What are Dermal Fillers?

Frequently Asked Questions: Dermal Fillers Dr. Susan Goodlerner

1. What are dermal fillers?

Dermal fillers are a non-surgical treatment that can smooth out wrinkles, such as the lines between the nose and mouth, and plump up areas of volume loss such as thin lips or hollow cheeks. There are a handful of FDA approved products on the market composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body and several other ingredients. All these agents provide immediate results as well as stimulate the body’s own collagen, resulting in a more youthful appearance.

2. What is the difference between Botox and Juvederm?

Botox works by relaxing hyperactive muscles involved with frowning and in that way reduces frown lines- between the eyebrows, on the forehead and around the eyes.

Juvederm is an injectable filler made of hyaluronic acid. It is used to smooth wrinkles such as upper lip lines or lines between the nose and mouth.

3. What facial areas can be treated?

The smile lines between the nose and mouth, fine lines above the lips, thin lips , volume loss in the cheeks or mid face are all FDA approved areas for treatment with dermal fillers. Off-label, dermal fillers are also used for volume loss in the temples, the chin and for softening bony appearing top of hands.

4. How are dermal fillers used in treatment?

After the treatment area is prepped with an antibacterial solution, the physician or practitioner carefully injects the filler into the treatment area. Many of the fillers are mixed with local anaesthetic so pre-treatment local anesthetic is not usually needed.

Treatment can be accomplished during a 15-30 minute office visit, depending on the treatment area and which filler is used.

5. Are dermal filler injections painful?

Injections may cause some discomfort during injection. This can be reduced with the use of ice packs and in sensitive areas such as the lips, with local anesthetic before treatment.

6. What are the possible side effects of dermal filler injections?

Most side effects are mild and temporary (lasting 3-7 days). The most common side effects include redness at the injection site, swelling, bruising or discoloration and bumps or irregularities. Infections or more persistent bumps can occur but are rare.

These complications almost always resolve with treatment.

Having these treatments in the office of a dermatologist or plastic surgeon is the best assurance that the risk of complications will be low and that any problems will be properly handled. Nurses and physicians assistants can perform these treatments but should always be supervised by a physician (i.e. the physician should be on-site, which is not always the case at medi-spas) 7. Can dermal fillers be used with other treatments?

Dermal filler treatments can be done before or after laser treatments and at the same time as Botox treatment. The benefits of laser or Botox will be enhanced by the filler treatment. After facelift surgery carefully placed dermal fillers can also improve results.

8. Can dermal fillers take the place of a facelift?

Fillers are not exactly the “liquid Facelift”. A facelift is used to treat jowls or “turkey neck” as well as loose skin in the mid face. Dermal fillers cannot tighten the skin of the lower face and neck. But, when used to treat volume loss in the midface, fillers will provide some modest lift and can last up to a year.

A facelift is a major cosmetic procedure that provides benefits lasting up to 10 years.

The procedure you select depends on what you are trying to accomplish, your budget, your age and whether you can take off for 2-3 weeks to recover from a surgical procedure. The benefit of fillers is the immediate improvement and lack of “downtime”. Call for a consultation to see if this option is right for you.