Dermal Fillers
Improve Facial Volume Loss | Define Facial Shape | Lift Sagging Skin | Become Refreshed & Younger Looking
As we age, our facial volume deflates due to the loss of muscle, fat, and bone and this is accelerated by loss of elasticity in our skin. The result? Lines, wrinkles, and folds.
Dermal Fillers, such as Restylane® or Belotero® are made from hyaluronic acid (HA), which is a natural occurring sugar found in our bodies. In its natural state HA is a liquid. Companies that manufacture filler turn HA into gels through proprietary processes. These gel fillers come in a range of densities for various areas of the face and when injected into the face they provide contour and restore volume which leads to a natural, more youthful appearance.
How do fillers work at ArtMed?
It’s extremely important to have a full medical consultation prior to considering dermal fillers. Because dermal fillers are injected under the skin and are long-lasting it is important to determine if it is safe in your circumstance to use dermal fillers. Most individuals with volume loss are candidates for filler but some people may have contraindications to use depending on their medical history.
Restoring volume loss in the face is both an art and a science. At ArtMed patient safety is our number one priority. Our injection staff are rigorously trained and undertake regular educational updates to stay abreast of best medical and aesthetic practices. Our priority also includes achieving a restoration of volume loss that is subtle and natural. Achieving symmetry, balance and harmony is part of the art of dermal filler injection and at ArtMed we are known for our artistry with this procedure. Not too much, not too little, just the right amount in the right place. As a rule, we believe less is more.
What kind of HA dermal filler treatment options does ArtMed offer?
We offer Restylane® and Belotero® HA dermal filler at ArtMed.
Does ArtMed offer bio-stimulatory fillers as well?
Yes, we also offer Radiesse® biostimulatory dermal filler which is also from Merz and manufactured in Germany. Biostimulatory fillers are different than HA fillers in that they stimulate collagen production to improve skin quality and elasticity providing lift and firmness to the skin. Please see our page on Radiesse® for more information.
What is the newest option to emerge in dermal fillers?
Our newest option in dermal filler treatment is Hybrid filler. Hybrid filler provides the best of both worlds by combining Radiesse® and Belotero® HA dermal filler mixed together for injection at the same time. Combination therapy provides volume enhancement AND skin quality improvements in the same treatment session. Hybrid treatment can optimize results by addressing numerous age-related changes at once.
What can you expect after fillers?
Recovery from dermal filler injections is typically quick. There is always a risk of bruising especially with lip filler injections. Improvements with filler are immediate but because fillers draw water to them the results continue to improve for 3-4 weeks after treatment. Fillers will last from 6 to 18 months depending on the product. With dermal fillers we can plump the cheeks, provide lifting in the cheeks and improve the jawline, reduce the appearance of jowls, marionette, and nasolabial folds, and reduce hollowing in the temples. Dermal filler treatment can provide a refreshed and younger looking you.
Significant contraindications include pregnancy or breast feeding, and allergy to bees or wasps. Be sure to have a thorough consultation before considering HA dermal fillers.
See bottom of page for further FAQ’s.
What is a collagen stimulating dermal filler (Radiesse®)?
It is an injectable dermal filler that has unique properties. This type of filler contains tiny calcium-based microspheres (calcium hydroxy appetite or CaHa) which are suspended in a water-based gel. These calcium spheres are similar to minerals that are found naturally in your body.
How does this type of dermal filler work?
CaHa stimulates the body to produce collagen and elastin thereby improving skin density and elasticity over time. Collagen stimulating dermal filler is an excellent treatment option for improving the appearance of thin, crepey skin on the back of the hands, the neck and the décolletage.
Why do we specifically use CaHa in the hands, neck and décolletage?
The skin of the back of the hands, the neck and the décolletage is thinner than the skin on the face. Consequently, these areas tend to become crepey sooner than the face. Because these areas are thin, it is not ideal to treat with traditional HA fillers as a natural appearing result is difficult to achieve. By comparison, bio-stimulating fillers are ideally suited to treat thinner skin and results are typically last 12-18 months.
Begin your skin journey. Book a consultation with one of our expert Nurse Injectors.
