Injectable Dermal Fillers

Though you can’t control growing older, you can control some of the effects of aging on your skin. One way to soften wrinkles and other signs of aging on the face is through cosmetic injections and injectable fillers such as Juvéderm®. These non-surgical skin rejuvenation treatments require less than an hour, while the results are immediate and last for up to a year or longer. At Gainesville Dermatology Aesthetic Center, each filler treatment is personalized based on your unique factors, including your age, the area of the face or body being treated, the amount of volume being corrected, and whether or not you’ve had filler treatments before. Learn more about the dermal fillers we carry. Or contact us to arrange your consultation for skin care services — younger-looking skin is just a treatment away.

Which Filler Is Right For You?

Since dermal fillers have so many benefits — easy injections, immediate results, no downtime — it’s easy to choose this option for treating wrinkles or restoring volume around the eyes, lips, cheeks, chin, and forehead. But there are many dermal fillers on the market, each with unique advantages, and knowing which to choose can feel overwhelming to some patients. That's why our Gainesville dermatologists go over the aspects of different dermal fillers with you, as well as recommend one (or more) to achieve your beauty objectives. Here are some of the fillers that we have available:

Most Common Types Of Dermal Fillers

The majority of dermal fillers have one of three injectable components, including hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxyapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid. All three smooth wrinkles and volumize skin, but there are some differences regarding where on the face (or body) they work best, whether their effects are dramatic or subtle, and how long those effects last. During your consultation with our skin care specialists, they will help you choose which of the three choices is right for your cosmetic goals.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common dermal fillers. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the body — the highest concentrations are found in soft connective tissue and the fluid around the eyes. Medical uses for hyaluronic acid include as a treatment for aching joints, but it’s best known for its cosmetic applications. Hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvéderm® XC, Restylane®, and Restylane® Silk, can add definition to the lip border and other parts of the face, minimize acne and burn scars, and volumize cheek depressions, frown lines, and crows feet, among other uses. These fillers are suitable for many patients, but especially for first-timers — since hyaluronic acid can be dissolved by the enzyme hyaluronidase, its results can be reversed, if the patient desires.

Calcium Hydroxyapatite Fillers

Calcium Hydroxyapatite fillers, such as Radiesse®, are comprised of a semi-solid injectable solution (synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a carboxymethylcellulose gel) that is prized by dermatologists for its durability that creates long-lasting results.

Poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA) Fillers

Poly-L-lactic acid works with the body’s natural processes to create organic collagen build-ups that volumize the skin. After the PLLA filler, such as Sculptra® Aesthetic, is injected, its microparticles are metabolized and expelled from the body naturally.

Thin Vs. Thick Fillers

Chemical differences between fillers — such as hyaluronic acid versus calcium hydroxyapatite — can be hard for patients to wrap their heads around. That’s why dermatologists classify fillers in two general categories of thin and thick. Both types have the same general purpose (wrinkle treatment, skin volumizing) and application time (30 minutes to one hour), but each provides somewhat distinct benefits.

Thin Fillers

Dermatologists prefer thin fillers, such as Juvéderm Ulta, for light touch ups of fine facial lines and wrinkles as well as for a little plumping below the eyes or around the lips. Since thin fillers are injected superficially (not deep into the soft tissue), the treatments are quick and easy, and the results are immediate.

Thick Fillers

Thick fillers are used for correcting deep wrinkles and etched-in facial lines, as well as for lifting eyebrows, tightening sagging jawlines, and volumizing sunken cheeks. Our dermatology center has several such fillers available, including Juvéderm® Voluma, Radiesse®, and Sculptra® Aesthetic.

What Areas Of The Face Or Body Do Injectable Fillers Treat?

The most common use for dermal fillers is rejuvenating skin along the face, including softening wrinkles on jawlines, foreheads, and temples and plumping thin lips or sunken cheeks. Wrinkle fillers are also used to firm loose skin on the hands and make scars less visible. Some dermal fillers are better suited than others for particular areas of the body. Juvéderm® Voluma, a thick filler, is great for contouring flat cheeks, while Restylane®, a thin filler, is more often used for volumizing skin under the eyes. Many of our patients choose to receive multiple filler treatments with different products to achieve their specific results.

Preparing For Treatment

Cosmetic filler treatments are non-invasive and involve no surgery, which means you won’t have to prepare much for your appointment. At a minimum, stop using any supplements or medications that increase your chance of bruising or bleeding, such as St. John's Wort, high doses of Vitamin E, aspirin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, at least one week ahead of the appointment. On the day of treatment, arrive a few minutes early to check in and complete any paperwork. Feel free to schedule your appointment online, by phone, or at our office.

During Treatment

The filler treatment will last approximately 30 minutes to one hour, depending on the number of injections; each injection takes about 15 minutes. No anesthesia is required as newer formulations of Juvéderm® and some other fillers contain lidocaine already, although our dermatologists may use a local anesthetic. The injectable filler has a fine needle that is eased under the skin where the filler is delivered. Changes to the volume and contour of the skin are usually visible right away, and the results often look better over time.

Post-Treatment Care

Filler side effects are typically mild and can include redness or swelling that lasts for a week or less. To reduce the risk of infection or soreness, avoid touching the injection site for six hours after treatment, after which time you should gently wash the area and use a cold compress to reduce any swelling. You should also skip exercise and drinking alcohol for twenty-four hours, and sunbathing and cold outdoor activities should be avoided until all redness and swelling disappear.

If you have suffered from cold sores before, there is a risk the filler needle punctures could cause them to return. If cold sores appear post-treatment, speak to your dermatologist about topical or oral medications. You should also contact your physician immediately if your side effects are irregular or last for more than seven days. Most patients are able to return to work or school the same day and resume full activities within a few days.

Filler results can last from four months to a year or longer. Scheduling follow-up treatments before the effects wear off helps ensure your appearance stays consistently youthful. Whether you’ve used fillers before or want to try them for the first time, contact our dermatologists in Gainesville to set up a consultation.