What are cosmetic fillers?
Cosmetic fillers are used to give the patient a younger look. They plump the area that is sagging and wrinkled and make it look younger. Of the 12.5 million people who had some form of cosmetic procedure, 11 million had a minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure such as cosmetic fillers. (http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Documents/Media/statistics/2009-US-cosmeticreconstructiveplasticsurgeryminimally-invasive-statistics.pdf)
What materials are used?
The first injectable filler was collagen because it is a naturally occurring filler that supports the skin. The oldest and most economical is the bovine collagen, packaged under such names as Zyplast and Zyderm. Human collagen is also available, packaged under such brands as Autologen, Cosmoderm, Cosmoplast, Cymetra and Fascian. Both forms are tested for various conditions and diseases and then treated to remove cells before being processed into injectable fillers.
Since those first dermal fillers, other injectable fillers have been designed based on the natural polysaccharide, or carbohydrate, occurring in human tissue called hyaluronic acid. These fillers, such as Restylane and Perlane, not only provide the anti-aging treatment patients are seeking, but they also stimulate the production of collagen in the skin. This will give a longer-lasting reduction to wrinkles, plus Restylane and Perlane filler lasts longer than collagen fillers. There is also a non invasive breast augmentation procedure which uses a hyaluronic acid substance called Macrolane. However, like the other hyaluronic acids, Macrolane breaks down and is absorbed into the blood stream. So, after approximately 12 months, the patient will need to receive another treatment to maintain the augmented size.
Other dermal fillers include Botulinum Toxin-based injectable, better known as Botox. Botox does not add a substance to the body, but rather paralyzes the muscles which cause the wrinkle-creating contractions. It is a neurotoxin free of preservatives. There is also Radiesse, which is a Calcium Hydroxylapatite which reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fills scars. However, unlike the other dermal fillers who have smaller particles, Radiesse has a larger particle size and should not be used around the lips.
Another option for fillers is fat transfer. This is a process that takes your own body fat and reinjects it into the treatment site. This is the option with the least amount of risk, considering there will not be an allergic reaction to your own body materials.
What are the pros?
Using fillers are a fantastic way to get a face lift without having costly or painful surgery.
What are the cons?
Whether bovine or human, the body’s enzymes will degrade the collagen and absorb it into the body. This means that more injections will be needed anywhere from three to six months after the procedure. Bovine collagen is estimated to last up to 3 months, and human collagen injections are estimated to last 6 months. Though, continued treatments over time prove to be longer lasting because some of the collagen remains.
Are there alternatives?
There are non invasive techniques that can be used in lieu of injectable fillers, such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, and skin resurfacing. Speaking with the doctor will cover which treatments are best for you.
What are the risks?
About 3-7% of the patients tested are not able to use bovine collagen. However, this does not exclude them from having the procedure done with human collagen. A test for reaction to human collagen should also be performed.
While rare, other risks associated with collagen fillers include: abscesses, cold sores (when injected near lips), infection, lumpiness, open sores, peeling skin, and scarring.
Am I a candidate?
Patients who suffer from dermatomyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, or scleroderma should not have a collagen injection procedure done. Also, those patients who suffer from acne may be advised to avoid collagen injections due to the increased risk of infection.
What can I expect?
The first step before committing to the procedure will be to test a small area of skin to see if there will be an allergic reaction. Usually, the testing is done on the forearm, and the doctor will ask the patient to return in 2-3 days and also after 4 weeks to see if the area has any signs of a reaction. If there are no signs of a reaction, the procedure can be scheduled.
The procedure consists of injections of collagen into the skin around the edge of the treatment area. The needles used for the procedure are very fine. There is an anesthetic in the injectable human collagen fillers, so the patient should not feel any discomfort at all.
After the treatment you will note redness and may have some discomfort in the area, but both will disappear within a day or two. You will also notice a slight puffiness where the collagen was inserted. The collagen injection also contains salt water which will be absorbed into the surrounding tissue after a day or two, so the physician will overfill the area to compensate for that.
What is the recovery time?
Unlike plastic surgery, patients of cosmetic injections will be able to resume their normal activities the same day they have the procedure. There are no bandages to have removed, and make-up and sunscreen can be applied within a very short time frame after the procedure.
How much will this cost me?
Depending on the severity of the wrinkling or sagging in the treatment area depends on how many syringes may be used. Each syringe can cost upwards of $300-$700, and the commitment to collagen injections for a year could cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500. Using bovine collagen is the least expensive of all the fillers.
The national average for injectable procedures can run from $397 to $649, depending on the procedure.
Botox $397-$405
Radiesse $649
Collagen (Bovine) $467-$480
Collagen (Human) $508-$510
Restylane/Perlane $562-$592
For more statistics on the trend of cosmetic surgery and other such procedures, please visit http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Documents/Media/statistics/2009-US-cosmeticreconstructiveplasticsurgeryminimally-invasive-statistics.pdf.
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