Dermal Fillers
Dermal filler consists of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring polysaccharide that is present in skin and cartilage. Dermal fillers are used to restore volume, fill in facial wrinkles, and augment facial features, restoring a smoother appearance.
Who is a good candidate for dermal fillers?
- Clients who are experiencing volume loss in the face or have fine lines and wrinkles that cannot be treated using Botox alone
- Clients who want to address problem areas such as under-eye circles or sunken cheeks without having to resort to surgery
- Client in generally good health
- Non-smoker
Who is a good candidate for dermal fillers?
- Clients who are experiencing volume loss in the face or have fine lines and wrinkles that cannot be treated using Botox alone
- Clients who want to address problem areas such as under-eye circles or sunken cheeks without having to resort to surgery
- Client in generally good health
- Non-smoker
Who is NOT a good candidate for dermal fillers?
- If you are allergic to any ingredient in dermal fillers
- If you have a history of extreme allergic reactions
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- If you have received a vaccine in the last 4 weeks
What to expect
The effect and duration of dermal fillers depends on the area injected, the amount injected as well as a myriad of individual factors. Dermal fillers consist of hyaluronic acid which is a naturally-produced protein that your body slowly absorbs over time. The normal duration of fillers ranges from 2 months to 1 year.
Generally speaking, areas of high blood flow will have a shorter duration of action versus less active areas. The activity level of our client is also another consideration as more active individuals with increased blood flow and metabolic rate may metabolize the filler faster than those who are less active.
Pricing
Half Syringe - $325
Full Syringe - $650
Dermal Filler FAQs
What is Dermal Filler?
Dermal filler is made of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is something that our bodies naturally produce to perform a number of functions such as hydrating our skin or lubricating our joints. Our bodies constantly breaks down old hyaluronic acid and makes new hyaluronic acid to replace it.
Drug companies take this natural hyaluronic acid and make it more viscous by crosslinking the individual strands of hyaluronic acid, turning it into a sort of gel. This prevents our bodies from breaking down the hyaluronic acid as quickly, allowing the results to last months to years.
Where can we put dermal filler?
We can place dermal filler in most areas of our face where it can enhance our facial shape or contours. These areas include the lips, the anterior and lateral cheeks, under the eyes, the temples, the jawline, the chin, the marionette lines at the corners of the mouth, and the nasolabial folds (lines that run between the corners of the nose and mouth), among others.
How long does dermal filler last?
How long a filler treatment can last depends on the area treated and the type of filler used. For areas with high blood flow and using a lower viscosity filler like in the lips, treatments typically last anywhere from 6-12 months. For areas where we use a higher viscosity filler with less blood flow like in the cheeks, the filler can last up to 2 years. The duration of effect also depends on the individual’s metabolism and the amount of filler used as well but bottom line is anywhere from 6 months to 2+ years.
Can we dissolve dermal filler if we don’t like the results?
Yes, we can use hyaluronidase, the same enzyme created by our bodies to dissolve our own hyaluronic acid, to dissolve any excess filler.
What are some risks of dermal filler treatment?
Patients can expect some bruising and swelling to the treated area(s) after treatment which is quite normal and typically resolves after within 5 days.
Rarely, there is a very small (1/6000) chance of a vascular occlusion where some filler blocks a vein or artery in the treated area. This can lead to the blood supply being cut off to an area of the face, resulting in that tissue dying and scarring. However, if caught quickly, we can use hyaluronidase to dissolve that filler and restore blood flow to the area. Everyone here at Arlo Medical Injections have been trained on how to deal with this situation in case it happens.
What are some things a patient can do to minimize side effects from dermal filler treatment?
Anything that thins the blood should be avoided a day before and after treatment to avoid bad bruising and swelling. These include any anti-inflammatories like Aspirin, Aleve, or Advil as well as alcohol, fish oils, and gingko biloba supplements.
The patient should also avoid applying pressure or manually manipulating the area after treatment as the filler can still move and shift up to a week after treatment.