Dermal Fillers

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Age-reversing cosmetic refreshers are offered by trained health professionals, dermatologists, cosmetic and plastic surgeons. Dermal fillers expanded cosmetic procedures, making less invasive treatments available at: spas, gynecology, dermatology and physician's offices in addition to cosmetic and plastic surgery practices.

Fillers are used for a wide-range of conditions, not just aesthetic up-keep. For example, Botox® Cosmetic injections are known to temporarily remove furrows between brows and wrinkles, but this product also relieves migraines and headaches and treats excessive sweating and perspiration.

Dermal filler injections, like: Restylane®, Juvederm® and Sculptra™ and Perlane® help fill in lines round the cheeks, lips, eyes and even the ears to add volume plump lack-luster areas to replace lost collagen and avail more youthful features and symmetry.

Hyaluronic acid is the active ingredient in dermal fillers, and it is the most common collagen-based glycosaminoglycan of the skin's make-up or matrix. Fillers are recognized by skin tissue and therefore, dermal fillers are "at home" underneath the skin's surface. Hyaluronic acid binds to water, adheres to the treated areas and softens facial lines. Fillers play a large role in retaining youthful features and replicating collagen while hydrating the skin and adding volume to treated areas. Dermal fillers also help cell and collagen growth and aids in tissue function.

As we age, men and women alike, gaze in the mirror only to appear "older, tired and dissatisfied" with their reflection. Over time, muscles give-in to repetitive facial expression, revealing: crow's feet, furrows between the brows, forehead wrinkles, lines around lips and saggy loose skin become more apparent.

Now, one visit every three months can help boost your looks and confidence with simple procedures that can accomplish great results in 30 minutes. Patients can lose as much as ten years for as little as $300 dollars, during a quick "lunch-time" appointment and go back to work with no pain, downtime or visible signs - other than looking younger!

Fillers are the most popular procedure performed, worldwide. Patients love the simplicity of dermal fillers to enhance and soften their physical features, and plump their lips or cheeks, revitalize their skin and diminish sagging folds in various areas of the face.

Because of the extended availability of these products, most can now consider and act on their decision to explore cosmetic procedures and minor surgeries to improve their features.

Fillers (or "dermal fillers") are touted as a low-cost, low-risk alternative to complex and invasive procedures such as facelifts. This site is designed to help you understand what fillers are, what they can do, and the differences between them.

Precautions:

• If you are under 18 years of age, you will need a parental consent to have this cosmetic procedure.
• If you have severe dermatological allergies, please advise your doctor, before dermal filler treatments.
• If you are pregnant, you are advised to avoid all dermal fillers during pregnancy.
• If you have skin break-outs, sores, infections or dermatological conditions, seek medical advice before having dermal filler treatments.

How Do I Use Fillers Guide?

If you are looking for general information about dermal fillers can remedy, the risks and benefits of the procedure, or what to expect if you decide to get dermal fillers yourself, then you are in the right place.

If you already think you may want to get dermal fillers our dermal fillers guide gives you a handy review of many of the most popular dermal fillers on the market today, and the pros and cons of each.

Once you've determined which technique(s) you are interested in, our cost page can help you estimate prices for different dermal filler procedures, so you know what to expect.

Still can't find what you're looking for? If you have questions we haven't answered yet, check out our FAQs for additional information and tips on continuing your research.

Finally, if you are ready to talk to a trained clinician or cosmetic surgeon about what dermal fillers can do for you, you can use our surgeon locator tool to find doctors in your area who specialize in these procedures. Most of the doctors on our site offer at least one free consultation to prospective clients, which means professional, one-on-one counseling and answers to all of your questions are just a phone call away.

Dermal Fillers Cost

Dermal fillers will vary in price depending on the surgeon or clinic, filler types, amounts and areas that are treated. The range can start as low as $200 for a smaller amount of BOTOX® Cosmetic, and cost as much as $1,000 - $3,000 if you are having multiple injections of different fillers to different areas of the face and body or if you are having a "liquid facelift."

Many dermatologists and surgeons offer specials on dermal fillers, and they base their discount on their margins and the amounts they order from the manufacturers and distributors. You have probably seen Groupon specials for fillers. They are becoming more common.

Injectable fillers have many purposes and uses, and the prices vary per manufacturer. In some cases, BOTOX® Cosmetic may be comparable or more expensive than Dysport. The same is true for cost variations between other fillers, like: Restylane®, Juvéderm®, Sculptra™, Perlane®.

Dermal, injectable fillers are pre-measured and sold in units, which come packaged with sterilized needles. Many surgeons will allow you to purchase a full syringe, and use it over time, and charge you all at once or each time you visit, until it is gone. For fillers like Restylane®, Juvéderm®, you probably won't pay less than $350 on the low end. For more specific information on prices, check out our cost page.

How Can I Have The Best Possible Experience With Dermal Fillers?

If you are considering getting dermal fillers to fix cosmetic flaws with your face, you're not alone. The dermal filler industry exploded in the last decade and propelled the cosmetic industry to a new level. Filler procedures are highly sought by men and women, baby boomers looking for a boost, aging adults seeking a more refreshed, youthful look, and younger adults, who want to correct features.

The good news is it doesn't have to be complicated. Having a good experience with dermal fillers can be simplified down to just three steps: researching and finding the right fillers for you, finding a doctor, and following instructions.

Step 1: Research Dermal Fillers

The first step to feeling more comfortable about getting dermal fillers is research. For most of us, this is easiest online. The purpose of this research is just to get you understanding the basic concepts of dermal fillers and what they can do to improve your appearance.

