The Complete Guide to Facial Fillers

Dermal fillers have been around for a long time. But recently, aesthetic trends have shifted in a way that has propelled dermal fillers to new popularity. In 2020, despite the pandemic, more than 3.4 million dermal filler injections were performed. Most of those injections were from products like Juvederm and Restylane, two of the most trusted products on the market.Both these brands offer various formulations that can be used to target a host of different aesthetic concerns. We have found that this technique is superior to some products that attempt a one-size-fits-all approach. This is why we at Aesthetic Envy med spa clinic are happy to offer a full selection of Juvederm and Restylane products.

What Are Dermal Fillers?

The most popular dermal fillers are made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the body. This means that the likelihood of having a poor reaction to the treatment is minimized since the body does not recognize it as a foreign entity. This also means that the body will naturally absorb the material over time, making it a good option for anyone who would like to continuously improve and change their aesthetics.Other materials, like calcium hydroxylapatite and polylactic acid, can also be used in dermal fillers, but hyaluronic acid is the industry standard. In some cases, autologous fat injections can also be performed. Essentially, this method uses liposuction to remove fat from one area of the body, purify it, and then reinject it into a different part of the body to add volume. Since this requires liposuction, which is considered a minimally invasive surgery, we often find that our patients prefer the hyaluronic acid filler route.

Why Do We Need Dermal Fillers?

From being out in the sun to just simply getting older, there are a lot of things that can cause our faces to need dermal fillers.

Environmental Damage

Free radicals are a bit of a buzzword in the aesthetic industry but don’t feel bad if you don’t quite understand what they are. Essentially, free radicals are molecules in the air that damage the skin, contributing to the aging process and the development of fine lines, wrinkles, hair loss and volume loss.As we age, our body is less adept at fighting off these molecules, causing the change in appearance to become even more noticeable. Other lifestyle factors like smoking, pollution, diet, alcohol and drug use can also contribute to aged skin.

Collagen Production

By the age of 20, we lose 1% of our collagen production every single year. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our bodies and is responsible for keeping our skin taut and youthful. Since we lose so much of it annually, it should come as no surprise that we start to notice some changes by our mid-twenties.

UV Exposure

Sun exposure is one of the most significant environmental contributors to a wrinkled and sunken appearance. The UV rays from the sun quickly break down the integrity of our skin, which is why it is normal to see frequent beachgoers with problematic skin texture and appearance at an early age.

Types of Dermal Fillers

Here are all the different types of dermal fillers on the market.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite

This is a synthetically produced material that is produced with no animal products. While this does mean that the likelihood of adverse reaction is minimized, we have found better results with hyaluronic acid products. With that being said, everyone is different, and it is normal to have a better reaction to one type of filler than another. For that reason, we can always provide a calcium hydroxylapatite injection when needed.

Hyaluronic Acid

This industry standard is what popular and effective products like Juvederm and Restylane are made from. They excel as fillers because they replace one of the naturally occurring (and most easily lost) substances in your skin. For many years before they were used in aesthetics, hyaluronic acid injections were used to treat arthritis pain and other injuries. This makes it one of the most well-understood and used aesthetic treatments on the market.

Polylactic Acid

Polylactic acid doesn’t worry about replacing what you lost. Instead, it focuses on encouraging your body to produce more of what it is missing by stimulating the natural healing process. When this process kicks in, a ton of different healing factors and proteins flood the area, creating a natural boost to an aged appearance.

What Can Dermal Fillers Treat?

1. Cheek Contouring — Juvederm Voluma XC, Restylane Contour
2. Chin Augmentation — Restylane DEFYNE, Restylane Contour
3. Jawline Enhancement — Juvederm Voluma, Restylane LYFT
4. Lip Augmentation — Juvederm XC, Juvederm Volbella, Restylane, Restylane Silk, Restylane-L, Restylane Kysse
5. Lip Lines — Juvederm XC, Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Volbella, Restylane SILK, Restylane-L, Restylane Kysse
6. Marionette Lines — Juvederm Ultra, Restylane, Restylane DEFYNE, Restylane REFYNE
7. Mental Crease — Juvederm XC
8. Nasolabial Folds — Juvederm XC, Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Voluma, Juvederm Volbella, Juvederm Vollure, Restylane, Restylane DEFYNE, Restylane REFYNE
9. Tear Troughs — Juvederm XC, Juvederm Ultra, Restylane

What Are My Dermal Filler Options?

