INDUSTRY INSIGHT
COSMETIC SURGERY
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Fillers...
The Secret Weapon
A
s we age, certain noticeable changes happen to our skin. The most
concerning changes are the loss of elasticity and moisture. When we
combine this with other environmental factors like sun exposure, we
often look much older than we feel. We can look deflated because of the loss of
volume. Patients are commonly concerned with the parentheses lines, vertical
lip lines and marionette lines. Fillers to the rescue! The deeper lines that form as
we advance in years can be helped by fillers. Because there are so many from
which to choose, the selection process can become quite daunting. Common
concerns regarding filler choice are cost, pain, recovery and frequency. We will
try to simplify the types of fillers in this article.
Voluma, Radiesse, Sculptra, Perlane, Lyft and Juvederm are temporary fillers.
Most of these are hyaluronic acid. This acid is produced naturally in our bodies,
but production is reduced as we age. A newer filler on the scene is called
Bellafill, which is a longer lasting filler. This filler is injectable collagen with
microspheres that can immediately smooth the deeper folds, giving a longer
lasting result. It helps to replace lost collagen by working with your body’s
natural processes. You will receive an initial skin test to check for any kind of
allergic reaction.
Now we come to the dilemma of which filler to choose. Of course, your
first priority is to choose a filler that is safe. Secondly, the costs of facial
fillers can be high, depending on the amount of correction needed. Deeper
folds require more product to give the proper plumping effects. Thus, it is
important to consider what your long-term maintenance costs will be rather
than simply what you spend today. For example, hyaluronic acid fillers can
last about a year in the cheeks, nasal labial folds or marionettes. If the cost is
$850 per syringe and five syringes are used, the cost would be $4,250 for a
one-year result. So, you then will pay $21,250 over
a five-year period. If you use five syringes of Bellafill,
the cost is $5,250 and can last up to five years. So
the question begs: do you prefer to spend $4,250
per year for a temporary filler, or $5,250 up front for
Bellafill that lasts at least five years?
A temporary filler that lasts a year actually means
that some of it goes away by 6-9 months, with only
part of it still present at one year. In contrast, the
Bellafill crystals stimulate your body’s own natural
collagen constantly to replenish the lost collagen in
your face, thus reducing the need for the frequent
maintenance treatments. In fact, studies done show
Bellafill crystals to even be present 13 years after
injection. Temporary fillers are great for reversing
aging issues, but often they wear off in a way that
doesn’t seem natural. With Bellafill’s more permanent
effects, your beauty wears smoothly. It’s worry-free
and works with your skin to improve your youthful
look, even as it fades away.
Dr. Anna Wooten of Beleza Plastic Surgery
does a wonderful job of injecting many different
fillers, both hyaluronic and others. All of them are
safe. Fillers are the secret weapon that will keep
people wondering…use them wisely! You now
have more knowledge to move forward in your
selection of the best filler to meet your needs. We
hope this information has been helpful to you. If
you have further questions or wish to schedule an
appointment, please call Beleza at 724.759.7777.
We look forward to meeting you!
Sewickley | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 49