Injectable Fillers
Surgical procedures are not the only method of achieving facial enhancement. Wrinkle therapies involve a wide variety of non-surgical facial procedures designed to give you a more vibrant, youthful look with minimal downtime. Most wrinkle therapies involve the use of injectable soft tissue filler materials such as Restylane®, Perlane®, JUVÉDERM®, Artefill® and Radiesse® that can plump out or erase unwanted deep creases and wrinkles. For instance, the inevitable deep smile crease that can develop between the cheek and the mouth is especially well suited for this type of treatment. Wrinkle therapy involves a quick office-based procedure that gives you immediate results without the downsides of a prolonged surgical recovery.
Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM®
Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM® are very popular choices for many patients looking to erase unwanted wrinkles or lines. In addition, they can be used to effectively enhance volume-deficient areas of the face, such as the lips and cheeks. Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM® are predominantly made of hyaluronic acid, which is a natural substance found in the body. Hyaluronic acid is highly attracted to water and binds moisture with great affinity. This feature gives the injectables their ability to fill in wrinkles and creases by bringing water to the area of concern, allowing for a soft, supple enhancement that looks very natural. Additionally, these fillers have a very low side effect profile. In our experience a very small percentage of patients will develop bruising or swelling at the treatment site lasting beyond 24 hours. The vast majority of people who are treated are thrilled with the results and appreciate the immediate return to their busy schedule. There have been a few reports of hypersensitivity reactions, but because it is so unlikely, the FDA does not require skin testing of patients.
Because Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM® have been proven to last longer than collagen (6-12 months), they have essentially replaced collagen as one of the primary wrinkle therapies.
Most candidates for Restylane®, Perlane®, or JUVÉDERM® injections are concerned with unwanted facial creases, moderately deep wrinkles, or desire enhanced skin hydration and smoothness. Skinvive by Juvederm, specifically, is renowned for improving skin smoothness, predominantly in the cheek area, and reinforcing the skin’s natural hydration process. One of the most popular areas for treatment is the nasolabial fold, or smile line, that is formed by the border of the cheek and upper lip. Other patients elect to have one of our fillers to simply enhance or sculpt the overall shape of the face in a minimally invasive, nonsurgical manner. Many of these patients are unhappy with areas of the face that appear excessively hollowed, flat or deflated, such as the upper and lower lips. Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM® may also be used to contour enhancement of the lower eyelids, cheeks and jowl region to mimic a non-surgical facelift. Performed in the office setting, Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM® treatment usually takes less than fifteen minutes to complete. Topical anesthesia with or without a nerve block may be administered to maximize comfort during the procedure. More recently, all three products have been offered with numbing medication pre-mixed into the filler, which has made a significant improvement in patient comfort.
Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM® FAQs
These fillers are predominantly made of hyaluronic acid. This is a natural substance found in the body that is highly attracted to water and binds moisture with great ease. As such, Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM® can fill in wrinkles and creases by bringing water (and therefore volume) to the area of concern, allowing for a soft, supple and very natural-looking enhancement.
Most candidates for Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM® injection are looking to improve unwanted facial creases and moderately deep wrinkles.
Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM® treatments are performed in the office setting.
Topical anesthesia with or without a nerve block may be used for the Restylane®, Perlane®, and JUVÉDERM® injection to maximize the patient’s comfort.
Case Study
To see a case example of Restylane® injection for lower eyelid enhancement, please use the link below.
Restylane® Refyne and Defyne
Restylane® Refyne and Restylane® Defyne are two innovative dermal fillers that are ideal for the treatment of lines and wrinkles. Refyne and Defyne are especially effective for softening nasolabial folds, often known as laugh lines or marionette lines. These injectable fillers are known as “flexible fillers” because they utilize XpresHAn Technology™ with specially formulated hyaluronic acid to deliver results that will rejuvenate and refresh your appearance without stiffness, so your facial expressions remain natural-looking.
Restylane® Refyne is well-suited for patients with mild to moderate laugh lines, who can experience a more youthful looking appearance as the Refyne formula fills in laugh lines to restore smoothness between the mouth, nose, and cheeks. Restylane® Defyne contains special cross-linking gel to provide additional support for deep lines and wrinkles. Patients with naturally deep laugh lines, as well as those who have lost significant skin elasticity with age, can benefit from Defyne’s ability to restore lost volume for a more youthful appearance. Both Refyne and Defyne can be administered in the office and requires no downtime, so patients can typically resume their usual routine after their injection procedure.
