Injectable Fillers

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  • overview
    What are injectable fillers?

    Injectable fillers can plump thin lips, enhance shallow contours, soften facial creases and wrinkles, or improve the appearance of recessed scars. There are different types of fillers, such as:

    • Collagen is a natural protein that supports the skin. Injectable collagen formulas derived from human dermis include Cosmoderm® or Cosmoplast®. Zyderm® and Zyplast® are forms of bovine collagen that, unlike human derived collagen, require prior allergy testing. The results may last 2 to 4 months.

    • Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in our bodies. It is well suited to plump thin lips and fill facial creases such as nasolabial folds. It may also be appropriate for some surface wrinkles and concave scars. The results may last 6 months or longer.

    • Human fat, harvested from your own body, can be reinjected to enhance facial fullness, fill deep creases and to build up shallow contours. Fat injection requires a more extensive procedure than other injectable fillers because it uses liposuction techniques to extract the fat prior to injection.

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  • before treatment
    What you should know before getting injectable fillers

    Your initial appearance after treatment with any dermal filler may include:

    • · An “over-filled” appearance to treated areas
    • · Mild swelling or bruising
    • · Temporary numbness or redness

    These conditions can be alleviated with topical icing and will improve within a matter of hours or just a few days.

    Be prepared to discuss:
    • · Your goals
    • · Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
    • · Current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements,
        alcohol, tobacco, and drugs
    • · Any past treatment with soft tissue fillers, botulinum toxin
        therapy, laser or other non-surgical facial procedures, as
        well as any prior facial surgery
    Your surgeon may also:
    • · Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing
        health conditions or risk factors
    • · Discuss your available options
    • · Examine and measure your face
    • · Take photographs
    • · Recommend a course of treatment
    • · Discuss likely outcomes of using soft tissue fillers and any
        risks or potential complications
  • Risks and Safety
    Important facts about the safety and risks of injectable fillers

    The decision to have soft tissue augmentation is extremely personal and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

    Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any risks and potential complications.

    The risks include:
    • · Fillers derived from non-human sources may require a pre-treatment allergy test
    • · Infection at the injection site
    • · Fillers that are not completely fluid and contain microscopic granular substances carry a risk of “clumping” as a result of facial
        movement and the natural aging process, over time, these can result in lumps or nodules that may require surgery to treat
    • · Acne-like skin eruptions
    • · Antibodies to filler material may reduce the effectiveness of future injections
    • · Asymmetry
    • · Bleeding, bruising and swelling
    • · Filler material may migrate from the original site and produce temporary paralysis of other muscle groups or other
        unintended effects
    • · Skin might die (skin necrosis)
    • · Skin rash, itching and swelling
    • · Skin redness
    • · Skin sensitivity
    • · Under or over correction of wrinkles

    Be sure to ask questions:

    It’s very important to ask your plastic surgeon questions about your tissue filler procedure. It’s natural to feel some anxiety, whether it’s excitement for your anticipated new look or a bit of preoperative stress. Don’t be shy about discussing these feelings with your plastic surgeon.