What are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers help to diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness in the face.
As we age, our faces naturally lose subcutaneous fat. The facial muscles are then working closer to the skin surface, so smile lines and crow’s feet become more apparent.
The facial skin also stretches a bit, adding to this loss of facial volume. Other factors that affect the facial skin include sun exposure, heredity, and lifestyle.
Dermal fillers can be used to:
- Plump thin lips
- Enhance shallow contours
- Soften facial creases and wrinkles
- Improve the appearance of recessed scars
Dermal fillers can be very helpful to individuals with early signs of aging, or as an added process of facial rejuvenation surgery.
Radiesse, Juvederm, Voluma XC, Belotero Balance, Sculptra, Restylane, Restylane Silk, Perlane are just a few of the choices given to Dr. Calloway’s patients.
Candidates for Dermal Fillers
You may be a good candidate for dermal fillers if you:
- Are physically healthy
- Have a positive outlook and realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance
For some patients, surgery such as a facelift, brow lift, or eye lift may be the best choice. Dr. Calloway will review each procedure with you during a personal consultation. Non-surgical rejuvenation treatments, such as soft tissue fillers, cannot achieve the same results, but may help delay the time when consideration of a facelift becomes appropriate.
Types of Dermal Fillers
There are several different types of dermal fillers.
Dermal fillers differ in chemical make-up, longevity, and have varying degrees of softness. Softer fillers are used in the lips, for example, while sturdier fillers are more desirable to enhance cheekbones.
Your surgeon will determine with you the best type and volume of filler needed for your particular areas of concern.
For many people, the use of “off-the-shelf” fillers can be a simple office-based procedure that can nicely enhance their appearance. These dermal fillers are very predictable, and have relatively minimal risks and side effects. These fillers are injected in the Dr. Calloway’s office.
Dermal Fillers Procedure Steps
A dermal fillers procedure includes the following steps:
1 – Facial Assessment
If you choose to utilize packaged soft tissue fillers, Dr. Calloway will evaluate your facial appearance and skin tone and examine the areas of your face to be augmented.
Strategic points on your face may be marked as the appropriate injection sites for the filler. Photographs may be taken of the areas to be treated.
2 – Cleansing & Anesthetizing
The injection sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial agent.
Pain at the injection site may be ameliorated by use of a very cold instrument to chill the skin, anesthetic ointment to numb the skin, or injection of local anesthesia.
While not painless, the injections are usually easily tolerated.
Step 3 – The Injection
Injection usually takes only a few moments per site. The process of injecting, massaging, and evaluating the result is performed, and additional filler added as needed.
Depending on the number of areas to be treated, the whole process may be as short as 15 minutes, or as long as an hour.
Step 4 – Clean up & recovery
Once the results are deemed satisfactory, any markings will be cleansed off.
You may be offered an ice pack to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort. Although the area may feel a bit tender for a day or two, it is usually not painful enough to require any medication.*
*Results may vary.