Dermal Fillers

Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane are among the most popular fillers at CosMedic Clinic. They have pretty much replaced collagen as a filler material and are used to decrease the appearance of wrinkles or scars by adding volume. They can also be used to enhance the appearance of the lips, nasolabial folds (smile lines), lower eyelids, and many other areas. The filler generally lasts about a year and is a great way to stay refreshed and youthful looking. Dr. Platis is a pioneer in injection techniques and, along with his nurse Shannon Quante, is one of Chicago and Northwest, Indiana leading practices for filler injections.

Dermal fillers are increasing rapidly in popularity because they work well, are relatively inexpensive, give immediate results, and require essentially no recovery. In most cases, injections can be performed with minimal swelling, enabling patients to return to work or their regular activities immediately. And the results are clear: dramatic wrinkle reduction, fuller lips, even minor facial reshaping. Although the results are temporary, additional treatments can be performed at any time to provide seamless facial rejuvenation.

Types of Dermal Fillers

There are many different fillers available for use in cosmetic enhancement. Dr Platis and Shannon will discuss options with you and recommend a specific treatment based upon your individual concerns. In general we favor using biologically compatible fillers for the areas we treat, such as using hyaluronic acid (Juvederm or Restylane) for skin injections since hyaluronic acid is a human protein already present in our skin.

The options for volume enhancement are ever-changing and represent one of the most exiting and rapidly evolving fields in plastic surgery. Dr Platis, as always, will remain at the forefront of this technology.

Uses of Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are very flexible and can give great results in many different applications. They are commonly used for:

• Facial folds and wrinkles: Dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane are an excellent complement to BOTOX® and Dysport injections because they correct a different type of wrinkle. Combine the two treatments with laser skin resurfacing or Intense Pulsed Light and virtually all your wrinkles can be erased.
• Restoring facial volume: As we age, our face naturally loses volume and what fat we have is often displaced by gravity. This gives the face a wan, tired appearance. Dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, and Perlane can be used to fill in areas that have lost volume, restoring a youthful fullness to your face.
• Lip augmentation: The lips also tend to lose volume as we age, which is especially important to women. Thin lips can create an older, sterner appearance. Juvederm and Restylane are great treatment for restoring volume to lips.
• Facial reshaping: Some people do not have the facial shape they desire, and in many cases this can be at least partly corrected with dermal fillers like Perlane or Restylane. These fillers can be used to give the appearance of higher cheekbones or a stronger chin.

Procedure

Local anesthestic is used in the area and then the filler material is injected though a tiny needle into the desired areas.

Results

The results are immediate, and actually improve over the next several days. It is not uncommon for patients to develop some pinkness around the treated areas, but this will usually resolve in 48 - 72 hours.

Frequently asked questions:

What is the filler made from? Restylane and Juvederm is a purified human protein called hyaluronic acid which occurs naturally. Because it is found naturally in our bodies there is no risk of patients having allergic reactions to it as sometimes happens with collagen.

How long does it last? One of the advantages to Restylane as compared to other filler materials is that it lasts longer. Patients usually can expect Restylane to last approximately six to eight months depending on the area treated. Often results last longer, but no guarantee can be made as to its duration.

Which filler should I get? Dr. Platis and Shannon will help you decide which filler is best for the area you would like to have treated. It is not uncommon for them to use different types of fillers during one treatment.