Injectable Fillers

Over time, aging can cause a loss of volume in your skin as the underlying collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin fibers begin to deteriorate and fat decreases. This most commonly occurs around the eyes, mouth, cheeks, jaw line, brow, and bridge of the nose, producing crow's feet, laugh lines, folds and furrows on the forehead, and hills and valleys on the lower third of the face.

Soft tissue facial fillers have the unique ability to fill and contour these changes. In Sacramento, Dr. Patrick McMenamin offers many of the most effective injectable filler treatments available today. 

How do Injectable Fillers Work?

Fillers can be placed into the lips to create a fuller, more youthful look, or in the hollows of the cheeks to reduce a gaunt appearance. Facial scarring from acne or injury also responds well to soft tissue filler techniques. A variety of facial fillers have been developed that address a wide range of cosmetic aging changes. Sometimes, more than one filler may be used to achieve the best results. Facial fillers can gradually bring the face into better balance, creating an overall rejuvenated appearance.

Injectable Fillers of Today

There are many injectable treatments on the market that can fight the signs of aging. These injectable treatments include:

 

Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane are injectable gels made with hyaluronic acid to fill lines, wrinkles and folds around the mouth and nose. Results are temporary (typically six months to one year) and vary in duration between these products. You can maintain the wrinkle correction with regular touch-up treatments.

Sculptra Aesthetic is made from poly-L-lactic acid. It is an injectable treatment that can also be used around the mouth and nose (the nasolabial folds). Sculptra works by stimulating your tissue to produce new collagen. Results appear gradually and last up to two years.

Liquid silicone, also called silicone oil, can be used as an injectable filler in certain cases. Using liquid silicone to treat the signs of aging is considered an off label medical use. Results with liquid silicone, or silicone oil, are permanent.

Autologous Fat grafting, from your own body (typically the lower abdomen) can be harvested by liposuction and reinjected into your face to reduce deeper wrinkles and replace volume in the aging face. Some percentage of the fat will thrive and some will die and be resorbed by the body. Because of the unknown, fat grafting must be done slowly and with multiple injections.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite is a substance of small calcium spheres suspended in a water-based gel. A cosmetic surgeon can inject it in areas of the face that need more volume. This type of filler is also temporary, but offers a long-lasting result.

Botox Cosmetic and Dysport are injectable treatments that reduce the appearance of crow’s feet, wrinkles between the eyebrows, and lines on the forehead. Both Botox and Dysport are made from botulinum toxin, and function in a similar manner. Results from these injectables last three months or longer.

Schedule an appointment to learn more about the various injectable filler options at Cosmetic Surgery Center of Sacramento. During your visit, Dr. McMenamin and the staff can explain the differences between each product and help you choose the best treatment for meeting your individual goals. Call 915-564-8888 or send us an email using the online contact form.