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The Dermatology Institute of Boston
Physicians Caring For Your Skin -
The Dermatology Institute of Boston
Physicians Caring For Your Skin
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The demand for injectable dermal fillers has grown significantly over the years as individuals are discovering its benefits that extend to adults of all ages looking to turn back the clock, prevent aging, or redefine their contours.
Dermal fillers are medical grade gels that can be injected under the skin to improve the appearance of wrinkles, skin folds, under eye circles, and acne scars. They can also be used to make cheeks fuller and more youthful and to make lips plumper.
There are all different types of dermal fillers available. Some injectable fillers last a few months while others last several years. We believe dermal fillers are an effective facial treatment option to temporarily address concerns of volume loss, and can be adjusted gradually to address any volume-related facial changes that may arise down the line.
The best dermal filler for you will depend on a host of factors, including your specific goals, current skin condition, target area, and age. This is why our team at the Dermatology Institute of Boston utilizes a wide range of injectable fillers to make customized determinations that work best for our patients.
At the Dermatology Institute of Boston, we mostly offer hyaluronic acid fillers because they tend to be safer and are reversible if need be.
To help clients find the best option for them, let’s define what injectable dermal fillers are and look at the different options that are currently available. While we will go over all the major kinds of injectable fillers, it’s worth pointing out that our team prefers to use hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. Based on our experience with numerous patients, hyaluronic acid fillers have demonstrated tremendous natural-looking results while also being the safest.
Dermal filler procedures can usually be done in just 15-30 minutes. A numbing cream may be used to make the procedure more comfortable, depending on the area being treated. Patients may experience some bruising and swelling in the treated area for a few days. Tell your doctor if you are taking medicines that affect blood clotting, like aspirin, ibuprofen or warfarin.
Injectable dermal fillers are a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that can plump up wrinkles, smooth out lines and restore volume to various parts of your face.
Produced by several manufacturers using various ingredients and placed just under your skin, some use and benefits include:
Various kinds of dermal fillers can address different aspects of the face. As popularity has exploded, more companies have started to enter the space. Of the many options, the Dermatology Institute of Boston chooses to use injectable fillers from RHA, Juvederm, and Restylane lines.
As dermal fillers have become more popular, the development of injectable fillers has become more advanced. There are now several choices for each portion of your face. For some, the options can feel overwhelming.
This is why our team focuses on truly understanding our patient’s history, needs, and goals. With a meticulous examination, your provider can make personalized, tailored suggestions on the types of dermal fillers you need and what techniques will yield the best results.
Next, let’s look at the different kinds of injectable dermal fillers available and how they may be used.
Injectable fillers made of hyaluronic acid (HA) are the most popular for several reasons. First, these dermal fillers are defined by their ability to create the most natural-looking results. Depending on the application points, they are incredibly effective at improving the appearance of fine lines and volume loss. Hyaluronic Acid injectable fillers also provide the most flexibility compared to the other forms of dermal fillers we will discuss.
Second, hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body, making it extremely safe. Because of its biological nature, it can be reabsorbed into the body with little difficulty, generally between 6-12 months. For those that emphasize health and safety, this reason alone makes it the dermal filler of choice for most patients. With a simple application of hyaluronidase, clients can reverse or reduce the impact of their HA dermal filler in certain areas. Besides giving added security, it can provide a level of precision in defining outcomes that were impossible before.
For all these reasons, the Dermatology Institute of Boston prefers to use hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. HA injectables have been developed into specialized treatments that can yield tailored results in key areas of the face. Before we discuss other kinds, let’s look at some examples of HA fillers that we use in our offices:
This type of dermal filler is an incredibly adaptive and dynamic filler that moves with your face. It is often used to address dynamic wrinkles and folds.
This option is designed to be a quick lip augmentation that can be administered in less than 30 minutes. Containing lidocaine dramatically reduces any discomfort associated with treatment.
This option is an effective dermal filler for the cheek areas of the face. This dermal filler reduces wrinkles and lines by restoring volume to the affected areas.
It is designed to mimic the same hyaluronic acid your body produces and can correct moderate to severe wrinkles and lines. Especially effective on undereye hollows.
Cheek Lift Procedure:
(video “Cheek filler” on the DIB’s youtube channel)
This dermal filler can produce incredibly natural, dynamic results by using a smoother, smaller form of hyaluronic acid.
As you can see, hyaluronic-based dermal fillers offer a variety of injectables that can be extremely effective for patients of all walks of life and goals.
Our expert dermatologists can restore youthful volume to hollow cheeks with the help of Restylane Lyft®.
Our Boston dermatologists help patients achieve hair regrowth and rejuvenated undereyes with PRFM (platelet-rich fibrin matrix) treatments.
One of the longest-lasting dermal fillers, clients can see effects lasting for up to two years. While they are biodegradable, they are not naturally occurring in the body.
Also naturally occurring, this is a thicker consistency than hyaluronic acid fillers. CaHA injectable fillers do a fantastic job, specifically in adding volume, definition, and a plump appearance to areas such as the jawline and cheeks.
Unlike the other non-surgical injections, this one will require surgery and is currently not an available option at our office. Fat is removed via liposuction from other areas of your body and then injected into areas of your face.
These medicines may put you at an increased risk of bruising or bleeding at the treatment site. Some natural supplements and vitamins that you take may also make you more likely to bruise.
Additionally, if you are prone to getting cold sores, you should let your doctor know prior so that they can prescribe medication to prevent these from coming out after treatment is done close to the lips and mouth.