As you do your research, make a note of any facts or techniques you learn about that seem particularly applicable to you and what you are trying to accomplish. If you want dermal fillers is to restore a youthful smoothness to your face, for example, you are probably going to be more interested in pages that talk about using dermal fillers to reduce wrinkles than you are in the ones that discuss concealing scars.

It's a good idea to learn a little about the various types of dermal fillers available, but don't feel pressured to choose exactly which one you want right now. When you choose your doctor later on, he or she can add a considerable body of knowledge to what you've already learned, and then help you make decisions that makes sense for you.

Step 2: Finding A Dermal Fillers Doctor

Finding an experienced surgeon or trained professional is important to the outcome of your procedure. Although there are many doctors competing for your business, some practitioners are more experienced than others. After all, with so many doctors to choose from, you're certain to be able to find one you like.

The first thing you need to do is search for a list of professionals in your area. In nearly all cases, you want a local doctor performing your procedure, so you don't have to travel a long distance for your treatment. Since dermal fillers only last a few months, you will more than likely make multiple visits per year to keep up the treatments and your appearance.

In order to compile this list, you can use the surgeon locator tool on this website. You can also do a Google search with the name of your town and the words "dermal fillers" to find a qualified aesthetic surgeon. You can also use a local phone book-try looking under the listings for "cosmetic surgeons" as well as "dermatologists".

Once you locate the surgeons you would like to contact, you can do a little preliminary research online, by searching for reviews of some the doctors you're considering. While one or two bad reviews are not necessarily a deal breaker, several might make you want to think about eliminating the ones with poor reviews. Another thing you can do is see if there's a cosmetic surgery forum focused on your area, and ask members if they have any advice or experiences with local doctors.

Set Up a Consultation

Once you've narrowed down your list, call or email the clinic of your choice to set up a consultation. Nearly all clinics offer initial consultations free of charge to prospective patients. Scheduling a consultation will give you a chance to ask questions and get answers. The consultation process also allows you to meet the surgeons, tour their offices and form your own opinion. Essentially, you're interviewing the doctor for the job of performing your dermal filler procedure.

At your consultation, don't be afraid to ask plenty of questions. Ask about qualifications: how many procedures have been performed, and what training programs and certifications have been completed by your trained aesthetic professional.

Another important thing to do at your consultation is ask to see before-and-after photographs of previous clients. This will give you a chance to see the skill your surgeon has with using dermal fillers. Everyone has a slightly different view of what the ideal face should like, which means that cosmetic surgery of any kind is three parts medicine and one part art. You want to make sure that you and your surgeon are on the same page before your procedure.

The consultations should give you more than enough information to make a good decision about which doctor you want to perform your procedure. Since dermal fillers procedures (unlike facelifts) are not permanent, even if you end up with something you aren't completely happy with, you will not be stuck looking that way forever and you may consider using another practitioner for future dermal filler treatments.

Step Three: Follow Your Before and After Filler Instructions

Once you've found a doctor you are happy with, the best thing you can do is follow the list of instructions before and after your filler treatment. In the time before and after your procedure, he or she will give you some very specific instructions about precautions and measures you need to follow. Follow these instructions exactly, regardless of how needless they may sound to you. Your doctor knows a lot more about dermal fillers than you, and the medical instructions and guidelines are provided for a reason, to help you avoid any complications. Not following them could compromise your appearance or in some instances even your health.

What Should I Ask My Surgeon About Dermal Fillers At Our Consultation?

Here are some general questions to ask yourself and your healthcare professional to help you determine if dermal filler cosmetic treatments are right for you:

General Dermal Fillers Questions

• Am I healthy enough to get dermal fillers?
• Will dermal fillers interfere with any medication I am currently taking?
• Will dermal fillers negatively impact my current lifestyle?
• Is there anything I need to change about my lifestyle before I can get dermal fillers?
• Can I achieve the look I want through dermal fillers, or do I need some other procedure?
• What kind of filler do you recommend for me?
• How much will my procedure cost?
• Do you offer in-house financing to help pay for dermal fillers? If so, what are your rates?
• Do I need to do any allergy tests or get blood work before I can get dermal fillers?

Questions About The Doctor

• What certification do you have?
• How many dermal fillers procedures have you performed?
• How often do you perform filler procedures?
• How many times previously have you used the specific filler you're going to use on me?
• Have there ever been any complaints about your work? If so, what?
• What happens if I'm not happy with my results? Who pays for revisionary procedures?
• Can I see before and after pictures of your previous clients?

Questions About The Dermal Fillers Procedure

• Do I need to avoid any medications or foods before my procedure? For how long?
• Where will my procedure be performed?
• Should I have a friend or relative come with me?
• How is the procedure performed?
• How long will my procedure take?
• How much pain is associated with getting dermal fillers? Will I need local anesthesia or painkillers?
• How successful are filler procedures?
• Will I have to come in for multiple injections?
• How often will I have to repeat the dermal fillers procedure to keep my results?

Questions About The Dermal Fillers Recovery

• What is the recovery time for dermal fillers? How much discomfort will I experience afterward, and for how long?
• Will I need someone to drive me home after my procedure?
• Will I need any antibiotics or painkillers after my procedure?
• Will I need to take any time off work to recover?
• Do I need to stay out of the sun after getting dermal fillers? If so, for how long?
• Should I have someone stay with me after getting dermal fillers? If so, for how long?
• Will I need to wear any bandages or compression garments?
• Will there be any bruising or swelling? If so, how long will it last?
• What are the potential risks of dermal fillers? Are there any warning signs I should watch for?
• How long will it take before my results are fully visible?
• How long before I can resume my normal activities?

If you are ready to look for a surgeon in your area, click on the "surgeon locator" and find a specialist in your area. Schedule a consultation, and you are one step closer to a more youthful looking you.