Dermal Facial Fillers
Procedure Time
30 Minutes
Recovery Time
2 hrs - 1 day
The face is the core of our identity. It is important for how we see ourselves and how others see us. Millions of dollars are spent every year trying to beautify and improve the look of the face and skin. Makeup and skincare allow people to enhance the look of their faces at home. Unfortunately, these products cannot address every concern people have with their faces. Makeup also can only enhance so much and wears off throughout the day. For people who want bigger lips, to fill in wrinkles, or get rid of hollows under the eyes, dermal fillers can present a solution. Along with gold standard plastic surgery, Northwest Face & Body offers the best dermal fillers Bellevue and Kirkland provide.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectables that add volume to specific treatment areas. Typically, consisting of a gel, fillers are one of the most popular cosmetic procedures with millions of injections in the US alone each year.
Fillers have many uses including the treat the signs of aging, restoring lost volume, plumping, and treating acne scars. They are a temporary solution. On average, Bellevue dermal fillers last between three months and two years. Cosmetic filler injections are also performed on a diverse range of patients including adults of all ages and genders.
What Can They Do?
Dermal fillers can achieve many different looks and goals. Patients use fillers to disguise and treat aging as well as to plump facial structures. Some of the most popular procedures include:
Plump, well formed lips became an aesthetic trend in the 2010s when celebrities like Kylie Jenner popularized a full lipped look. Since then, the number of lip filler procedures increased dramatically. During the procedure, an injector will artistically inject filler to plump the lips, enhance the shape, and provide an attractive pout. The treatment can also address lip lines that form due to age. Popular lip fillers include Restylane Kysse, Restylane Defyne, and Juvederm Ultra Plus.
High cheekbones are a coveted facial feature that few are born with. Fortunately, dermal fillers can add volume to the cheeks for a more defined look. Cheek fillers can also address wrinkles and loss of fat in the area due to age, medications, or illnesses. Popular choices for the cheeks are Restylane Lyft and Juvederm Voluma.
Dark or hollow under eyes can cause a perpetually tired or grumpy look. They can also detract from an otherwise youthful and awake appearance. Often, no amount of sleep or skincare will improve the look of the under eyes. Under eye, or tear trough fillers, can fill in this area to provide an improved appearance. A popular under eye filler is Restylane L.
As the bottom edge of the face, most people want a defined jawline. Jaw filler can widen the look of the jaw and create a sharper jawline. One of the less frequently filler procedures, jaw filler is beginning to gain popularity. The most common jaw fillers are Juvederm Voluma and Restylane Lyft.
The chin influences the look of the lower third of the face and especially the facial profile. A recessed or non-prominent chin can lead to a weak looking bone structure when that is likely not the case. Chin filler, also known as non-surgical chin augmentation, uses filler to increase the projection of the chin and enhance the facial profile. A popular choice for chin filler is Restylane Lyft.
Nose Filler
Nose filler is another growing treatment that can address unwanted humps on the bridge of the nose. It can also correct the nasal tip. Also referred to as non-surgical rhinoplasty, the procedure is a solution to alter the look of the nose without undergoing a nose job.
For patients wanting to fill in wrinkles or who need all around correction, a liquid facelift may address their concerns. A liquid facelift uses fillers and neuotoxins in multiple sites to treat wrinkles for a younger look. This procedure often suits patients not yet ready for full facelift surgery.
Hand fillers use dermal fillers to address aging hands. The hands often lose volume due to aging, exposing veins and tendons. Dermal fillers can plump the hands for a more youthful look as well as disguise the visible anatomy of the hands.
