Injectables & Fillers
What is all the rave about? Have you seen the movie stars with their plump lips and prominent cheek bones and wondered how they look so good? The answer is injectable fillers. An injectable filler is a substance that can be used to both lift lines and sculpt the face. They can be used to fill wrinkles, scar and depressions under the eyes or build up the cheeks or chin. They can help lift your brows, remove the sunken areas from your face and define and enlarge your lips.
Smiling, chewing, squinting, sun exposure and years of facial movement effects your face. The tissues that keep our skin looking youthful and plumped begin to break down, leaving us with crow's feet, laugh lines, smile lines and creases where the muscle movement occurs.
There are several different fillers available that can help restore a smoother, more youthful appearance. Our physicians at Plastic Surgery Center of the South are available to answer all your questions regarding fillers and which one would work best for you to give your that Georgia Southern Belle appearance. The most important fact to remember about injectable fillers is that the results are not permanent. You will not gain the same long lasting results that you would have with cosmetic surgery.
Restylane®
Restylane® is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler made of non-animal based hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that already exists in the human body and is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin.
Restylane is a very effective way to augment the lips and to correct mild to moderate facial wrinkles and folds from the nose to the corner of the mouth. Individual results may vary; however, studies show the Restylane will generally last for 6 to 12 months.
JUVÉDERM® Injectable Gel
JUVÉDERM® is a new filler material made of hyaluronic acid with more crosslinks that may last longer. It is used for smoothing wrinkles and sculpting lips. Results can last 6 month to a year.
Sculptra™ and Restylane SubQ
Sculptra™ and Restylane SubQ are other injectable materials that can be used for soft tissue augmentation. This adds volume to facial areas such as cheeks, depressions under the eyes and the chin area. Sculptra initiates an expansion of the body's own collagen, resulting in long lasting natural appearing results. The procedure normally requires at least 2 treatments and the results, although not immediate apparent as it produces volume over several months, can last several years.
Collagen
Collagen is a filler substance that does have a small risk of allergic reaction; some types require testing prior to injecting. Collagen is injected into areas where depressions, lines or wrinkles can be raised to help the level of the surrounding skin. Thus, lines and scars can be minimized, texture is improved, and the skin has a softer and more even tone. Collagen lasts for only 2 –4 months. There are certain steps involved: a consultation, a skin test if required, the treatment injections and then periodic touch-ups. Zyplast and Zyderm are injectable collagen patented by the Collagen Corporation.
Radiesse®
Radiesse® is a non-surgical facial contouring filler that delivers longer lasting results. Whether you are longing to reverse the common signs of aging or address the lines that can make you look very serious or sad, even when your face is at rest. Radiesse is made of very tiny, smooth calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres. These particles form a scaffold through which your body's own collagen grows and this produces the long-term effects. The longevity averages 11 to 18 months depending on the area of correction.
BOTOX® Cosmetic
BOTOX® Cosmetic is a toxin that paralyses muscles that causes facial wrinkles. Many facial wrinkles are caused by the contraction of facial muscles on skin that has become thinner due to age and sun damage. BOTOX® Cosmetic paralyzes these muscles so that they cannot contract and cause wrinkles, leaving the once wrinkles skin perfectly smooth. The usual treatment areas are the frown lines between the eyebrows and across the bridge of the nose, the transverse forehead lines, the crow's fee lines, and the muscle bands in the neck. There are no restrictions after a BOTOX® Cosmetic injection. BOTOX® Cosmetic may be injected unlimited times, however there is growing evidence that with more injections, there is a cumulative effect that is, the more the muscle is paralyzed, the weaker it gets and the less prominent the wrinkles are after the BOTOX® Cosmetic wears off.
Facial rejuvenation is very individualized. It is very important to discuss your expectations with your board certified plastic surgeon at Plastic Surgery Center of the South. If you are like most patients, you will be very satisfied with your results from injectable treatments.
Our patients come from all over Georgia, as well as other states and countries. We are conveniently located in the Marietta close to all interstate highways. Call us today at 770-421-1242 for any of your questions regarding injectable fillers.