Restylane® Refyne and Defyne FAQs
The primary ingredient is Hyaluronic Acid (HA) which is a hydrating element found naturally in the body. These injectables also contain lidocaine, which is a numbing agent.
Patients should be 21 or older and seeking treatment for smile lines or other nasolabial creases or wrinkles. Restylane is not appropriate for patients who are allergic to hyaluronic acid or lidocaine.
Most patients report little to no pain during the quick injection. The Refyne and Defyne formulas contain lidocaine, a numbing ingredient, and an additional topical anesthetic may be used to minimize any discomfort.
Results typically last approximately 12 months, at which time the injection procedure may be repeated.
Patient 1
Volume augmentation with Renuva to help restore proper fat contours in the midface region. A total of 2 syringes were used in this case – one on each side.
View Case
Patient 19
Example of how some filler injection treatments can literally give you smoother looking skin. This is an example of how Restylane injections around the jowl and cheek can help improve wrinkled skin in this older, female patient.
View CaseRestylane® Contour
Over time, we lose collagen, elasticity, and fat that contributes to facial contour. In general, by age 35, most individuals have lost approximately 10% of their facial fat and will continue to lose 10% every year thereafter. If you’ve found that your cheeks have begun to sag with age, Restylane® Contour is an ideal facial filler for cheek enhancement and correcting other midface contour concerns. Restylane® Contour is made with XpresHAn Technology’s™ cross-linking gel, an advanced formulation clinically proven to provide precise, natural-looking, and beautiful results.
Restylane® Contour FAQs
Like all formulations in the Restylane family, Restylane® Contour is composed primarily of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in the body. HA deeply hydrates tissues and keeps them looking moist and plump. Restylane® Contour also contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic.
Restylane® Contour injections are performed in our beautiful and comfortable outpatient cosmetic treatment rooms.
Restylane® Contour is for patients over the age of 21 who are looking for cheekbone enhancement or to build out the volume in the mid-face. Restylane® Contour should not be used by those with severe allergic reactions to any of its ingredients.
A topical numbing agent is often applied during a Restylane® Contour treatment to reduce any discomfort.
Restylane® Kysse
As we age, our lips naturally lose the color, volume, and elasticity that contribute to a radiant and youthful appearance. Restylane® Kysse is a lip filler that combats these signs of aging by working to enhance lip color, add volume, and smooth upper lip lines for up to one year. Specifically designed for flexible movement of the lips to allow a full range of expressions, Restylane® Kysse is made with XpresHAn Technology’s™ innovative cross-linking gel for precise, beautiful and natural-looking results.
Restylane® Kysse FAQs
The primary ingredient in Restylane® Kysse is Hyaluronic Acid (HA), a substance produced naturally in the body that’s main function is to keep your tissues lubricated and moist. Restylane® Kysse also contains the numbing agent lidocaine.
The Restylane® Kysse injection is performed in a comfortable and convenient outpatient office setting.
Patients over the age of 21 who are seeking treatment for lip augmentation and/or the correction of upper perioral wrinkles.
Dr. Hilinski may apply a topical anesthesia with or without a nerve block during the Restylane® Kysse injection to minimize any discomfort.
JUVÉDERM® VOLUX™ XC
JUVÉDERM® VOLUX™ XC is designed for facial contouring and augmentation. It is the only FDA-approved hyaluronic acid filler specifically intended to improve definition in the chin and jawline, providing a more sculpted and youthful appearance to the lower face. The “XC” in the product name indicates that it contains lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to help minimize discomfort during the injection process.
Bellafill®
(Previously Know as Artefill®)
Bellafill® (Artefill®) is an alternative to other fillers that can also be used for treating unwanted facial lines and volume deficiencies. Unlike other injectable fillers, Bellafill® is non-absorbable. In fact, it is currently the only FDA-approved filler that is considered to provide a more permanent result when compared to other dermal filler products. Bellafill® is comprised of micro beads of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) suspended in a collagen paste. The PMMA is the permanent, non-absorbable component of the filler. The collagen is used as a carrier that allows the PMMA to be injected much like other fillers. Once placed, the collagen component of Bellafill® dissolves away as your body’s own collagen is laid down around the PMMA crystals. This results in a natural, non-absorbable matrix that provides a permanent volume enhancement to your face. Because the collagen within Bellafill® is generated from a bovine source, skin testing is required prior to treatment.
