Learn More About Fillers
Restylane, Versa, Belotero
What are fillers?
Fillers are an injectable treatment option that is designed to decrease the signs of aging
Instead of affecting your facial muscles like Dysport, fillers plump up skin sections
The procedure replaces soft tissue and fills in wrinkles and skin folds
What is Restylane?
Restylane® is a family of high performance facial rejuvenation fillers
They made from simple sugars called hyaluronic acids that occur naturally in the body
Hyaluronic acids are found in almost every living thing and are essential for the body’s day-to-day functioning
When suspended in a gel-like material, such as Fillers, these sugars act to support the structures of the face; almost like an inflated cushion under the skin
The results are instantaneous and can last up to 6 months to 2 years
Who makes Restylane fillers?
Galderma, Inc., the same company that makes Dysport® cosmetic
Are Restylane injections painful?
Restylane® is mixed with lidocaine to prevent discomfort
Most patients are very comfortable and receive injections without the use of ice or topical numbing
Patients who compare receiving injections of both Dysport and Restylane generally say that fillers are less painful
What areas can Fillers treat?
Fillers can be used to treat a number of areas including:
smile lines (creases from the bottom of the nose to the chin)
tear troughs and eye hollows (darken areas underneath the eyes)
jaw, chin and lip augmentation
volume loss in the hands
When should I see the results of fillers?
While a noticeable result is instantaneous, patients will generally see more complete results after approximately 2 weeks
What are the side effects of Fillers?
Restylane® products (hyaluronic acid) are naturally occurring substances found in the body
Side effects are mostly due to the procedure and not the filler itself
These usually minor and self-limiting side effects range from redness, pain or tenderness, swelling, bruising, discoloration, lumps/bumps or itching at the injection site
What if I receive injections and do NOT like the results?
Most patients love the results however those that do not have typically not used enough product
If for some reason the results are not what you desire, fillers can be removed by injecting an enzyme to break it down
Do I need downtime for Filler injections?
While no downtime is required, patients should allow for the possibility of mild bruising and swelling following their injections
Is there anything I can do to reduce bruising from Filler injections?
Try to avoid fish oil, flax seed oil, multivitamins, NSAID’s such as Ibuprofen and alcohol (including beer wine and liquor) at least 72 hours before injections
Consult with your primary physician about stopping aspirin, coumadin or other blood-thinning medications as these medications increase the risk of bruising and should be stopped at least 7 days prior to your injections
An over the counter remedy that can help reduce bruising is Bromelain, which is a substance found in pineapple. Some patients eat pineapple or drink pineapple juice 2 days prior to injections
How much do Fillers cost?
Prices vary and cost per syringe, market price is $500-800/syringe depending on treatment area and product used (typical treatment involves 2-3 syringes.
How many syringes of Filler will I need?
This depends on the area that you would like treated
A little amount and a conservative approach to fillers can give a great result but best results are always seen with the appropriate amount for a given area in order to create the fuller, smoother look desired
What are the average number of syringes needed per area?
Tear troughs — 1-2 Syringes
Cheeks — 2-3 Syringes
Nasolabial folds — 1-2 Syringes
Marionette lines — 1-2 Syringes
Lips — 1-1.5 Syringes
What are care instructions after receiving treatment?
Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours, direct sunlight, excessive heat, and strenuous exercise
All of these activities cause additional bruising
If you develop a bruise it should resolve like any other bruise
It is ok to use cold compresses but direct skin contact with ice should be avoided
Any lumps, bumps, or small needle sticks should subside within a few hours
It is ok to cover the areas with makeup if needed
When should I follow up after my injections?
Call anytime for questions or concerns, however it is recommended to wait for two weeks prior to deciding if you need more treatment
Although extremely rare, follow up immediately if you develop intense pain, draining, or extreme heat at an injection site
This could be an infection or reaction to the filler itself
How long will my injections last?
Fillers can last from 6 months to 1 year, depending on your metabolism
Do NOT use Fillers if:
You have an active skin injection, including cold sores
Are pregnant or breast-feeding
Have had reactions to Juvéderm in the past
Have an allergy to lidocaine
Have a history of keloid scarring
What is Sculptra®?
Sculptra® is an injectable medication designed to provide patients with increased volume over time as a result of improved collagen production
The main ingredient, poly-L-lactic acid, stimulates one’s own natural collagen production.
The results are gradual and progressive, with full response at about 4-6 weeks
Sculptra® is an excellent alternative to fillers, providing a more gradual and natural change in volume over time, rather than the instantaneous result observed with fillers.
Sculptra® is most suitable for volume loss in and around the temples, jaw, cheeks and nasolabial folds
It should NOT be used around the mouth
Patients who have failed other fillers in the past are also excellent candidates for this treatment.
Who makes Sculptra®?
Sculptra® is made by Galderma
Is Sculptra® safe?
There are always risks and potential side effects however Sculptra® has a very low side effect profile and people tolerate the injections very well
Is it painful?
Sculptra® is usually mixed with lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to minimize any discomfort.
In cases where Lidocaine is NOT added because of an allergy, a cold compress prior to injections can be used to help minimize discomfort
How much will I need?
Patients wanting a conservative approach, treating just one area such as temples or cheeks should expect to use ½ vial per side of the face, repeated 3-4 times to achieve the best result
For the best result, one vial is used for each side of the face covering temples, cheeks, nasal labial folds, marionette lines and jawlines
Therefore, most patients will have 2 vials per treatment repeated 3-4 times to achieve the best result
How long does the procedure take?
Treatment generally takes 15-30 minutes
How long will results last?
Upon completion of full treatment, results can last up to two years
How much downtime will I need?
Patients should always expect bruising and swelling after the procedure
Many patients generally have no bruising, a week of downtime is recommended, as some patients require more time than others.
A good general rule is to give yourself at least a weekend to recover NEVER undergo these injections prior to important events
How often are injections repeated?
For the best results, 3-4 treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart
What are the side effects?
Side effects might include, but are not limited to, soreness at the injections site, bruising, bleeding, swelling and itching
Some patients can form small lumps called granulomas
These small lumps may be noticeable when pressing on the treated area
Rarely, some report larger lumps with a delayed onset and discolorations after receiving treatments
What can I do to reduce the risk of bruising?
Patients should try to avoid fish oil, flax seed oil, multivitamins, NSAID’s such as Ibuprofen and alcohol (including beer wine and liquor) at least 72 hours before injections
Consult with your primary physician about stopping aspirin, coumadin or other blood-thinning medications as these medications increase the risk of bruising and should be stopped at least 7 days prior to your injections
An Over-the-counter remedy that can help reduce bruising is Bromelain, which is substance found in pineapples and helps prevent bruising. Some eat pineapple or drink pineapple juice 2 days before receiving in injections.
What are my instructions following Sculptra® injections?
Following treatment patients may use cold compresses on the skin to minimize swelling
Direct skin contact with ice should be avoided
Patients must massage the treated areas for 5 minutes, 5 times a day for 5 days.
The 5:5:5 Rule is important to reduce any granulomas (small lumps under the skin)
Patients should reduce the amount of UV exposure and wear a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher for at least a week following treatments
Report any concerns or questions immediately.
How much does Sculptra® cost?
Sculptra® costs varies and priced per syringe, market price is $600-800 per syringe
Most patients require 2 vials per treatment repeated 3-4 times to achieve the best result; approximately $1400 per treatment x 3-4 treatments over 4-6 weeks
2nd treatment must be done within 1 month of 1st treatment