Cosmetic Injectable Fillers Can Help Create A Smoother You
Dr. Guida has exceptional experience in the area of cosmetic injectable
fillers – substances that can be injected into the skin
to fill in wrinkles, add definition, and even re-build facial areas.
Importantly, Dr. Guida believes that the ultimate goal of this
type of procedure is to create a natural, youthful look. His
artistic eye is invaluable in this approach.
As we age, our faces begin to show the effects of gravity, sun exposure, and years of facial movement. The underlying tissues that keep our skin looking smooth and youthful begins to break down, causing laugh lines, crow’s feet and squint lines on the face to become permanent creases, often causing an older, weathered, tired look.
Soft tissue fillers can help fill in these lines, temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful appearance. When injected beneath the skin surface, these fillers plump up the wrinkled and sunken areas of the face. They can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks. These injectables can be used alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing laser, chemical peel, or facelift to enhance a more youthful, yet natural look.
One main advantage of injectable fillers is that they provide an immediately visible cosmetic improvement with no significant downtime. Right after the treatment, one can apply make up and feel comfortable being seen socially.
While there are many injectables to choose from, not all of them are created equal. For instance, Collagen is well-known and many patients are comfortable choosing it. However, the results provided by Collagen are not particularly long-lasting, as it is readily absorbed by the body’s own processes. Newer injectables, such as Restylane®, Juvederm®, Perlane®, Radiesse®, or Sculptra® have the benefit of very long-lasting results, yet some patients may prefer to stick with the more tried and true products.
It is important to understand that BOTOX® Cosmetic, one of the most commonly used and readily recognized injectables in the world, is not really a “filler”, but relaxes the muscles that create wrinkles and give a very smooth appearance to the face. BOTOX® Cosmetic is generally used in different areas of the face than injectable fillers. BOTOX® Cosmetic is discussed in detail in another section on this website. Also, BOTOX® Cosmetic and a cosmetic filler are often used on the same wrinkle to erase it by both relaxing the muscle and filling in a residual depressed line or etching that is there even when the BOTOX® Cosmetic is working.
Whatever your choice, Dr. Guida can help guide you to selecting the right injectable for your needs.
Restylane® is an excellent cosmetic filler that has been used in more than 1.5 million treatments in over 60 countries. It is now FDA approved in the U.S. for the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds. Restylane® is most commonly used filler by Dr. Guida at this time, replacing the use of collagen injections in the last year for most patients. Restylane’s
use in the United States has sky rocketed since FDA approval
due to its immediate cosmetic benefits, ease of use, no allergic
reaction, and long lasting effects. It has been found to last
anywhere from 6 to 9 months, and sometimes longer.
Restylane® is the only cosmetic dermal filler made of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that already exists in the human body. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane® is a crystal-clear gel called NASHA™ or
Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is completely
biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid. No allergic testing
is required prior to its use.
Restylane® maintains its shape using the body's own moisture. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane® is hydrophilic or "water loving." As
hyaluronic acid gradually degrades, each molecule binds to
more water and over time, the same volume can be maintained
with less hyaluronic acid. This ability of hyaluronic acid
to bind to water is what helps provide lasting results.
Restlyane® works exceptionally well to fill in the deep
nasolabial folds (the fold from the nose to the corner of
the mouth), deep frown lines in the forehead or between the
eyes, to enhance the fullness of the lips, or to fill in
most any wrinkle or deep facial line.
The Procedure:
Unlike collagen treatments, treatment with Restylane® can be done without the need of an allergic skin test. Often, a topical anesthetic is placed over the treated area for several minutes. The Restylane® is
then injected using a fine needle at several points along
the treated area. Some patients prefer an injection of a
local anesthetic around the area to be treated to minimize
any discomfort. Dr. Guida can discuss this option with you
to decide if it is necessary. Once injected it can be molded
and massaged into position by Dr. Guida, if needed.
Restylane® comes in three concentrations – one for fine lines, one for moderate wrinkles and lip augmentation, and Perlane®,
which is used for deeper wrinkles, facial contouring and
can also be used for lip enhancement.