Most patients seeking Bellafill® injection have similar concerns as those looking to have Restylane®, Perlane®, JUVÉDERM® and Radiesse® treatment. This includes undesirable facial creases and deep lines. For instance, the FDA approved Bellafill® injection for treatment of the nasolabial fold, or smile line. Like other fillers, Bellafill® is also used off label for enhancement of volume deficient areas like the cheek, lower eyelid and chin/prejowl region. Unfortunately, Bellafill® is not well tolerated when placed into the lip. Therefore, Bellafill® should not be used for lip enhancement. Bellafill® was one of the first available injectable fillers that came premanufactured with lidocaine, or numbing medicine, contained within the product. This provides patients fairly immediate control of the mild discomfort that would otherwise be associated with the treatment process.
Bellafill® FAQs
Bellafill® is the only FDA approved non-absorbable, or permanent, injectable filler available in the United States. Just like other injectable fillers, Bellafill® is considered an office-based treatment to address unwanted facial creases and deep wrinkles. This is accomplished by augmenting the underlying soft tissue immediately below the unwanted crease or wrinkle. Bellafill® is also used to recontour the face in a non-surgical manner as a substitute for more invasive procedures.
Bellafill® is primarily comprised of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads suspended in a collagen paste. The PMMA beads are finely engineered to be of uniform size and shape, which limits the chances of an unwanted reaction by your body. Once injected, the collagen component of the Bellafill® dissolves away leaving the permanent PMMA beads in their place. In the meantime, your body replaces the lost collagen with its own collagen. The end result is a permanent matrix of your own body’s collagen tissue mixed with the PMMA beads that provides you with a non-absorbable cosmetic enhancement.
The Bellafill® injection is performed in the office setting in a fashion very similar to other injectable fillers.
The only anesthesia I use for Bellafill® injection is that contained within the Bellafill® syringe. It happens to come premixed with an anesthetic contained within the filler, which makes for a very comfortable treatment session.
Radiesse®
Radiesse® (formerly known as Radiance FN) is an alternative to Restylane® for treating certain areas of the face. Radiesse® is composed of tiny crystals containing calcium hydroxyapatite, which is a naturally occurring substance in the human body. However, it is synthetic, which means it is not derived from human or animal tissue. Therefore, there is no risk of infectious transmission. Radiesse® is an ideal treatment for deep lines, wrinkles, and certain types of acne scarring. In addition, Radiesse® can be used to recontour or sculpt certain areas of the face as indicated in the adjacent photo diagram. Radiesse® can last in many cases for several years before retreatment is necessary.
Most candidates for Radiesse® injections have concerns about unwanted facial creases and deep wrinkles. The nasolabial fold, or smile line, is one of the most popular areas for treatment. Other patients undergo Radiesse® injections to enhance or sculpt the overall shape of the face and improve excessively hollowed, flat or deflated areas of the face. For instance, Radiesse® can be used to fill in and plump out the cheeks or jowls to provide a more rested and youthful appearance. Radiesse® treatment is an-office based procedure that usually takes less than thirty minutes to complete. Topical anesthesia with or without anesthesia may be used to maximize the patient’s comfort.
Radiesse® FAQs
Radiesse®, previously known as Radiance, is an injectable filler that may be used during an office-based procedure to treat unwanted facial creases and deep wrinkles by augmentation of the underlying soft tissue. Radiesse® can also be used to reshape and recontour the face in a non-surgical fashion. This filler is commonly used to treat the nasolabial fold (smile line) and to improve hollowed, flat or deflated areas of the face such as the cheeks or jowls. Providing a more vibrant and youthful look with minimal downtime, Radiesse® is one of the most popular choices for an injectable filler. Radiesse® is comprised of calcium hydroxylapatite, a naturally occurring substance found in the human body. Compared to hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®, Radiesse® produces more volume enhancement (plumping) per amount injected under the skin. Radiesse® can produce long-term improvement with results that may last upwards of eighteen to twenty-four months on average.
The Radiesse® injection is performed in the office setting.
Radiesse® is primarily made of calcium hydroxylapatite, which is a naturally occurring substance found in the human body. However, it is synthetic, which means it is not derived from human or animal tissue. Therefore, there is no risk of infectious transmission and there is no need for skin testing. Radiesse® produces more volume enhancement (plumping) per amount injected under the skin compared to hyaluronic acid fillers and, as such, it must be placed deeper in the skin.
A topical anesthesia with or without a nerve block may be used during the Radiesse® injection to maximize the patient’s comfort.