Dermal Fillers and Sculptra

Injectable dermal fillers are a minimally invasive cosmetic enhancement used to reduce the appearance of physical signs of aging such as wrinkles, volume loss, and sagging skin, as well as enhance facial features like the lips and cheeks, create contour and shape, and can be used to restructure facial features like the nose and chin as an alternative to invasive and expensive cosmetic surgeries. Using dermal fillers are not limited to just the face though, they can be injected almost anywhere on the body including the hands, buttocks, breasts, and even the labia for female intimate rejuvenation. The possibilities are virtually limitless, making fillers an increasingly popular alternative to major cosmetic surgeries. 

What types of dermal fillers do we offer?

There are different types of dermal fillers formulated from different ingredients. The most popular formulation is Hyaluronic Acid fillers. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance in the body that plays a major role in skin hydration and volume, acts as a lubricant and shock absorber in joint capsules, and plays an important role in the wound healing process by controlling inflammation and attracting nutrient-rich blood to the damaged tissues to improve the rate of healing. HA fillers are versatile and can last anywhere from 4-12 months on average depending on the specific molecular structure of the filler. 

Recharge Clinic offers many different HA fillers by top rated brands Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero.

Another popular type of filler is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) filler by the brand Sculptra. This synthetic filler is different from other types in its chemical formula and its mode of action in the body. This filler solution is injected into the skin but does not produce immediate results like HA fillers. Sculptra stimulates increased collagen production in the body so it typically takes a few months to notice results as collagen is produced in the area. Although this type of filler requires some patience, the end result is worth the wait. Since the results are caused by the increase in natural fibrous collagen, they last much longer than HA fillers, up to 2 years. Sculptra results look and feel completely natural, making it extremely popular for restoring age-related volume loss in the face and hands and increasing volume in the breasts and buttocks for noninvasive and natural augmentation.

How do I know if dermal fillers are right for me?

There are so many different aesthetic options to choose from, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. With how versatile dermal fillers are, that can make it even more difficult to decide. Dermal fillers are an excellent treatment to fight signs of aging but that doesn’t mean that’s their only use. Some common concerns treated with dermal fillers include:

• Deep wrinkles and creases
• Sunken under eyes
• Lack of facial contour
• Thin or uneven lips
• Depressed scars
• Undesirable nose, chin, or jawline structure
• Enhance specific facial features
• Increase volume in different bodily structures
• Sagging/aging skin
• Loss of youthful appearance of different body parts, including the labia on women

The best part about getting filler is the individualized experience each patient receives. Every patient has different likes and dislikes and filler gives each patient the result that they want.

Does it hurt?

Getting dermal fillers seems like it would be painful but it’s quite the opposite at Recharge Clinic. We offer topical numbing cream and lidocaine to all of our filler patients to ensure that their experience is comfortable. For patients getting lip fillers, on top of topical numbing solution we also offer dental blocks to completely numb the mouth so they don’t feel any needle punctures. We understand that there is often an extra level of nervousness when it comes to getting any kind of injections around the mouth, so offering a dental block to patients is the best way to calm their nerves. A dental block is a numbing procedure where a provider injects lidocaine into targeted nerves around the mouth to block any pain signals. The injections of lidocaine aren’t even felt! An oral numbing solution is applied to the gums in the spots that will be injected so by the time even the first needle stick happens, the patient doesn’t feel any pain. As with any kind of injection there may be some soreness and bruising for a few days after the fact, and there may also be some swelling depending on the area injected. We send all of our patients home with an ice pack and detailed post-procedure instructions so they know just what to expect and how to manage it.

Are dermal fillers permanent?

HA fillers are not permanent as they are slowly broken down by the body over time. Depending on the molecular structure of the HA filler and the individual patient’s metabolic rate, these fillers typically last anywhere from 4-12 months. A general rule of thumb is that the softer the filler, the faster it is broken down and metabolized by the body. HA fillers can also be dissolved at any time using an enzyme known as Hyaluronidase, typically known by the brand name Hylenex. This enzyme targets hyaluronic acid and immediately starts dissolving it without damaging the surface of the skin or any component of the dermal structure. Typically it can take anywhere from 5-30 minutes for the enzyme to completely dissolve the filler. Typically filler is dissolved because a small amount has migrated to the skin’s surface or to dissolve old filler to start over but it can be used for any reason the patient may have.

Sculptra, on the other hand, cannot be dissolved. Hyaluronidase has no effect on any other molecule besides hyaluronic acid. But since the results of Sculptra appear much slower than HA fillers, the subtle change over time and its natural look are often happily accepted by the patient. Also since it is a bio-stimulatory solution that enhances the natural collagen production in the body, there typically isn’t any medical need to dissolve anything, it’s all natural and accepted completely by the body. 

Created by: Bailey