After The Treatment:
Immediately after the treatment, you may notice some minor discomfort in the treated area. Rarely, some bruising or swelling can occur, but it is usually minor. Any redness at the injection site that may occur tends to disappear within 24 hours. You are free to eat, drink, and apply makeup soon after the treatment.
Results:
The duration of results from Restylane® injections vary
among patients. The benefits generally last up to 6 to 9 months.
In general, the injected material tends to dissipate faster
in areas that are more affected by muscle movements.
Restylane® treatments produce a low occurrence of adverse
events. The most commonly reported side effects were temporary
redness and swelling at the injection site. These effects typically
resolve within one to three days.
How Do I Set Up An Appointment And Begin A Treatment?
Dr. Guida would be happy to meet with you personally to discuss this injectable
treatment in detail. Please feel free to call the office at 212-871-0900
or schedule an appointment on line. We are here to help you.
Juvederm® was recently approved by the FDA in the U.S. for the treatment of facial wrinkles and folds. Juvederm®, which is quite similar to Restylane®, is another non-animal form of cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Juvederm® is
biosynthetic and of non-animal origin. Since it is not created
from an animal source, there is little chance of allergic reaction.
The formula is highly biocompatible, and no testing is required
prior to administration. It has been proven to be safe and effective
for skin of all types and colors.
Juvederm® is most commonly used in the medium thickness for lip augmentation and to reduce the appearance of nasolabial folds. Like Restylane®, Juvederm® doesn’t require allergy testing and lasts from 6 to a year.
A Juvederm® Product Specific To Your Individual Needs
Juvederm® comes in different densities, or thicknesses, which allow it to be quite versatile in filling in a variety of different types of facial lines.
Juvederm® 24HV is used for contouring and volumizing medium-depth depressions/wrinkles such as nasolabial folds, forehead wrinkles, glabellar lines, mild-to-moderate nasal and cheek furrows, and to plump up thin lips.
Juvederm® 30 and 30HV is helpful where deeper correction is needed, such as for filling of cheeks, lips and deep nasolabial folds.
Now that Juvederm® has been approved recently by the FDA, more of Dr. Guida’s patients are requesting this filler.
Dr. Guida has extensive experience with all densities of Juvederm® and Restylane® and can help you decide which type of filler is best for your specific cosmetic concern
The Treatment, Technique, And Results
The way Juvederm® is injected and its expected results are quite similar to the treatment described above for Restylane®.
How Do I Set Up An Appointment And Begin A Treatment?
Dr. Guida would be happy to meet with you personally to discuss this injectable
treatment in detail. Please feel free to call the office at 212-871-0900
or schedule an appointment on line. We are here to help you.
Collagen has the advantage of being exceptionally well known
as it has been used for many years. In fact, collagen is a substance
naturally found in the body and is quite safe, although patients
must test for allergic reactions prior to use. Injectable collagen,
patented by the Collagen Corporation under the trade names Zyderm®, Zyplast®, Cosmoderm® and Cosmoplast® ,
is derived from purified bovine collagen. It received FDA approval
in 1981. Collagen is produced in a variety of thickness to meet
individual patient needs. Collagen is primarily used to fill
in lines and wrinkles around the face and to give a fuller look
to the lips.
The Procedure:
Treatment with collagen can be done after a skin test determines that you are not allergic to the substance. Often, a topical anesthetic is placed over the treated area for several minutes. The collagen is then injected using a fine needle at several points along the treated area. Collagen is manufactured with a local anesthetic in it, so as the injection proceeds, it becomes less painful.
After The Treatment:
Immediately after the treatment, you may notice some minor discomfort in the treated area. Rarely, some bruising or swelling can occur, but it is usually minor. Any redness at the injection site that may occur tends to disappear within 24 hours. You are free to eat, drink, and apply makeup soon after the treatment.
Results:
The duration of results from collagen injections vary among patients. The benefits generally last up to 3 months, but can be less depending upon your lifestyle, physical features, and areas treated. In general, the injected material tends to dissipate faster in areas that are more affected by muscle movements.
How Do I Set Up An Appointment And Begin A Treatment?
Dr. Guida would be happy to meet with you personally to discuss this injectable
treatment in detail. Please feel free to call the office at 212-871-0900
or schedule an appointment on line. We are here to help you.