Benefits
Dermal fillers offer patients may unique benefits. Each treatment also yields unique benefits and advantages. Among some of the general benefits of filler in Bellevue include:
- Quick procedure
- Little to no pain
- Non-surgical
- Low risk
- No downtime
- Few side effects
- Customizable to individuals
- Combinable with other fillers, surgeries, and esthetic procedures
- Often provides a younger look
- Usually reversible
- Results last months or years
- Suitable for most people
- Results noticeable nearly immediately
- Can treat scarring
- Provides natural looking augmentation
- Treats the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- May provide some benefit to the skin
Fillers vs. Neurotoxins
One of the questions our injectors hear most frequently about injectables is: what is the difference between neurotoxins and fillers? Understandably, patients may get confused between these two treatments as they are performed in similar ways and can treat wrinkles.
Neuromodulators and fillers consist of different materials. made of Botulinum toxin A which temporarily paralyzes the muscles. This does not add volume. It prevents wrinkles by relaxing the muscle movements causing them. Conversely, fillers have a few different compositions.
The most popular fillers are made of hyaluronic acid. They add volume to the treatment area. It is possible to use neuromodulators and fillers together to address different types of wrinkles like in a liquid facelift.
Types Of Dermal Fillers
As previously mentioned, dermal fillers come in a few different forms. Usually, the ingredients of fillers contribute to how long they last and the areas they are designed to treat. The most widely used fillers are made of hyaluronic acid because it is found naturally in the body and is reversible with a quick, simple injection. This makes fillers one of the safest and low risk cosmetic procedures.
Other fillers do last longer and contain other ingredients. The best example is Sculptra which lasts around two years and is made of poly-l-lactic acid. Not as easily reversible as hyaluronic acid fillers, Sculptra does last longer and may be preferable for treating overall facial thinning. Based on your goals, your injector can recommend the right filler for you.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid fillers are made of hyaluronic acid and account for the majority of filler injections performed. Restylane and Juvederm are hyaluronic acid fillers. They tend to last anywhere from three months to two years based on the specific filler and how your body responds. Examples of hyaluronic acid fillers and what they are used for include:
Restylane
- L: A thinner, all purpose filler commonly used in the nasolabial folds, lips, and under eyes.
- Lyft: Primarily used for the cheeks, chin, and hands.
- Refyne: A thicker formula that focuses on natural results it is usually used in the nasolabial folds and lips.
- Defyne: Similar to Refyne, Defyne takes it a step further to preserve normal movements. Used in the lips, nasolabial folds, and cheeks.
- Kysse: Designed especially for the lips, Kysse offers a soft, malleable filler perfect for lip enhancement.
Juvederm
- Ultra: Normally used as a lip filler, Juvederm Ultra can also treat the nasolabial folds.
- Ultra Plus: Contains lidocaine for improved comfort and is also used for dramatic lip filler. It is also used in the nasolabial folds.
- Voluma: Among the longest lasting hyaluronic acid option, Voluma is typically used in the chin or cheeks. It can last up to two years.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are reversible with injections of hyaluronidase. This means that the procedure holds little safety risk. It also allows patients who decide filler is not for them to dissolve it right away. If you are a first time filler patient, hyaluronic acid treatments are likely the place to start.
Sculptra
Sculptra is a dermal filler made of poly-l-lactic acid. Unlike hyaluronic acid, it is not easy to reverse and lasts years. It was first developed to treat facial thinning caused by HIV and other autoimmune diseases. It fills out the face and is especially suited to treat the midface.
The one notable difference between Sculptra and other dermal fillers is that it actively promotes collagen production. With continued treatment, it is possible to see the collagen in the area increase and naturally fill it out. All fillers will cause some collagen production due to the injection, although Sculptra works under the skin to increase the volume using your body’s processes.
It is not suitable for use under the eyes or in the lips. Sculptra is sometimes used in the buttocks as a non-surgical Brazilian butt lift. This is usually in patients too thin for a traditional BBL, or those who cannot undergo the traditional surgery.
Radiesse
Radiesse, like Sculptra, is another semi-permanent option that induces collagen production. Consisting of calcium hydroxylapatite, Radiesse mimics the look and feel of bone making it a firm filler for the face. It is primarily used in the lower face to address wrinkles and hollowed areas of the face.