Conditions to treat with Dermal Fillers
DERMAL FILLER FAQ’s
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Every company that makes fillers obtains their raw hyaluronic acid from disaccharide (sugar) chains from the same source. The sugar is dissolved into an HA liquid and has no natural longevity as an injectable. So, a cross-linker chemical is added which converts the liquid into a gel that is too firm for injection. Each company has a proprietary modification process which allows them to create a range of fillers of various characteristics (thicker/thinner, more or less flexible, more or less able to blend into surrounding tissue).
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Hyaluronic acid fillers are contraindicated in patient’s with active autoimmune diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Fillers are also contraindicated in people with a history of multiple, severe allergies and a history of anaphylaxis. Fillers cannot be used if there is a history of bee/wasp sting allergy.
Fillers are also contraindicated there is a history of recent or current infections including urinary tract infection, sinus infection, skin infection, GI tract infection and oral cavity infection (dental abscess for example). If you are on antibiotics you should not be having HA filler injections.
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Dental procedures and visits to a hygienist should be avoided 2-4 weeks before and after filler treatment. Tooth whitening/bleaching and dental scaling should also be avoided during this time for 2-4 weeks before and after filler treatment.
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Avoid vaccinations around the time of fillers. If there is a history of cold sores, then contact the clinic for a prescription for antiviral pre-treatment.
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Medications that thin the blood: blood thinners (ASA, NSAIDS (e.g. Advil, Aleve), salmon oil, Vit E, gingko biloba, red wine, dark chocolate, grapefruit)
Avoid drinking alcohol, especially red wine
Avoid eating fatty fish, fish oil supplements and omega 3 supplements
Avoid Vit E, St. John’s Work, gingko biloba, garlic, or ginseng supplements
For women, the week leading up to your menstrual cycle can slightly increase your risk of bruising and sensitivity to pain
Avoid vigorous workouts for 2 days before injection and 2 days after injections
Avoid air travel for 1 week after filler injections
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Take Vitamin K a couple of days before treatment
Eat fresh pineapple a couple of days before treatment
Take arnica for 2-4 days leading up to your treatment and for 2 days after treatment
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• You can resume most activities immediately following injection.Be careful not to rub the area for the first 24 hours.
• Immediately after injection the site may be red, swollen and/or bruised.This will clear within a couple days.
• Avoid overexposure to heat and sunlight in the first few days after injection as this might cause increased swelling and bruising.
• Chemical peels, laser skin resurfacing, laser skin tightening, BBL, Botox and other such treatments should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks. Thermage should be avoided for 4 weeks as this may cause inflammation.
• Swelling is common after injection with fillers, especially in the lips. This will subside in 2 to 3 days.A cold pack may be used to help minimize swelling.
• For the first 24 hours after treatment avoid stretching the muscles in the treatment area (e.g. laughing excessively if lips have been treated). Fillers tend to “set” within 2 to 3 days and excessive movement in the first couple days can lead to movement of the filler from the desired treatment site.
• If you develop a white blanching of the skin, severe pain at the site, or a dusky colour to the skin along with pain in or near the treatment area, please contact us immediately at 519-824-4567 or after hours at 519-221-4005 , Dr. Anderson’s patients call 1-416-710-9462
• Dermal fillers will last 6 to 12 months. Touch ups may be needed after 6 months in areas that are more prone to movement, such as the lips. Repeated treatments typically lead to longer lasting results.
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Anti-inflammatories: Avoid taking anti-inflammatories (Aspirin, Advil, Aleve) 24 hours prior to your Filler or Botox appointment to reduce the possibility of bruising.
Tea bags: Place a cooled tea bag on a bruise and leave it there for an extended period to help it heal faster (the best type is comfrey if you have it).
Vinegar: Soak a cloth with white vinegar and place it on your bruise for up to 60 minutes (cut it with distilled water if you find the smell too strong). Vitamin KEat leafy green vegetables, (which are high in Vitamin K) the days before your filler appointment and you’ll be more resistant to bruising.
Witch-hazel: Place a cloth soaked with distilled witch-hazel to the area of the body that is swollen.
Ice Packs: Always the old standby. Using them will reduce any redness and swelling.