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Dermal Fillers

What is dermal filler? 

The Filler is a copy of a naturally-occurring sugar in your skin, also known as hyaluronic acid (HA). The role of HA in the skin is to deliver nutrients, hydrate the skin by holding in water, and to act as a cushioning agent and when injected into the facial tissue can improve structure and volume.  It is very effective at gently easing out lines and creases that can appear with age. Correction with dermal filler is temporary; therefore, repeat injections are usually needed to maintain optimal results. 

What can I expect during my filler appointment? 

After a thorough consultation and approved treatment plan, topical anesthetic will be applied to treatment areas. Most dermal fillers incorporate a local anesthetic to make the experience as comfortable as possible, but most injections are easily tolerated.  

All dermal fillers offered are FDA approved and include: 

JUVEDERM (Ultra XC, Ultra Plus XC, Volbella, Vollure, and Voluma XC)

RESTALYNE (Classic, Lyft, Contour, Refyne, Defyne, and Kysse) are colorless hyaluronic acid gels that are injected into the facial tissue to smooth wrinkles and folds

How do dermal fillers work? 

Dermal filler is injected directly under the skin using a fine needle or cannula. Most fillers incorporate a local anesthetic that improves comfort during treatment. Fillers replace lost volume that occurs with the natural aging process.  

How long do dermal fillers last? 

Depending on your treatment area and goals, we will help you choose the best filler. Dermal fillers can last for 6 to 9 months or up to 2 years. The addition of neurotoxin treatments can improve the longevity.  

Who should avoid dermal filler? 

Women who are pregnant and/or breast-feeding, people with severe allergies or a history of anaphylaxis and consumers of blood thinning medications such as Warfarin or Heparin.

To reduce bruising and bleeding, a week before treatment avoid aspirin, Excedrin, Aleve, fish oil, ibuprofen, Vitamin E and alcohol consumption.

We recommend waiting a minimum of 2 weeks from 2nd COVID vaccination or booster, before receiving dermal filler.

Are there any side effects of Dermal Filler? 

Most possible side effects are related to the action of injecting the skin, not the product itself. These include: redness, bruising, swelling, itching, tenderness around injection site and potential lumps in the treated area. These can be reduced by ice and massage. If you are prone to cold sores, there is a small chance that one will occur following a lip enhancement.  

  • Vascular Occlusion: In very rare instances (1 in 15,000) blood supply can be disrupted. Although treatable, it requires emergent management and may result in damage to tissue and scarring.  

What is the recovery time following filler treatment? 
Essentially there is no recovery time with dermal filler injections, however timing of treatment should be considered if patient has upcoming special events. Patients should avoid excessive alcohol, exercise or sun for the first 24 hours. 

Common Treatment areas: 

  • Cheeks (Mid-face) 
  • Lips 
  • Smile Lines 
  • Chin 

Injectables: Botox, Dysport, & Jeuveau

What is a Neurotoxin?

Neurotoxins are injectable with an active ingredient that has been used medically for many years to treat numerous medical conditions, including muscle spasms. The ingredient, a purified form of a protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, hinders or decreases a muscle’s ability to contract. 

How Do Neurotoxins work?  

Neurotoxins prevents motion in facial muscles associated with what are known as “static wrinkles.” These wrinkles typically are deeper with expression and over time become more visible with or without expression. Neurotoxins can relax muscles and allow skin to recover and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, neurotoxins are used in combination with dermal fillers to extend the longevity of the fillers in certain areas of the face. 

What can neurotoxins treat? 

Flines and wrinkles between the brows (frown lines), fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet), horizontal forehead wrinkles, and fine lines around the mouth. It is also a treatment of choice for eyebrow shaping and enhancement, brow lifting, facial sculpting, and diminishing underarm sweating. Neurotoxin forces muscles to stay at rest, it can also be used for the prevention of lines by relaxing muscles early so that they cannot contribute to deeper wrinkles in the future.  

What can I expect during my neurotoxin appointment? 

Using a very fine needle, a precise amount of the protein is injected into the facial muscles that are causing the wrinkles or into the targeted muscles to achieve lifting effects. Most people report that the injections are not painful. You may experience bruising at injections sites, but there is no downtime.  

How Long Does Neurotoxin last? 

Results typically last three to four months, depending on where it is injected. The ideal time for another treatment is when muscle activity has begun to return, but wrinkles have not yet begun to be visible again. Many people choose to receive treatments at least 3-4 times a year. After your injections, you will see gradual improvement for up to two weeks, with most of the beneficial effects visible within the first week. This allows the effects to be subtle, so that all anyone will notice is that you look rejuvenated.  

What Is Recovery After a Neurotoxin Injection Like? 

