What are Fillers?
Injectable Fillers are used as a procedure to create volume and reshape the face. I have developed special techniques to use fillers for various purposes – to plump, enhance, and re-shape the lips, fill under eye hollows, soften facial wrinkles especially in the jowls, nasolabial folds, around the lips, enhance the cheekbones with volume, smooth necklines and even lines in the earlobes, and to restore volume and fullness in the face. Fillers can also be used to perform non-surgical methods of popular cosmetic procedures such as liquid rhinoplasty or liquid chin, which enhance the appearance of the face without having surgery.
Brand names of facial fillers containing hyaluronic acid include JUVEDERM, RESTYLANE, AND PERLANE. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring polysaccharide (carbohydrate) that exists in human tissue. These are the most commonly used facial fillers and can be performed in the office or under anesthesia if used in combination with other plastic surgery procedures.
The application of injectable fillers is a true technical art and requires detailed facial analysis as well as communication to create the aesthetic specific for each patient. As everyone is unique and has a particular look they are trying to achieve, I encourage my patients to bring in photos both ones they like and those they don’t like so I can have an in-depth understanding of what they are hoping to achieve. There is true art in creating beautiful shapes and features of the face using filler. For example when it comes to the lips – I apply fillers in a specific way to make them look NATURALLY fuller. I do not like the “duck” look that I often see on women. Also, when it comes to under-eye filler, it is important to be conservative with the filler so patients don’t look puffy or overfilled. I have also developed a special multi-layer multi-directional technique that creates a smooth and blended look rather than the clumps that I have seen.
Good To Know Before Fillers Procedures In Beverly Hills
Facial filler injections are true technical art. I take the time to do a detailed analysis of those muscles as well as spend a lot of time in communication with you to create the best aesthetic shape and results for you. Injections may seem like a simple procedure, but having seen patients who have had filler in their forehead making them look like a Klingon, overstuffed in the upper lip and outside the lips making them look like there is a piece of bubble gum stuck there, or overdone or lumpy in the face, or even worse placed in dangerous areas resulting in the lip or facial skin necrosis and death – filler procedures are both an art and a science.
To minimize the possibility of bruising, you will need to avoid taking drugs containing aspirin, anti-inflammatories, alcohol, or herbal medications a week before the procedure. Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding cannot have Botox or filler treatments.
What Happens During Fillers Procedure
Every treatment will start with a detailed facial analysis and discussion at our Beverly Hills office. If it is your first time having facial fillers with me, this consultation and analysis will be extensive. I will take into consideration not only your anatomy, but also any corrections you may want to your facial structure, any asymmetries, or proportions of your face you may want to improve, your preferred aesthetic, as well as any important work or life events you have coming up. For your comfort, you will be numbed with topical anesthetic so you feel no pain. I will also use ice and a special probe that also reduces the possibility of pain. Sterility is extremely important so I will be cleansing your face with different solutions to make sure there is no possibility of infection. A very thin needle is used to inject small amounts of filler meticulously, precisely, and artistically to create your desired shape and aesthetic based on all things we have discussed and considered. Facial filler procedures usually take 30-60 minutes based on complexity and discussion.
Fillers Recover & Results: What To Expect
There is no down time or recovery time for facial filler procedures. If directed, you can ice and also massage the treated areas after the procedure. You must refrain from using makeup or placing anything that could have bacteria on it on your face for 24 hours. No strenuous activity or exercise for 24 hours.
There will be some bruising and swelling but I have developed a special gentle technique that causes this to be minimal. Swelling lasts 3-7 days depending on the area you had injected. Depending on the type of filler, the results will last from several months to years. We will create a long term maintenance plan for you and at the end of each treatment plan when the next treatment will be in order to maintain your ideal results.