After a long summer, you are sending your kids off to a new school year with a smile. Finding ways to keep them busy and entertained for the past few months has been an adventure in and of itself, and now you’re ready for a little break from that hectic schedule. Now is the best time to indulge in a little bit of self-care and get those new frown and smile lines taken care of with injectable dermal fillers.
What Are Facial Fillers?
In case you’re not up to speed on the most sought-after trend in aesthetic medicine, dermal fillers are a no-downtime, minimally invasive option for taking care of age-related concerns like the “parentheses lines” that form around the mouth, or volume loss in your cheeks and lips. Fillers derived from naturally occurring substances such as hyaluronic acid, which has the incredible ability to attract and retain moisture.
These easy, in-office injectable treatments can have you picture-perfect in under an hour, giving you natural, whole-face rejuvenation without the “worked-on” look associated with surgery. We may never have found the legendary fountain of youth, but these products are the next best thing.
Juvéderm®
The Juvéderm® family of products is a group of FDA-approved dermal fillers a skilled injector can apply strategically to areas of the face that have experienced mild to moderate volume loss and wrinkling. These smooth, gel-based fillers are a non-surgical option for looking younger, and are also bio-compatible since they are made with hyaluronic acid, a substance your body naturally produces. This product line, which includes Voluma, XC Plus, and Ultra Plus, is designed to add volume to cheeks, plump up lips and improve the look of the nasolabial folds that bracket your mouth.
We all naturally produce and break down hyaluronic acid every day, but as we age, the process gradually slows down. Injecting hyaluronic acid not only improves skin’s moisture barrier, but also stimulates more collagen and elastin production, which will give your skin a smoother and plumper quality.
Restylane®
As with Juvéderm®, the Restylane® family is also made with hyaluronic acid, but it is designed to address more severe facial wrinkles and volume loss. Practitioners often use Restylane® products, which include Lyft® and Silk®, for deeper injection into facial tissue.
Restylane® can not only fill in wrinkles, but can also plump up lips, cheeks, and the backs of hands that may have a bony appearance due to the aging process.
Sculptra®
Collagen loss is a common side effect of aging. As this structural protein degrades, the skin begins to noticeably sag. However, the good news is that it’s now possible to turn back the clock when it comes to lost collagen production. Sculptra® is a revolutionary, long-lasting dermal injectable that stimulates the skin to create more collagen, working within your body tissues to encourage them to produce this natural support structure. Sculptra® is effective at creating age-defying results in the cheeks, mid-face, temples, and around the eyes.
Rather than being a gel that dissolves into bodily tissues over time, Sculptra® works with your body to force it to produce new collagen. This long-lasting rejuvenation helps prevent wrinkles, drooping, and loss of volume. Sculptra® differs from other injectable products in that it works more subtly to gradually improve skin’s appearance over a series of facial injections, with results that last up to two years for some patients.
It’s Time to Treat Yourself
To learn more about getting fillers, please contact The Maryland Institute of Plastic Surgery at either our main location in Baltimore, or our satellite office in Columbia. Our four board-certified cosmetic surgeons provide all injectable treatments, using their skills and artistry to provide patients with the highest possible level of care. We offer injectable treatments that fit into even the busiest lifestyles. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!