DERMAL FILLER
LEARN MORE ABOUT Dermal Filler
Dermal fillers are anti-aging injectables that restore volume to different areas of the face or enhance or improve facial aesthetics. There are different types of fillers, but the JUVÉDERM® Collection is made of hyaluronic acid-based formulas that naturally fill, contour, lift, and enhance different facial areas and features. Hyaluronic acid, a chemical compound that our bodies produce naturally, is a key component of skin (among other tissues), absorbing moisture and giving the skin a supple and plump look and feel.
By significantly boosting the skin’s moisture retention capabilities with hyaluronic acid, dermal filler injections not only improve the appearance of a wide range of aesthetic concerns, but can greatly improve the skin’s texture as well. And since this compound is natively produced by the body already, there’s a lower chance of allergic reaction or rejection of the filler by the body.
Since so many common aesthetic concerns affecting the skin have to do with a lack of hydration and/or elasticity, hyaluronic-acid-based dermal fillers are able to treat a comprehensive range of these issues.
Some of the most common uses of dermal fillers include, but are not limited to:
- Volumizing sagging skin: Whether you’re targeting jowls, sagging or hollowing cheeks, or another instance of sagging skin, dermal fillers have demonstrated their effectiveness at plumping and lifting these areas to dramatically minimize the appearance of sagging.
- Minimizing fine lines: One of the most common applications of dermal fillers, if not the most common, is smoothing out fine lines by offsetting volume loss and increasing the skin’s elasticity.
- Increasing facial symmetry: From everyday facial asymmetries to Bell’s palsy, dermal fillers give aesthetics professionals the precision they need to more closely match one side of the face to the other for a more well-rounded appearance.
- Enhancing the jawline: Strategically applied dermal filler injections can volumeize areas around the jawline in such a way that enhances the contrast between the jaw and neck, creating a sharper and more attractive jawline.
- Minimizing scars and other blemishes: Dermal fillers are not indicated for every type of scar, but most acne and surgical scars with significant depression can be aesthetically improved with dermal fillers. Consulting with your provider will reveal whether or not your scar(s) is eligible for this treatment.
- General anti-aging: From rough, uneven skin texture to hyperpigmentation, redness, and other signs of wear and tear, dermal fillers are an all-around workhorse when it comes to combating these and several other signs of aging at once.
In addition to these commonly addressed issues, dermal fillers are also used to recoup facial fat loss in people with HIV, and in a few other more niche conditions. As always, consulting with a board-certified professional is the best way to determine whether or not your particular case is well-suited for treatment with dermal fillers.
There are many benefits to adding dermal fillers to your anti-aging or cosmetic routine. They provide a safe way to achieve different goals that you may not be able to achieve with your product regimen or different anti-aging treatments alone. Other benefits include:
- Results are immediate
- Results are long-lasting
- Treatments are quick
- Results look natural
Best of all, when compared to other popular rejuvenation treatments, dermal fillers have very low downtime and a low incidence of severe adverse effects. As illustrated above, dermal filler treatment is highly customizable, allowing both men and women of various ages and skin types to address a wide range of aesthetic concerns.
Finally, another advantage of dermal filler treatments in the case of JUVÉDERM® is that they are FDA approved. This means we have a robust knowledge base certifying the safety, intended uses and contraindications (reasons to not use), efficacy, and other key points relating to the proper application of this treatment.
Especially if you’re not experienced with cosmetic treatments, it can sometimes be difficult to gauge who the intended audience for a given treatment is and whether or not you fall into that category.
Since providers have freedom in terms of how much filler to use per treatment, dermal fillers can accommodate both milder and more moderate cases of the above-mentioned aesthetic concerns (severe concerns may require surgical alternatives). In other words, what you may feel is too minor a concern at this point to have treated with filler might actually be closer to the average patient presentation than you think.
As far as age is concerned, the FDA approval for dermal fillers applies to patients of 22 years of age and older. As long as you are at least 22, in reasonably good health and medically eligible for the treatment, it’s likely you will be deemed a potential candidate for dermal fillers. Speaking of medical eligibility, while dermal fillers are a well-tolerated non-surgical treatment that accommodate a very broad range of patients, there are still some factors that may interfere with treatment.
These factors include, but are not limited to the following:
- Bleeding disorders
- Hypersensitive skin
Some medications (e.g., certain anti-inflammatories and vitamin E) - Immune disorders
- Ongoing infection in or near the treatment area
- Keloid scarring tendency
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Finally, while most people picture dermal fillers being used on the face (which is the most common treatment area), they can also be used on the legs and feet, shoulders, hands, and more. Each new site comes with unique implications in the areas of safety and efficacy, and may require different fillers to address.
