Hyaluronic Fillers
Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide, a form of sugar that is very important to our bodies. It cushions joints, help us see, keeps our muscles moving and helps hydrate the skin. In 2003 the first injectable form of hyaluronic acid was introduced and is now one of the most popular cosmetic office treatments in the United States. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be injected almost anywhere in the face to restore volume, fill in deep lines and wrinkles, plump the lips and improve the shape of the nose, chin and temples.
There are different brands and types of hyaluronic acid fillers. Each one is designed to do something different. Below is a basic guide:
Moderate-To-Severe Facial Wrinkles and Folds
Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, VERSA
Lip Augmentation
Juvederm Ultra, Juvederm Ultra Plus, VERSA
Under Eyes
Restylane-L
Cheek Lift and Age Related Volume Loss of the Midface
Voluma
Non-Surgical Chin Augmentation and Rhinoplasty
Voluma
Injecting hyaluronic fillers is an office procedure. Dr. Morgan does all the filler injections for her patients. Although all the fillers contain lidocaine, topical or local anesthetic can be used to make the injections more comfortable. It is injected with a hypodermic needle or a cannula, a blunt tip needle which causes less bruising. After your treatment you may have bruising, swelling and soreness at the injection site. Filler injections have been proven to be very safe but complications such as nerve damage, infection, blindness and vascular occlusion have occurred. Hyaluronic fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme if a result is unsatisfactory.
How long fillers last varies widely, some last 6 months while others last 2 years.
Everyone metabolizes fillers at a different pace.
Fat Transfer
Fat transfer to the face is the process of taking fat from other areas of the body and injecting it into the face where age related volume loss has occurred. Your own fat is removed with liposuction, purified and injected. Areas that can be treated are the cheeks, nasolabial folds, forehead and lips. Several treatments are sometimes needed because on average only about half the fat will survive.
Fat transfers can be done in the office with local anesthetic and oral sedation or laughing gas.