Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm, Voluma XC, Belotero

Overview

With age, we lose volume in our faces, resulting in wrinkles, skin folds, and hollows. Facial filler products add volume and fullness to the skin and restore a natural rejuvenated appearance to the face.

Though there are many different commercially available fillers, the most commonly used products are made from hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in our skin that helps skin stay hydrated and healthy in appearance. Hyaluronic acid is like a sponge, creating volume in the face by absorbing and binding water. As we age, the amount of hyaluronic acid normally decreases, resulting in undesirable facial lines and wrinkles. While most commercially available fillers contain hyaluronic acid, each has subtly different properties with regards to longevity, thickness, and ideal indications.  The most widely used hyaluronic acid fillers are:

• Restylane®      • Perlane®    • Juvederm®     • Belotero®

Choosing among various fillers can be confusing, but Dr. Chung will help create a specific treatment plan for your face based on your individual needs. Some of the most common places to place fillers in the face include:

• nasolabial folds    • marionette lines   • cheeks
• lips    • lipstick lines   • prejowl sulcus   • temples

RestylaneRestylane®

Restylane®  injectable gel is the world’s most studied filler and has been used for over ten years. First approved by the FDA in 2003 for use in the United States, Restylane®  is a clear gel formulation of hyaluronic acid. It works immediately to add volume and fullness to the skin for natural-looking results.

PerlanePerlane®

Perlane®  is also a clear gel formulation of hyaluronic acid specifically formulated to add volume to your face. What makes Perlane® different is the average size of the particles and the depth of injection. On average, the gel particles in Perlane® are larger than those in Restylane®, making Perlane® a good choice for deeper skin wrinkles.

Juvederm®

JuvedermJuvederm®  is a clear injectable hyaluronic acid gel infused with a small amount of local anesthetic (lidocaine).  As a result, Juvederm®  allows for greater ease and comfort of injection. It is a safe and comfortable treatment to restore the lost hyaluronic acid back to your skin, restoring volume and youth.

Voluma XC®

Voluma XC®  is the newest FDA approved hyaluronic acid filler formulated to specifically add volume to the  cheek area.  Voluma XC® provides a subtle lift, helping to restore contour and a more youthful profile by reducing the appearance of sagging skin and facial folds.  Voluma XC® is clinically proven to last up to two years; its the longest lasting hyaluronic acid filler available!

Belotero®

Belotero

Belotero®  is an addition to the family of hyaluronic acid fillers available in the United States, having been approved by the FDA in 2011. Dr. Chung was one of the few physicians in the country to offer this filler during its debut in the United States. Belotero® is a transparent hyaluronic-based gel dermal best suited for fine lines close to the surface of the skin. Belotero®  is Dr. Chung’s filler of choice for superficial, fine lines, as it does not produce the bluish hue seen with other fillers when injected close to the skin’s surface.

Am I a good candidate for facial fillers?

You may be an excellent candidate for hyaluronic-based aesthetic fillers if you wish to restore volume back to the folds and lines of your face using minimally invasive, non-surgical techniques. Dr. Chung recommends these fillers for the following areas:

  • nasolabial folds (lines from nose to the corners of the mouth)
  • marionette folds (lines below the corners of the mouth)
  • lips
  • cheeks
  • under eye hollows
  • prejowl sulcus (depression between the chin and jowls)
  • lines around lips

What should I expect during the treatment?

After carefully listening to your aesthetic goals and evaluating your face, Dr. Chung will outline a specific treatment plan specific just for you. The treatment may take from 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the areas to be treated and the amount of fillers to be injected. The treatment areas will first be cleansed. The fillers are then injected using tiny fine needles; most people experience little to no discomfort. For sensitive areas –such as the lips– topical anesthetic may be placed. You will see immediate, natural results and will be amazed at how volume restoration can rejuvenate the entire face.

What happens after the treatment?

After the treatment, you may experience slight and temporary tenderness, swelling, and redness at the injection sites which usually resolves in a few days. Anytime an injection is performed, bruising is a risk; makeup may be applied and most bruises resolve within a week. To decrease the risk of bruising, blood thinners such as aspirin and ibuprofen should be avoided for a week prior to your treatment. The longevity of the fillers depends on the type of filler and location of treatment, but most patients see improvements for 6 months to a year.