Injectable Fillers

Serving Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, and Troy, New York

Restylane®, Juvederm, Cosmoderm/plast™, Radiesse™

Soft tissue fillers are off-the-shelf products that are injected into the skin to soften the appearance of wrinkles and facial scars. These fillers restore volume to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and deep folds such as smile lines (nasolabial folds). Similarly, depressed acne scars can be improved with fillers through volumetric replacement of damaged collagen. There are a variety of materials that can be used for this purpose, and the growing trend is to often combine or layer different materials in order to take advantage of their unique properties. Dr. Falk prefers substances that are similar in composition to elements normally found in the human body, such as hyaluronic acid (Restylane,™ Juvéderm TM), human collagen (Cosmoderm™ and Cosmoplast ™, and calcium-hydroxy-appetite (Radiesse™). The choice of materials depends on the specifics of the site, volume of correction and patient treatment goals.

Restylane

Is a cosmetic dermal filler used to treat wrinkles and enhance the lips. Restylane is made of hyaluronic acid. This substance is natural component of our skin. Restylane is clear substance and is entirely biodegradable in 6 months.

Juvederm

Juvederm is an injectable gel composed of cross-linked hyaluronic acid. It is indicated for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (such as nasolabial folds). It is reported to last longer than non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid products. The most common side effect included temporary injection site reactions including redness, pain firmness swelling and pumps.

Cosmoderm/Cosmoplast

CosmoDerm and CosmoPlast are injectable fillers composed of human collagen grown under controlled laboratory conditions. This product is much like the collagen found in normal skin. There is no need for skin testing with human collagen products. CosmoDerm is a non-cross-linked formulation used to treat superficial lines, wrinkles, and shallow scars. CosmoPlast is cross-lined and is primarily used in the treatment of more pronounced wrinkles.

Radiesse

Radiesse is a calcium-based injectable filler composed of microspheres of calcium hydroxy-appetite suspended in a natural gel. Radiesse was first designed as a bone substitute, but has been found to be excellent soft tissue volume correction. The main advantage of Radiesse is it relative longevity of correction of about one year. It is now FDA approved for correction of wrinkles and folds including nasolabial folds. It is to be placed in a deep plane. Too superficial a placement can result in palpable irregularities.

Sculptra

Sculptra has been used with such great success that it is often called the "Liquid Face Lift". This non-invasive treatment corrects the deepest of creases and wrinkles with long-term results using a biodegradable material called "poly-L-lactic acid".

Using numbing medication to minimize discomfort, Sculptra is injected using a fine needle. It works by stimulating collagen production in the skin and fills in what has been lost with age. Results are gradual and, depending on the level of improvement desired and the severity of the problem, anywhere between 3-5 monthly treatments may be needed. Once the desired look is achieved, this semi-permanent treatment appears to last greater than two years.

Procedure

Albany Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Falk or one of his physician associates performs all injectable procedures. The injectable materials are administered with fine needles. The face is often anesthetized with topical numbing agents and supplemental cooling. A series of small injections are used to target the precise location for augmentation. Ice is applied immediately post treatment. Patients are instructed that there may be some swelling and redness at the injection site, and lips have potential to swell more than other areas.

If you want to learn more about what The Center for Facial Plastic Surgery and Laser Skin Care of North Eastern New York can offer you, please take a look at our website and contact our facial plastic surgeon today to schedule a consultation about facial fillers.