What are Fillers?

Fillers are products that are used to reduce the appearance of wrinkle lines by adding volume to the skin. Their effect is achieved by plumping and elevating the skin where lines, grooves or depressions have appeared. A variety of products can be used depending upon the type of lines that are present. Using filler cosmetically has been in practice for over 2 decades.

How do Fillers work?
Fillers provide bulk to the skin. They elevate and plump up at-rest wrinkle lines, grooves, furrows, and depressions under which they are placed. Their effect is different than Botox®, which targets the muscles that produce facial expression lines. It is the repeated movement of these muscles that results in the development of at-rest wrinkle lines and furrows.

What areas do Fillers treat?
Prominent wrinkle lines, furrows, and lips respond best to fillers. The commonly treated areas including but not limited to:

• Lips; to plump thin lips and reduce lipstick lines
• Cheeks; to plump cheek hollows of the face
• Nasolabial lines, which run between the sides of the nose and the angle of the mouth
• Mentolabial lines, also referred to as “Marionette lines”, which run between the angle of the mouth and the jawline
• Glabella lines, which appear as vertical lines between the Eyebrows
• Horizontal Forehead lines

Other at-rest lines, furrows and depressed scars can be treated with fillers as well.

How does Botox® compare to Fillers?
Botox® and Fillers are used for different purposes. Botox® reduces the activity of the muscles that produce facial expression lines, which prevents further wrinkles from developing. However, it may not significantly affect those wrinkles and furrows that have previously developed and are present in the absence of active facial expression. Fillers treat these at-rest wrinkles lines and furrows by plumping under the skin, causing these lines to appear more shallow.

How do I know whether I will benefit from Botox® or a Filler for expression lines?
This will depend upon whether you want to treat facial expression lines or wrinkle lines. Are your lines present at rest (wrinkle lines) or only with facial expression (facial expression lines)? Some people benefit more from Botox® than fillers, while others more from fillers than Botox®, however many benefit from a combination both. During a consultation, it will be determined whether Botox®, filler, or a combination of both will provide the most benefit for you.

Is there any discomfort with treatment?
There is mild discomfort with Filler treatment. Juvederm® Fillers have an anesthetic – Lidocaine – incorporated in them. For that reason, discomfort only lasts for the duration of each injection, which is usually several seconds. The entire treatment usually takes just a few minutes.

How long do the results of Fillers last?
The results vary widely – it may last from 6 to 24 months depending on the specific filler used, the site of treatment, and your individual absorption rate. In addition, the presence of Botox® may enhance the duration of fillers.

When can I expect to see any results after treatment?
Immediately after the filler has been placed, the wrinkle line, furrow or scar should be reduced in appearance. During the next few weeks there is usually further reduction in the appearance of these lines and depressions in the skin.

How does the skin appear after Fillers?
Immediately after treatment with filler the skin may appear pink with mild swelling. This usually fades within a few hours to a few days – although sometimes longer – after treatment. Rarely mild bruising can develop. Initially, the skin feels numb for a short time – because of the anesthetic that is incorporated into the Filler – but otherwise there is no unusual or uncomfortable sensation.

Are there any limitations after treatment?
Immediately after treatment with filler you may resume all normal activities, including strenuous exercise.

Are there any risks or side effects?
Side effects such as an allergic reaction are rarely seen. The hyaluronans (Juvederm®, Restylene®) are fully compatible with the naturally occurring hyaluronans in the skin. Since they are considered safe and non-allergenic, no prior skin-testing is recommended or required.