As our skin ages we lose collagen, our hyaluronic acid levels diminish, and gravity takes its toll causing our skin to become less elastic and sag. This sagginess creates deeper folds around our nose and mouth and with that the onset of joules and chin creases. These overt signs of aging can be mitigated with the use of fillers specifically designed to treat these areas that are key to our expression.

Restylane® Refyne is an HA filler. It softens moderate lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. It is a very elastic filler, formulated using XpresHAn Technology™ to maintain your facial expression and restore a more natural look to your face. It is a good choice for thinner skinned individuals due to its enhanced flexibility and decreased volumizing properties.

lasts approximately 12 to 18 months

Juvederm XC is a HA filler that was FDA approved in 2006 so its longevity is a tribute to its results! It is more cohesive (thicker) than VOLLURE so it is better able to effectively treat deeper lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. Its formulation provides support, volume and elasticity.

lasts approximately 1 year

Juvederm Vollure XC is comprised of a combination of large and small hyaluronic acid particles formulated to add subtle volume and soften moderate to severe lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth. Its vycross technology means it is a softer more malleable filler.

lasts approximately 18 months

Restylane Defyne® is a HA filler. It is less elastic and thicker (cohesive) than its counterpart, REFYNE.  It provides support, adds volume and maintains natural facial expression using XpresHAn Technology™. It effectively treats deeper lines and wrinkles around the nose and mouth.

lasts approximately 12 months

Your skin will be numbed with a topical anesthetic and there is anesthetic in the filler as well. It is normal to experience swelling and bruising for a few days/ 2 weeks after your procedure. To minimize these side effects consider doing these things pre-procedure:

• Avoid taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St Johns Wort, Omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) and vitamin E supplements 5 days prior to your procedure

• Avoid Alcohol for 24 hrs prior to your procedure

• Consider taking an antihistamine for 2 days before your procedure to decrease swelling.

• Consider taking oral Arnica for 2 days before your procedure to decrease bruising.

Severe complications from dermal fillers are uncommon, however, we’d like you to be aware of them. These risks may vary depending on the filler used and include:

• Acne like skin eruptions

• Asymmetry

• Bruising and bleeding from the injection site, swelling

• Damage to the skin that results in a wound and possible scarring

• Infection and the injection site

• Lumps or palpable filler under the skin

• Over correction of under correction

• Blindness

• Skin necrosis due to an unidentified intravascular injection of filler.

Please note that all of the Hyaluronic Acid fillers and Radiesse (CaHA) have an antidote that will dissolve the filler and likely resolve an intravascular injection.