Dermal fillers, also known as injectable fillers, are a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that can restore volume to the face, alter contours and soften scars and wrinkles, giving the face a more youthful appearance.
Fillers remain one of the most popular cosmetic procedures because of the immediate results, very few risks, and very little downtime.
As we age, our facial appearance changes due to a loss of facial fat and other factors. A loss of facial fat can cause thin lips, shallow contours, wrinkles, creases, and textured scars. Without this extra fat, the facial muscles become more prevalent in some areas, while other areas lack volume.
The passage of time leaves its mark on our skin. As we age, the volume and elasticity of our skin can decrease, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and a loss of facial contour. At Anne Arundel ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, we offer the innovative solution of dermal fillers designed to restore your skin’s natural volume and youthful glow.
Did You Know?
Although dermal fillers are all similar in the results they produce, they all vary slightly in their formulation, viscosity, and longevity. For this reason, your doctor will recommend a specific dermal filler that will work best for your needs.
Restore Youthful Volume
Visible Signs of Aging Include
- Deep-set wrinkles and fine lines: Over time, repetitive facial expressions, sun exposure, and decreased skin elasticity can lead to pronounced wrinkles and delicate lines that mar the skin’s smoothness. These are particularly evident in areas that move often, such as the forehead, between the eyebrows, and around the eyes.
- Loss of volume in cheeks or lips: With age, the natural fat that contours our face diminishes, leading to a less plump and youthful appearance. This is especially notable in the cheeks, which may appear sunken, and the lips, which can lose their fullness and definition.
- Hollows under the eyes: Age can also thin the delicate skin below the eyes. This, coupled with the loss of subcutaneous fat, can lead to a shadowed, hollowed appearance, often called “tear troughs,” making one look perpetually fatigued.
- Sagging or drooping skin: As collagen and elastin production slows down, the skin’s support network weakens, leading to a loss of firmness and elasticity. This can result in sagging skin, especially around the jowls, neckline, and eyebrows.
- Deep creases around the mouth and nose: Known as nasolabial folds or “laugh lines,” these creases run from the nose’s side to the mouth’s corner. With the natural decrease in facial volume and skin elasticity, these folds can become more prominent, adding years to one’s appearance.
Why Dermal Fillers Are Needed
Our skin’s natural collagen production decreases as we age. Dermal fillers address this by reintroducing volume to the face, smoothing out wrinkles, and providing a firmer, more youthful appearance. Beyond age-related concerns, they can also enhance facial features like lips and cheekbones, granting a natural, rejuvenated look. Unlike surgical options, dermal fillers offer a minimally invasive solution with little to no downtime.
Treatment Process at AAENT
Consultation: This initial step involves a thorough and personalized discussion with our expert doctor. During this session, we prioritize understanding your unique concerns, aesthetic goals, and any questions you might have. It's an opportunity for us to get a clear picture of the results you're envisioning.
Selection: Our doctor delves into our assortment of premium dermal fillers after consultation. The most suitable filler is handpicked based on your skin type, the areas you wish to target, and the desired outcome. This ensures compatibility and aims for optimal results tailored just for you.
Preparation: Before the procedure begins, the specific area set for treatment is meticulously cleaned to prevent any infections. A topical anesthetic can be applied for those who may be anxious about the sensation or discomfort. This ensures that the process is as comfortable and pain-free as possible for our patients.
Injection: With years of experience and a keen eye for detail, our doctor artistically injects the chosen dermal filler. This step is executed with utmost precision, ensuring the filler is distributed evenly for a natural and harmonious appearance. The depth and volume of the injection are customized based on the area and the patient's preference.
Post-Treatment Care: After the procedure, our responsibility doesn't end. We'll provide you with a set of aftercare instructions to ensure the results' longevity and minimize any potential side effects. These guidelines cover everything from skincare routines to potential follow-up sessions, ensuring that your journey to rejuvenation is smooth and satisfactory.
Preserving Your Skin’s Vitality
- To enhance and extend the results of dermal fillers:
- Avoid direct sun exposure and wear sunscreen
- Maintain a skincare routine that includes moisturizing and exfoliating.
- Refrain from smoking, as it accelerates skin aging.
- Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced diet.
Outlook Post Dermal Filler Treatment
Patients frequently express a renewed sense of self-assurance after undergoing a dermal filler treatment at AAENT. This newfound confidence stems from the immediate and transformative results that provide a youthful and refreshed look. The duration of these effects can span from several months to even years, based on the specific filler used and individual factors.
To sustain and build upon this revitalized appearance, periodic touch-up sessions are recommended. These follow-up treatments not only help maintain the initial results but can also refine and enhance them, ensuring a consistently radiant and vibrant look.
What are some of the Dermal Fillers that are offered at Severn River MediSpa?
The Juvederm line:
JUVÉDERM® is the #1 selling collection of hyaluronic acid fillers in the U.S. Each product in the JUVÉDERM® Collection of Fillers adds volume to a different area of the face—without surgery. All JUVÉDERM® fillers are smooth, crystal-clear gels that are administered by injection in your aesthetic healthcare provider’s office.