Radiesse®, formerly known as Radiance®, has recently been
FDA approved for cosmetic purposes. Radiesse® is an injectable
filler consisting of calcium hydroxylapatite, which is a synthetic
calcium identical to the chemical structure of teeth and bones,
and therefore, naturally compatible with the human body. Radiesse® has
been found to have an excellent ability to fill in deep wrinkles
of the face. Further, Radiesse® can be used to fill in facial
areas after tumor removal and can reverse facial wasting (such
as experienced by patients with AIDS). Radiesse® is a pliable
soft tissue filler that works almost like silly putty. It
molds itself to fit wherever it is placed. Radiesse® currently
is FDA approved for treatment of oral/maxillofacial defects,
vocal cord insufficiency, and radiographic tissue marking.
Radiesse® is a very good choice for deeper lines around the mouth and can be used for frown lines between the brows. Most remarkable of all is the longevity that this material exhibits – Radiesse® treatments
should last 3-5 years, though 1 -2 years.
Radiesse® works best as a filler for deep nasolabial folds, marionette lines at the corner of the mouth, smile lines, and frown lines. It has worked especially well for filling in deep acne scars, facial defects following tumor removal, and depressions under and around “sunken” or “hollow” looking
eyes.
How Do I Set Up An Appointment And Begin A
Treatment?
Dr. Guida would be happy to meet with you personally to
discuss this injectable treatment in detail. Please feel
free to call the office at 212-871-0900 or schedule an appointment
on line. We
are here to help you.
Sculptra™ is an injectable sculpting agent that restores
volume to correct the signs of facial fat loss. It has been FDA
approved for restoration and/or correction of the signs of facial
fat loss (lipoatrophy) in people with human immunodeficiency
virus. Sculptra™ is a safe, synthetic, and biocompatible
material that is injected below the surface of the skin in the
area of fat loss. It provides a gradual and significant increase
in skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds and sunken
areas. No skin testing is required.
Sculptra™ (poly-L-lactic acid) has been safely used outside the United States since 1999 in over 150,000 patients under the trade name New-Fill™.
The results from Sculptra™ can be up to 2 years. Many feel in the future it will be more commonly used for other cosmetic conditions, other than HIV related facial wasting. It is believed the ability to restore volume to the subcutaneous tissue from fat loss, which occurs with aging, will be accomplished nicely with Sculptra™ and may delay the need for facelift or skin tightening procedures simply by adding volume to an aged face.
How Do I Set Up An Appointment And
Begin A Treatment?
Dr. Guida would be happy to meet with you personally to discuss this injectable
treatment in detail. Please feel free to call the office at 212-871-0900
or schedule an appointment on line. We are here to help you.
In the medical world, the fat injection technique is known as
autologous fat transplantation or microlipoinjection. It involves
extracting fat from a patient’s abdomen, thighs, buttocks,
or elsewhere and injecting them beneath the skin surface. Fat is
commonly used to fill in “sunken” cheeks or laugh
lines between the nose and mouth, to correct skin depressions or
indentations, to minimize forehead wrinkle, or to enhance the lips.
The Procedure:
After the donor site (where the fat is removed) and the recipient site (where the fat is injected) is cleansed and treated with a local anesthetic, the fat is withdrawn using a syringe and a liposuction cannula. The fat is then prepared and injected into the recipient site. Sometimes an adhesive bandage is placed over the injection site.
Slight over correction is necessary to allow fat absorption in the first few weeks after the treatment. When fat is used to fill in sunken cheeks or to correct other areas on the face other than deep line, this overcorrection may temporarily make the face appear swollen for a few weeks.
After The Treatment:
If a larger area was tested, you may be asked to decrease your activity for a few days after the procedure. However, most patients may resume normal activity immediately. You can expect some swelling, bruising, or redness in both the donor and recipient sites and it should diminish over the next 48 hours.
Results:
The duration of fat injections varies from patient to patient. Though some patients reported results lasting a year or more, most patients find that at least half of the fullness disappears within 3-6 months. Therefore repeated injections may be necessary.
How Do I Set Up An Appointment And Begin A Treatment?
Dr. Guida would be happy to meet with you personally to discuss this injectable treatment in detail. Please feel free to call the office at 212-871-0900 or schedule an appointment on line. We are here to help you.
