Injectable Filler Treatments

Dermal fillers, also called soft-tissue fillers, are popular cosmetic procedures in Edmonton. There were reportedly 2.6 million of these procedures performed worldwide in 2016. Dermal fillers are a cost-effective and reliable treatment for smoothing out wrinkles and adding volume to the skin, especially on the face.

Many experts around the world who apply dermal fillers agree that this type of cosmetic treatment, by itself, or with other minor skin surgical procedures, can easily bring forward a more youthful appearance.

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What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are medical implants that are injected into the skin. They’re also known as injectable fillers. In Edmonton, several different types of dermal fillers are used to bring about tighter, smoother facial skin. Dermal fillers are used most often in the nasolabial folds, lips, and cheeks of the face, but can also be used on other wrinkled parts of the body, such as the back of the hands.

The increasing popularity of dermal fillers stems from numerous tests and studies, which indicate that it’s a proven method for diminishing lines and folds, and recreating a more youthful appearance as you age.

How long do dermal filler treatments last?

Depending on the type of injectable implant that is used, our Edmonton dermal filler patients can experience a more youthful appearance from four months to several years.

How do dermal fillers work?

Dermal fillers can either be natural or synthetic materials, which are injected directly into the skin. They fill the soft tissue constituting wrinkles, deep lines, and blemishes, providing the area with a look of youthful plumpness.

Common areas of the face where dermal fillers are used include:

Sunken cheeks
Frown sunken cheeks
Frown lines
Laugh lines
Thin lips
Under eye fillers
Creases around the mouth

These features of ageing are among the most prominent, in addition to indentations from old scars. Dermal fillers help to decrease their presence, thereby producing a younger look.

Who are dermal fillers suited for?

At our Edmonton clinic, we believe you should meet the following criteria to be able to have a soft tissue filler procedure done:

Be at least 18 years of age
Be in good health
Have noticeable wrinkles and lines that will benefit from the use of dermal fillers
Your skin should be free of open wounds or infection
Have reasonable expectations for the results that dermal fillers are able to achieve

What are the most noticeable wrinkles?

As most people get closer to the age of retirement, there are certain wrinkles that are generally more noticeable. The two main types are dynamic and static wrinkles.

Dynamic wrinkles become more visible as often-used skin muscles wear out. This can be from repetitive motions like laughing, smiling, and frowning. Medical shots like Botox® are commonly used to paralyze the respective muscles in order to treat dynamic wrinkles.

Static wrinkles are caused by the loss of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the skin from ageing. For these, dermal fillers work best to temporarily correct them.

What causes the skin to age?

As you get older, the skin loses its ability to naturally maintain an optimal amount of moisture. Collagen production also tends to slow down with age. This causes the skin to lose its firmness and sag, resulting in the appearance of wrinkles and lines. Damage by the sun and other environmental factors, as well as medications and harmful lifestyle choices, such as smoking and poor nutrition also contribute to the appearance of ageing. Dry Edmonton winters are also very hard on our skin.

Although inevitable with age, most people abhor the appearance of wrinkles, which are ridge-like in appearance and break up the smoothness of the skin. With the face being constantly exposed, the signs of aging are more noticeable in this area, prompting cosmetic procedures like dermal fillers and medical shots, which reduce wrinkles and lines.

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Treatments Include:

Absorbable Fillers

Collagen: An important skin protein; these dermal fillers can last 3–4 months before wearing out.
Hyaluronic Acid: An important sugar compound found in the skin and cartilage; dermal fillers containing hyaluronic acid can last anywhere from 6–18 month.
Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA): This is a chemically engineered substance that is biodegradable. This type of dermal filler may last up to two years but it is injected over a period of several months.

Non-Absorbable Fillers

Polymethylmethacrylate Beads: (PMMA microspheres) are non-biodegradable, chemically engineered injectable implants that are government-approved. This type of filler can last up to two years or more.

Dermal fillers are a safe and effective treatment to plump sagging skin or thin lips, and smooth out wrinkles.

They can also rejuvenate hands, counteract the hollows that form under eyes, and treat imperfections like scars. Fillers differ from medical shots in that they don’t affect muscles in the face. Instead, fillers add volume to areas where there has been a loss of fat, collagen, and skin elasticity.

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Your Complete Guide to Dermal Fillers

With age, our bodies stop producing collagen and hyaluronic acid (HA). These are substances that give us the firm, vibrant appearance associated with youthfulness. Because of this, over time the plumpness in our face disappears, creating flatness and wrinkles. This loss of volume, moisture, and elasticity leaves people appearing tired and worn-out.

Since fillers entered the scene in the ‘80s, they have transformed the way cosmetic dermatologists treat patients with unappealing, age-related concerns. With an estimated 30 million people worldwide receiving fillers, these treatments are clearly an attractive solution.

