In 2013, the AAFPRS reported popularity of dermal fillers increased with both men and women. Four key facial fillers saw increases: calcium hydroxylapatite, hyaluronic acid, platelet rich plasma, and polylactic acid. Each of these is useful in adding volume, smoothing the skin, and reducing the visibility of creases, lines, and wrinkles.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite Fillers
In terms of calcium hydroxylapatite fillers, Radiesse is a brand you’ll hear mentioned by facial plastic surgeons. With a lifespan of two years, and helps minimize the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Radiesse is also used to help raise scars to make them less noticeable. It’s most commonly used in men and women between the ages 30 and 60. One Radiesse injection slowly improves the lines and wrinkles in the face, but you’ll usually see noticeable improvements within seven days.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Juvederm and Restylane are two popular hyaluronic acid fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a substance found within your body, so the risk of a reaction is minimal. They are incredibly safe and have been used for more than a decade throughout the world.
Juvederm is a gel filler suitable for patients 18 and older. It usually helps ease the appearance of wrinkles by smoothing the skin for a period of four months to a year. As a result, it is recommended that you return for touch-up injections twice a year to maintain Juvederm’s benefits. There is also Juvederm Voluma, a newer component to the Juvederm family, which is suggested for deeper cases of wrinkles and nasolabial folds.
Restylane helps ease the appearance of wrinkles, but it is also approved by the FDA to add volume to thin lips. After the first Restylane injections, you go for touch-up injections between four and nine months. After that, you return in a year and a half to see if the filler needs touching up or is still effectively adding volume and reducing wrinkles.
Platelet Rich Plasma Injections
A handful of facial plastic surgeons are using this new, safe technique to add volume. Instead of using a synthetic filler, the surgeon withdraws your own blood, processes it to separate the plasma, and injects it into the areas of the face that need volume. As the blood comes from your own body, there is no risk of reaction. Another problem with the synthetic fillers is that they often form lumps after they are first injected. These lumps can look unnatural until they smooth out. With the platelet rich plasma procedure, these lumps do not occur. Additionally, this plasma prompts the body to increase collagen production to ensure big results.
Polylactic Acid Fillers
Sculptra is a leadingpolylactic acid filler. It works by aiding the body in collagen production, which helps fill in creases, lines, and wrinkles for approximately two years. Generally, three injections are given over a span of three months. After that, you should have results that last two years or more.
Before you undergo any dermal filler injections, others include Voluma and hyaluronic acid fillers, you must arrange a consultation to address any concerns or questions you have about the procedure, possible side effects, and things you must do after the injections.
Make sure you arrange this consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon to ensure the best possible results. Read Dr. Michael Schwartz’s bio to see he’s the right choice for your skincare needs. To schedule an appointment, call the West Palm Beach office at 561-228-5888.