Facial fillers, also known as injectable fillers, may be used to restore fullness to the face which can diminish with age. Facial fillers can restore a more youthful appearance by plumping fine wrinkles and other skin depressions and enhancing the lips. There are a variety of injectable fillers available today including Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Artefill, Sculptra, Evolence, Elevess, Prevelle Silk, Cosmoplast, and Cosmoderm.

Healthy individuals who are looking to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles or other areas of lost volume, or enhance the lips, may be good candidates for treatment with facial fillers. A patient consultation with Dr. Kontis is the best way to determine if facial fillers are right for you and which filler can best address your needs.

Facial fillers are injected beneath the skin of the treatment area and the process usually takes under an hour to complete. Some form of anesthesia may be required for certain injectable fillers, though most involve just a numbing agent or local anesthetic. Some degree of bruising and swelling near the injection site can result after treatment, though these side effects should subside within a day or two. Most normal activity can be resumed right after treatment.

The duration of results will vary depending on the particular filler used. Collagen-based dermal fillers like Cosmoplast and Cosmoderm can last up to six months and may be used to treat frown lines, forehead lines, crow´s feet, vertical lip lines, smile lines, marionette lines, the lip border, and some scars. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers include Elevess, Restylane and Juvederm which all last an average of six months. Juvederm and Restylane can smooth facial wrinkles and folds, and Restylane can also be used to enhance the lips and shape facial contours. Sculptra lasts an average of two years and is FDA-approved for the treatment of facial fat loss in individuals with HIV. Artefill provides long-lasting treatment for the correction of nasolabial folds (smile lines), while Radiesse can be used to treat facial lines and wrinkles for up to one to two years.

Facial fillers are a great way to restore a youthful looking appearance by diminishing the look of wrinkles, fine lines and other areas of lost volume.