About Fillers

ABOUT FILLERS Injectable implants, or fillers, have been used for many decades. There are many types of fillers, including collagen and synthetic fillers. Most fillers are injected below the skin’s surface to add volume and stimulate the skin’s natural collagen growth, visibly reducing wrinkles and lines, enhancing cheeks, plumping lips, and lifting and smoothing scar depressions. Treatments are done on an outpatient basis. A local anesthetic may be necessary for some procedures. The results can last from three months to years, depending on the type of filler used. You and your doctor can determine which filler best meets your needs during your consultation. COLLAGEN FILLERS Collagen fillers were recommended for first-time users because the cost of treatment is usually lower than for other fillers, and results are shorter-term. Zyplast® is a purified animal collagen filler. It’s usually the least expensive of all fillers. Because Zyplast® is made up of animal proteins, you’ll need to take two skin tests about one month before your first procedure to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction to it. Visible results from treatment usually last up to three months. Zyplast® is recommended for enhancing the lips and lifting fine lines. CosmoPlast® is a genetically engineered human collagen filler. CosmoPlast® has many of the same qualities as Zyplast®, but doesn’t require skin tests because it’s derived from human tissue. Visible results from CosmoPlast® treatments may not last quite as long as those from Zyplast® treatments. CosmoPlast® is recommended for enhancing the lips and lifting wrinkles and fine lines. SYNTHETIC FILLERS Hylaform®, Restylane® and Juvederm® are purified hyaluronic acids and offer a very soft, natural look. Hylaform®, Restylane® and Juvederm® ® have been used in Europe for years, and are considered the most dramatic fillers for smoothing out skin defects and plumping skin and lips. Hylaform®, Restylane® and Juvederm® produce visible results that usually last longer than those from collagen, and neither requires a skin test before use. Hylaform Plus®, Perlane® and Juvederm Ultra Plus® are thicker versions, stay in place longer, and offer a firmer result than the originals Hylaform Plus®, Perlane® and Juvederm ultra plus® are recommended for lifting deeper lines, such as the skin folds around the nose. Radiance® and RadiesseTM are new advancements in injectable filler technology. Made from calcium, Radiance® and Radiesse® are hypoallergenic, so no skin testing is required. Radiance® and Radiesse® stimulate your body’s natural collagen to grow around the injected material. Because Radiance®and Radiesse® are made from a mineral found in human bones, they are generally eventually safely absorbed by the body. Treatments tend to be more painful than with other injectables, and may require a local anesthetic. Bruising may occur after the initial treatment. You may want to have a touch-up treatment a month after your first treatment to balance the symmetry of the original procedure. Radiance® and Radiesse® are recommended for lifting deep lines, enhancing the cheeks and chin, and plumping the lips. Visible results from treatment may more than a year. Artefill® is a non-resorbale injectable implant for nasolabial folds. It is composed of polymethylmethacrylate microsperes and purified bovine collagen. The microspheres remain intact at the treatment site permanently. It requires a skin test (due to presence of bovine collagen) prior to treatment and 2-3 injection visits for full correction. Sculptra® is made of polylactic acid and is highly effective for restoring facial volume. Sculptra® stimulates collagen growth to create facial contours and plump sunken or gaunt-looking features. Sculptra® requires injections into deeper tissues over many months. Your treatments will be administered on a monthly basis so your doctor can monitor how much Sculptra® stimulates your personal collagen production. The visible results of Sculptra® injections may last for years. WHAT IS AVAILABLE AND THE COST? At SSC and ELG, we offer Restylane® , Perlane®, Juvederm® and Juvederm Ultra Plus®. The cost is dependent on the number of syringes of filler required to achieve adequate correction (usually 1-2 needed). $500/syringe is the approximate cost.

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