Facial Fillers

CONSIDERING INJECTABLES?
As we age, our faces begin to show the effects of gravity, sun exposure and years of facial muscle movement, such as smiling, chewing and squinting. The underlying tissues that keep our skin looking youthful and plumped up begin to break down, often leaving laugh lines, smile lines, crow's feet or facial creases over the areas where this muscle movement occurs.

Soft-tissue fillers can help fill in these lines and creases, temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. When injected beneath the skin, these fillers plump up creased and sunken areas of the face. They can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks. Injectable fillers may be used alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure, such as a laser treatment, or a recountouring procedure, such as a facelift.

Injectable fillers are primarily used to improve the appearance of the skin's texture. They can help fill out deep facial wrinkles, creases amd furrows, "sunken" cheeks, skin depressions and some types of scars. They can also be used to add a fuller, more sensuous look to the lips.

Injectables are usually not sufficient for severe surface wrinkles on the face, such as multiple vertical "lipstick lines" that sometimes form around the mouth. Instead, your plastic surgeon may suggest a resurfacing technique, such as chemical peel, dermabrasion or laser treatments. Rather than filling in facial lines, resurfacing methods strip away the outer layers of the skin to produce a smoother appearance.

Deep folds in the face or brow caused by overactive muscles or by loose skin may be more effectively treated with cosmetic surgery, such as a facelift or browlift. Injectables are sometimes used in conjunction with facial surgery procedures; however, injectables alone cannot change facial contour the way surgery can.

The most important fact to remember about injectable fillers is that the results are not permanent. Injected material is eventually metabolized by the body. You should not expect the same long-lasting results that may be gained from cosmetic surgery.

In some individuals, the results may last only a few weeks; in others, the results may be maintained indefinitely. Researchers believe that age, genetic background, skin quality and lifestyle as well as the injected body site may all play a role in the injected material's "staying power." However, the precise reason for the variation of results among patients has yet to be identified.

ARE BOTOX® INJECTIONS RIGHT FOR YOU?

The cosmetic form of botulinum toxin, often referred to by its product name Botox®, is a popular non-surgical injection that temporarily reduces or eliminates frown lines, forehead creases, crow’s feet near the eyes and thick bands in the neck. The toxin blocks the nerve impulses, temporarily paralyzing the muscles that cause wrinkles while giving the skin a smoother, more refreshed appearance.

The beauty of a BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment is that it's a simple, 10-minute, non-surgical process. A few tiny injections, and within days there can be a noticeable improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between the brows that can last up to four months. Results may vary. And there’s no recovery time. You can even do it on your lunch break.

• Dr. Aguilar will administer several tiny injections of BOTOX® Cosmetic directly into the muscles that cause those moderate to severe frown lines between the brows.
• Dr. Aguilar will determine where to administer the injections by examining your ability to move certain muscles in your brow area. The location, size, and use of the muscles that create a furrowed brow vary markedly among individuals.
• No anesthesia is required, although Dr. Aguilar may choose to numb the area with a cold pack or anesthetic cream prior to injecting. Discomfort is usually minimal and brief. Most patients compare the sensation to a pin prick.
• You may resume normal activity immediately. You may see a marked improvement in the moderate to severe frown lines between your brows within days. Improvement may continue for as long as a month, and could last up to four months.

WHAT IS SCULPTRA® AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Sculptra® is injectable filler that is intended to restore and correct the signs of facial fat loss. Sculptra® is composed of poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic product. Ply-L-lactic acid (PLIA) is biocompatible which means it does not harm the body and biodegradable so it can be broken down by the body. Sculptra® is effective when used to fill wrinkles and furrows on the face. It makes skin appear smoother and firmer and provides an increase in the skin thickness of the areas where fat has been lost. It restores fullness to the face for a more natural appearance.

WHAT ARE THE TREAMENTS LIKE AND HOW MANY WILL I NEED?

During your consultation, Dr. Aguilar will examine your areas of soft tissue deficiency and decide the appropriate number of treatment sessions, estimating the amount of Sculptra® you will require at each session. Treatments with Sculptra® take 15-30 minutes and are performed in Dr. Aguilar’s office. A local anesthetic cream or injection may be applied to the treatment area. Using a small needle, Dr. Aguilar then injects Sculptra® beneath the surface of the skin in the area of your soft tissue. Most patients require 1-3 treatment sessions every 2-4 weeks. Severe soft tissue loss may require 3-6 treatment sessions.

HOW SOON WILL I SEE RESULTS?

The results of Sculptra® are not immediate but they are long lasting. You will see a gradual increase in soft tissue and skin thickness. Dr. Aguilar may want to see you again in a few weeks to decide if additional injections are needed.

WHAT IS JUVEDERM™ AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Juvéderm™ is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration. Dr. Aguilar injects Juvéderm™ under the skin to instantly restore your skin's volume and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds. Following the injection, Dr. Aguilar may gently massage the treated areas. The procedure is quick and easy. The injection itself usually takes only about 15 minutes. Areas of the face that respond well to Juvéderm™ are the nasolabial folds, which are the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth. Fine lines in the forehead, “crow’s feet”, and wrinkles between the eyes also respond well to Juvéderm™. Dr. Aguilar can also enhancement a patient’s lips by injecting Juvéderm™.

WHEN WILL I SEE RESULTS AND HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?

You should see an immediate improvement in the treatment areas. Most patients need one treatment to achieve optimal wrinkle smoothing. Most patients find the effects of Juvéderm™ to last up to nine months. However, the average lip treatment only lasts for about six months due to the higher blood flow to that area of the face. Results may vary and correction is temporary. Dr. Aguilar may require a patient to have supplemental “touch up” treatments to achieve and maintain optimal results.