Patients can visit their doctor, and in less than an hour, return to life looking refreshed and youthful.

What can I expect during & after a dermal filler procedure?

As with any of Dr. Sharma’s procedures, his aim with a filler injection isn’t to drastically alter your overall appearance. Rather, his goal is to create a subtle, natural looking change, halting the signs of ageing and leaving you rejuvenated.

After selecting the best dermal filler for his patient’s needs, Dr. Sharma will personally administer the injectable. Using a high level of skill and a keen eye for beauty, Dr. Sharma artfully contours the face and eliminates the appearance of wrinkles.

Patients can expect the entire dermal filler procedure to take less than an hour, and apart from mild swelling and/or bruising, there’s almost no downtime afterwards.

Dermal filler side effects

Dermal fillers carry their own set of risks and side effects, despite being among the safest non-intrusive procedures. They may include pain, tenderness, swelling, itching, rashes, and bruises.

What problems do dermal fillers solve?

Injectables literally fill the void created by reduced production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in our bodies. Using fillers, Dr. Sharma can:

Alleviate forehead wrinkles
Smooth deep nose to mouth wrinkles (nasolabial folds)
Refresh the eyes
Add volume to hollow cheeks
Plump out crows feet
Rejuvenate aged hands
Fill in laugh lines
Reduce or remove frown lines

In addition to diminishing the dreaded effects of ageing, dermal fillers also provide a solution for non-age related complaints, including:

Enhancing a weak chin
Accentuating lips
Reshaping the tip of the nose
Smoothing nasal bumps
Accenting cheekbones
Eliminating the appearance of scars

Jawline & Cheek Contouring at Sharma Skin & Hair Surgery

Though facial proportions, angles, and shapes change with age, gender, and race, it’s worthwhile to think about aesthetic “ideals” when assessing the face prior to facial design and rebalancing rejuvenation with either surgery or non-surgical modalities.

Cosmetic proportions, dimensions, and angles which are deemed “ideal” include small quantifiable measurements which when viewed globally achieve a balanced and harmonious facial profile. In Dr. Sharma’s opinion, producing the aesthetic “perfect” depends less on site-specific reduction, augmentation, or straightening of facial features and more about a holistic approach, considering every attribute because it contributes to the remainder of the facial architecture.

Types Of Dermal Fillers

When injectables were first introduced, there were limited options. Now, the extensive list of choices can be overwhelming for prospective patients. Generally speaking, there are different options for each dimension of the face;

Structural (cheekbones, for example)
Muscular (facial expressions)
Soft tissue (volume)
Skin

Beginning with an in-depth understanding of each of the following fillers and a thorough appreciation for the results his client wishes to achieve, Dr. Sharma will select the ideal filler(s) for the procedure. The two broad categories include non-permanent (resorbable) and permanent (non-resorbable). The difference between each is whether or not the product is absorbed back into the body over time.

Non-permanent dermal fillers

Blood-based:
As you can imagine from its name, blood-based injectables use the patient’s blood as filler. The blood is spun at high speeds in order to separate the platelets and fibrin (a protein which helps blood clot). These substances are then injected into the desired area to stimulate collagen production. Because blood-based fillers use a non-foreign substance, they pose virtually no risk of allergic reaction in patients. Results of this procedure can last up to 18 months, making it one of the longest lasting absorb-able fillers.
Hyaluronic acid (Juvéderm®, Belotero®, Restylane®):
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are by far the most popular injectables used by Edmonton physicians. This is due, in large part, to their versatility. These products are available in a variety of thicknesses. The thinner options fill in fine lines and create subtle enhancements, and the thicker products add volume and eliminate deep wrinkles. HA fillers are the only product with a reversible option available. In rare cases where clients are unhappy with their results, an enzyme is used to immediately reverse the impact of the filler. Products such as Juvéderm® are made of complex sugars which, when injected, create fullness in the skin that can last for up to six months.
Poly-L-lactic (Sculptra®):
Sculptra® stimulates the natural growth of collagen and is used to shape large areas rather than pinpoint specific wrinkles. Unlike other temporary fillers, Sculptra® requires multiple visits over several months. This allows the filler to work gradually and therefore last longer (up to 24 months).
Calcium hydroxyapitate (Radiesse®):
Calcium hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring compound found in human bones. This injectable is used most commonly to provide volume and firmness in areas with moderate to severe wrinkles and sagginess. The results achieved using Radiesse® last up to 12 months.

Permanent dermal fillers

Polymethyl Methacrylate (Bellafill®):
Although less common, non-resorbable fillers are still occasionally used in patients who wish to permanently eliminate laugh (smile) lines. Using a mixture of tiny plastic beads and collagen, Dr. Sharma injects Bellafill® under the skin, providing instant volume, which lasts for years.

