In addition to BOTOX®, NY Vision Group offers dermal fillers at both its New York and Queens offices. Dermal fillers are soft tissue fillers that can add volume and reduce wrinkles, providing immediate results without surgery. Although there are many dermal fillers available, the two products that NY Vision Group uses: Restylane and Juvederm, utilize the natural hydrating substance, hyaluronic acid (HA). Young, healthy-looking skin contains an abundance of this naturally hydrating substance. As you age, however, sunlight and other factors can reduce the amount of HA in your skin. The lack of HA causes your skin to lose structure and volume, creating unwanted facial wrinkles and folds – like those parentheses lines around your nose and mouth. Using a dermal filler like Restylane or Juvederm is a safe and effective way to replace the HA your skin has lost, bringing back its volume and smoothing away facial wrinkles and folds. These two fillers have the best safety profile of all the fillers currently on the market and are FDA approved for use in the nasolabial fold.
Restylane
Restylane is a natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores volume and fullness to the skin to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Restylane is made with hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural substance that already exists in the human body and which is completely biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid. Furthermore, Restylane’s HA is hydrophilic or”water-loving.” As hyaluronic acid gradually degrades, each molecule binds to more water (from the body’s own moisture) and over time, the same volume can be maintained with less HA. This ability of hyaluronic acid to bind to water is what helps provide lasting results. Another important consideration is that Restylane contains no human or animal DNA. This limits any risk of animal-based disease transmissions or the development of allergic reactions to animal proteins.
Juvederm
Recently approved by the FDA, Juvederm™ injectable gel is a “next-generation” dermal filler. The smooth consistency gel helps to instantly restore your skin’s volume and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds. This dermal filler creates a long-lasting smoothing effect because it has the highest concentration of hyaluronic acid and a special formulation process. This process creates a smooth gel that flows easily into the skin, creating smooth, natural looks. The smooth consistency of Juvederm™ dermal filler also may help to minimize the discomfort that can sometimes occur during the injection procedure.
Treatment
Restylane and Juvederm begin to work immediately, however, the results can take a few days to”settle into” their final shape. Many patients are surprised at how much better they look right after their treatment, and it typically looks even better after a day or two. Depending on the area treated, your skin, and the injection technique, Restylane and Juvederm will last 4 to 6 months. In some cases, the duration of the effects can be a bit shorter or longer. Like all dermal fillers, they require maintenance 1-4 times a year depending on which filler, the area injected, and your own particular body chemistry. It is also important to remember that the level of improvement in the appearance of wrinkles varies among patients. Some people respond better to Restylane or Juvederm than others. Occasionally there is little improvement and another form of treatment, or other dermal filler, may be recommended.
Side Effects and Risk
Despite being considered one of the safest non-surgical cosmetic procedures, there are some risks and side effects associated with dermal fillers. Patients who are pregnant, breastfeeding or bruise easily should not use Juvederm or Restylane. After treatment with a dermal treatment, swelling may occur after the treatment although it usually lasts only 2 or 3 days. There may also be mild bruising or a slight blush at the injection site. Other common side effects include headache, nausea, and pain at the injection points. Patients should inform their doctor of their complete medical history and all medications, vitamins and herbal supplements they are currently taking before having any dermal fillers as they may increase the chance of side effects. For example, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin increases the change of bleeding or bruising. As with any other cosmetic procedure, whether it is non-surgical or surgical, getting dermal fillers implies knowledge and acceptance of the different risks and side effects.
