What are Hyaluronic
Acid Fillers?
Hyaluronic acid is
a naturally-occurring molecule that is present
in your skin that aids in retaining hydration or
water in the skin. As we age, hyaluronic acid
slowly diminishes contributing to tissue
dehydration and a loss of fullness and
firmness. Hyaluronic Acid Fillers are used to
temporarily increase the amount of this
substance in the skin resulting in retained
water and swelling that provides months of
correction of wrinkles and other skin
depressions. In lips, a fuller and more sensuous
shape is created. There are many of these on the
market. Dr. Mosher
recommends using products
that are derived from non-animal sources to
ensure the safest treatments. As a result, we
offer Restylane®, Perlane™, Restylane
Fine
Lines®, Juvederm 18®, Juvederm 24®, Juvederm 24
HV®, Juvederm 30® and Juvederm 30 HV®.
The different
products have different concentrations of HA and
different degrees of molecule cross-linking.
Higher concentrations and cross-linking in
products like Perlane™, Juvederm 24 HV® and
Juvederm 30 HV® result in a firmer implant that
can last up to twelve months. Lower concentration HA
and cross-linking in
Restylane®,
Restylane Fine
Lines®, Juvederm 30®, Juvederm 24® and Juvederm
18® result in softer implants able to treat
finer lines and last from three to nine months.
Dr.
Mosher will discuss which products will be best
suited to your needs.
How are Hyaluronic
Acid Fillers different from
BOTOX® Cosmetic?
Hyaluronic Acid
Fillers provide temporary and flexible support
to the skin surface.
BOTOX® Cosmetic relaxes the
underlying muscles which cause many facial lines
and unwanted facial expressions. Frequently,
Dr.
Mosher will use
BOTOX® Cosmetic in combination
with Hyaluronic Acid Fillers when treating
certain areas where deep lines have resulted
from overactive muscles creating repetitive
folding of the skin. The most common example
would be the frown lines between the eyebrows
and upper lip lines.
How much does
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers cost?
Hyaluronic Acid
Fillers are very affordable even for those with
modest incomes. However, just like any other
non-essential item, most people need to budget
for it just as they would for buying accessories
like shoes and having their hair styled.
Hyaluronic Acid
Fillers come in different sized syringes. This
enables
Dr. Mosher
to treat the areas you want
precisely without wasting unused product.
Filling in the smile lines typically would
require one to two syringes of
Restylane®, Perlane™ or
Juvederm® costing around $475 per syringe with a
$75 discount for additional syringes used on the
same day. Lip borders and fine lines can be
enhanced with smaller syringes costing around
$300. Fuller lips overall require slightly more.
Dr. Mosher will give you an estimate of the
amount needed for optimal improvement before
your treatment. You can request additional
product at any time. For optimal maintenance you
will need to repeat your treatments two to three times per year. In some cases,
clients thrilled with the benefits of these
fillers will choose to try Artecoll® as a
permanent filler for some of the deeper creases. Hyaluronic Acid Filler treatments may be a tax
deductible medical expense (similar to dental,
orthodontic and cosmetic surgery bills), so save
your receipts!
How long does the
Hyaluronic Acid Filler last?
Hyaluronic Acid
Fillers slowly and naturally degrade over
several months. Fillers in more active areas of
the face such as the lips tend to last less time
so treatments are needed every three to six months. Hyaluronic Acid Fillers do not stop the aging
process. Your skin will continue to lose tone,
volume and sag with time. Your genetic
predisposition and the ongoing environmental
damage (sun, pollutants, etc.) will lead to new
wrinkles and more sagging. You may choose to
have these problems treated with additional Hyaluronic Acid Fillers or
Dr. Mosher may
recommend other strategies. In some areas (for
example, the forehead and upper lip)
BOTOX®
Cosmetic treatments are often used to reduce
unwanted muscle movement and in this way
compliment and prolong the effect of the Hyaluronic Acid Fillers.
Are Hyaluronic Acid
Fillers safe?
Yes. Literally
millions of treatments have been performed
around the world using these products.
Dr.
