Dermal Fillers
Dermal Fillers, such as Juvederm® , Radiesse®, Revanesse®, Restylane®, Perlane®, Belotero®, and other are used in popular cosmetic treatments at our Medical Spa Club in Richmond, a suburb of Vancouver where Dr. Pinkhasik has been practicing since 1987.
How Do Fillers Work?
As we age, we experience a decrease in facial volume. This facial”deflation” causes skin to sag, resulting in folds, creases, hollow areas, and jowls. Dermal Fillers are used to target and replace this volume loss, filling the hollowed areas, propping up / lifting and smoothing out the skin.
Prior to receiving any injectable filler treatments at our Richmond Medical Spa Club, you will have a thorough consultation with Dr. Pinkhasik. Your concerns will be addressed and you will be encouraged to ask any questions that you may have about your procedure. Dr. Pinkhasik will explain to you the benefits and risks of using fillers and will help you to choose the filler, or a combination of treatments, that is best suited to you.
Common Dermal Filler Applications:
Comfort levels of using dermal fillers vary among doctors depending on their training and experience. At Richmond Medical Spa Club, Dr. Pinkhasik uses dermal fillers to address the following problems and concerns (below is a partial list) :
-Smile lines (or nasolabial folds): lines that run from the corners of the nose to the corners of the mouth.
-Marionette lines: lines that run downward from the corners of the mouth.
-Corners of the mouth (or oral commissure).
-Jowl: the area on either side of the chin, where skin can sag due to loss of facial volume.
-Chin wrinkles: horizontal lines that can form on your chin.
-Tear Troughs: areas below your eyes that create “bags and hollows under the eyes”.
-Lip augmentation
-Chin augmentation
-Facial contour augmentation
Frequently Asked Questions
What's The Cost of Fillers?
The cost would depend on severity of your case. It would depend on work involved and brand + amount of fillers used. General range can be $600 – $3000.
How Soon Will I See Results with Dermal Fillers? And How Long Will They Last?
Everyone’s body is unique and may experience results differently with Dermal Fillers. Generally, dermal fillers produce visible results immediately upon injection. These results may evolve slightly over following couple of days: the procedural swelling will subside, and skin will smooth out further as the filler integrates with your tissue. There is no down time, and in our experience you can count on looking very presentable immediately after your procedure, although there may be some (usually minor) swelling and occasional bruising, so if you have an important event, you want to give yourself at least 7-10 days before it, “just in case”.
Is It Dangerous To Get Fillers?
Fillers we use are non-toxic and actually nourish your tissues, so they are actually good for your skin.
There is a remote possibility of sensitivity, as with anything, but it is so rare that I had not seen a case in 15 years that I had been doing this. There are, of course, procedural risks, especially with inexperienced injectors.
What's The Recovery Time For Fillers?
None. It is a “no downtime” procedure. There may be a little puffiness, but it is usually negligible.
With canula injections, the risk of bruising is minimal. Nonetheless, we usually advise people to give a week or two before major evens (weddings, birthdays), as Murphy’s Law is still in effect: if you do it a day before a wedding, and you are unlucky enough to get bruised, it may cause an inconvenience to say the least.
Are Dermal Filler Procedures Painful?
We do everything possible to minimize your discomfort. The fillers are mixed with local anesthetic, and your skin is locally cooled to reduce your sensation of the initial injection. You may feel a varying amounts of pressure in the affected area during the procedure. Everyone’s pain tolerance is different and we want to make you as comfortable as possible. Most people are pleasantly surprised as to how little discomfort these procedures actually involve.
Are There Any Pre or Post Care Instructions For Dermal Fillers?
Pre Care For Fillers
1. Stop taking medication that can thin the blood – A week before you get fillers treatment, stop taking:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen, either generic or Advil, Aleve, or Motrin
- Exedrin
- St. John’s Wart
- Vitamin E
- Fish oil or Omega-3s
- GinkoBilboa
- Ginseng
This will minimize any potential for bruising. Tylenol is okay.
Post Care For Fillers
1. After you have received dermal fillers treatment, some injection-related discomfort, swelling, or redness may occur at the site of injection. Applying a cold compress will help.
2. If you need something more than cold compress for discomfort, use acetaminophen (Tylenol®, Atasol®) following the directions on the bottle. The use of ASA (Aspirin®) should be avoided as it may increase bruising at the site of injection.
3. Minimize movement in the injected area for the next day or two (e.g. Minimize smoking and/or drinking from a straw). Your new implant requires this amount of time to settle.
4. Many patients return to their normal routine/activities immediately after treatment, with no untoward effects.
5. You may gently wash injection area and apply makeup immediately after treatment.
6. Sunbathing, excessive UV exposure or excessive exposure to cold should be avoided until the redness or swelling has subsided.
7. Immediately report any worsening or persistent symptoms or side effects to us.
If you have any questions about the treatment you have received, please call us at 604-284-5501 or email us.
