Dermal Fillers
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are made of naturally occurring substances such as polysaccrides (sugar molecules) and that can be injected into the body to smooth wrinkles and fill hollows around the eyes, cheeks and chin. Popular fillers include Juvederm Voluma™, Juvederm XC™, Restylane™ , Radiesse™ and Bellafill®.
WHAT IS IN A DERMAL FILLER?
Dermal fillers are made of naturally occurring substances such as polysaccharides (sugar molecules known as hyaluronic acid). The exact materials will vary depending on the brand and type of filler.
WHAT TYPES OF DERMAL FILLERS ARE AVAILABLE?
Popular fillers include Juvederm Voluma™, Juvederm XC™, Restylane™, Radiesse™ and Bellafill®.
HOW DO FILLERS WORK?
Dermal fillers act by taking up space under and thereby pushing against the skin, providing volume and smoothing the skin’s surface. The hyaluronic acid fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane also bind water molecules giving the skin a plumper and more hydrated appearance.
WHAT CAN FILLERS TREAT?
Dermal fillers can be used to treat cosmetic concerns nearly anywhere in the face. They are most commonly used to improve the following signs of aging and aesthetic issues:
- Under-eye hollows
- Hollows in the temples
- Deflated cheeks
- Wrinkles around the mouth and on the chin (nasolabial folds, smoker’s lines, marionette lines, etc.)
- Thin or undefined lips
- An undefined jawline or chin
WHAT HAPPENS AT A DERMAL FILLER CONSULTATION?
At your consultation appointment for dermal fillers, we will examine you carefully, listen to your concerns and answer any questions you might have. We will evaluate your medical history and any previous procedures or treatments you’ve undergone. Our specialists will work with you to determine if dermal fillers are right for you. If so, they will make a recommendation for the best injectable filler type for your needs and develop a customized treatment plan.
If you elect to proceed with treatment, it can be done the same day or at a separate appointment. The choice of filler will depend on the treatment area, the depth of filler placement, your age and your treatment goals.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A FILLER PROCEDURE?
After your face is cleansed, one or more syringes of filler will be carefully injected beneath the skin with a fine needle according to the treatment plan described.
DO FILLERS HURT?
Similar to getting a shot, the injections for the fillers may be slightly uncomfortable. Most products contain lidocaine to minimize any discomfort. We are also highly experienced and use techniques to further promote a comfortable treatment.
HOW LONG DOES FILLER TREATMENT TAKE?
The total time of treatment is less than 30 minutes.
WHEN WILL I SEE MY RESULTS AFTER INJECTABLE FILLER TREATMENT?
Your resulting smoother, more volumized skin will be immediately noticeable after your treatment.
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY TIME AFTER FILLER TREATMENT?
Makeup can be applied 24 hours after filler treatment, and patients can resume their normal activities without any downtime. However, strenuous activity is not advised for 24 hours.
Mild swelling and bruising sometimes occur and can last one to three days. Effective laser treatment for bruising is available at our facility at a nominal charge to the patient.
HOW LONG DO DERMAL FILLER RESULTS LAST?
The duration of your results will depend on a number of factors that we will discuss with you. Most fillers last between six months and several years.
HOW CAN I MAINTAIN MY FILLER RESULTS?
To help preserve the results from your filler treatment as long as possible, we recommend avoiding direct sun exposure, using sunscreen daily, staying hydrated, moisturizing your skin regularly, avoid smoking or vaping and following an overall healthy lifestyle.
Those interested in maintenance treatments can undergo subsequent filler treatments every six months to a year or as needed for the desired results.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Dermal Fillers
HOW MUCH DO FILLERS COST IN ST. LOUIS?
The cost of a dermal filler procedure will depend on the number of syringes of filler required to achieve the desired result. Multiple syringes are injected at a significant discount.
We will always discuss the cost of the procedure with you prior to any treatment.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR FILLER TREATMENT?
If you are over the age of 18, you are likely a candidate for a dermal filler treatment such as lip enhancement. The aging process that causes facial fat loss and results in wrinkles and hollows often begins in our mid to late 20s and becomes more noticeable in our 30s.
WHAT IS JUVEDERM VOLUMA™?
Juvederm Voluma™ is the most popular filler in the Juvederm™ product line and the number one filler worldwide. It is FDA approved for the treatment of volume loss in the cheeks and mid-face region. Voluma™ results are instant and nonsurgical, and it produces a natural lifting and shaping of the face that is long lasting — up to two years.
Dr. Ridenour uses a safe, quick and nearly painless technique that was shared with him by Brazilian expert Dr. Mauricio De Maio. Bruising and swelling are rare.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF DERMAL FILLERS?
The most frequent risk of the procedure is a minor imperfection such as bruising or a small bump or irregularity. Fortunately, these imperfections are usually temporary and are easily treated. More serious complications can occur if the filler is injected into a blood vessel around the face. We use techniques to minimize this risk and are always prepared to treat any complication.
WHAT IS DR. RIDENOUR’S EXPERIENCE WITH FILLERS?
Dr. Ridenour is an expert injector of extraordinary experience. He has over 20 years of experience with dermal fillers. He ranks in the top one percent of injectors in the U.S. based on experience and is considered a key thought leader by many companies.
DO YOU USE NURSE INJECTORS?
We have several very skilled nurse injectors who are available daily to provide comprehensive injection services.
WHICH INJECTABLE DERMAL FILLER IS RIGHT FOR ME?
The selection of a dermal filler depends on the age of the patient, the area to be treated, the depth of treatment and the goals of the procedure. Some fillers are ‘relatively hard’ and are used to amplify the bony structures of the face, such as the chin and the cheeks. Other filling agents are ‘softer’ and used to correct deflation closer to the surface of the skin in the lips, folds and wrinkles.
We use nearly every FDA approved of product on the US market, including Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse, Belotero and Artefill.
ARE DERMAL FILLERS BETTER THAN BOTOX?
Fillers and Botox work in different ways, and one is not necessarily better than the other. Fillers add volume to the skin, while Botox is known as a neuromodulator because it prevents the movement of facial muscles that cause wrinkles. They both treat wrinkles, but Botox is best for fine lines and wrinkles in the upper face like forehead lines, frown lines and crow’s feet. Fillers are best for treating signs of aging in the mid to lower face, and their results generally last longer than Botox.
Your individual areas of concern will determine which injectable treatment would be best for you.
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SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION FOR DERMAL FILLERS IN ST. LOUIS
At Ridenour Plastic Surgery, it’s our mission to help you feel confident, comfortable and beautiful in your own skin. To learn more about filling agents or schedule a consultation, contact board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Brock D. Ridenour and his team in St. Louis, Missouri, at (314) 501-7946 today.
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