Facial Fillers
General Considerations
Realistic expectations are the key to success
Facial fillers and injections can be a complementary procedure to enhance results of other cosmetic procedures.
What will usually be helped?
Relative improvement in the appearance of horizontal forehead wrinkles
Improvement in vertical frown lines
Improvement in crows feet
Improvement in nasolabial fold area
Improvement near or below the corners of the mouth or marionette lines
Reduction in appearance of shallow to moderate acne scars
What will not be helped?
Major asymmetries in the face
Extremely deep wrinkles or acne scars
Jowls and skin laxity of the neck and under the chin
Limitations of procedure
Cannot achieve perfection
Cannot prevent continued aging
Cannot solve personal problems
Goals may be only partially met
Natural asymmetries are difficult to completely correct
Other options and alternatives
No treatment, chemical peel, laser resurfacing, facelift or fat injections
Facilities, anesthesia and surgery
Outpatient procedure
No anesthesia or topical anesthesia
Local (dental) blocks are also available
Recovery
Average time off of work – none
Resume normal activities 1 day
Resume exercise 1 day
Redness: majority gone in 1-2 days
Bruising may occur, resolves in 3 days
May consume alcohol same day
Massage lumpy areas for 3 days
Temporary trade-offs
Discomfort, pain, sensitivity during injections
Swelling, prolonged redness
Psychological depression
Lumpiness
Bruising
Permanent trade-offs
The products usually either wear off or reabsorb, restoring native structures
Minor changes in appearance may remain due to permanent alterations in facial skin muscle structure
Minor potential problems
Prolonged swelling and bruising
Asymmetry
Granuloma
Prolonged redness
Allergic reaction to medications
Droopy eyelids
Major potential problems
Scarring of the skin
Necrosis or sloughing of the skin
Infection
Vessel occlusion in very rare circumstances
Any and all of the risks and complications can result in:
Additional surgery, hospitalization, time off
Important considerations prior to your procedure
It is important to stop using any blood thinners to include aspirin, ibuprofen, NSAID containing medications, Vitamin E, herbal supplements such as ginko biloba 1 week prior to your procedure.
Please start removing all makeup and cleanse your face 1-2 days prior to your procedure. All makeup has to be removed in the areas treated.
Notify your doctor if you are prone to getting cold sores or fever blisters. Prophylactic antiviral medication will be prescribed.
Smoking can have serious side effects on the healing process.
Additional procedures may need to be performed in 4-12 months.
Multiple procedures are usually needed if you have extensive damage from aging or injury.
Skin consistency, type, ethnic background, and age are important factors that should be discussed before the procedure.
The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected there cannot be any guarantee, nor warranty, expressed or implied, as to the results that may be obtained.
List of common medications to avoid prior to your procedure:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- NSAIDs
- Vioxx
- Celebrex
- Vitamin E
- Fish oil
- Garlic
- Ginco Biloba
- Heparin
- Coumadin
- Lovenox
Eyebrow & Forehead Treatment options
No treatment
Eyelid surgery
Eyebrow Lift with botulinum toxin
Eyebrow lift with Fillers
Aesthetic nonsurgical options include eyebrow lift with botulinum toxin injection around the brow area. This is also known as a chemical eyebrow lift. The concept is based on selective chemodenervation of select muscle groups around the eye to help elevate the lateral brow in a more favorable position while slightly depressing the medial portion or club head of the brow, thus restoring a youthful ark of the brow.
Another option for restoration of a youthful eyebrow is injection of a filler around the brow or fat grafting. This technique restores lost volume and fullness in the lateral aspect of the brow which also gives a brow a lift.