The JUVÉDERM® Collection
JUVÉDERM® Volux XC is the newest dermal filler from the JUVÉDERM® Collection, made with a denser hyaluronic acid particle-based formula to add structure and definition to the jawline. Patients who want to improve not just the appearance of their jawlines but also their facial proportions can undergo treatment with this dermal filler for non-surgical jawline augmentation. After initial treatment, results can last six to 18 months.
JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA® XC is a popular cheek filler from this collection that can add structure, fullness, and shape to the mid-facial area to combat volume loss due to aging. After injection and with optimal treatment, results can last up to two years. It also can be used for chin augmentation filler, and results can last up to one year after treatment.
JUVÉDERM® VOLLURE® XC is a line filler that can smooth smile lines around the nose and mouth, including marionette lines and nasolabial folds. After initial treatment, results last up to 18 months.
JUVÉDERM® VOLBELLA® XC is a lip augmentation filler that can add natural and subtle volume to the lips to help patients achieve their aesthetic ideals. Results can last one year after treatment.
JUVÉDERM® ULTRA XC is designed to smooth lines around the mouth, but it can also be used to augment the lips. Treatment results will last one year after initial injections.
JUVÉDERM® ULTRA PLUS XC is a filler that can smooth the skin in areas where more advanced signs of aging have become noticeable. Those with deeper-set lines and wrinkles around the mouth can undergo treatment with this filler to achieve smoother and younger-looking skin for up to 12 months post-treatment.
What’s the Difference Between Dermal Fillers and Neuromodulators?
Where dermal fillers like those highlighted above use hyaluronic acid, Poly-L-lactic acid, and other compounds to add volume and hydration to various areas, neuromodulators rely on different ingredients and mechanisms to promote their anti-aging effects. Functionally speaking, these two categories of treatments do have plenty of overlap (namely in that they both reduce fine lines effectively), but duration of results, downtime, cost, and other factors can still vary between them.
Having already covered how hyaluronic acid works, here’s a quick breakdown on neuromodulator injections like Botox. The mechanism that these injections use to reduce the appearance of fine lines involves using a neurotoxin derived from bacteria like Clostridium botulinum in the case of Botox. When the neurotoxin, known as botulinum toxin, is injected into the muscle tissue, it interferes with the nerve’s ability to communicate with the muscle. Essentially, Botox and other neurotoxin injectables temporarily paralyze the targeted muscle(s). Because the fine lines in the area were formed by repeated contractions of these muscles, they are then significantly reduced in appearance as the muscle remains relaxed.
As far as how fillers and neuromodulators stack up against each other, it’s not a 1-to-1 comparison in most cases because they have unique benefits and applications. Both Botox and dermal fillers are FDA approved. Botox is injected into muscle, while fillers are injected under the skin. They can both treat facial wrinkles, but Botox is slightly less versatile in that it cannot add fullness in the same way that dermal fillers do. Results-wise, hyaluronic acid injections can hold for as much as a year with proper aftercare, while Botox is closer to 3 or 4 months.
Pairing Dermal Fillers With Other Treatments
The short answer is yes: dermal fillers can be integrated into a comprehensive anti-aging routine alongside other cosmetics procedures. At Tondue Medical Spa of Bay City, Michigan, we will work with you to plan a fully customized, patient-centered treatment plan that combines dermal fillers with one or more of the following treatments for greatly enhanced results:
- Microneedling: This procedure uses very fine needles to stimulate powerful healing processes (like collagen formation and maturation) by creating hundreds of controlled micro-injuries throughout the treatment area. For people looking to target skin texture and tone as well as fine lines, microneedling and dermal fillers make for a highly effective combination.
- Botox and other injectables: Because Botox and dermal fillers can address both static and dynamic wrinkles as well as facial volume loss, combining these two widely relied-upon treatment types can produce more comprehensive results.
- Chemical peels: The skin-resurfacing effects of a chemical peel combined with the wrinkle-reducing ability of dermal fillers play off of each other to enhance the rejuvenation effect. The result is a fresh-faced and youthful appearance.
- HydraFacial: HydraFacial and dermal filler treatments are a popular pairing for their complementary effects. HydraFacial refines and revitalizes the skin’s texture, while dermal fillers provide volume right where it is needed to enhance facial symmetry and more.
These are just a few of the treatments that we can pair with dermal fillers to further customize and enhance your experience. If you’re interested in more than one treatment, our team at Tondue Medical Spa will develop a treatment plan that works for your situation.