The JUVÉDERM product line includes three fillers to add volume to different areas of the face – VOLUMA®XC for the cheek and chin area, VOLBELLA® XC for the lips, and JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC to soften the wrinkles and fold around the nose and mouth.
Dermal fillers can remove deep lines and creases on the face. They can also be used to restore youthful volume to the face. Though dermal fillers cannot stop the aging process, they can take many years off the face by rejuvenating areas of lost volume.
How Your Skin Can Change
- Add volume to depressed areas
- Plump up the lips
- Reduce creases between cheeks & lips
- Smooth wrinkles
- Improve the appearance of scars
Revanesse Versa
REVANESSE® VERSA™ is a hyaluronic acid filler that can be used to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, including nasolabial folds. It is unique in that it is offered in a 1.2 ml syringe, and it may be a more cost effective option. It is also an excellent option for lip enhancement, and some have experienced less swelling, and a more optimal result.
The RHA Collection, Teoxane:
The RHA Collection of fillers, developed in Switzerland, is unique in that it is designed for facial dynamics.
Designed to adapt seamlessly to the dynamic demands of the face to achieve a natural look. The RHA® Collection is made with a gentle manufacturing process. This gentle process helps preserve the natural structure of the hyaluronic acid, allowing it to more closely resemble the natural hyaluronic acid in your skin. It has a more flexible feel and moves more naturally with your face. There are three formulations in the RHA® Collection.
Laura’s dynamic wrinkles and folds in her lower face were improved with 1.0 mL of RHA® 2, 2.0 mL of RHA® 3 and 1.0 mL of RHA® 4. Images captured before and one week after treatment. Results may vary.
Juvederm
Juvederm is made from hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance found in the human body used to improve the skin’s contour and elasticity. Juvederm is commonly used to treat: acne scars, some facial scars, facial fine lines, and cheek depressions.
Juvederm Ultra Plus
Information coming soon!
Voluma
Information coming soon!
Volbella
Information coming soon!
Revanesse
Information coming soon!
Versa
Information coming soon!
Teoxane
Information coming soon!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are Dermal Fillers?
A: Dermal fillers are a non-invasive option to restore fullness, smoothness and a natural youthful appearance to the face, with very little downtime in comparison to face-lift surgery. Results are immediate. Sometimes, it is called a liquid facelift. The effects last between 18-24 months.
Different dermal fillers have different formulations, duration of benefit, and different viscosity. Therefore, some types work better for different parts of the face and for different purposes. The main ingredient, however, is a modified form of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance in our skin and body. It naturally and safely biodegrades over time, and injections can be repeated.
Q: How and where can Dermal Fillers be helpful?
A:
- Filling out hollow areas in the cheeks
- Restoring volume and definition to the lips
- Eliminating nasolabial folds and marionette folds
Q: What is the treatment experience like?
A: This is treatment is done in the office. Actual treatment with JUVÉDERM® injectable gels can take 15 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on which area of your face is being treated.JUVÉDERM® injectable gels labeled with “XC” contain pain-reducing lidocaine to help manage pain or discomfort during the injection. Ice and cold compresses can help with the immediate swelling or bruising at the injection site, but downtime is minimal, and generally these symptoms dissipate over a week to 10 days.
Q: When can I expect results and how long do they last?
A: Immediate results. Depending on the formula, results can last between 12 and 24 months. Typically, results can last from several months to a couple of years. Regular touch-ups can help maintain the desired look.
Q: Are there any reasons I shouldn’t receive dermal fillers?
A: Do not receive fillers if you have a history of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), or if you are allergic to lidocaine or the proteins (Gram-positive bacterial proteins) used to make hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable gel fillers. Drs. Kleiman and Wachal will take a careful medical history, discuss any contraindications, and determine if this is a safe procedure for you.
Q: Are there any side effects or downtime with dermal fillers?
A: Most side effects are mild and temporary, such as redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. Dermal fillers are minimally invasive, so there’s minimal to no downtime. However, it’s advised to avoid strenuous activities for a day post-treatment.
Embrace a Younger You
Dermal fillers are not just about addressing the signs of aging but celebrating and enhancing your natural beauty. At Anne Arundel ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, we pride ourselves on personalized treatments, ensuring every patient walks away feeling their absolute best. Ready to take the next step in your skin journey? Reach out to us at (410) 573-9191 and let’s craft your rejuvenation plan together.
address early signs of aging
What to Expect
Local or general anesthesia will be given to keep you comfortable and relaxed.
Your skin will also be marked and cleaned where the injections will be placed.
Then, you can expect to receive a series of injections in the treatment areas.
Depending on the number of injections, the procedure can take anywhere from 15 minutes to around an hour.
Recovery Process
- You will be able to return home within the same day
- No downtime
- Can return to work immediately
- Need to refrain from strenuous activities for 24-48 hours
By addressing signs of aging and adding youthful volume to the face, dermal fillers can easily take years off of your appearance. When used properly, your face will have a natural and youthful appearance. Although dermal fillers cannot stop the aging process, they will help you look years younger.
