Fillers

Dermal fillers can dramatically enhance your appearance without surgery. In the hands of an expert, you can achieve a refreshing and youth-enhancing result. Many signs of aging are related to volume loss of the muscle, bone, and healthy fat that gives our face its shape. Dermal fillers restore lost volume and restore skin hydration and elasticity.

What causes wrinkles?

Skin aging involves two distinct processes: Intrinsic (natural) and extrinsic (environmental) aging. Intrinsic aging is a natural process that comes with age.

Natural aging

Collagen is the structural foundation of the skin that provides youthful, smooth skin. Starting at age 20 we produce about 1% less collagen every year. The result is volume loss, fine lines and deeper furrows, dryness and pigment changes. It is unavoidable and is accelerated by sun exposure.

Another vital component of youthful skin is hyaluronic acid (HA) which gives the skin a and hydrated appearance. It is a naturally occurring sugar compound that hydrates the skin and increases skin elasticity. Almost half of the hyaluronic acid in the body is in the skin. HA depletes at about 1% per year after age 30, and we produce less HA as we age which leads to fine lines and wrinkles and crepey skin. Elastin provides elasticity to the skin which is lost from aging and sun exposure.

Extrinsic aging

Sun exposure and other environmental toxins like smoking cause skin damage. According to the EPA, 90% of visible changes in the skin are directly related to repetitive sun exposure. Ultraviolet radiation causes premature aging of the skin called photoaging. Photoaging causes degeneration of collagen, and elastin and reduces hyaluronic acid concentrations in the skin.

How do dermal fillers work?

Injectable dermal fillers can restore volume and youthful contours, minimize, smooth or erase static wrinkles and so much more. Skin fillers are anti-aging. TMany fillers contain lidocaine, a topical anesthetic, to decrease discomfort during injection.

Collagen fillers plump the skin, smoothing from beneath to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, plump the lips and improve the look of scars. HA fillers provide immediate lifting and smoothing.

Types of dermal fillers

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers

Injectable hyaluronic acid fillers are made of a gel. Injected they restore lost volume, lift the cheeks, soften deep folds and creases, improve undereye circles, hydrate and plump the skin, diminish fine lines and wrinkles, volumize the lips and improve the look of the hands and earlobes.  HA fillers enhance skin firmness, plumpness and smoothness for a more youthful appearance. Results are immediate. They are popular because they provide a soft feel and with Dr. Sotiriou’s experience and artful eye, fillers can provide a natural look.

Brands of HA fillers include: Revanesse® , Juvederm®, Restylane®, Belotero® and RHA ®.  Each has distinctive formulations designed for the treatment of specific locations. Some are geared to treating moderate to severe wrinkles and folds, other are intended for lip augmentation and hand rejuvenation. When applied to areas with significant function like the lips the fillers typically last about six months. When used on areas of the face with less muscle activity such as nasolabial folds, results can last 6-18 months.

Collagen induction fillers include Radiesse®, Bellafill® and Sculptra®

Collagen induction fillers produce results that cannot be obtained with a surgical procedure or HA fillers alone. They work below the skin to lift and fill lost volume by stimulating your body to produce new collagen. They can be used to lift and fill sagging skin, shape the cheeks, chin, nose and jawline while restoring the structural support for the skin. Several treatments may be necessary to correct deep folds and wrinkles.  Results can last up to two years.

Bellafill

Bellafill is the only dermal filler that works for up to five years. It works immediately to lift and fill, and over time provides more permanent correction. It is also FDA approved to raise depressed acne scars to reduce their appearance.

Sculptra

Sculptra was designed to restore lost facial fat. It doesn’t produce results immediately. Rather it provides subtle results over months as new collagen is produced.  It is used to fill volume lost due to age, gravity and photoaging, treating volume loss in the temples and cheeks, and deep winkles and folds. Two to three sessions are often needed to achieve optimal results.

Radiesse

Radiesse is a dual action filler that provides immediate volume to diminish the look of wrinkles and folds while new collagen is formed. With time the gel is absorbed and metabolized leaving only your natural collagen for longer term correction. It is used to treat the corners of the mouth and the pre-jowl sulcus. It is also used for hand augmentation. Results last a year or more.

Your cosmetic consultation

Dr. Michael Sotiriou will review your medical history, listen to your treatment goals and evaluate your face, and areas of concern. He will map out his plan for your rejuvenation and discuss his recommendations based on his professional judgment, his artistic eye and your goals. He will use different types of fillers to create the best results for your needs.

Contact Dr. Michael Sotiriou at Salt Lake Dermatology & Aesthetics to schedule consultation today.