THE PROCEDURE
Before
During a filler consultation, Dr. Colvin seeks to understand the result a patient is trying to achieve; he then analyzes your unique anatomy and recommends the best product for the desired outcome. The amount recommended varies from patient to patient. The filler product families listed below:
Juvéderm®:
XC , Voluma XC, Volbella XC, Vollure XC
Restylane®:
Refyne, Defyne, Lyft, Silk
Belotero®
During
Numbing and injections take about an hour, depending on the area treated and filler used. A fine needle injects the filler under the skin (above the muscle) to replenish lost volume that naturally occurs with age. A small amount of topical anesthetic may be used to alleviate any mild pain.
Our injectables are considered lunch time treatments because the time commitment is an hour or less and patients typically see little to no downtime. The area may be a bit swollen and occasionally bruising occurs, we recommend stopping the use of ibuprofen before receiving injections.
After
Juvéderm®:
Depending on the area and filler used, the varying Juvéderm® formulas last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years with instant results and little to no downtime. The body eventually absorbs the filler and most patients return within 24 months to receive the procedure again.
Restylane® and Belotero®:
Depending on the area and filler used, the Restylane® family lasts up to 6 months with instant results and no downtime. The body eventually absorbs the filler and most patients return within 6 months to receive the procedure again.
THE FILLERS
Juvéderm®
Juvéderm® is a family of dermal fillers made of hyaluronic acid that replenishes volume to different areas of the face.
Volume loss is a major part of aging as our skin loses the collagen and elastin that supports the skin, keeping it taut and firm. It’s easy to focus on wrinkling as the main indicator of passing years, but for many people volume loss is more visible.
That’s where dermal fillers come in. The Juvéderm® family of dermal fillers uses naturally occurring hyaluronic acid to ‘fill in’ areas that have lost volume with age.
Restylane®
Restylane®, like Juvéderm®, is a family of dermal fillers made from naturally-occurring hyaluronic acid that replenishes volume to different areas of the face.
Every year as your body ages, it produces less collagen and elastin, making these lines become more prominent and noticeable. For many people, this leads to feeling self-conscious around others and thinking that they notice these fine lines as well.
We all want to be the best version of ourselves, so why not give Restylane® a chance? Here at SKIN, Restylane® is one of our favorite dermal fillers to visibly correct these lines.
After Restylane® treatment, you will look and feel your absolute best.
Belotero®
Belotero® has unique properties that allow it to adapt within the skin for soft and even correction.
The versatility of the product makes it strong enough to handle deep treatment areas such as nasolabial folds (smile lines around the mouth), yet soft enough to treat more delicate areas such as vertical lip lines (thin lines that appear above the lip line).
Like Juvéderm® and Restylane, Belotero® is made of a material called hyaluronic acid, which naturally exists as a component of your skin. By binding to water, it fills in wrinkles and folds, allowing immediate and smooth correction.
AREAS TREATED
Nasolabial Folds
This is one of the most common areas treated and one of the most visible signs of aging. Fillers work to volumize these often deep creases that have lost volume and elasticity.
Parenthesis Lines
Parentheses lines occur from mid-cheek to chin and form parentheses around the mouth. Fillers add volume in these areas to combat even the most severe of folds.
Cheeks
Fillers injected directly into the cheek area give them a subtle lift to help restore a youthful profile. This subtle adjustment goes a long way in highlighting your natural features.
Lips
When injected into the lips, fillers create natural-looking, plump lips while simultaneously decreasing the appearance of vertical lip lines. We aim for natural results- no duck lips allowed!
Chin
Fillers injected into the chin area are used to create structure and support, and reduce creases and lines. This also changes how light reflects off your face, creating an overall uplifted look.
Jawline
This procedure injects fillers along the jawline to sculpt and define, creating a more distinct contour between your chin and neck. Botox can also be injected to achieve similar results
Corners of Mouth
Injecting filler around the corners of one’s mouth, reverses the gravity impact that comes with aging. When these corner are lifted, it achieves a more youthful look.
Marionette Lines
These are the vertical lines that circumscribe the chin, running from the corners of the mouth downward. Injecting filler helps to contour and soften these creases.
Frequently Asked Questions
juvederm®
+ What is Juvéderm® and why does it work?
Juvéderm® is a family of injectable gel fillers that return the volume to different areas of the face. These fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance that is found in most animals.
In humans, hyaluronic acid is responsible for keeping the skin hydrated and firm.
While collagen is the body’s protein responsible for building and maintaining a support structure under the skin to keep it firm, hyaluronic acid is responsible for keeping the skin hydrated.
When Juvéderm® is injected beneath a wrinkle, the hyaluronic acid binds with nearby water molecules to fill the area and hydrate and plump the skin.
