VOLUME BOOSTERS AKA FILLERS

Dermal fillers can restore & revolumise skin & facial contours to form a more youthful appearance and are longer lasting than botulinum toxins. They can also smooth lines and wrinkles, firm key facial structures and define the shape of certain structures e.g. lips.

Static lines and volume loss are best treated with dermal fillers. There are many different products on the market, and unlike botulinum toxins, they are not prescription-based. The different filler types vary in thickness and consistency, coinciding with their varying indications. On average, dermal fillers can last anything between 6-18 months depending on product choice, depth injected, area treated, body metabolism and environmental factors such as heat.

 

Unlike botulinum toxins, hyaluronic acid-based fillers are reversible with the enzyme Hyaluronidase/Hyalase. The nature of injecting also varies to botulinum toxins, with more force required to inject, and different techniques used. As a practitioner it is so very important to have knowledge about different products in the market.

Volume boosters also called fillers may seem to work the same , but in truth not all injectables do work the same way, as each product has its own unique characteristics. A practitioner needs to know how each product works, what it’s made of, how long the product will last and where they should be injected to be able to address the clients concerns. Here are some examples:

Juvéderm Volbella: Under eye or tear trough fillers are considered a danger zone as there is a risk of vascular occlusion, which happens when dermal filler is either injected into an artery or around an artery to the point that the blood flow is reduced or completely stopped. Under eye fillers have also shown to possibly form nodules, So it is very important to consult with the expert injector on what will work best for you. Juvéderm Volbella is the first FDA approved injectable filler. There are many other fillers that are used to treat under the eyes so consultation is of importance. Although this is very advanced area to treat, an experienced aesthetic practitioner with correct knowledge can achieve beautiful results.

 

Sculptra is a collagen stimulating,non-dissolvable filler made of poly-L-lactic acid, which is a substance used in dissolvable sutures. Sculptra is semi-permanent option that is usually used as a volumizer to fill large areas of the face and expands the tissue in the area to plump it up. This is usually used for areas such as sunken cheeks and requires multiple treatments to be effective. When placed under the skin it will slowly over a period of 6-12 weeks improve the texture and the tone of the skin and requires several sessions.

 

Radiesse is a calcium-based filler and has biostimulatory effects, which amplify the body’s production of collagen and elastin. It is made of calcium hydroxyapatite gel that can last from a year to 18 months in the body. Radiesse is not recommended for superficial/mid-dermal, periorbital or vermillion border placement, however, newer dilution protocols enable hypodermal placement to rejuvenate the skin of the hands and décolletage. Radiesse and Radiesse (+) that comes with lidocaine are approved to treat deep wrinkles, like nasolabial folds and along the jawline.

 

RHA Redensity, the latest FDA-approved treatment for lip lines as it is smooth and can correct the fine lines around the lips. The results lasts up to a year and has a natural appearance.

 

Skin boosters are very thin and many of them have vitamins included but they just boost the appearance of the skin. They don’t fill, lift or sculpt. Allergan’s new SkinV and Profile are two in the forefront when it comes to skin boosters