Choosing Your Tools
While today’s HA fillers are all non-animal sourced and stabilized, they do have some important differences, including the manner in which the molecules are cross-linked, the particle size and their affinity to bind water (hydrophilic properties). These distinctions determine a filler’s hardness or resistance to deformation. Picture squirting out the contents of a tube of toothpaste. If the paste retains its shape without flattening, the material reflects a high G prime; a runny liquid that rapidly loses its peak formation has a low G prime.
Restylane (Medicis, restylaneusa.com) demonstrate stiffer qualities, which translates to a higher lift capacity. The stiffer quality of these fillers provides not only lift but also structural support. These would be more suited for creating a cheekbone, increasing chin projection or temple lifting.
Other fillers, like Juvederm (Allergen, juvederm.com), are softer materials that are ideal for filling lips, nasolaboial folds and finer lines.
Juvederm, one of the more hydrophilic fillers, is a popular tool for imparting a soft shape around the lips but is not as well suited for treatment around the eyes. Restylane, which is not quite as hydrophilic, might work better for treating the tear troughs and the nasojugal folds.
For defining the border around the lips or filling fine lines, both Restylane and Juvederm are good choices. Many physicians prefer the softness of Juvederm for filling the lip.
Collagen-Stimulating Volumizers
While HA fillers are a top choice for specific indications, such as fine lines and icepick acne scars, collagen-stimulating fillers, such as Radiesse (Merz Aesthetics, radiesse.com) and Sculptra (Valeant Aesthetics, sculptraaesthetic.com), can help create volume across a larger region with results extending to 24 months or longer.
The stiffer quality of these fillers provides not only lift but also structural support.
Managing Complications
With modern HA fillers, the potential for allergic reactions is very low, and no skin testing is necessary. That said, injecting fillers can yield potentially significant complications if not managed properly.
The most common complications are bruising and swelling at the injection site, which can last up to a week. To reduce bleeding and bruising, ask patients if they are taking any anticoagulant medications or supplements, including ibuprofen, aspirin, fish oil, omega-3, vitamin E and herbal supplements, including ginkgo biloba, as these may induce more bleeding.
Another common problem is injecting too much of a product or injecting into the wrong plane. HA fillers are somewhat forgiving in that you can use the enzyme hyaluronidase to dissolve the HA when patients are not pleased with the results. This not true with non-HA fillers, such as Radiesse, Artefill and Sculptra.
The Future Of Fillers- Juvederm Voluma XC
Though dermal fillers have been part of cosmetic medicine for almost 30 years now, there are still some truly innovative materials entering the market. Voluma XC (Allergan, allergan.com), an HA filler, will soon offer U.S. patients effects that last 18 months or more and a high G prime for more lift and fill with less product.
JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC injectable gel is the first and only filler FDA-approved to instantly add volume to the cheek area. Juvederm Voluma is the Juvederm specialty product for volumizing. It is designed for injection in the deep dermis to treat age-related facial volume loss. Voluma has the optimal thickness of a volumizer while still retaining the smooth nature of the Juvederm family.
It gives you a subtle lift, helping to restore contour and for a more youthful profile, for up to 2 years, in patients over the age of 21. It’s different than JUVÉDERM® XC and works on a different area of the face. JUVÉDERM® XC smoothes out moderate to severe wrinkles and folds around the nose and mouth, like parentheses. JUVÉDERM VOLUMA™ XC, however, adds volume to the cheek area.
As new fillers continue to come to market, the trend toward specialized products that treat specific concerns and regions of the face continues to grow. In the future, physicians can look forward to a growing variety of materials that smooth, volumize and fill the skin with fewer complications and longer results than ever before.
Dr. Mark Bishara offers minimally invasive procedures, such as injectables- for patients. These treatments are designed to provide subtle enhancements that can improve your targeted problem areas, while allowing you to return to work and your regular activities the very same day. Dr. Bishara is proud to offer a wide range of enhancing, minimally invasive procedures such asBotox, Xeomin, Juvederm Ultra Plus XC and Radiesse. Juvederm Voluma XC will be available soon. We will keep you updated or call our office for more information at (817) 473-2120.
