Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are an increasingly popular choice for individuals seeking to lessen the wrinkles, lines, and volume loss that becomes apparent in the aging face. As we age, our skin gradually begins to lose its ability to stay firm, resist wrinkles, and maintain a more youthful volume and shape. Without surgery, dermal fillers can be used to counteract deep lines around the nose and mouth, thinning lips, and sagging cheeks.
How does this work? Simply put, by adding volume. All fillers are carefully injected into the area being treated, with the goal of achieving a natural, enhanced look that is very pleasing to the eye. This result can be achieved right away, with no downtime or special preparation required. Fillers can best be described as a thick liquid that maintains its integrity and shape once placed in the skin. Over time, the filler will gradually dissolve due to natural body processes. It’s important to note that while Botox® can also be used to treat wrinkles, Botox® and fillers are fundamentally different products.
At Glow, we offer a variety of dermal fillers to suit your individual needs. You may have heard or read that a dermal filler treatment hurts, or even had a less than comfortable treatment yourself. Don’t worry. We’ll make this a pleasant experience for you. We’ve taken a special interest in fillers, and pride ourselves on the many satisfying treatments we provide on a regular basis.
JUVÉDERM™
JUVÉDERM™ is a smooth gel filler made of hyaluronic acid (HA). Hyaluronic acid is a natural complex sugar found in all living cells, and one of the major components of the dermis connective tissue matrix. HA retains water like a sponge, attracting and maintaining water, hydrating your skin and increasing volume and density. JUVÉDERM™ gel is injected under the skin, restoring your skin's volume and smoothing away facial wrinkles and folds. This is a particularly attractive choice if you wish to add more definition and volume to your lips. You will notice a smooth and natural look and feel, right away!
JUVÉDERM™ is indicated for correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. JUVÉDERM™ is the only hyaluronic acid filler FDA approved to last up to 1 year and has little or no downtime.
RADIESSE®
RADIESSE® dermal filler is made of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel. The primary component is identical in composition to the mineral portion of bones and teeth. Upon injection, it immediately adds volume to safely contour and correct facial features. Beyond the immediate impact, RADIESSE® dermal filler continues to work over time. The microsphere technology starts a process called collagenesis, stimulating your body to produce new collagen and encouraging collagen to grow around the injection area. RADIESSE® dermal filler actually helps your body create its own naturally younger look. Results are immediate and may last up to a year or more for many patients. This is a particularly good choice if you are looking to restore volume to sagging cheeks or correct deep nasolabial folds.
PREVELLE™ Silk
PREVELLE™ Silk is a hyaluronic acid (HA) based filler that includes lidocaine for patient comfort. Utilizing all the benefits of HA, PREVELLE™ Silk offers increased comfort, soft and natural results, and little or no downtime. This product can be used for facial lines and folds just like any other dermal filler. While PREVELLE™ Silk does not last as long as our other fillers (3-6 months on average), its attractive price point makes it an excellent choice for the ‘first time’ filler patient.
See our before and after pictures here
Curious about a Dermal Filler Appointment?
Pre-Treatment Consultation
During your consultation, we will evaluate your medical history, establish your expectations, and confirm that you are a candidate for a dermal filler treatment. We'll determine the best areas to treat and dermal filler(s) to use, discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure, and answer any questions or concerns you may have. We ask that you avoid any medications that can prolong bleeding, such as aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), for at least a week prior to treatment in order to reduce the risk of bruising and bleeding at the injection site.
The Dermal Filler Procedure
Though not a requirement, we may use topical or injectable anesthesia to numb the treatment area prior to injecting. Some of the fillers we use contain anesthetic medicine. Once you are comfortable, we will inject the dermal filler under your skin to augment, or fill, wrinkles and folds. Following the injection, we may gently massage the treated areas. The injection itself usually takes only 5-10 minutes. The changes are immediate and can last 10 months or more depending on the dermal filler used. Supplemental “touch up” treatments may be required to achieve and maintain optimal results.
It is important to realize that the effect of dermal fillers is not permanent. As with all treatments, results may vary from one individual to the next.
Post-Treatment Information
You have the volume and smoothness you were looking for. What now? Enjoy your regular daily activities. After the treatment, you may notice some temporary injection-related reactions, including redness and swelling. You may also have some minor discomfort, and it is possible that you will have some bruising. These outcomes are temporary, if they occur at all. Some find that applying a cold pack for several minutes, on and off, after the treatment, can be soothing. You can resume your normal skin care routine the very same day.