Juvéderm

• Juvéderm Voluma. This filler is often used to contour the cheek, jawline, and nose as well as treat bunny lines, crow’s feet, frown lines and nasolabial folds. It is highly structured, giving it a result timeline of up to two years, one of the highest of any dermal filler product.
• Juvéderm Vollure. Vollure is formulated specially to address nasolabial folds, also known as laugh or smile lines. The results last up to 12 months and many patients have found great satisfaction with this product.
• Juvederm Ultra. Frown lines, lip lines, marionette lines, nasolabial folds and tear troughs can all be filled with this versatile injectable option. The results can last up to twelve months (the standard for many fillers), but the ultimate timeline depends on your body’s reaction to the product.
• Juvederm Volbella. Volbella is an exciting option because it can treat a myriad of different conditions like lip lines, nasolabial folds and neck folds. It can also be used for lip augmentation if any patient wants to improve the size of their lips.

Restylane

• Restylane Lyft. Lyft is used to improve the appearance of areas that need a little more structure. It is used primarily for liquid rhinoplasty and redefining the jawline, but it can also be used to improve the appearance of aged hands. The results can last up to twelve months in most cases.
• Restylane Defyne. In some cases, a physician might opt to use Defyne for cheek and chin augmentation if the patient is also looking to improve the appearance of marionette lines or nasolabial folds. Results can last up to 12 months.
• Restylane Refyne. Acne scars, marionette lines, nasolabial folds and neck folds are all treatable with Refyne. These results can last up to 12 months, but it will depend highly on your body’s reaction to the treatment and the amount of correction being made.
• Restylane Silk. Silk is reserved for places that need a very soft fill, like during a lip augmentation or when filling lip lines around the mouth. It can also be used to treat neck folds, making it a good option for people who need delicate improvement. Results usually last between five and seven months.
• Restylane Kysse. Kysse provides up to 11 months of improvement for anyone who is interesting in increasing the size and shape of their lips or filling in lines around the mouth. Most patients seeking lip augmentation will achieve the best results with this formulation.

What Should I Expect from a Dermal Filler Procedure?

A dermal filler procedure is very straightforward. You come into the office and are taken back into a procedure room. The injection site is then thoroughly cleaned, and the injections are made, usually within 45 minutes. (This is why dermal fillers are a great option for anyone with a busy schedule.) Once the injections are complete, the area is cleaned again, bandaged if necessary, and you are sent on your way with nothing more than some minor soreness or redness. That is the entire process!

Can I Combine My Dermal Filler with Other Procedures?

Dermal fillers can be combined with many other aesthetic treatments. Let us know during your consultation which concerns you would like to address and we can make some recommendations based on your goals, budget, medical history and conditions. We are confident we can find a cosmetic treatment plan to help you achieve your ideal appearance.

How Much Do Dermal Fillers Cost?

The cost of your dermal fillers will depend entirely on what treatment you are having performed, the extent of your correction, combination procedures and a few other factors. Since there is such a large spectrum of conditions and products, it is impossible to give you a reliable estimate until you are able to come in for a consultation.

Perfect Your Appearance With Dermal Fillers at Aesthetic Envy

If you are ready to learn more about how Aesthetic Envy can improve your appearance with a nonsurgical, minimally invasive injectable treatment, call our Sacramento office at (916) 333-4906 to get more information about dermal fillers. You can also fill out the contact form below to have a member of our team get back to you at a more convenient time. We are looking forward to being your trusted partner throughout your entire aesthetic journey.