Dermal Fillers
Face, brow, and neck lifts can totally rejuvenate the face and remove years from the profile, but they can be costly and require too much downtime. For those who don’t require an extensive procedure to restore some youth to their skin, dermal fillers can be just as effective.
What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are a category of injectable cosmetic procedures that use different substances to restore volume and youthfulness to the face and other areas of the body. They can often help diminish wrinkles and other sunken areas that lose fat over time due to aging. Many have recognizable brand names and accomplish different things.
What kinds of Dermal Fillers are there?
Juvéderm is a family of dermal fillers that use hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in the skin that helps retain moisture and nutrients. When injected, it adds volume to the areas that need it. Juvéderm uses a different formulation of hyaluronic acid for each different injectable in order to best suit the area being treated. The “XC” family of Juvéderm injectables contains lidocaine to aid with any discomfort during injection.
- Voluma XC is a Juvéderm injectable that specifically treats hollow cheeks through a deep injection of hyaluronic acid. This can help add volume to any wrinkles or folds and create a smoother, more youthful contour of the face.
- Volbella XC is another Juvéderm injectable used in the lips to add subtle, natural volume and smooth vertical lines around the area.
- Ultra Plus XC is a Juvéderm injectable is a colorless hyaluronic acid gel that is used for wrinkle treatments and overall facial enhancement.
Radiesse is a long-term injection that uses calcium hydroxylapatite to naturally stimulate collagen production in areas of the body that have lost volume, including the face and hands. The calcium hydroxylapatite is then absorbed into the body over time. This injection also includes lidocaine to reduce any discomfort during injection.
What about Fat Transfer?
Fat transfer is another popular option to add volume to the face, but requires a Liposuction procedure and is often done in conjunction with surgical procedures that utilize the Liposuction technique. Fat can be taken from areas of the body where excess is stored, like the thighs, hips, buttocks, and abdomen, and then be optimized to be injected into areas like the cheeks where volume has been lost. This result is totally natural since the fat injected comes from the same body, and is a mostly permanent result.
How do I decide which one is right for me?
Your surgeon can help you determine what filler will best treat your problem areas, as well as address any concerns you might have. Fillers that use hyaluronic acid can be reversed if the result is not satisfactory, and most results will fade after a year. If you want to see results but don’t want to consider a surgical procedure, a dermal filler is a good, low-pressure option.
To find out what injection is beneficial to you, contact our office today. We would be happy to schedule your consultation with Dr. Richardson.