The Ultimate Guide to Facial Fillers

Sculpt Spa Las Vegas is your premier destination for injection treatments and fillers. As you age, your face will naturally lose subcutaneous fat. Your facial muscles are then working closer to the surface of the skin, and when they do so, they cause various wrinkles to appear. The use of fillers helps to diminish or get rid of these facial lines. Some fillers can also restore volume and fullness to facial areas. 

What filler is right for you? Well … each face is different and has differing needs in terms of the bone structure, loss of fat, and the subtlety or intensity of the filler needed.

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Here is your Ultimate Guide to tell you everything you need to know about injectable facial fillers at Sculpt Spa Las Vegas. If there is anything we didn’t cover here, please contact us as our expert staff can definitely address your unique and specific questions. 

1. What Are Dermal Fillers? 
   Dermal fillers are soft gel-like substances. They are injected beneath the skin to create a variety of effects caused by the loss of natural fat and agility. These treatments are utilized by over one million patients each year and getting more popular over time. These treatments are much less costly than surgery and do not require a large amount, if any, of downtime. Common concerns that fillers solve include restoring lost volume, smoothing lines, softening creases, enhancing facial contours, smoothing of deep under eye circles, lifting of cheekbones, volumization of the lips, smoothing of lip lines and nasolabial folds, as well as rejuvenation of the hands.

    

   The various filler substances available each have their own unique density, longevity, and texture, which means a particular material may be better suited to a specific area of the face or for a desired result. Choosing the right type of dermal filler requires the guidance of an experienced, Sculpt Spa Las Vegas clinician with a thorough understanding of facial anatomy, and familiarity with the variety of available fillers and their respective injection techniques. Our professionals will thoroughly evaluate any specific areas of concern, understand what you hope to get out of the procedure, and review what to expect before, during, and after the treatment to ensure the best cosmetic outcome. Dermal fillers may be casually known as “wrinkle fillers,” but they can do much more than just smooth out wrinkles.

   Dermal fillers can do the following useful things: 

   • Smooth out lines around nose and mouth (a.k.a. marionette lines, smile lines, and parentheses) 
   • Enhance & restore volume to sunken cheeks or temples 
   • Diminish vertical lip lines 
   • Plump & enhance the lips 
   • Smooth out a chin crease 
   • Improve symmetry among facial features 
2. What’s in dermal fillers? 
   The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a limited number of filler products for use by cosmetic technicians. Approved substances include:  
   • Hyaluronic Acid (HA): Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring hydrating substance found in your skin HA fillers, depending on their specific chemical makeup, can last from six months to much longer before being gradually absorbed by the body. Most HA fillers are infused with lidocaine to help minimize discomfort during and after treatment. One of the main benefits of HA fillers, aside from their natural appearance when injected, is that they can be dissolved by a special solution carried by Sculpt Spa Las Vegas called Hylenex (Hyaluronidase). Hylenex is an enzyme that breaks down HA. It has a long history of being used to increase the absorption of different drugs, and when too much of a drug has been injected, to remove it and reduce tissue damage. As HA became popular as a filler, Hylenex has become essential for correction of both complications as well as unsatisfactory results. The premier brand of HA based fillers is Restylane, and is the collection offered at Sculpt Spa Las Vegas. 
   • Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA): Calcium hydroxylapatite is also a naturally occurring substance. In this case, it is found primarily in human bones. The calcium particles in this filler are nearly microscopic and suspended in a smooth gel. The consistency is typically thicker than that of a hyaluronic acid. It has been used in dentistry and “old school” reconstructive plastic surgery for years with a track-record of safety.  
   • Poly-L-lactic acid: This is a biocompatible synthetic filler that helps to stimulate collagen production, the filler gel itself dissipates a few days after treatment. It has been used for many years in medical devices, such as dissolvable stitches. Its results are gradual; volumization occurs over several months as it stimulates the body to produce collagen. Polymethyl methacrylate is a semi-permanent filler, however, it has potential complications such as forming lumps or being visible under the skin. 
   • Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA): Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is a synthetic, biocompatible substance that has been used in medicine for the last 70 years. Used as a dermal filler, PMMA becomes a “microsphere” or tiny ball, that remains beneath the skin indefinitely to provide continued support. PMMA fillers may also contain collagen to provide structure and firmness.   
   • Autologous fat injections (facial fat grafting): Autologous fat is the only injectable filler treatment that requires surgery. Your own fat is harvested from another area of your body, typically using liposuction. It is then purified and injected into the face. The purpose of the procedure is to help restore volume to the cheeks, temples, lower eyelids, or other areas. Fat injections require specialized and should only be performed by an experienced, board-certified cosmetic surgeon. 
3. What are neuromodulator fillers? 
   A neuromodulator is essentially a powerful muscle relaxer. It stops a particular muscle from contracting by inhibiting the nerve communication. It is a “nerve modulator.” Often wrinkles are caused by muscle contractions and repetitive behaviors such as squinting and frowning. These expressions take place primarily in the upper third of the face. Neuromodulators are made from the botulinum toxin type A, the same bacteria that cause botulism. Botulinum toxin type A is an injectable neurotoxin, better known under brand names such as Botox Cosmetic®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, and Jeuveau®. Botox-type injectables often are used in these areas where muscle activity influences facial features: 
   • Glabellar lines (a.k.a. “elevens” or frown lines) 
   • Wrinkles around the eyes, such as crow’s feet 
   • Forehead creases 
   • Corners of the mouth 
   • A “cobblestoned” appearance to the chin

      

     The main distinction between brands lies in their formulation, which influences the dosage used, how much the product spreads, and how quickly a patient might see the results.  All four products are FDA approved and have been used safely and effectively for some time.  Botulinum toxin injections are non-surgical and typically completed during an office visit. Your initial treatment will begin with a consultation, during which you will meet with your cosmetic surgeon to discuss your concerns and goals. 

