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Dermal fillers are a nonsurgical cosmetic treatment. Your Cascadia Aesthetics doctor injects hyaluronic acid into the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines and soften creases, all while enhancing facial symmetry. 

Hyaluronic acid is a substance that naturally occurs in the body. But with aging, you gradually lose collagen and hyaluronic acid production. In turn, you start to lose volume in certain areas of the face, which can give a tired and sunken appearance. 

Unlike dynamic wrinkles that move during facial expressions and require muscle relaxants (Botox) to soften them, facial volume and folds require a dermal filler to help volumize and hydrate the area. Fillers are a great way to improve your facial contours and restore that youthful appearance. 

We use a variety of the best dermal fillers out there, such as Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse and Sculptra, depending on the area we’re treating.

Where can I get dermal fillers?

Below is a list of common areas on your face that we can use fillers to treat:

  • Cheeks/mid-face. Restore volume to the cheeks, lift the face and emphasize the cheekbones.
  • Corners of mouth. Reverse the downturn of the corners of the mouth.
  • Jawline and prejowl. Sharpen the jawline and minimize the appearance of the jowls.
  • Lips. Add volume to lips, hydrate lips and soften lines.
  • Perioral lines. Soften lines around the mouth and upper lip. 
  • Marionette lines. Soften the shadows below the corners of the mouth.
  • Nasolabial folds. Fill in smile lines.
  • Chin. Augment the chin to improve chin volume and shape. 
  • Temples. Treat the scalloped appearance of the upper face due to volume loss.
  • Under-eyes. Improve dark circles due to volume loss and prominent tear troughs.

What should I do before I receive dermal filler injections?

  • Please try not to wear makeup on the day of your treatment.
  • Avoid blood thinners, such as fish oils, aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Aleve), ginger, vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba, ginseng and St. John’s wort, for 7 days before your treatment unless your physician prescribed you a blood thinner. Not taking blood thinners reduces your risk of bruising.
  • Please let us know if you have a history of cold sores. We’ll prescribe you a medication (such as Valtrex) to help prevent cold sore recurrence after your treatment.
  • Drink water and eat something before your appointment.

 

What should I do following dermal filler injections?

  • Apply an ice pack or ice wrapped in cloth (avoid putting ice directly on your skin) to the treatment area to help reduce swelling and bruising for the first 24 hours after your filler treatment.
  • Avoid exercise or any other high-temperature activities (such as saunas and hot tubs) for the first 24 to 48 hours after your treatment.
  • Wait until 24 hours after treatment to start applying makeup.
  • Do not rub or massage the treated area following treatment.
  • Avoid sun and UV exposure until swelling and redness have resolved. Proper sunscreen use is always important.
  • Allow 2 weeks of healing time after your filler treatment before seeing your dentist for any dental procedures (preferable).

How long do the results from fillers last?

Results are immediate and last months to years, depending on the type of filler we use and its location. For example, the lips tend to have lots of movement, and so filler breaks down faster. The under-eyes, cheeks and temples have less movement, so dermal fillers there tend to last longer.

It’s also important to remember that everyone’s body is different, and every patient can respond differently to fillers. Results vary based on factors such as diet, exercise, metabolism, sun exposure and smoking. We recommend maintenance treatments so that the results never completely return to baseline.

Note. Using medical-grade skincare products at home can contribute to maintaining and prolonging your aesthetic treatments’ benefits. We’re proud to sell SkinCeuticals products in our office. Our doctor can recommend the best products for you, based on the treatment you’ve had and your skin type.

before-after-lip-filler

What are the risks or complications of dermal fillers?

Serious complications are rare, and some of these side effects are only temporary. But as with any medical procedure, risks exist. 

These include the following:

  • Asymmetrical appearance
  • Bleeding, bruising, redness, pain and swelling
  • Damage to your skin that can cause scars
  • Infection, which can lead to necrosis in severe cases
  • Lumps or bumps under your skin
  • Numbness
  • Pimples that look like acne
  • Rash and itching
  • Vision problems (rarely)

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