All you need to know about fillers
Fillers are injectable products that address facial changes associated with aging, including wrinkles and volume loss. For wrinkles, fillers are often used in the following areas:
- Nasolabial folds (“smile lines”)
- Marionette lines (wrinkles from the corners of the lips to the chin)
- Fine lines of the upper and lower lips (“smoker’s lines”)
- Tear trough deformity (under-eye hollows)
Fillers are also used to provide volume and enhance the upper and lower lips and the cheeks.
What are fillers made of?
Effective fillers can be made from several different materials. The most common is hyaluronic acid, which is used in products such as Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, and Belotero. Other popular fillers are made from calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) or poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra).
How do you know which filler or which material to inject?
Different fillers perform better in different areas:
- Hyaluronic acid is commonly used for nasolabial folds, lips, and marionette lines.
- Poly-L-lactic acid is often used to add volume to the cheeks or temples.
- Calcium hydroxylapatite is used in areas with fine wrinkles.
How long do they last?
Hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite fillers last up to one year. Poly-L-lactic acid fillers can last up to two years but require more than one injection.
Is the injection painful?
Your surgeon will usually apply a lidocaine topical cream 30 minutes prior to the injection. Most patients say that this is enough to minimize discomfort.
What are my limitations after injection?
Most surgeons recommend avoiding exercise for the remainder of that day. The following day, there are no restrictions.
Are there any complications to be aware of?
The most common complaint following injections is undercorrection, which can often be dealt with by a touch-up injection. However, overcorrection is also possible, which is why it is important to discuss your goals and expectations with your surgeon prior to treatment.
The injected material may be noticeable, bumpy, or cause nodules. This can usually be corrected with massage.
In rare cases, serious complications can occur. If filler material is injected into a blood vessel, especially near the nostrils, it can cause skin necrosis (dead tissue). Board-certified plastic surgeons are trained in techniques to help avoid this complication.
Another rare but serious potential complication is blindness, which can be caused by filler material around the eyes. Board-certified plastic surgeons are trained in techniques to help prevent this.
How do I learn more, and how much does it cost?
Call Mountain Brook Plastic Surgery at 205-871-4440 to schedule a consultation with our plastic surgeons.