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Fillers

What are Fillers?

Fillers are cosmetic injections that replace volume in the aging face.  As we age, fat and bone are gradually lost which is visible in the face as sagging, deep lines, and folds.  The fillers are injected with a small needle under the skin to provide lift and volume.  While there are many types of fillers, some of the most popular ones consist of hyaluronic acid (HA).  This is a naturally occurring molecule that is found in the skin.  Filler injections simply replace this element in the skin, giving it a more youthful appearance.

Can I Get Filler Treatments?

There are some situations where people should not use fillers.  These include:

  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • Serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to hyaluronic acid or other filler ingredients
  • Active infection in the area to be injected
  • Bleeding disorders or use of blood thinners (Coumadin, Aspirin, Plavix, etc)

What Can I Expect From Filler Treatments?

During your appointment a dermatologist will evaluate your needs and customize a treatment plan for the best results.  Topical numbing cream may be used prior to injections to minimize discomfort.   Following the filler injection into the desired location, the cosmetic benefits are often seen immediately.

Areas that are typically injected include:

  • Nasolabial folds (smile lines)
  • Lips
  • Cheekbones
  • Tear troughs (shadows under the eyes)
  • Marionette lines (jowls)

Results from HA fillers such as Restylane® or Juvederm® are temporary but may last up to 6-12 months.  Voluma®, which is injected into the cheekbone area, may last up to 2 years.  While fillers are not permanent, they can induce your body to lay down its own collagen in response to the injections.  This may lead to longer lasting results and prevent a complete return to baseline even when the filler has dissolved.

Side effects from filler injections are typically mild and temporary.  Common side effects include tenderness, redness, swelling and bruising.  These usually dissipate in several days to a week.  Using cold compresses may be helpful.  Uncommon side effects may be persistent redness, lumpiness, or blue nodules under the skin.  Rarely reported side effects are from accidental injection into a blood vessel, which can cause skin necrosis (dusky discoloration, open sores and scars), blindness or stroke.   If you have severe skin pain especially with white or dusky discoloration, loss of vision or other concerning symptoms, contact your physician immediately.  Because HA is a molecule normally found in the skin, allergic reactions are rare.

Filler treatments can be customized to your preferences to achieve a youthful and natural appearance.  Because these treatments are used for cosmetic purposes, they are not covered by insurance.  To learn more about treatments and pricing, schedule an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist at Iowa Dermatology Consultants today.

Additional Filler Resources

Links to Additional Information:

American Academy of Dermatology Filler Videos:

Why Iowa Dermatology Consultants?

Iowa Dermatology Consultants believes undergoing a cosmetic procedure is not just about your appearance and convenience. It is about your health and safety.  A board certified-dermatologist has the medical training and experience required to keep skin healthy and youthful-looking. They work with patients forming an active partnership in treatment to help you look and feel your best.

At Iowa Dermatology Consultants, all of our physicians are board-certified dermatologists. This means that Dr. Snider, Dr. Smith,  and Dr. Myers have the education, expertise and experience to safely and effectively reduce the signs of aging. Together they have almost 50 years of combined experience in medical and cosmetic dermatology practice.  This includes over 16,000 hours of patient care training to ensure that a board certified dermatologist can expertly diagnosis and treat over 3000 dermatologic conditions.

Because your results depend largely on the skill and experience of the person performing the procedure, it is important to select a board-certified dermatologist like those at Iowa Dermatology Consultants.