What are dermal fillers?
While dermal fillers are an injectable treatment similar to Botox Cosmetic procedures, the approach to smoothing your skin’s appearance is quite different. One reason for lines and wrinkles in your face is the deterioration and loss of support tissue beneath the surface of your skin. As this support tissue ages, the outer layer falls into the voids left behind.
Dermal filler passively build up lost volume and crevasses in the skin support layers, using compounds already found in the body, such as hyaluronic acid, a protein that attracts and stores moisture in the skin naturally. These dermal fillers prop up your skin, resulting in smoother, more youthful appearance. Depending on the product, results can be quite long-lasting.
What are some of the common dermal fillers?
The Spa at Shenandoah uses three lines of dermal filler product, each offering unique characteristics that suit certain applications. The brands used by The Spa at Shenandoah are:
- The Juvéderm® collection of dermal fillers
Juvéderm’s collection uses injectable gels, each based on hyaluronic acid, but addressing different cosmetic goals. Voluma® XC adds volume and contour to cheeks, Vollure™ XC and Juvederm ® XC address moderate to severe facial folds and wrinkles, such as parentheses lines at each side of your mouth. Juvederm Lip collection: two formulations used for your specific needs- Juvederm Ultra ® XC adds fullness to your lips and Volbella® XC, adds lip subtle volume while also filling in vertical lip lines.
Why are there so many fillers?
Each dermal injections filler has its own properties. Some fillers stay close to the injection site while others disperse and blend. Your specialist at The Spa at Shenandoah will discuss your treatment goals and perform a facial analysis to determine the appropriate filler to treat your individual needs.
Before treatment (to prevent bruising):Before treatment (to prevent bruising):
- For 7 days before treatment, avoid blood thinning over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, Motrin, ibuprofen, and Aleve. Also avoid herbal supplements, such as garlic, Vitamin E, Ginkgo Biloba, St John’s Wort, and omega-3 capsules.
- Inform your provider if you have a history of Perioral Herpes (cold sores) to receive advice on antiviral therapy prior to treatment.
- Do not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours before (or after) your treatment to avoid extra bruising.
- Avoid topical products such as Tretinoin (Retin-A), Retinols, Retinoids, Glycolic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, or other anti-aging products.
Day of treatment:
- Arrive to the office with a clean face. Please do not wear makeup. You may bring your own makeup to apply after your treatment
Dermal Fillers Post-Treatment Instructions:
- Avoid excessive heat such as saunas, hot showers, the hot sun, or cooking over a hot stove. These may cause the blood vessels to dilate and cause more bleeding and bruising.
- Avoid strenuous exercise after the procedure. This may raise your blood pressure and pulse causing more bruising and swelling.
- Avoid direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. Wear sun block to protect your skin. Sunlight may cause permanent discoloration after bruising
- Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours after treatment. Alcohol may cause the blood vessels to dilate and cause more bruising
- If lips are treated, avoid drinking through a straw immediately after your treatment.
- No massages of the treated area for 2 weeks after treatment.
- Do not put your face in a massage cradle for 2 weeks after treatment.
- You may shower and do most other regular daily activities.
- You may apply make-up after the procedure.
- You may gently apply cold compresses to the treatment sites to reduce swelling and bruising. Do not apply pressure.
- Note that any bumps or marks from the extremely small needle sticks will go away within a few hours. If you do develop a bruise it will resolve like any other bruise. There is occasionally some mild pain, swelling, itching, or redness at the site of injection similar to most other injections. Redness may last for 1-2 days, rarely longer
- You may use over the counter Arnica topically if needed for bruising.