Mosher has treated hundreds of patients over the
past decade with great success. By choosing HA
fillers derived from a non-animal fermentation
process, skin sensitivity testing is not
required. Patients can have these treatments
with the confidence that the Hyaluronic acid
implant will completely disappear over time if
they decide to discontinue treatments or move on
to other options.
There have been no
reports of rejection with HA fillers. The
implant creates temporary swelling only and does
not incite new collagen or tissue remodeling to
occur. This is in contrast to
Artecoll®. Patients who have been disappointed or had
problems with collagen injections in the past
are good candidates for Hyaluronic Acid Fillers.
Rarely, if the injection is made near to the
skin surface, the implant may appear as a light
or gray-colored area. Occasionally this can also
result in lumps or bumps of the skin surface.
This is a problem that resolves completely over
time without treatment.
In less than one
case in fifteen thousand there can be excessive
inflammation in the treated area resulting in
swelling, lumps and redness. If this happens,
the involved area can be injected with the
anti-inflammatory medication Kenalog™, or simply
allowed to resolve spontaneously.
Possible side
effects include swelling, redness, slight
bruising and moderate discomfort for a few days
after injection. Sometimes there can be slight
itching at the implantation site for several
days.
What does a Hyaluronic
Acid Fillers treatment feel like?
Dr. Mosher is an
expert at reducing the discomfort associated
with injections of any kind. Topical creams or a
local anesthetic injection prior to your
treatment reduces the discomfort to very
manageable levels even in sensitive patients.
Some particularly sensitive or anxious people
find it helpful to take a couple of plain
Tylenol™ tablet about an hour or two before treatment
to further minimize discomfort.
Who should not have
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers treatments?
-
People who
tend to develop enlarged scars (keloids)
-
People who
have thin, loose skin in the area to be
treated
-
People who
have unrealistic expectations (as with any
treatment, you need to have an accurate
understanding of the likely benefits and
risks of Hyaluronic Acid Fillers treatment)
-
People who
want permanent results
-
People who are
pregnant (although there is no scientific
reason for this)
-
People who
will not tolerate a visible bruise lasting
up to one week (rare)
Pre-treatment
instructions:
It is good to
pamper yourself on treatment day! Try not to be
hurried and stressed before you arrive. Having a
nourishing breakfast or lunch, and an extra
glass of water prior to your treatment will make
you more comfortable. Many patients like to take
a couple of plain Tylenol™ tablets before treatment
(similar to what you might do before having a
flu shot) to prevent discomfort. As a practical
matter, bruising is seldom a major problem after
a Hyaluronic Acid Filler treatment. The chance
of bruising can be reduced by minimizing your
consumption of ASA and anti-inflammatory
medications for one week before and reducing
alcohol and Vitamin E for at least three days before
your treatment.
Please wear no
makeup, or makeup that is easy to remove, so
that the area to be treated can be clearly seen.
You can bring makeup with you, and you may apply
your makeup immediately after treatment. We can
also help you with our therapeutic and elegant
Glo® Minerals makeup.
Post-treatment
instructions:
Nearly every
patient will have some degree of redness and
swelling visible for several hours after
treatment. It is also possible to develop some
bruising that could be visible for up to one
week. Bruising and swelling is increased with
activities that increase circulation such as
exercise, heat and drinking alcohol, so you will
need to avoid these on the day of your
treatment. Using a cold pack on the treated
area for up to one hour after the treatment is
recommended. In order to allow the implant
to stabilize, try to avoid massaging the area or
excessive movement of the treated areas for the
next few days and in particular during the first
twelve hours
after your Hyaluronic Acid Fillers treatment.
Gentle massage is permitted if you feel a
persistent small lump or irregularity.
The implant may
feel somewhat firm at first; however, it will
soften quickly. Some swelling is expected the
first forty-eight hours with the beneficial
filling effect slowly decreasing over several
months. You can have additional filler after
four to six weeks
if you prefer to prolong the fuller appearance
present during the first month. Your next
treatment will be scheduled for about four months
later but can be delayed if your results last
longer.
Ask our very
knowledgeable staff
about Hyaluronic Acid Fillers or any of our
other wrinkle treatments. Speak to our staff
directly or call
604-888-9378 (toll free
1-800-527-7697) to
arrange your consultation.
Treatments can be scheduled within a
few short weeks.
