An introduction to facial contouring, plumping, and smoothing with dermal fillers
At Exclusive Dermatology, we appreciate that not everyone is ready or desires to undergo surgical procedures to combat signs of aging and sun damage. Fortunately, they can restore their unique and natural beauty with an array of nonsurgical therapies at the office of board-certified dermatologist Dr. Steven Rotter in West Palm Beach, Florida.
An introduction to fillers
Dermal or soft tissue fillers represent an entire category of aesthetic, non-surgical procedures. There are dozens of fillers on the market. The fillers are designed to be injected precisely into specific points of the face. These procedure sites may have sustained volume loss; for instance, the mid-face or cheeks may become hollow or sunken. Or, fillers may be appropriate to soften lines, wrinkles, scars, and other signs of aging or cosmetic concerns.
Fillers are made from a variety of different materials, including:
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Calcium hydroxylapatite
- Poly-L-lactic acid
HA-based fillers are popular. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that your body makes naturally. It can be found in the skin as a moisturizer and in the eyes and joints as a lubricant. So, it is a particularly biocompatible material. As a “moisture-loving” molecule, it binds to water to render a clear and viscous gel. We can introduce HA to quickly “fill in” lines, folds, and depressions around the mouth and nose.
CaHA-based fillers are also biocompatible. Since they are compatible with natural tissues, there is a low risk of adverse reactions to the formulation. These calcium “microspheres” are similar to minerals found in the body. When suspended in a gel, they can be introduced into many of the lines present in the lower third portion of the face. These “treatable areas” include the dimples around the chin and the marionette lines at the corners of the mouth.
Notably, these fillers are “collagen stimulators.” So, they actually trigger the process of collagen production or remodeling. Our body’s production of collagen declines with age. These fillers support long-lasting results by getting to the source of the problem: the loss of firming collagen.
PLLA fillers also stimulate collagen production; however, they use a synthetic material to restore fullness and youthful contours and fill in depressed areas. This material has been used for years in dissolvable sutures. So, it is designed to be safely and naturally absorbed by the body.
Find out more
The areas that can be treated, the duration of results, associated side effects, and other characteristics of filler therapies vary depending on the type of product that we use. We can discuss the appropriate option for you during a consultation at Exclusive Dermatology in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Additionally, soft tissue fillers are often combined with other therapies (such as neuromodulators like Jeuveau®) for a “liquid facelift” that amplifies results without surgery. Call (561) 561 SKIN (7546) to schedule your consultation today.