Dermal Filler Side Effects
As mentioned, dermal fillers are widely well-tolerated and rarely cause severe reactions or other side effects. However, every procedure has the potential for some side effects, including this nonsurgical approach to facial rejuvenation.
According to the FDA, more common risks associated with dermal fillers include bruising, redness, pain, itching, swelling, rash, and possible tenderness. These typically resolve on their own without additional treatment.
Less common side effects include infection, allergic reactions, raised bumps, and sores. Reporting allergies and/or being tested for them prior to your procedure is one way to prevent several of these adverse effects from happening.
Tips to Ensure a Successful Treatment
As with any other procedure, surgical or nonsurgical, the prep and aftercare phases are essential for ensuring a safe and successful experience when it comes to dermal fillers.
First of all, before your procedure, openly communicating with your provider during the consultation and evaluation process are essential to ensure you are a fit candidate for dermal fillers.
Additional prep practices that can reduce your chance of adverse reactions while enhancing results include avoiding certain medications (like some blood thinners) for at least 1-2 weeks prior to your appointment, limiting alcohol use, and arriving at your treatment with a clean face (but be careful with potentially irritating products).
As for aftercare, there are several steps you can take both in the acute and long-term scenarios to minimize adverse effects and potentially prolong the duration of your results. In the acute phase, these steps include limiting heavy activity for at least 24 hours after your treatment, applying cold compresses to the area, and using mild cleansers.
When it comes to safeguarding your results in the long run, many of the same savvy skin care practices you’re used to will keep your skin smooth and well-hydrated long after your treatment. These include minimizing sun exposure (and/or using high-SPF sunscreen), avoiding smoking and alcohol, keeping the skin moisturized, and so on.
The Tondue Medical Spa Difference
Whenever considering a cosmetic injectable, it’s essential that you undergo a treatment administered by someone with the expertise and skill to help you achieve natural-looking results. When you schedule your dermal filler treatments at Tondue Medical Spa, you’ll be treated by skilled injectors to know where and how to inject the JUVÉDERM® Collection fillers to ensure you achieve the best possible treatment results.
Roxanne Tondu, R.N., the owner of Tondue Medical Spa and Master Injector, is the country’s best injector. She is an Allergan Medical Institute trainer and speaker and has advanced training and experience in administering dermal fillers. She has personally trained all of the providers at Tondue Medical Spa. Each injector works under her supervision to treat clients and deliver results that exceed their expectations.
A Treatment Process You Can Trust
When you know that you’ll be treated by the best of the best, you can feel confident in your chosen treatment and that it is safe and will help you preserve the integrity of your appearance while also addressing cosmetic or aging-related concerns in the most natural way possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
We can combine dermal fillers with other cosmetics, injectables, and anti-aging treatments to ensure you reach your specific cosmetic goals. If you’re interested in undergoing one of our other treatments or adding BOTOX® to your dermal filler regimen, we can discuss a proposed treatment plan at your initial consultation.
If necessary, we can apply a pre-treatment numbing cream to the skin before treatment and will discuss whether you want to add this aspect to your treatment beforehand. After cleansing your skin, your injector will administer your chosen fillers as outlined in your treatment plan.
The entire treatment takes less than 20 minutes but could be longer, depending on whether you want to add additional treatments to your appointment. You can resume most of your normal daily activities when your treatment is over, but you must follow some aftercare instructions.
The best candidates for the JUVÉDERM® Collection fillers are adults in good health, free of any allergies to the filler ingredients. Pregnant and nursing women do not qualify for treatment. We can confirm your treatment eligibility during your initial consultation so you can confidently move forward, knowing that these fillers will safely help you reach your aging and cosmetic-related goals.
In a word; no. Each of the JUVÉDERM® fillers contains lidocaine, a mild numbing ingredient. The fact that this ingredient is included in the filler formulas will ensure your comfort during and after your treatment. Plus, our expert injectors administer these products with care and precision, so you can look forward to a comfortable treatment process with optimal results.
Unlike other cosmetic injectables that take several days to reveal results, dermal fillers deliver immediate results. After your injection, you will notice an immediate improvement in the appearance of your treatment area. It will take time for the fillers to settle, so those immediate results will not be your final results.
Contour, Lift, Fill, and Sculpt Your Face With a Customized Dermal Filler Treatment Plan
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If you’d like more information about Derma Fillers, contact us today. Complete our digital contact form or call our Bay City Office. We look forward to meeting you and demonstrating how Tondue Medical Spa can help you meet your aesthetic goals.
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