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Facial Fillers

Fat grafting vs. dermal fillers: what works best to restore facial volume?

Nothing contributes to a youthful appearance the way a radiant, healthy face does. Loss of facial volume, elasticity, and moisture creates a tired, aged look. In an effort to combat these unpleasant signs of ageing, many of us seek out treatment to restore the vitality that once radiated through us.

Injectable dermal fillers offer a natural looking solution, restoring patients to a more youthful version of themselves. Now there are more options than ever to achieve this goal. Most commonly, dermatologists use filler products like Juvéderm® and Voluma®, to replenish depleted skin. More recently, many have started incorporating fat grafting and injections in their treatments.

But which is better?

This isn’t a simple question to answer. Like most choices in life, what’s right for one may not be best for another. Understanding the difference between techniques is an important first step in your approach to revitalizing your appearance.

Fat Grafting

Doctors use a gentle form of liposuction to retrieve fat cells from the body (usually the abdomen or thighs). Once the fat is harvested, it’s processed and injected into the hollowed or wrinkly areas of the face to restore volume. While the injection itself causes minimal discomfort, the fat transfer is generally carried out with the use of local anesthesia to minimize soreness for the patient from the liposuction.

Post-procedure expectations:

Fat injections offer people an appealing solution to volume loss for several reasons. Most notably, the product is natural. Any concerns regarding a foreign substance being injected in the body can be alleviated. Since the doctor uses the patient’s own fat cells as filler, the risk of rejection or allergic reaction is eliminated.

The results of fat injections also last longer than other products, sometimes remaining permanently. Since the effects last longer, patients require fewer maintenance treatments, which in turn mean less of a financial commitment.

Despite the benefits of using someone’s own body tissue to restore fullness, there are downsides. Due to the slightly more invasive nature of this technique, discomfort during the procedure and recovery afterwards can be mildly unpleasant. Patients often set aside a few days for rest and recovery following treatment.

Dermal Filler Procedure

Injecting dermal fillers are non-invasive. A small needle is used to inject the filler just under the surface of a patient’s skin. The procedure is quick and relatively painless, with people enjoying an immediate return to normal life after an appointment.

Post-procedure expectations:

The beauty behind dermal fillers is the range of options available to doctors. Whether a patient hopes to eliminate fine grooves around the eye or wishes to add substantial volume to sunken cheeks, an ideal product exists to offer a solution. A skilled physician with a trained eye for natural beauty selects the best filler to contour the face and restore its youthful vibrancy.

Manufactured fillers use collagen, hyaluronic acid, elastin, and other naturally produced growth factors to restore the youthful properties of the skin. In many cases, the injected filler actually stimulates new growth within the body, thus promoting healthier skin long term.

Dermal fillers offer results that last between six months and two years depending on the product and treatment area. Over time, the body absorbs the broken down filler and consequently, additional treatments are necessary to maintain the desired look. Individual treatments cost less than fat grafting, but since treatments are required more frequently to maintain results, the lifetime investment may be higher.

So, Which Option is Best?

At this point, it’s fair to say that there isn’t one right answer. In both instances, the technical ability and artistic eye of Dr. Sharma are paramount. Regardless of which substance is used, the procedure requires a high level of skill to ensure the best possible result. Dr. Sharma has that skill as one of Edmonton’s best cosmetic doctors.

Experienced cosmetic doctors understand the value of fat and fillers, and many incorporate both in their approach to treatment. Every patient has unique treatment goals, expectations, skin health, and history. It is Dr. Sharma’s responsibility to understand the needs of his patients and pursue a customized plan in order to provide naturally stunning results.

Therefore, while some doctors may lean towards fat grafting versus fillers, or vice versa, the correct choice lies somewhere in the middle. Both options can provide an ideal outcome, depending on the scenario.

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Facial Design Begins During the Consultation Process

During the consultation, the patient’s expectations, age, facial structure, and ethnicity are taken into consideration. The overall facial structures are assessed including the jawline, temples, chin, nose, and lateral zygomatic arch. Dr. Sharma will highlight particular areas which, when accentuated, will enhance the overall holistic appearance of the face. A discussion around how to achieve this will involve the benefits of different approaches and longevity of results.

We invite you to experience Dr. Sharma’s artistic eye, skilled hands, and unparalleled holistic approach to help you achieve your balanced facial profile.

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Learn more about your options

If you’re interested in learning more about your treatment options from one of Edmonton’s most experienced and highly skilled cosmetic doctors, book a consultation with Dr. Sharma today. He prioritizes patient education through consultation, helping you confidently select the best path to achieve your goals.

Author: Dr. Anil Sharma

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