Injectable fillers treat fine lines and wrinkles. Fillers like Botox paralyze the muscle that is contracting and causing the wrinkle. This smooths out the skin surface and reduces the appearance of the wrinkle. Fillers like Juvederm and Restalyne plump skin using collagen and peptides to “fill” wrinkled spots. The plumping action provides a more youthful look. Fillers are considered non-invasive cosmetic surgery, and are administered in a dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s office.
Before recommending fillers, your dermatologist will discuss your problems and gather your medical history. Warfarin, aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, St. John’s wort, and even garlic and ginger supplements can affect the results you see after receiving a filler. Be sure to mention everything.
Fillers can be safely and effectively injected in a dermatologist’s office. First, your skin is cleansed and the area may be iced or a topical anesthesia applied. Once the skin is ready, the filler is injected. Some people report feeling a stinging or burning sensation as the filler is injected. Most treatment sessions take 15 to 30 minutes.
If your own fat will be used to fill the area, the entire procedure can now often be completed in 1 day. This procedure requires removing fat from your own body, processing the fat so that it can be used as a filler, and then injecting the fat as a filler.
Redness and swelling afterward are normal. Some minor bruising also may be visible. To alleviate these, your dermatologist may recommend icing the area for 15 to 20 minutes before you leave. Makeup can usually be applied immediately after.
Some fillers such as poly-L-lactic acid require repeat treatments. Typically, treatments are given every 4 to 8 weeks until the desired outcome is achieved.