and completely biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid. This means that any risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction is virtually eliminated.

The Procedure: Treatment with Restylane can be done on a lunch break, given that you have not take Aspirin, anti-inflammatory medication, St. John’s Wart, high doses of Vitamin E, or any other blood thinning agents, for two weeks prior to the procedure. The Restylane comes in pre-filled syringes, and is injected using a fine needle inserted at several points along the edge of the treatment site. You may feel some minor stinging or burning as the injections are administered. You may be asked to hold a hand mirror during the procedure to help decide when you've had enough.

After Treatment: Immediately following treatment, you may notice some minor discomfort, stinging, or throbbing, in the injected area. Occasionally some bruising or swelling will occur, but it is usually minor. Any redness that appears in the injected site usually disappears within 24 hours. However, in some individuals, particularly fair-skinned patients, this redness may persist for a week or more. Tiny scabs may also form over the needle-stick areas; these generally heal quickly. No bandaging is needed and you are free to eat, drink, and wear makeup with sun block protection shortly thereafter. If these symptoms persist, contact your surgeon.

Results: As stated earlier, the duration of results from Restylane injections is variable. The average treatment results last six months or even longer. The unique NASHA™ technology helps maintain the cosmetic effect until the injected material is nearly gone longevity depends on the patient's lifestyle and physical characteristics as well as the part of the body treated. In general, the injected material is likely to disappear faster in areas that are more affected by muscle movement.