Achieving a youthful and confident appearance is a common desire as we age. The emergence of wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging can impact our self-esteem. One highly effective solution to address these concerns is through the use of facial fillers, such as Juvederm, Voluma, and Sculptra.
“Facial fillers or soft tissue fillers are injectable products that are FDA approved for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and creases. So often, patients will come in complaining of wrinkles and creases on their faces, and nasolabial folds. It’s a great way to be able to rectify some of the issues that patients are oftentimes experiencing,” says Tirsa Quartullo, DNP, FNP-C
Understanding Facial Fillers:
Facial fillers, also known as dermal fillers, are injectables designed to reduce facial lines and restore volume to the face. With various types available, each caters to specific cosmetic concerns, such as adding volume to lips, restoring youthful contours, diminishing wrinkles, and making scars less noticeable.
Facial Fillers at Arizona Dermatology:
- Juvederm:
- Description: Juvederm is an injectable gel that effectively reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
- Key Ingredient: Hyaluronic acid, a natural substance present in the skin and muscles.
- Target Areas: Ideal for areas around the nose and mouth, addressing nasolabial folds or “smile lines.”
- Longevity: You can expect a Juvederm treatment to last from nine to 12 months.
“Often the areas that we inject Juvederm into are mid-face, so that includes the creases of the forehead, the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, lip enhancement, and in some cases, some mild cases of acne scars,” says Quartullo.
- Allergan Volbella XC:
- Description: A member of the Juvederm family, Volbella XC softens lip lines without increasing lip fullness.
- Key Ingredient: Hyaluronic acid
- Target Areas: Specifically designed to smooth lip lines, commonly known as “smoker’s lines.”
- Longevity: May last up to 18 months.
Volbella can also be used to create a subtle increase in lip volume.
- Voluma:
- Description: Voluma is a deep dermal filler injected to provide added volume and support to the skin.
- Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin.
- Target Areas: Effective for deep lines, folds, wrinkles, and loss of volume in the face.
- Longevity: Voluma treatments last about two years.
“Voluma is a deep dermal filler, and the difference is that with Voluma, you actually want to correct some of the aging process of the loss of volume of the cheeks,” Quartullo says. “Because it is a thicker gel, we can actually go in a little bit deeper and place the product deep into the dermis or deep into the skin to be able to lift and create that voluminous look that patients are often seeking.”
- Sculptra:
- Description: Sculptra addresses lipoatrophy (fat loss under the skin) by improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas.
- Key Ingredients: poly-L-lactic acid.
- Longevity: Results, though not immediate, last for up to two years.
- Target Areas: Ideal for treating sunken cheekbones and hollowed eyes.
Sculptra helps restore the skin’s foundation by stimulating natural collagen production to firm and smooth the cheek region and tighten the skin along the jawline. It works as a collagen stimulator that can improve skin glow, tightness, and jawline contour. A Sculptra treatment regimen generally involves three injections over the course of three or four months.
Choosing the Right Facial Filler:
Selecting the appropriate facial filler requires careful consideration of individual goals and needs. Consulting with professionals at Arizona Dermatology involves discussing your medical history, goals, and potential outcomes. Here’s a quick overview of recommendations your provider might make:
- Juvederm:
- Suitable for moderate to severe lines, wrinkles, and folds in the middle area of the face.
- Effective for adding volume to lips and reducing acne scarring.
- Results last approximately 6-9 months.
- Allergan Volbella XC:
- Designed to soften lip lines without increasing lip fullness.
- Can be used for a subtle increase in lip volume.
- Voluma:
- Ideal for deep lines, folds, wrinkles, and loss of volume due to aging.
- Results last up to two years, making it suitable for those seeking long-term solutions.
- Sculptra:
- Effective for sunken areas on the face, including cheekbones and hollowed eyes.
- Results are long-lasting, but gradual and require a series of treatments.
After Treatment:
There is no downtime associated with facial fillers, but it is generally recommended that you avoid intense physical activity for the first 24-48 hours to minimize swelling and bruising. Your provider will give you detailed instructions on post-treatment care and how to maximize your dermal filler treatments.
“What a patient can expect after their treatment is that perhaps they will experience a little bit of bruising, a little bit of redness, some lumps and bumps at the injection site, but rest assured those types of reactions are very temporary and they’re very normal. Usually patients will recover from that in about a couple of weeks,” Quartullo explains.
See a Dermatologist for Facial Filler Treatments:
While facial fillers are considered safe, they are still medical procedures and should be performed by professionals in a medical setting. At Arizona Dermatology, your safety is always paramount, and our team is knowledgeable, skilled, and caring. For more information, visit our website or schedule a consultation at one of our seven locations across Arizona.