Like Sculptra, it is not used in the lips or lower face. It is effective in treating aging and a hollow, gaunt face. It also is not reversible and lasts around a year and a half to two years on average.
Bellafill
Bellafill is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres in a collagen gel. When injected, this promotes long term collagen production. Bellafill is used to address smile lines and acne scars. It can last up to five years.
Since it treats lines and acne scars, Bellafill sees a diverse set of patients. From younger patients wanting to eliminate deep acne scarring to patients wanting to fill in their smile lines, Bellafill offers a long term solution. Bellafill is not easily reversible.
FAQ
How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?
The amount of time you can enjoy your fillers depends on the type of filler you get and biological factors. For example, thicker fillers such as Juvederm Voluma tend to last longer and can last over one year. Fillers not hyaluronic acid based also can last two years or more under ideal circumstances.
Your anatomy and physiology also account for how long your fillers last. In areas where there is a lot of muscle movement, such as the lips, the filler may not last as long. Additionally, if you have a high metabolism, this can break down the fillers quicker. This includes if you work out more than average. Ultimately, the best way to promote the longest lasting results is to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Are Dermal Fillers Reversible?
Most of the time, yes. Hyaluronic acid fillers are easily reversed with hyaluronidase injections. Other types of filler such as Sculptra have methods that can promote quicker absorption. When considering a non-reversible filler, it is important to find an experienced injector like those at Northwest Face & Body.
Is The Needle Or Cannula Technique Better?
Injectors use two main methods for injecting filler. The first method is to use a traditional needle to inject the filler. The needle technique does come with more risks in inexperienced hands, it is still a perfectly safe and effective method for filler injections. It also offers your injector a strategic way for the most precise filler injections.
Cannula injections use a thin tube to inject the filler. This method is often preferred for areas like the tear troughs. The cannula does reduce the risk of damaging a blood vessel and some of the rare risks of filler injections. With a blunt tip, using a cannula can also reduce bruising and swelling.
An experienced injector can use either a needle and cannula. They may recommend one method over another based on the injection area and the results you want.
Can I Help Fillers Last Longer?
For the most part, the amount of time that your filler lasts is out of your control. The type of filler you have, your metabolism, and other factors all contribute to how long your filler will last. The best ways you can promote the longevity of your filler are:
- Follow your injector’s aftercare instructions
- Avoid massaging the area too heavily, especially in the weeks immediately following injections
- Exercise regularly, though too much as it can increase your metabolism
- Eat a healthy diet
- Wear sunscreen
- Take care of your skin
Is It Painful?
Filler injections are not overly painful, though they can involve a level of discomfort. To keep the amount of pain and discomfort our patients feel, we do offer topical anesthetics. Many fillers, like Restylane, include lidocaine as an ingredient to ease pain during treatment.
Most patients remain perfectly comfortable during Kirkland filler injections. For particularly sensitive areas like the lips, your injector may recommend the use of a topical anesthetic, especially if it is your first treatment.
Who Does Dermal Filler Injections?
At Northwest Face & Body, our plastic surgeons and physician trained injectors perform filler injections. Our injectors perform the majority of our filler procedures. They all have years of experience in cosmetic injections. Fillers often come at a discounted price with our nurses and they usually have an earlier availability.
Dr. Ludwig Allegra also injects and has decades of experience providing the best filler in Bellevue and Kirkland. All of our providers have trained with top manufacturers and continually refine their techniques.
The Best Dermal Filler Injections Bellevue And Kirkland Offer At Northwest Face & Body
Northwest Face & Body is a premier plastic surgery practice located in Kirkland, WA. Only minutes away from major hubs on the Eastside, Northwest Face & Body performs the best filler Bellevue and Kirkland offers. With a team of highly skilled injectors with an artistic flair for aesthetics, Northwest Face & Body provides a safe and welcoming environment for your cosmetic injections.
Our injectors will create a customized treatment plan for your injectables treatment. To learn more about dermal fillers or to schedule a consultation, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also contact us online via our Price Simulator™ app, contact form, or chat.
