If you’re a St. George adult hoping to turn back the clock and eliminate visible signs of aging without undergoing surgery, you’re in luck. There’s a simple and effective solution for you: injectable dermal fillers.

What are Injectable Fillers?

Let’s face it, aging is inevitable. Short of stumbling upon a magic silver DeLorean that doubles as a time machine, there’s no avoiding the physical changes that occur as the years pass. Gravity, sun exposure, smoking, and more all take their toll on your skin. Fortunately, there are products that can help lessen these effects, giving you a more youthful appearance – not to mention a nice confidence boost.

Injectable dermal fillers are comprised of soft tissue that is injected into the skin, filling in lines and wrinkles and plumping up sagging skin by adding volume. Injectable fillers are made up of a variety of substances including:

  • A natural protein found in skin and tissue.
  • Hyaluronic acid. A natural lubricating gel produced by the body to plump the skin. Juvedérm® and Restylane® are popular products containing HA.
  • Calcium Hydroxylapatite. A biodegradable mineral found in bone. Radiesse® is a popular product made with CaHA.
  • Poly-L-lactic acid. A synthetic material created from alpha-hydroxy acid and frequently used in medical procedures involving dissolvable stitches and bone screws. It is the main ingredient in Sculptra®.
  • Human fat.

Your body will eventually absorb these substances over time, making repeat injections necessary in order to maintain lasting results. A synthetic alternative, polymethylmethacrylate, is occasionally used. These small, acrylic beads are not absorbed by the body; in contrast to natural fillers, they offer permanent results. Your St. George facial plastic surgeon will help determine the best type of filler for your particular needs. Injections take just a few seconds and the whole procedure is usually completed within thirty minutes. 

Botox

Many people supplement dermal fillers with Botox injections. A prescription drug made from the Clostridium botulinum bacterium, Botox temporarily paralyzes muscle activity. When injected into the skin, it acts as a barrier to nerve signals traveling to the muscles, preventing them from contracting. This relaxes and softens facial wrinkles and creases. Botox is most often used to treat forehead and frown lines and crow’s feet.

As with injectable fillers, Botox offers temporary results. Maintenance injections are required every three to twelve months depending on your individual results.

Risks and Rewards

All procedures carry a small amount of risk, but serious adverse reactions from injectable dermal fillers and Botox are rare. You might experience infection, swelling, bruising, redness, tenderness, pain, numbness, rash, itching, skin nodules, abscesses, open sores, blurred vision, flu-like symptoms, or allergic reactions. These side effects are almost always temporary and usually clear up within a week. For the majority of people seeking a more youthful appearance without going under the knife, this is an acceptable risk for a solution that offers immediate results that can last as long as a year. If you don’t believe us, just ask them.

If you’re looking for a solution that will help reverse the signs of aging and want to learn more about injectable dermal fillers or Botox, contact your St. George facial plastic surgeon today!