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What Are Fillers?
Dermal fillers help to diminish facial lines and restore lost volume to the face. As we age, our faces naturally lose fat from both superficial and deep compartments. 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, adding to an overall aging and tired look. Other factors that affect facial aging are sun exposure, heredity and lifestyle.
An elegant and quick solution to any visible signs of aging is injectable fillers. Many different fillers are available to help restore volume, fill in wrinkles and lines, as well as contour the face. These products all have different ways of helping to contour areas of concern. Common treatment areas for fillers are the cheeks, lips, neck, and hands. Filler treatments are quick and easy with little downtime. To get a refreshed look, talk with Dr. Fichadia about getting a filler treatment done.
Types of Fillers
Our patients have a wide range of unique aesthetic concerns, we want to help give them the best in personalized care which is why we offer so many different fillers. The range of fillers we offer are:
- JUVÉDERM® ULTRA and ULTRAPLUS XC smooths moderate to severe parentheses lines and folds for up to 1 year with optimal treatment, and can also be used to add volume lips.
- JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™ XC uses VYCROSS® technology to soften moderate to severe facial lines and wrinkles for up to 18 months with optimal treatment.
- JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC instantly adds volume to create a more youthful appearance for up to 2 years with optimal treatment.
- JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC adds volume to the lips and smooths vertical lip lines.
- Restylane® can be used to add volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds). Restylane may also be used for lip enhancement.
- Restylane Silk®: This product was specifically designed for lips, it helps to volumize and smooth out wrinkles in the lips
- Restylane Lyft®: A hyaluronic acid filler FDA-approved to treat your face and hands
- Kybella: KYBELLA® is an injectable treatment that destroys fat cells in the treatment area under the chin to improve your profile.
How Do Fillers Work?
Dermal injectable fillers work differently depending on the type of filler it is. Dr Fichadia uses Hyaluronic-acid based fillers because it is a natural sugar found in the human body and has predictable results. It adds volume to areas with lost volume, and can help soften deeper lines on the face. The treatments for fillers are fairly quick, usually only take between 10-30 minutes, depending on your individual treatment plan.
Who is a Candidate for Fillers?
Most people with visible aging signs are candidates for dermal fillers, but you should check with Dr. Fichadia to find the right filler for you. At a consultation appointment with Dr. Fichadia, she will go over your areas of concern, skin quality, and desired look. This will help her to create the best treatment plan suited for you. Not every wrinkle-filler is right for every type of wrinkle. The least risks and best results come from using the right one correctly. That’s why you should only have fillers injected by a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Hetal Fichadia.
Preparing for filler injections
Do NOT consume alcoholic beverages at least 24 hours prior to treatment (alcohol may thin the blood and increase the risk of bruising)
Avoid anti-inflammatory/blood thinning medications, if possible for a period of 2 weeks before treatment. Medications and supplements such as aspirin, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St. John’s Wort, Omega 3/Fish Oil supplements, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve and other NSAIDS have a blood thinning effect and can increase the risk of bruising and swelling after injections.
Take Arnica to help the bruising and swelling, start at least 2 days prior to injections. Sinechh is the brand name for the one formulated for surgical patients. It is available on Amazon/Whole Foods.
Schedule your Dermal Filler and Botox appointment at least 2 weeks prior to a special event which you may be attending, such as a wedding or a vacation. Results from the Dermal Filler and Botox injections will take approximately 4 to 7 days to appear. Also bruising and swelling may be apparent in that time period. Sculptra does take longer to see results so plan accordingly with your provider.
Discontinue Retin-A 2 days before and 2 days after treatment.
Reschedule your appointment at least 24 hours in advance if you have a rash, cold sore or blemish on the area.
If you have a history of cold sores please let Dr Fichadia know, they may put you on an anti-viral medication prior to treatment.
Be sure to have a good breakfast, including food and drink before your procedure. This will decrease the chances of lightheadedness during your treatment.
You are not a candidate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What are the side effects of fillers
While fillers are generally safe, there are potential downsides to any filler treatment. Facial bruising is temporary and can take a few days to clear up. While rare with hyaluronic acid fillers, there remains a risk of allergic reaction and the formation of tiny bumps under the skin. In some cases, those bumps may be permanent. Patients with autoimmune disorders are more prone to developing nodules. And sometimes, a bluish skin discoloration known as the Tyndall effect happens. The color change can last for several months, but there are treatments available. In very rare cases, skin cells may die if the wrinkle fillers are not used properly. There have also been a few reported cases of blindness, and scarring from skin loss.
Recovery
Most patients see results from their filler treatment immediately after leaving the office. Some patients experience some swelling or bruising at the injection site, this can be taken care of with a cold compress. Avoid significant movement or massage of the treated area. Unless instructed by the provider.
Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
Avoid extensive sun or heat for 72 hours.
Avoid consuming excess amounts of alcohol or salts to avoid excess swelling.
If you have swelling you may apply a cool compress for 15 minutes each hour.
Use Tylenol for discomfort.
Try to sleep face up and slightly elevated if you experience swelling.
Take Arnica to help the bruising and swelling, start at least 2 days prior to injections and continue for 2 days afterwards.
Most side effects such as swelling, bruising, or redness should subside within a week to ten days.
Schedule your consultation with us today!
Dr. Fichadia is a double board-certified, comprehensively trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She completed general surgical training at St Elizabeth’s Medical Center, an affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, and subsequently completed a highly competitive plastic surgery program at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. She has presented research from her time in Boston and Portland at national and international surgical meetings such as Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons and annual meeting of American Society of Plastic Surgery.
