Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers have become very popular treatment choices for wrinkles, folds, and acne scarring. The appearance of these can be smoothed by adding structure and volume underneath and bringing sunken skin back up to the surface. These cosmetic dermal fillers restore volume and fullness to the skin to correct facial wrinkles, folds, and acne scarring, giving you a healthy, youthful appearance.

Dr. Short has been a Faculty Member and National Trainer for Botox® National Medical Education, Radiesse™ Medical Education Development, Evolence® and a participant in post-approval FDA studies with Juvederm™ and Prevelle Silk™. Dr. Short has also been a speaker for “Shaping the Face of Aesthetics Medicine with Advanced Techniques” and teaching courses around the United States.

About Dermal Fillers

It is important to know that not all injectable dermal fillers are created equal, and each dermal filler needs to be individualized for each patient. A treatment plan and procedure will be customized to your specific needs. Dr. Short will decide which procedure is right for you based on an evaluation of your aesthetic facial concerns.

Dermal fillers or dermal injectables are indicated for the correction of facial lines, wrinkles, and folds to restore volume and fullness to the skin, providing a more youthful appearance. Each dermal filler has its own properties and characteristics as well as optimal performance profile and longevity. Dr. Short prefers using Bellafill on her patients because of the amazing results that each treatment provides!

Types of Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers

JUVÉDERM ULTRA/ ULTRA PLUS™

Juvéderm™ is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid—a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration. Juvéderm™ injectable gel under the skin instantly restores your skin’s volume and smooths away facial wrinkles and folds, like your “smile lines” or “parentheses” (nasolabial folds—the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth) and lip augmentation. Juvéderm™ is more highly cross-linked, using hylacross™ technology, for a longer-lasting and softer-feeling product. There are two formulations: Ultra and Ultra Plus, the Ultra is more versatile in contouring and volumizing facial wrinkles, folds, and lips and Ultra Plus is more highly cross-linked for the correction of deeper folds and wrinkles. Juvéderm™ may cause mild swelling and bruising related to the injection site and persist only for a few days. Most patients tolerate the procedure well, but if you are concerned, a topical anesthetic cream and or an anesthetic block can be applied for your comfort. The effects of Juvéderm™ typically will last 12 months.

RESTYLANE®

Restylane® is a hyaluronic acid gel injectable filler for correction of moderate facial wrinkles and lines and lip augmentation. Restylane® is a safe, natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores the youthful appearance by plumping moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds such as the nasolabial folds and the furrows at the corners of the mouth immediately. Restylane® is a non-animal-based material, a natural sugar found in the body, and does not require a skin test. Restylane® may cause mild swelling at the injection site accompanied by slight redness and bruising. This will usually resolve in a few days. Most patients tolerate the procedure well, but if you are concerned, a topical anesthetic cream and or an anesthetic block can be applied for your comfort. The effects of Restylane® typically will last 4-6 months.

The Gillian Institute offers the most popular fillers in the Restylane® line of cosmetic injectables.

REVANESSE® VERSA

Versa is a long-lasting HA-based filler that treats moderate to severe facial creases and folds. It’s become a go-to for nasolabial folds! This cost-effective filler can last up to 12 months, and many patients experience less swelling than with other dermal fillers.

Non-Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers

RADIESSE™

Radiesse™ is a smooth cream made from calcium microspheres suspended in a water-based gel carrier that is commonly used for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. These microspheres have a long history of safe use in ears, vocal cords, and dental and orthopedic applications. This calcium is identical to the composition of the mineral portion of teeth and bone. Radiesse™ will give you immediate fullness and volume and is used more for “structural volume.” Radiesse™ will provide more fullness compared to other dermal fillers. Radiesse™ is widely used in areas such as the nasolabial folds, perioral folds, tear trough depressions, cheek fullness, brows, and prejowl depressions. Radiesse™ will cause swelling and bruising at the injection site but will resolve after 2-5 days depending on the amount injected. Radiesse™ is mixed with lidocaine (a numbing agent) to decrease the pain and increase the viscosity of the product. Radiesse™ is also the only dermal filler that stimulates collagen formation. This is our most popular injectable dermal filler and the most recommended by Dr. Short for “ultimate fullness.” This is the premier product used for the “liquid facelift.” Loss of volume in the face is a sign of aging and weight loss and Radiesse™ will restore this. Radiesse™ will last 1-2 years.

BELLAFILL®

Bellafill® is the first and only FDA-approved permanent filler for the correction of wrinkles and folds specifically for smile lines, nasolabial folds, and perioral wrinkles. This product is not recommended for lip augmentation, yet. Bellafill® contains round, smooth particles known as PMMA (precision-filtered microspheres) in a collagen gel matrix, along with lidocaine, a numbing agent. First, Bellafill® corrects the wrinkle immediately. Then the microspheres remain to provide permanent support your skin needs to correct the wrinkle. Artefill® provides a long-lasting, permanent correction. Bellafill® uses dual action mechanism to visibly correct the wrinkle and provide the soft, supportive foundation your skin needs. You will experience just a few days of swelling and redness at the injection site. A collagen skin test is required prior to the injection. Typically, repeated injections are needed to achieve the optimal result.

How it Works

Bellafill® is an injectable filler that’s FDA approved to treat certain types of acne scars. Bellafill® yields instant smoothness that you can appreciate as soon as you leave the office — and it’s been clinically proven to last through twelve months.

Its two important components work with your skin for soft smoothness that looks and feels very natural:

Collagen gel (80%) forms the smooth base of Bellafill, adding instant volume to depressed scars and raising them to a level that’s even with the surrounding skin.
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres (20%) remain after the body absorbs the collagen gel, supporting the growth of your own natural collagen to supplant it.

The Patient Experience

Bellafill® for acne is an outpatient procedure. Treatment begins by cleansing your skin and preparing it for treatment. A series of carefully placed injections then add volume to smooth away acne scars. Your treatment is relatively brief, and there is no downtime, so you may return to your normal activities as soon as you leave the treatment session.

Although significant side effects are uncommon, you may experience localized sensations, such as itching, bruising, swelling, redness, discoloration, bumps, or increased sensitivity. These effects are typically temporary and will go away on their own. The Results Speak for Themselves! Contact us today for your free consultation!

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