Dermal Fillers Dermal fillers have gained immense popularity in the last 5 years thanks to cosmetic trends and social media exposure. But what are they and what do they really do? Simply put, fillers “fill” areas of deficiency to reverse signs of aging and improve facial balance. Dr. Maria, is in a unique position to provide expert Dermal Filler treatment for you. She is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, and is Fellowship trained in Facial Cosmetic Surgery. One of the most common applications is lip fillers, for patients that would like fuller, more youthful appearing lips. Other areas of deficiency that can be treated include the cheeks and chin. They can also be used to address asymmetries of the nose, lips, jawline. Some patients may even be candidates for a “liquid rhinoplasty” or “liquid nose job”. In these instances, dermal fillers can be utilized to smooth bumps and create the appearance of a straighter nose. Another use for dermal fillers is to address areas of depleted volume and to plump them up. In this case, areas of treatment include hollowing and dark circles under the eyes, loss of cheek projection, and the deep folds between the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds or smile lines). Sometimes a combination of dermal fillers and Jeuveau® will produce the best results to address fine lines and deep folds. There are two classes of dermal fillers: resorbable (dissolvable) and non-resorbable (permanent). Most patients are familiar with dissolvable dermal fillers, which are typically hyaluronic acid (HA) based. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the body and is responsible for lubricating the body’s joints. Since it is a natural compound, it also has a natural enzyme that helps it break down - hyaluronidase. Using these HA-based products means that our bodies naturally degrade the compounds, and as such they are not permanent. The results typically last 6-12 months before the body begins to break them down. Non-resorbable, permanent, or semi-permanent fillers are another treatment option. These include Sculptra®, Radiesse®, and Bellafill®. Each of these have their own indications for treatment. For example, Sculptra® is a great option for addressing generalized facial hollowing. Other dermal filler options available are platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and fat grafting. PRF involves drawing a patient’s blood and processing it in the span of a few minutes…all in-house. Using the patient’s own stem cells and growth factors, it can help boost collagen production and maintain volume. There are no additives, just the patient’s own blood products, making it a truly natural and organic treatment option for patients that may be hesitant to have any other products injected. Finally, fat grafting is a great treatment option that is a permanent solution to facial volume loss. This is often utilized as an adjunct to other surgical procedures, such as blepharoplasty or facelift, but can also be used as a stand-alone procedure. Fat grafting is another completely natural and holistic treatment option as it only includes the patient’s fat. This procedure is performed either under sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of treatment and the patient’s preference. Liposuction is performed either in the lower abdomen or thighs. The amount of fat removed is dependent on the number of areas and the volume required for augmentation. Once the fat has been harvested, it is processed in the office into an injectable form. It is then placed under the skin with a fine needle, to sculpt and fill areas of deficiency. Not only does it immediately bring volume to treated areas, but the natural stem cells and growth factors that the fat cells release can result in additional collagen build-up. Dr. Maria, a Fellowship trained Facial Cosmetic Surgeon, will listen carefully to understand the areas of concern for you and discuss appropriate treatment options to give you the desired natural, rejuvenated look. |
 |
