Filler Overview

Wrinkle fillers  are substances that are injected into your face to help you look more youthful. Fillers may be injected directly in the lines or in areas of the face or where volume has been lost and restoring volume can rejuvenate the face.

As fillers have become more popular, we are seeing different approaches. The first is the dramatic approach where it is obvious to others that you have had work done. The second approach is a more subtle approach-Less is more. Dr. Kelley prefers the more natural and subtle approach. People will say you look rested and rejuvenated and will not comment that you look dramatically different.

Successful filler treatments require artistry as well as knowledge of anatomy. There are many fillers and different fillers are best for different areas of the face.

The two main categories of fillers are:

1. Fillers that till lines or plump up a facial zone and give immediate results. Examples include Juvederm, Restylane and Radiesse.
2. Fillers that stimulate collagen production and require time to see the final results. Examples include Sculptra and Bellafill.

You should focus on defining the desired results you want to see and discuss the best filler for you during your Consultation. Every filler procedure is customized to each individual patient. It is very important to us that you are happy with your results and do not look overfilled and unnatural.

The history of fillers

The first filler  used was collagen. With collagen, there is a need to do skin testing to make sure that an allergy isn’t present . Once injected the result did not last long. More frequently, the most commonly used temporary fillers  used contain hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic is found naturally in the dermis of the skin. Hyaluronic acid fillers contain a specially processed hyaluronic acid that has more volume, bulk and lasts from 6 months to 12 months. These fillers plump areas of lost volume and decrease the depth of a wrinkle.

Current fillers include Juvederm, Radiesse,Sculptra , Voluma, Restylane and Bellafill. Fillers differ in composition and duration of the treatment benefit. Juvederm and Restylane are composed on hyaluronic acid. Radiesse is made of calcium hydroxyapatite, a component found naturally in bone. Sculptra is a filler that stimulates collagen wherever it is injected. Fillers  differ in composition and duration of the treatment benefit. Depending on your concerns and needs, we will recommend the best fillers for rejuvenating your face.

Types of Wrinkle Fillers

1. Hyaluronic acid fillers–  Juvederm,  Restylane, Belotero, Voluma  are composed of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in the dermis of the skin. With aging and sun damage, the amount of hyaluronic acid as well as collagen can diminish. After injecting the wrinkle or fold, it becomes plumped up because hyaluronic attracts water to the area where it is injected.
2. Radiesse– This filler contains calcium spheres that are suspended in a gel. This filler is thicker and more substantial than most of the hyaluronic acid fillers. This filler is great for replacing volume in areas where fat and/or volume has been lost. Radiesse can also stimulate collagen production in the areas it is injected.
3. Sculptra– This is a very unique filler. It is composed of Poly -L-lactic acid which stimulates your body to make collagen. It requires a series of treatments 2-3, typically. Your body continues to build collagen and once you have reached full correction, the results last as long as 2 years.
4. Bellafill– long lasting filler which lasts up to 5 years. It is made of collagen and PMMA (a permanent filler). A syringe of Bellafill is composed primarily of collagen which will give an immediate result with filling and eventually be broken down by the body. A small amount of PMMA is left behind continuing the collagen stimulation process.

When assessing your need for fillers, the doctor looks at your entire face and will discuss options for rejuvenating the face including Botox, sculpting of the lower jaw and restoring lost volume in the midface. She performs the Liquid Facelift which is a full face approach restoring youthful contours.