FAQs about Filler
What Can Dermal Fillers Be Used For?
Fillers are different from Dysport (Botox) in that they add volume to the skin to improve the appearance of laxity, lines and wrinkles. Injectable dermal fillers, such as Sculptra, are excellent options for:
Smoothing facial lines and wrinkles
Adding volume and improving the contours of the cheeks, chin, and jaw
Filling in thin or wrinkled lips
Correcting nasolabial folds or “smile lines”
Diminishing the appearance of acne scars
Sculptra is an FDA-approved injectable that helps gradually replace lost collagen—the most common protein in the body that is used to form a framework to support cells and tissue—for results that can last up to two years.
Dermal Filler Procedures
To begin your injectable procedure, Dr. Shafaie will consult with you to ensure that you will achieve the natural looking results you want. Depending on the areas being treated, dermal filler injections typically take 15 to 40 minutes to complete and are performed in our office.
When performing the procedure, a topical anesthetic, local anesthetic, or nerve block may first be administered for your comfort before injecting the filler directly beneath the skin with a very fine needle.
Recovery
After the procedure, some patients may experience redness or swelling at the injection site, which can last for a few days. Work and other normal activities, however, can be resumed right after treatment. Sculptra is a safe and effective injectable that can be used for all skin types and colors.
How long do fillers last?
Filler results last longer and longer as they become more refined. The duration varies depending on the filler used, but it can range from about 6 to 9 months to more than 2 years for a filler such as Sculptra.
What’s the difference between Dysport (Botox) and fillers?
Both Dysport and dermal fillers are injectable treatments designed to reduce wrinkles and other signs of facial aging, but the similarities stop there. The active ingredient in Dysport is a purified form of the botulinum toxin that works by temporarily relaxing muscles that cause “dynamic” wrinkles. These are the wrinkles formed when we make facial expressions, such as crow’s feet. Fillers actually fill in a different kind of wrinkles — those caused as our faces lose volume with age. We strategically combine both treatments to create a more youthful, natural-looking appearance.
Who can benefit from fillers?
Virtually anyone concerned about facial wrinkles or who wants to restore volume to the cheeks, lips, or under the eyes is a good candidate for fillers. Most fillers, including Sculptra products, are made using ingredients that are produced naturally by the body, so allergic reactions are extremely rare.
Can the results of filler treatments be reversed?
In the large majority of cases, patients are very satisfied with the outcome of filler injections. However, if someone doesn’t like the results of fillers using hyaluronic acid — which include the most popular fillers — the product can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
Written by: Brenton Koch