4. Which fillers are commonly used for which specific part of the face 
   Sculpt Spa Las Vegas uses the Restylane® suite of dermal fillers. Restylane is the most popular and widely trusted in its class of HA fillers. The product line features a variety of specialized formulas and technologies, which means that the products selected for a given client are very specific to provide the optimal solution needed.  Several of the products utilize XpressHAn™ Technology, a new and innovative technology that helps to create a smooth gel that produces natural results. It helps to regulate the degree of HA crosslinking, which helps in developing gels that can be used flexibly to suit the needs of the patients. Popular fillers for specific facial areas include: 
   • Cheek Fillers: Restylane Lyft is used to help complete an aesthetic look with natural-looking volume in the cheeks and hands for a smoother, fuller appearance.  Restylane Contour is also used as an innovative cheek filler designed with XpresHAn Technology to move with natural facial expressions while providing restored cheek shape and definition. Gone are the days of frozen, over-stuffed cheeks. Treatment with Restylane Contour was selected in patients with good cheekbone support but more fat loss or volume loss in the middle cheek. Lyft was used in patients that lacked good bone support in the midface and could benefit from precision and structure in filler placement. 
   • Jawline fillers: Restylane Lyft is recommended to add natural looking volume. Restylane Defyne is used for chin projection. 
   • Smile lines: Restylane Silk is popular for the lines around the mouth in certain treatments. They, like other areas of the face, show signs of aging as you get older. This often results in lip thinning, lost shape and an increase in vertical lines above the lip. Restylane Silk is designed specifically to provide natural-looking results in these particular areas by using smaller, smoother hyaluronic acid particles than those used in other Restylane® products. Restylane Refyne also is used in appropriate smile line applications. It is designed with XpresHAn Technology to help soften laugh lines (nasolabial folds and marionette lines). This restores a more natural look to the face while maintaining facial expressions. Also used when deep laugh lines are an issue is Restylane Defyne. Also crafted with XpresHAn Technology, Restylane Defyne helps smooth out deep laugh lines. Using innovative cross-linking technology, Restylane Defyne is able to help restore a more youthful, natural-looking appearance, while helping you maintain your natural expressions and movement.  
   • Lip Fillers:  Restylane Silk is one option used for lips. Also, new on the scene is Restylane Kysse, the first lip filler designed with XpresHAn Technology for flexible movement and natural-looking volume proven to last for up to 1 year. It enhances texture and color of the lips while maintaining a full range of expressions. Restylane may also be used for lip enhancement in patients over 21 years. 
   • Under eyes: Restylane can be used to add volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the lines from your nose to the corners of your mouth (nasolabial folds). 
     
     
     
5. What are sessions like? 
   Because they are non-surgical, dermal filler injections are usually completed during an office visit. Your start with a consultation with a Sculpt Spa Las Vegas fillers expert. The appropriate fillers will be chosen and the plan designed to meet your objectives. Just before the actual treatment, the area will be cleaned. You may be given a topical anesthetic to numb the area before receiving the injection. Many filler products also contain lidocaine, a mild anesthetic, which will help minimize discomfort during and after your treatment. Your provider will then inject a precise amount of filler strategically beneath the skin. Depending on the product and the areas treated, you should be able to notice results immediately after receiving filler injections. Some patients experience mild bruising and swelling, but these are temporary and should subside over the days following treatment. You will be able to go back to your normal activities right after treatment.

    

   Sculpt Spa Las Vegas does not offer fat injections. Facial fat grafting is a surgical procedure and follows a different treatment protocol. Typically, fat grafting is performed as an outpatient procedure, using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Up to 2 weeks of downtime may be required, depending on the extent of liposuction performed. Your cosmetic surgeon will go over what to expect with surgery and recovery during your consultation. 

6. Safety 
   Fillers are safe in the right hands. The procedures are not overtly expensive, but they are also not incredibly cheap. This has prompted some to seek out the online black market for alternatives of the “do-it-yourself” variety. There are frequent reports of dangerous complications resulting from injections received by someone other than a health professional. These products can contain nonsterile substances. Improper injection can lead to lumpiness, swelling and even blindness or death. The exact quote from the FDA: “never buy dermal fillers on the internet. They may be fake, contaminated, or harmful.” 

Sculpt Spa is Las Vegas’ leading provider of injection treatments. We offer the latest hyaluronic acid dermal fillers from Galderma, with lip, facial, and anti-wrinkle treatments available for you.  

Sculpt Spa offers its services in a serene, nonjudgmental spa setting. With additional services including body contouring, NAD+, and vitamin injections, we are the ideal place for making a new you. 

Talk to a Sculpt Spa Pro today about our injections and more!