Facial fillers are a safe, simple and affordable path to a healthy, well-rested and rejuvenated appearance.
Also known as dermal fillers, these cosmetic treatments can be used to decrease the appearance of smile lines and wrinkles, raise the eyebrows, and plump thinning lips and cheeks to create a smoother, more youthful face.
In this process, dermal fillers are injected into soft tissues, filling the space between skin layers to add volume and soften wrinkles. But don’t confuse cosmetic fillers with injectables like Botox® Cosmetic and Dysport®, which reduce facial lines by blocking muscle activity.
Juvederm, Restylane and Boletero: Hyaluronan Facial Fillers
According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, aside from Botox® and Dysport®, hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure for both men and women.
Juvederm has a collection of facial fillers, including Juvederm® XC and Juvederm® Voluma, to meet different needs. So does Restylane. Options include Restylane® Lift, and Restylane Silk® which is exclusively used around the mouth and lips.
Hyaluronic acid is a type of sugar that is naturally present in the body tissues. When injected, it absorbs water in the skin and swells to cause a smoothing and filling effect. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers generally last about 6 to 12 months, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Sculptra® Aesthetic and Radiesse® Injectables: Longer-Lasting Facial Fillers
Radiesse® uses calcium hydroxylapatite to add facial volume.
Calcium hydroxylapatite is a mineral compound found naturally in human bones and teeth. Radiesse® injections stimulate the body to form new collagen, so they typically last longer than hyaluronic acid fillers — approximately 18 months, says the FDA.
Sculptra® Aesthetic also works to replace lost collagen, but this cosmetic filler is man-made, comprised of a biocompatible polymer called poly-L-lactic acid — the same material that has been used for over 25 years in dissolvable stitches. The effect of Sculptra® Aesthetic injectables becomes increasingly apparent over several weeks, and the FDA states that results can last for up to two years.
Minimizing the Risks of Facial Fillers
Side effects and complications are quite rare with dermal fillers, though some patients may have slight redness, bruising or swelling shortly after getting the injections. But the FDA warns that having these injections is considered to be a medical procedure and it could be risky if the injections aren’t done by trained professional.
Before getting this cosmetic procedure, discuss your medical and lifestyle background with your practitioner to prevent potential risks and determine the best treatment plan. Not every facility that offers facial fillers has an expert medical professional overseeing the procedures. And that’s what sets us apart here at Mobley MD.
Would you like to learn more about your options for facial fillers? The Beauty Now team at Mobley MD Utah Facial Plastic Surgery has decades of experience with these and other cosmetic procedures to restore facial volume. Contact our Salt Lake City office today to schedule a consultation with Kandice Koos, RN, or Steven Mobley, MD to learn more about the benefits of facial fillers.