As you can see from our guide above, the options for injectable fillers are vast. With its many recent advances, dermal fillers can serve as a powerful ally in helping you reach your skin and cosmetic goals. We’d love to arrange an appointment at our Boston office where our team can help you go over your options and form the best plan of action.
These medicines may put you at an increased risk of bruising or bleeding at the treatment site. Some natural supplements and vitamins that you take may also make you more likely to bruise.
Additionally, if you are prone to getting cold sores, you should let your provider know so that they can prescribe medication to prevent these from coming out after treatment is done close to the lips and mouth.
Which types of dermal fillers are on the market?
There are a wide variety of dermal fillers available for patients searching for cosmetic improvements. These include hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) fillers, poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) fillers and polymethylmethacrylate fillers.
Our dermatologists offer dermal fillers from Juvederm and Restylane, along with RHA® fillers and Radiesse®. Juvederm fillers include Juvederm XC®, Ultra XC®, and Voluma®, while Restylane fillers include Restylane-L®, Lyft®, Kysse®, Defyne®, and Refyne®.
During your consultation at The Dermatology Institute of Boston, one of our experienced dermatologists will describe our soft-tissue filler options in great detail. They will then recommend the injectable filler that would best fit your needs.
How long do dermal filler results last?
The duration of a dermal filler’s results depends on several factors. These include the specific filler product administered, the amount of product injected, and the location where it is applied.
Generally, HA dermal fillers last anywhere from six to eighteen months. Radiesse®, a calcium hydroxylapatite filler, lasts from twelve to eighteen months. Fillers are gradually and safely absorbed into the body over this time. Patients often choose to come in for follow-up treatments in order to maintain their filler results.
In general, areas of the face with more movement, such as the lower face, break down fillers faster. Areas of the face with less movement, such as the tear troughs (under eye area) break down fillers more slowly.
Is there downtime after a dermal filler treatment?
Dermal filler treatments usually require little downtime. There may be some bruising and swelling but like any bruising or swelling, it will resolve with time. Some areas of the face, such as the under eye area, tends to bruise and swell more easily.
Which dermal fillers are used for lips?
At The Dermatology Institute of Boston, our dermatologists use Juvederm Ultra XC® or Resylane Kysse for lip enhancement. This lip-augmentation filler improves the volume, definition, and shape of the lips in a way that creates incredibly natural-looking results. Typically, results last for six to twelve months, at which point patients return for follow-up treatments.
Patients who want to achieve plump lips without surgery or implants find lip injections to be an excellent option. It’s often chosen by patients whose lips are thinner due to genetics or the aging process.
Before the session, one of our board-certified dermatologists will meet with the patient to discuss their lip-enhancement needs and aesthetic goals. They will also ask questions regarding the patient’s medical history.
The dermatologist will then examine the patient’s face, evaluating factors like skin quality, lip and mouth proportions, and proportions between the lips and the other facial features. This will allow them to design a treatment plan that will create balanced and symmetrical results.
During the treatment, the dermatologist will inject precise amounts of Juvederm Ultra XC® or Resylane Kysse into areas in and around the lips. These may include the cupid’s bow, the lips’ vermillion border, the upper and lower lips, and the philtrum. This process typically takes around fifteen minutes or less.
Do dermal filler injections hurt?
Dermal filler injections in most areas of the face are only minimally uncomfortable, and generally, most patients tolerate the injections quite well. Some areas of the face, such as the lips, can be more painful, and a topical anesthetic or numbing cream may be used beforehand.
What is the difference between dermal fillers and Botox®?
There are numerous differences between dermal fillers and Botox®. These include their composition, mechanism of action, and results. Overall, fillers are used to help restore volume to the face and Botox® is used to reduce wrinkles by lessening movement of the face.
Most dermal fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, a substance found naturally in the body. Botox®, on the other hand, is composed of botulinum toxin type A, which is derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium.
In general, Botox is most often used to treat lines on the upper part of the face such as: the glabella (between the eyebrows to treat “11” lines), the forehead and/or Crow’s feet (at the sides of the eyes). On the other hand, fillers are most often used to treat lines on the lower part of the face such as: the nasolabial folds (wrinkle between the edge of the nose and the outer corner of the lip), the marriott lines (fold from corner of lips to jaw), cheeks, tear trough (under eyes). Sometimes fillers can also be used to volumize or fill hollow temples.
Filler results also last longer than Botox® results. While most dermal fillers last for six to eighteen months, Botox® lasts for three to four months.
Do fillers make collagen over time?
Yes, all fillers have been shown to stimulate the body to make more of its own collagen. Some of the fillers, such as the hyaluronic acid fillers have proven that they stimulate certain cells of the skin, known as fibroblasts, to produce more collagen. Some of the fillers, such as Radiess®, are also referred to as biostimulatory fillers because they serve as a framework for new collagen development.
Do fillers migrate or move?
Fillers do not move far distances on the face such as from the cheek to the forehead or from the chin to the forehead. However, some fillers can shift slightly in the skin. This is most common if too much pressure is applied to the filler soon after it was placed in the skin. Most fillers are somewhat moldable for about a week after they are placed so patients are usually advised to avoid firm pressure to the area for the week or two after treatment.
Is there a more natural alternative to fillers?
Yes! Some patients prefer to avoid synthetic fillers and then choose to rejuvenate their face with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM). These injectable fillers are created using the patient’s own blood and is rich in growth factors.
Dear Patients,
Our goal here at The Dermatology of Institute of Boston is protect the health of our patients and staff. To continue caring for our patients during these uncertain times, while strictly adhering to the guidelines set by the CDC, we will be only offering virtual consultations. For some patients, an in person visit is best, but if you feel that your concern could be addressed online, this may be a convenient option for you.
