The choice of which filler is right for you as an enhancement is based on the location of the correction and the desired result. The following cosmetic dermal fillers are offered at our practice.
Collagen Cosmetic Filler
Natural collagen is a protein that is responsible for the skin's structure and strength. It is the most abudant protein in your body.
EVOLENCE®
EVOLENCE® is a natural collagen cosmetic dermal filler and is used for the correction of moderate-to-deep facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds -- otherwise known as "smile lines". The collagen in EVOLENCE has been extensively purified and then cross-linked with natural sugar - allowing it to support your skin's own existing collagen network by adding structure, stength and volume.
EVOLENCE results are immediate and cause minimal-to-no swelling or bruising, allowing you to go back to your daily activities following treatment. This cosmetic filler does not require a skin pre-test, so great results can be achieved in just one office visit.
During a regular office visit, EVOLENCE can be injected into the mid-to-deep dermis with the use of local anesthesia. The treatment cost is determined by the amount of product needed to treat a specific area of the face. Best of all this is a cost-effective way to maintain a younger and refreshed appearance -- as the results last at least six months and for some people, longer. And you should see a noticeable absence of bruising, swelling and redness within the first 12 hours of treatment. If you experience possible side-effects, they may include mild-swelling, redness and pain at the injection site.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Cosmetic Fillers
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar found in the human body that helps to hydrate and add volume to your skin. The role of hyaluronic acid in the skin is to deliver nutrients, hydrate the skin by holding water and to act as a cushioning agent. In addition to its use as an aesthetic treatment, hyaluronic acid has also been used for more than 20 years for injection into arthritic joints to aid movement, as well as for eye surgeries and wound repair. There are two brands of hyaluronic acid currently available: Juvederm™ and Restylane™. They are designed to last longer than collagen, but are used in conjunction with collagen in our practice to enhance results and provide a longer correction.
Juvéderm®
Juvéderm is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid (HA)—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to temporarily add volume and hydration. It is used to treat wrinkles and folds resulting from a loss of volume beneath the surface of the skin such as perioral lines and nasolabial folds—the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth. Juvéderm is injected under the skin with fine needles to instantly restore your skin's volume and smooth away moderate-to-severe facial wrinkles and folds. Local anesthesia is used prior to treatment, in a comfortable office setting, to minimize any discomfort.
As the only HA cosmetic filler with FDA-approval to last up to one year, Juvéderm is also the first FDA-approved HA dermal filler proven to be safe and effective for persons of color. Juvéderm does not require an allergy test.
Juvéderm works to create a smooth consistency gel that flows easily into the skin and provides a smooth, natural look and feel. Whereas other HA dermal fillers currently on the market are made of granular consistency gels. With Juvéderm, there are minimal side-effects and little downtime. Side effects are usually mild-to-moderate, lasting 7 days or less, and may include temporary injection site reactions like redness, pain, firmness, swelling and bumps.
Restylane™
Used as a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler, Restylane restores volume and fullness to the skin. It is used to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and deep folds, such as those that appear at the nose and continue to the lips.
Unlike other hyaluronic acid-based products, Restylane is non-animal-based, which virtually eliminates any risk of animal-based disease transmission or allergic reaction. It has been used safely by physicians and surgeons since 1996 worldwide and it requires no pre-testing.
Restylane therapy is delivered through ultra-fine injections and can be scheduled during a regular office visit. Treatment areas may be anesthetized to ensure patient comfort. The most commonly reported side-effects are temporary redness and swelling at the injection site, which generally resolve within two to three days. Restylane therapy lasts twice as long as collagen, with the average treatment lasting six months or longer and its effects are immediate.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite Cosmetic Filler
In 2006, the FDA approved calcium hydroxyapatite for cosmetic injection. This cosmetic filler is made of the minerals that give bone its strength and texture. These minerals are ground into tiny particles and suspended in water solution, which is injected under the skin.
Radiesse™ or Radiance™ FN
Radiesse dermal filler is made of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel and is injected into the skin through a simple and minimally invasive procedure. It is designed to give immediate and a longer-lasting correction to deep facial folds. This newer dermal filler remains soft and takes on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue. New soft tissue will gradually replace the Radiesse over time, with most tissue replacement occurring within three months. The treated areas will not become hard or calcified to the touch.
The material used in Radiesse is synthetic and man-made, but similar to a calcium phosphate . There is no pretesting necessary to use Radiesse, because it is made of safe and compatible materials.
A mild localized anesthetic is normally used to minimize or usually eliminate the pain associated with this type of treatment. The numbing effects will wear off in 15 minutes to as long as a couple of hours depending on the anesthetic used by your physician. There is no pain reported afterwards.
Typical Radiesse treatments include: smoothing and contouring smile lines or nasolabial folds, marionette lines, acne scars, facial defects or recessions, frown lines, restoring volume in and around the cheeks, and providing modest enhancement or correcting asymmetrical features. Most patients treated with Radiesse should look for a correction that lasts around two years although some patients' treatment will last three years or longer.
Read about cost-conscious facial enhancements as Dr. Checcone answers readers' questions.
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For more information or to arrange a consultation appointment to see which filler would work best for you, please contact our office at 314-432-7760.
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