The visible signs of facial aging occur over time as a result of sun exposure, heredity and life style. Softening the fine lines and restoring volume and fullness in the face often can be achieved non-surgically with injectable fillers and treatments. Injectable fillers are a diverse, multi-tasking treatment option. They can plump thin lips, enhance shallow contours, soften facial creases and wrinkles; and improve the appearance of scars.



Soft tissue augmentation through various non-invasive treatments do not offer the results a facelift, brow lift or eye lift may. However, at a fraction of the cost of traditional surgeries, non-surgical treatments with injectable fillers will improve the skin's appearance and may help delay the need for a surgical procedure such as a facelift. While not as invasive as surgery, treating the skin with injections is a medical procedure. Fillers are a good option for those who are physically healthy and don't smoke.

The Consultation

The success and safety of your skin treatment procedure depends on your doctor and how honest you are with your doctor during the consultation. The doctor will ask you heath and lifestyle related questions. He or she will also ask about why you want the procedure, your expectations and desired outcome.

During the consult, you should also let the doctor know of any past treatments with injectable fillers you have had.

After examining, measuring and photographing your face, the plastic surgeon will also discuss with you the options available for facial rejuvenation. Make sure you understand all the risks, complications and likely outcomes of using injectable treatments.

During the Procedure

Once you have decided to have the procedure, the plastic surgeon will carefully evaluate your facial appearance and skin tone, and examine the areas of your face to be augmented with injectables. The doctor will then mark strategic points on your face, which will serve as a guide to the appropriate injection sites for the filler.

The sites will be cleansed with an antibacterial soap and a numbing agent may be offered to make more sensitive patients comfortable. Injection takes only a few minutes per treatment. Following injection, the doctor will remove any markings and will offer ice to reduce possible swelling or to reduce any temporary, minor discomfort.

Makeup may be carefully re-applied so long as care is taken not to apply pressure to the treatment area.

If you are filling in deep wrinkles or scars, you may require multiple injections at subsequent appointments.

The doctor can chose to inject the patient with a variety of different injectables. Few of them are mentioned below:

Collagen is a natural protein that is found to support the skin structure. It can be made from human dermis or cow tissue. Bovine collagen requires allergy testing before the injections. The collagen results last about 2 to 4 months.

Hyaluronic Acid is a natural substance found in the human body. It is usually used to plump thin lips, fill in wrinkles and facial creases such as nasolabial folds. The results generally last 6 months or maybe longer.

Hydroxylapatite is a mineral-like material found naturally in human bones. For the injection, it is suspended in a gel-like formula. It is the heaviest facial filler and is used primarily for deeper creases such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines, frown lines, and enhancing fullness of the cheeks.

Human fat, taken from your own body, can be reinjected into your face to enhance fullness, fill deep creases and to build up shallow contours. Fat injections are a more extensive procedure than other fillers because it uses liposuction to extract the fat prior to injection. Treatment results last up to a year and occasionally longer.