Besides treating the signs of aging, this dermal filler can also be used for chicken pox and the removal of depressed scars.
Juvéderm® will leave your skin feeling smoother and looking younger!
+ What is the difference between BOTOX® and Juvéderm®?
Non-surgical fillers are different than BOTOX®, a neuromodulator that addresses wrinkles caused by muscle contractions under the skin.
BOTOX® stops the muscle from contracting, eliminating the wrinkle. This is a totally different premise than fillers.
+ Does Juvéderm® hurt?
Some patients may experience mild pain.
Dr. Colvin will discuss the process with you and may use topical or injectable anesthesia to numb the treatment area first.
+ Will I need touch-ups?
Juvéderm® is not permanent, and because hyaluronic acid is naturally-occuring our bodies will absorb it and you will need to return for another appointment to maintain results.
In the interim, touch-up treatments may be necessary to maintain optimal results. In repeat treatments, patients generally require less Juvéderm® XC to achieve the same results.
+ Are there any side effects?
Since hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body and is the basis of Juvéderm® fillers, allergic reactions are virtually unheard of.
Side effects are mild and usually pass in one to two days. The most common side effects are tenderness, swelling, firmness, lumps/bumps, bruising, slight pain, redness, and mild itching at the injection sites.
+ Is there any reason I wouldn’t be able to get Juvéderm®?
Dr. Colvin will not inject fillers into anyone who is pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
+ What is the difference between the various fillers in the Juvéderm® family?
All fillers in the Juvéderm® family use hyaluronic acid as the main active ingredient.
Their main variants include what area is being treated and/or the severity of the folds.
Restylane®
+ What is Restylane® and why does it work?
Restylane is designated a “naturally derived” filler. This is because Restylane is mainly composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the human body.
Hyaluronic acid is responsible for hydrating, plumping, and smoothing the skin to make wrinkles less noticeable.
Other fillers such as Radiesse are known as ‘synthetic fillers’.
+ What are the benefits of using Restylane®?
A benefit of using Restylane is that it is formulated to act like your body’s own, naturally-produced hyaluronic acid. When we inject the gel, it’s picking up where your body leaves off with age.
Why is this necessary? As we age, our bodies produce one percentage point less collagen each year after turning 20.
Since collagen provides the skin’s underlying support structure, this decrease leads to sagging skin and the formation of lines and wrinkles.
By binding with water molecules at the injection sites, Restylane firms and plumps the skin, pushing up lines and creases, making them far less noticeable and taking years off your face.
+ How long does it last?
As with all naturally occurring fillers, the body eventually absorbs the hyaluronic acid. At that point, to maintain your results, you’ll need a follow-up treatment.
This timeframe varies between patients, but Restylane usually lasts from nine months to one year.
However, depending on the results you want, you can go more or less. After seeing how it transforms your face, you will want to go more.
+ Are there any side effects?
The most commonly observed side effects are swelling, redness, pain, bruising, headaches, tenderness, and itching at the injection sites. These are typically mild in severity and usually resolve themselves in 7 to 14 days.
Occasionally, lumps or granulomas can form near the injection sites. Dr. Colvin can easily reverse this side effect with an injection of hyaluronidase, an enzyme that speeds up the natural degradation of the hyaluronic acid in the filler.
As with all fillers, the expertise of your injector is important to achieve the best results and avoid side effects. Dr. Colvin has received special training in the use of various fillers, including Restylane. In fact, he is a national trainer for two companies that produce dermal fillers.
+ What is the difference between the various fillers in the Restylane® family?
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+ Is there any reason I wouldn’t be able to receive Restylane® injections?
All Restylane products are FDA-approved for use on patients of 21+ years of age. If you’re allergic to lidocaine you cannot use Restylane, as it has some lidocaine in the product to keep the patient comfortable.
Belotero®
+ What is BELOTERO BALANCE®?
Belotero Balance is a prescription injection that is approved to temporarily smooth out and fill in moderate to severe nasolabial folds (the folds or wrinkles that go from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth).
+ What are the most common adverse events seen with BELOTERO BALANCE?
Some experience swelling, bruising, redness, hardening of the skin, pain, altered color, or itching.
Other uncommon side effects include headache, swelling of the side of the nose, moderate cold sore, lip numbness, and lip dryness.
Side effects were often mild to moderate and often resolved within 7 days.
+ Who should not use BELOTERO BALANCE?
Belotero Balance should not be used in patients with a history of or presence of multiple or severe allergies, including those with a history of anaphylaxis. Belotero Balance should not be used in patients with allergies to gram-positive bacterial proteins.
+ Is there anything I should know for post-treatment care?
For approximately 24 hours after treatment, avoid:
- Strenuous activity
- Extensive sun or heat exposure
- Aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Alcoholic beverages