Mid-face Volume Restoration Can Help Turn Back the Clock.

A prominent mid-face area with softly contoured cheeks is the picture of youth!

When we’re young, our skin produces an abundance of collagen, which allows our faces to look fuller and our cheeks to be more prominent. As we age, the plump part of the cheek, known as the malar fat pad, begins to slide down and our skin starts to lose its full, youthful look. Collagen production slows down and the existing collagen experiences damage, which causes the skin’s support system to weaken and fine lines or wrinkles to appear.

Dermal fillers are designed to restore lost volume and help you regain your youthful appearance. Targeted volume replacement procedures, commonly known as liquid face lifts, directly address the aging process.  The idea in this sort of procedure is to use filler to essentially “lift’ the face rather than simply fill in a wrinkle. Studies have shown that these fillers actually help stimulate new collagen production.

These non-invasive cosmetic procedures, known generally as volume replacement procedures, are in high demand. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are becoming more popular than the pricier plastic surgery options for those individuals seeking to restore a youthful appearance. The benefit of the non-surgical approach to skin rejuvenation is that it allows patients to experience instant rejuvenation and satisfaction with minimal risks or downtime.

Temporary vs. Long-Lasting Fillers

Temporary Fillers, which usually last 2 to 12 months, are generally preferred over the more long-lasting fillers, which can last as long as five years. It is recommended that first time filler patients especially opt for the temporary fillers in case they decide they don’t like them. The challenge of longer lasting fillers is that the face continues to change with time and the filler will remain where it was injected, which may not complement the face as it ages. Years after the injection, these more permanent fillers may also cause the formation of small lumps in the skin, known as granulomas, which require surgical excisions to remove.

Whether you decide to go with temporary or long-lasting fillers, it’s important to look closely at your options because there are now numerous soft-tissue dermal fillers available that help sculpt the face and address nasolabial folds, chin clefts, crow’s feet, thinning lip lines, sunken scars, and/or a wide variety of other skin concerns.

With so many different fillers on the market, finding the right one can be a challenge. Before selecting dermal filler, it’s important to consider the treatment area, cost, how long it will last, your tolerance to the treatment, and your desired results.

Temporary Filler Options (lasting 2 to 12 months)

• Collagen Injections have been around since the 1980s. When it first came on the market, it was derived from bovine (cows) and the results typically lasted for 2-3 months. Due to a higher risk of allergic reaction, allergy tests are required before getting the bovine collagen treatment. There is a newer porcine (pig) derived collagen injection that can last as long as 9 months and is said to be easier to inject and cause less bruising and swelling than the bovine version. It is FDA-approved for treating nasolabial folds, though it has been used off-label to treat other wrinkles and folds as well. A lighter formulation of collagen injections is being developed for lip augmentation. The porcine-derived collagen has a lower risk of allergic reactions than its bovine counterpart, so there is no need for the allergy test. The biggest benefit to injecting collagen is that it helps to repair the structure of the skin and hold up the aging tissue.

• CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast are purified human-based collagen fillers. They are currently the most popular collagen product. Results are immediate and will last 2-3 months. These products do not require allergy testing and contain an anesthetic to make the injection more comfortable.

• Sculptra is a Poly-L-Lactic acid hydrogel that is made from corn. It contains microscopic particles that help stimulate collagen production. Most patients require 2 to 3 treatments spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart for optimal results. The results last 18-24 months. Noticeable puffiness is expected following treatment and the results typically appear after 2-4 months.

• Hyaluronic acid is the most popular dermal filler among both patients and providers, including those at Physicians Skin and Laser.  Hyaluronic acid fillers are made from a cross-linked, non-animal derived protein. These gel fillers are designed to hold up over time and give more structure to the face. Depending on which brand of hyaluronic acid filler that’s used, the provider’s injection technique, and the placement, results can last up to 18 months. 

Hyaluronic acid filler attracts and binds water much like the naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in the human body. These fillers give immediate results. The three most popular brands of hyaluronic acid fillers are Restylane, Perlane, and Juvederm.  All three of these brands are FDA-approved. For mid-face lifts, the high density of Perlane is usually a good option.

Long-Lasting Filler Options (Lasting 2-5 years)

• Radiesse is made from synthetic calcium hydroxyapatite (the natural version of this is created in the human body). Radiesse is a stimulating filler that will prompt the skin to increase collagen production. It is FDA-approved for facial wrinkles and folds. The results are immediate and typically last 2-3 years. Due to its density, this filler cannot be used in the lips. It is usually used for the cheeks and nasolabial areas. No allergy test is required.

• Artfill is an injectable made from synthetic microspheres suspended in 80% pure bovine collagen gel. The microspheres do not disintegrate over time; they remain in the tissue after the collagen gel is absorbed. New collagen then grows around the microspheres (much like scar tissue). The results typically last up to 5 years. Artfill is FDA-approved for nasolabial folds and is appropriate for deeper filling and contouring. An allergy test is required.

• Fat from your own body can be used as a filler. A liposuction-like procedure is used to harvest fat from an area where you don’t want it, treated with antibiotics, and processed before being re-injected into wrinkles and furrows. The results are immediate and considered permanent, with 30-50% of the transferred fat surviving long term. The injected fat is more likely to survive around muscle and a good supply of blood. Since the procedure requires fat to first be harvested from your body, it is more invasive than most injections.

The Filler Experience at Physicians Skin and Laser

At Physicians Skin and Laser, we offer Restylane, Perlane, or Juvederm Ultra, and Juvederm Ultra Plus. For more specifics on these four hyaluronic acid fillers, please refer to the Filler section on our website. Our licensed Medical Physicians, who are specially trained in the art of facial rejuvenation, will perform all injections and will use a numbing block or crème in order to make your procedure as painless as possible.

Following injection, you may experience some swelling, redness, and/or bruising, which can last anywhere from a few hours to more than a week. Once the swelling and bruising go down, you’ll be able to see the final results.

If you’re interested in fillers or simply have more questions, please visit us for a complimentary consultation! We look forward to seeing you soon!