Dermal Fillers

Aging doesn’t just involve wrinkles—there are many changes that take place during the aging process that affect the skin, fat, and facial muscles, causing volume loss, sagging skin, and of course, folds and wrinkles.

Collagen, an essential structural protein that makes skin smooth, firm, elastic, and youthful, becomes less plentiful with age, making it harder for the skin to repair itself. For many people, these changes can have a profound effect on confidence and self-esteem. Dermal fillers can provide substantial, temporary improvement in signs of aging like mild to moderate wrinkles and facial volume loss without surgery or downtime.

Dermal fillers are injectable gel treatments that actively fill in “static” wrinkles—wrinkles caused by volume loss, or subtly add volume to the face where facial fat has disappeared. Volume loss can occur in many areas of the face, including the folds between the nose and lips (the nasolabial folds), beneath the eyes, in the temples and in the lips.

Common areas of treatment include the nasolabial folds, marionette lines (running from the corners of the lips to the chin), vertical lines around the mouth, the lips, under the eyes, the cheeks, and any other area that could benefit from additional volume.

Fillers are extremely popular, and there are many different brands and formulas available. The most common type of dermal filler is the hyaluronic acid filler. Hyaluronic acid is a substance found naturally in the skin, which helps keep skin hydrated and supple. Popular hyaluronic acid fillers include Restylane®, Juvederm®, Voluma® and Belotero®. Recently, more specialized fillers have appeared on the market for problems like loss of volume in the cheeks or lips. While hyaluronic acid fillers are the most common type of dermal fillers, there are other formulas that produce excellent results as well.

Dermal Fillers Consultation

Because everyone’s needs for dermal filler treatments are unique, a consultation is an essential first step in the treatment process. One of our talented cosmetic surgeons will meet with you and discuss your needs for facial rejuvenation at our Atlanta, Georgia office. With so many different filler options, you will need an expert’s advice to choose the product that is right for you. During your consultation, you will also get the opportunity to get to know our surgeons, ask any questions you might have, and find out everything you need to know about the procedure.

Dermal Fillers Candidates

Dermal fillers are appropriate for many different patients interested in facial rejuvenation. They are a low-risk treatment option and only require that patients be healthy adults with realistic expectations for the results of the treatment. During your consultation, candidacy will be assessed, and our surgeons will make sure you have no disqualifying medical conditions that could jeopardize your results or safety.

Dermal Fillers Procedure

The dermal filler procedure at our Atlanta office is minimally invasive and quite brief. If necessary, an injected local anesthetic or topical numbing cream is used to make the injection process more comfortable. Following this, the chosen filler is used to carefully fill in wrinkles or volume and improve facial contour, a process that takes about 30-45 minutes depending on the number of areas being treated.

Dermal Fillers Recovery

Following treatment, patients do not need to make any changes to their normal routine, and can go back to work or other activities immediately. The only common side effects are from the injection itself, and may include minor bruising, swelling, redness, and soreness at the injection site. These symptoms should fade within a few days, but in the meantime, makeup can be used to cover up any telltale signs, and normal skincare routines need not change.

Results will take effect immediately, though any swelling from the injections may create more volume than the final results will reflect. In order to maintain results, patients will need to come back to our offices periodically for re-treatment as the filler wears off.

Dermal Fillers FAQs

Dermal Fillers