How Do Facial Fillers Work?
Facial fillers replace collagen and fat that is lost by the skin as one ages. Fillers are injected to fill in wrinkles and facial depressions that usually come with age. Currently, there are a number of options for facial filler material and Dr. Lissauer can choose the best filler for the specific application that will provide the longest lasting solution.
The most popular fillers today are made from hyaluronic acid (Restylane@, Perlane@, Juvederm@, Voluma@). Hyaluronic acid is a clear gel that already exists in the human body. It attracts water, hydrating your skin. Hyaluronic acid fillers have been safely used internationally since 1996. Hyaluronic Acid is non-animal-based with a very low rate of allergic reaction.
Which Areas On The Face Can Be Treated?
Fillers are used to treat three specific areas on the face; superficial fine lines, facial folds and depressions, and facial volume loss.
Superficial lines, such as smile lines at the corners of the mouth or lip lines require the thinnest fillers. Restylane@ or Juvederm Ultra@ are examples of fillers offered to treat superficial lines.
If more volume replacement is required, fillers can be thicker and placed deeper. Medium thickness fillers, such as Juvederm Ultra Plus@ or Perlane@ are used for actual folds in the skin and deeper depressions like those that run from the corner of the nose to the edge of the mouth, naso-labial folds. Medium depth fillers are also effective for; Marionette lines that run downward from the corners of the mouth to the jaw, the outer corner of the eyebrow, or along the jaw line. Typically, thicker fillers last longer than the thinner, superficial fillers and generally last up to one year.
As the face ages, the cheeks become hollow and can sag. The thickest fillers are used for volume replacement of the face; those areas that need to be “plumped up” which can give a small lift as well. Juvederm Voluma@ is used for deep injections and can last up to two years.
Eyelid Filler Injections
Another filler application frequently used by Dr. Lissauer is lower eyelid filler injections. Dark Circles of the lower eyelids are sometimes caused by shadowing from bulging fat of the lower eyelid as well as depressions or hollowing beneath the bulging fat. These shadows and dark circles make a person look tired even when they are well rested. Filler injections to under eye hollows can decrease the shadowing and dark circles making one look more rested. A thin filler, such as Restylane@ is used for under eye filler injections and typically lasts greater than a year. Under eye fillers are very effective and sometimes can be used in combination with eyelid surgery.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lissauer regarding Facial Fillers please contact our New York office at: 212-717-2150 or contact us for an appointment.