As we age, sunlight and environmental stress begin to break down our skin’s underlying support structure. We slowly lose bone and tissue mass, and our youthful facial fat pads shrink and migrate downward as gravity takes effect. Together, these changes lead to sagging cheeks, sunken temples, eye hollows & dark circles, pronounced lower facial lines, and hanging jowls. To help reverse these age-related changes, soft tissue injectable fillers can be added beneath the skin’s surface to restore volume, lift sagging structures, and judiciously fill lines.
Many soft tissue fillers are available on the market, and each has specific uses. Whether a product is meant to restore volume or fill fine lines depends on its physical properties. Products that are bulky tend to be better for providing volume, while softer products are ideal for minimizing shallow lines or plumping deflated lips. Visible results after each treatment may last from 6-24 months, depending on the amount of product injected and product type used.
All of the providers at Northshore Dermatology Center have extensive knowledge of facial anatomy and will examine your face carefully while listening to your concerns. With your input, we will thoughtfully customize a precise injectable filler protocol to best address your needs. Sometimes we may recommend combining fillers with muscle relaxants, such as Botox or Dysport or Xeomin, or with laser resurfacing procedures. We look forward to helping you look your best and are committed to achieving natural looking results.
To minimize discomfort during your procedure, we may use topical numbing cream, nerve blocks, or ice packs. Many of today’s fillers come pre-mixed with lidocaine (numbing medication) to help further minimize pain. Most patients tolerate their procedures well, but bruising and swelling may occur. If you take herbal supplements, elective aspirin or NSAIDS (Motin, Advil, Naproxen, etc.), we encourage you to discontinue these supplements about 10 days before your treatment session. This will help minimize excess bruising.
