Dermal Fillers

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar molecule that hydrates the skin and supports its normal biologic functions. Naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in the body is gradually lost due to sun exposure, hormonal changes and aging. As a result, your skin begins to lose hyaluronic acid and collagen, resulting in fine lines, wrinkles and a loss of fullness and elasticity.

Now, dermal fillers can be used to add volume to the skin and fill up lines. At SkinCentral, a range of stabilized hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are available for non-surgical facial rejuvenation, including the Restylane line from Q-Med (Restylane, Perlane, SubQ, Touch, Vital) and Juvéderm from Allergan (Ultra, Ultra Plus, Voluma). Different products have varying particle sizes and consistencies to suit your different needs.

Dermal fillers are good for:

• Lip enhancements
• Furrows around the nose (nasolabial folds), mouth (Marionette lines) and below the eyes (tear-trough deformities)
• Volume restoration on the cheeks
• Nose or chin augmentations
• Restoration, tone and correction of wrinkles and depressed scars

The results are instantaneous, producing a long-lasting and natural enhancement that is both gentle and safe to the skin.

The procedure:

Our dermatologists will examine the soft tissue of your face in order to assess the depth of wrinkles and folds and determine the most suitable treatment. Typically, a topical anesthetic cream is used to help reduce discomfort in the treatment area, but in cases where stronger analgesia is required, a local anesthetic injection may be used. Our dermatologists will inject these fillers under your skin with a fine needle to smooth away fine lines, wrinkles and folds. Following the injection, our dermatologists may gently massage the treated areas. The procedure is quick and easy. The injection itself typically takes 20-30 minutes.

After the session:

You will see an immediate improvement in treatment areas. Depending on the location of the injections and the type of filler used, some redness, swelling and tenderness may occur. These side effects typically resolve themselves spontaneously, anywhere between a few days and up to a week after each treatment. Bruising is also possible and can take up to two weeks to subside. In rare cases, acne-like formations may occur, however these reactions have generally been described as mild to moderate.

Cautions:

• Redness, swelling and tenderness may occur after treatment. This is a normal, and temporary effect, which generally disappears after a few days or within a week.
• The initial swelling after undergoing a lip treatment may last longer. Some patients experience swelling for about a week.
• Avoid touching the treated area for the following 6 hours after treatment. Light make-up may be applied.
• Avoid strenuous exercise, the consumption of alcoholic beverages and extended exposure to the sun or heat (e.g. solariums and sunbathing) for at least 24 hours after treatment.
• If you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that the needle could contribute to another eruption of cold sores.
• If you are taking aspirin or any other similar medication, be aware that these may increase bruising and bleeding at the injection site.

Treatment plan:

These fillers will metabolize into water after 4-18 months. Touch-up and follow-up treatments will prolong the duration of its desired effects.