You can go back to your daily life immediately after a Neurotoxin treatment. You can even apply makeup right away. In some cases, mild tenderness or bruising may result for a day or two after an injection. The only precaution we recommend is to avoid touching or manipulating the injection areas for a couple of days and avoiding strenuous exercise for up to 24 hours. While no procedure is without risks, this injectable has been used successfully for many years, and Neurotoxin side effects for aesthetic uses are very rare. 

What Complements a Neurotoxin Treatment? 

While Neurotoxins are ideally suited for smoothing out wrinkles, other treatments are necessary for anyone seeking to add volume, fade dark spots, reduce large pores, or create a glow. Patients who want intentional rejuvenation can choose from dermal fillers, micro-channeling, chemical peels, dermaplance, and using high quality skincare products. A balanced diet that includes nutraceuticals and exercise are also essential elements of overall good health.  

ANTI-WRINKLE TREATMENT (Botox, Dysport, Jeaveau) 

  • Face (Frown lines, horizontal forehead, and Crows feet) 
  • Brow lift 
  • Gummy Smile 
  • Dimpled Chin 
  • Bunny Lines 
  • Peri-oral lines 

Sculptra® Aesthetic

The Basics

  • Sculptra® is a temporary, injectable filler.
  • The treatment can be used to treat static lines and wrinkles in the lower face.
  • Sculptra® can be used to restore and improve the appearance of facial features as well.
  • It might take weeks, months, or even years for the effects of therapy to manifest. The body’s natural collagen synthesis must be stimulated.
  • Results can last for up to two years.

Why Do Patients Choose Sculptra®?

Sculptra® Aesthetic is a medical treatment that aims to restore lost collagen in the mid-to-lower face and chin region. Patients choose the product to treat early indications of aging such as wrinkles, creases, and folds in the lower face, hollow cheeks, sunken eyes, and indentations on the skin. Sculptra® injectable filler differs from other fillers on the market in that it gradually replaces lost collagen beneath the skin’s surface over time for longer-lasting results.

Sculptra® is a non-surgical option for those who are not yet ready for a surgical procedure such as a facelift or whose problems are not severe enough to justify one. When patients choose treatment with Sculptra®, they may obtain an improved look without the use of incisions or downtime.

How Does It Work?

Sculptra® is a procedure that uses a chemical solution to stimulate the body’s collagen growth, causing minor volume loss as a result. Unlike other dermal fillers, Sculptra® results may last up to two years or longer. By producing natural collagen and aging with you, Sculptra® treatments restore a natural fullness to the face and help improve appearance. To get optimal long-term effects, most people require 2-3 Sculptra® injections, which should be spaced 6-8 weeks apart.

Sculptra® Treatment With Your Own Personalization

Prior to treatment, one of our nurse injectors or plastic surgeons will meet with you to go over your concerns and objectives, as well as evaluate your face in order to see if Sculptra® is the best option. To reduce discomfort, a numbing cream may be used on the regions being treated. Sculptra® is injected beneath the skin’s surface where there is visible volume loss using a small needle. After treatment, your injector may need to gently massage the region. The whole procedure takes between 20 and 30 minutes, depending on how many areas are being injected. A typical session lasts around 20-30 minutes.

Post-Treatment Recommendations

Sculptra® is a nonsurgical procedure that allows patients to resume their daily routine as soon as possible. However, following these suggestions might assist patients in achieving maximum comfort:

  • Apply ice to the region to minimize edema.
  • Do not massage or exfoliate the affected region.
  • After treatment, don’t exercise excessively for the first 24 hours.

Your Sculptra® Results

You will not see immediate results following your treatment. Sculptra® creates new collagen growth, which over time will increase volume under the skin’s surface. Results may not be visible for a few months. The number of overall treatments you need will be determined by your goals and the advice of your injector. Redness, discomfort, little swelling or bruising, and minor tenderness are all possible post-treatment symptoms that go away in a few hours to a few days.

Sculptra® has been shown in clinical studies to last up to 2 years or more in some patients with the correct number of treatments. Patients may have a touch-up treatment after Sculptra® dissolves to keep their collagen production levels up.

Additional Treatment Options

Patients are sometimes injected with a dermal filler at the same time as Sculptra®. While patients wait for the Sculptra® treatments to gradually take effect, a dermal filler will give immediate relief. This approach is referred to as “layering.” During your examination, we can go into further detail about this technique.

Sculptra® can enhance the skin by stimulating new collagen formation, but signs of aging will return when treatment is stopped. If more severe symptoms of aging develop, patients may opt for a surgical procedure such as a facelift or brow rejuvenation to improve sagging and smooth the skin.

Your Sculptra® Consultation At Intentional Aesthetics and Wellness

If you’re looking for the best outcomes from your Sculptra® treatment, only hire a qualified and experienced injector. Our professional injectors will meet with you to verify that you are a candidate for treatment or suggest another alternative.

Book a Consultation to learn about our injection therapies, such as Sculptra®, or to book an appointment, contact our office at 720-892-5054