Fillers

As we age, our skin ages and changes. Often we get the “tired look”,  loss of elasticity and volume. Most people often do not adequately appreciate the degree and significance of their facial volume loss.

Here are some of facial changes as a result of aging process:

• Years of expression like frowning and smiling causes wrinkles to form on the forehead, around the mouth, and around the eyes.

• The skin loses elasticity, hydration and firmness due to degradation of collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid and other components of the skin.

• Years of sun exposure and gravity aggravate lines, wrinkles and  abnormal pigmentation.

• Natural fat pads under the skin which provide fullness on the cheeks, temples and around the eyes shrink and diminish significantly.

• Bone density decreases and the structure of the face becomes more hollow.

As a result the face appears saggy, fullness under the chin increases (double chin), jawline definition diminishes, excess of the skin appears around the jowl, folds and lines appear around the mouth, the eyes and on the forehead. The above changes result in less youthful, less attractive and tired looking face.

However, it is possible to use some of the best known, and advanced, non-surgical lifting injections and techniques to rejuvenate facial appearance. We do so by using fillers that diminish the fine lines and wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring sugar found in the body, is the most common ingredient of dermal fillers. When injected under the skin it absorbs water and expands. It has a tenting effect and compensates for the loss of volume due to aging.

Different manufacturers produce commercially available products such as Juvederm®,Restylane®, Emervel®,Stylage®, Radiesse®. Each brand has a full range of products. Most of them contain local anesthetic lidocaine to reduce discomfort during injection. Dermal fillers can be used to improve the sunken areas on the back of the hands, as well.

Injecting dermal fillers is not just pushing a product under the skin. Many factors should be considered. First we review what defect is of concern to you and what are your goals or expectations regarding the degree of correction and product longevity. Most hyaluronic acid based fillers last 9 to 12 months. The second step is to assess the underlying anatomy of what is producing the “wrinkle”.  A distinction must be made between dynamic versus static lines as well as cutaneous changes due to photodamage versus those due to chronologic aging and gravity.

The goal is to achieve a natural looking result. 

In order to achieve the desired result and avoid potential side effects, knowledge of the static and dynamic anatomy of the face is essential. At Bronte Dermatology & Laser Clinic, you can trust that the physician handling your injection has not only the experience, but the knowledge to do so effectively and safely.

You can have peace of mind that your treatment will not be delegated to an assistant and is performed by the physician.