Injectables: The Real Real. Part 1 of 3: Dermal Fillers
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Because there is a lot of folklore out there about Botox, Juvederm, Kybella, and others, let’s break down injectables by separating them into their respective categories and three sections since we get a lot of great questions about these!
- Dermal Fillers
- Neuromodulators
- Kybella--a category of its own!
1. Dermal Fillers (commonly Restylane or Juvederm)
First, let’s talk about dermal fillers.
To demystify most of the folklore about fillers specifically, the Wikipedia entry of facts:
Dermal filler From Wikipedia
Injectable filler (injectable cosmetic filler, injectable facial filler) is a soft tissue filler injected into the skin to help fill in facial wrinkles, restoring a smoother appearance. Most of these wrinkle fillers are temporary because they are eventually absorbed by the body. Some people may need more than one injection to achieve the wrinkle-smoothing effect. The effect lasts for about six months or longer. Successful results depend on the health of the skin, skill of the health care provider, type of filler used.
In the US, fillers are approved as medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the injection is prescribed and performed by a healthcare provider. In Europe and the UK, fillers are non-prescription medical devices that can be injected by anyone licensed to do so by the respective medical authorities. They require a CE mark, which regulates adherence to production standards, but does not require any demonstration of medical efficacy. As a result, there are over 140 injectable fillers in the UK/European market and only six approved for use in the US.
What it is
There are several types of dermal filler that can be injected into the skin, providing a rejuvenating effect. At Advanced Aesthetics, Drs. Cynthia and Julie prefer hyaluronic acid (HA) based fillers because they are the safest to inject, have the fewest side effects, and can be easily reversed. There are many types of HA fillers and each has unique qualities. Some fillers are best used to lift the cheeks, while others are better for subtle and natural enhancement of the lips and correction of under eye hollowness. Fillers can stimulate your own collagen and improve skin texture. Most fillers will last 6-12 months, but some may last as long as 2 years.
Done with an expert hand, your face still moves and shows the courage, laughter, and spontaneity that makes you, you. When we see over-done work, it’s really a shame because it often has the reverse effect.
How it works
Dermal fillers, also known as "injectables" or "soft-tissue fillers," do just what their name suggests: they fill in the area under the skin.
- filling in wrinkles, fine lines, and deep creases
- increasing facial volume in the temples
- improving other imperfections like scars
- plimping earlobes so earrings hang better
- filling out thin or wrinkled lips
- plumping up cheeks
- contouring the jawline and other areas of the face
- changing the contour of the nose
How to Prepare for your procedure
Drs. Cynthia and Julie offer a 30-minute complimentary consultation, during which you can discuss treatment expectations, costs, risks, outline a treatment plan, as well as go over your health history. Although every precaution is taken, there is always a chance of bruising at the injection site. To reduce the risk of bruising, we recommend the following:
- A week before treatment, discontinue aspirin or ibuprofen and take Tylenol for pain relief instead.
- A week before treatment discontinue Fish oils and Omega complexes, vitamin E and St. Johns Wort-they are blood thinners.
- 48 hours before treatment, reduce or discontinue garlic and alcohol consumption.
- Take a dose of Arnica Montana, the homeopathic remedy, 24 hours before treatment.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any medications you take. Medically necessary blood thinners should NOT be stopped.
Bottom line? They’re safe and highly effective. It’s been proven that injectables have an anti-aging and preventative effect. That’s not to say you should start at age 19 getting treatments. Instead, it’s something to consider when there’s a feature that starts bothering you every day. And you don’t have to look like you’ve “had work done.” It’s the expert hand that matters most, not the juice. Lastly, yes, they’re on the expensive side but provide long-lasting results. There have been plenty of articles written about why bargain-shopping for injectables is a bad idea -- namely, they are often diluted or you are being used as a practice-client while the person builds up their skillset. Be cautious.
The reason LNAA invited Dr Cynthia Ruggero, Medical Director for Medical Aesthetics and Dr Julie Seaman, Medical Aesthetics, to join our Studio is because of their years of successful cosmetic and medical work in addition to their approach. Injectables offer our clients a long-lasting way to complement their focus on smooth, vibrant skin and offset some of the effects of aging in a way that supports their outlook and lifestyle.
If you’ve ever been curious about them or have questions you were afraid to ask, reach out to us.
