Filling in the Gap of Time

There are many new cosmetic items on the market today that claim to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and restore your youthful glow. The question most people have is which ones really work, what is the cost, and how long do they last. All of these are legitimate questions that you should consider before starting any cosmetic procedure. The top cosmetic “fillers” are Sculptra, Restylane, Cosmoderm, and Cosmoplast. These products are called “fillers” because they are injected into areas on the face where there is a lack of volume, or wrinkles. Whether your volume loss is in the lips or the cheeks these products work great in reducing those signs of aging.

Sculptra

Sculptra is the newest of the cosmetic fillers. Sculptra is an injectable material that contains microparticles of poly-L-lactic acid; this substance has been used for years in reabsorbable sutures used in surgery. Sculptra works by providing a gradual increase in dermal thickness of the treated area. The full effects of sculptra are evident within weeks to months. Sculptra is not a quick fix, this type of filler is one that does take a few weeks to see changes where as with some other fillers the results can be seen immediately, however knowing this, the benefit of Sculptra is that it lasts longer. Sculptra has been known to last two years whereas other fillers last approximately four to six months. Sculptra should be looked at like layering process, which means that more than one treatment may need to take place. Sculptra restores, volume, as such may be used over most areas of the face, not just in fine lines. Sculptra is commonly injected around the eyes and cheeks to restore fullness in these areas. The most common side effects are associated with reactions to injection site themselves, causing swelling, redness, and possible bruising.

Restylane

Restylane is a non-animal based product that is composed of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in all living organisms. In humans it is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin. Restylane works by the gel being injected into the deep dermis which adds volume and fullness to smooth facial wrinkles and folds. Restylane gel then integrates into the dermal tissue; it then attracts and binds to water molecules to help maintain volume. Restylane is very safe, because it is a natural product there is no pre-treatment allergy testing. The deep folds between the cheek and the upper lip are well suited for Restylane. Restylane is perfect for the deep grooves just under the corners of the mouth known as marionette lines. The most common side effect is redness and swelling at the treatment site which is only temporary. The effects of Restylane can be seen for six months or longer. Restylane does not have an anesthetic mixed into the gel; therefore some providers suggest using a numbing agent prior to the procedure.

Cosmoderm/Cosmoplast

Cosmoderm/Cosmoplast are also two fillers that are very commonly used. They are human-based collagen dermal fillers, which also do not require any pre-treatment allergy testing. By choosing these two products you will see immediate results that will last approximately four to six months. The vertical lip lines at hte upper lip and the corners of the lip are excellent indications for collagen. The great thing about these two fillers is that they are formulated with lidocaine, which is a numbing agent. Having this added numbing agent makes the procedure well tolerated. The side effects are the same of the other fillers, swelling and redness being the most common.

All of the cosmetic fillers discussed are great products and there are many more on the market. When choosing a cosmetic procedure and cosmetic product think about the most important issues which are, how safe is the product, how well trained is the provider, what type of results do you want, and how does the procedure fit into your budget. All of the questions need answers before proceeding with cosmetic work. These cosmetic fillers all work great as “lunch time” procedures for decreasing the signs of aging; both loss of volume and fine to deep wrinkles. The price range varies from what material you choose; to how much material you actually need. The range for the majority of fillers is between four hundred and five hundred dollars. Like all cosmetic procedures at first this might seem like a great deal of money but if you think of it as a long term maintenance therapy the cost seems to be less.

If you are interested in a free cosmetic consultation concerning fillers or any other cosmetic procedure, please call Dr. Kayal, certified Dermatologist and Moh’s surgeon, in Marietta. 770-426-7177.