FAQ: Dermal Filler
(Juvederm, Voluma and RHA Fillers)
Q. What do fillers do?
A. Fillers are injected into the superficial layers of the skin, or in the case of Juvederm VOLUMA underneath the skin in the subcutaneous layer, to replace volume loss and soften wrinkles due to the normal aging process. They may also be used to contour certain facial areas, such as the cheeks, chin or underneath the eyes.
Q. Where are fillers used?
A. They are most commonly used to treat smiles lines, down-turned corners of the mouth, augment or line the lips, hands and jawline, and add volume to the chin Advanced techniques involve using fillers around the eyes or to augment the cheekbones.
Q. How much will I need?
A. The fillers we use are supplied in 1 mL syringes. The number of syringes needed will depend on the area being treated and will vary from patient to patient. An estimate will be discussed during your evaluation, but the final amount needed often cannot be determined until injections have started to see how your skin responds to the product selected. We are happy to work within your budget to get the best results possible.
Q. What DO NEW FILLER PATIENTS NEED TO DO TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT?
A. All new Filler patients are required to do an evaluation visit with Sherri. The cost for this visit is $50.
Q. When will I notice results?
A. Improvement is noticed immediately following the procedure. The final result cannot be judged until all redness, swelling, and bruising have resolved, which may take up to 2 weeks.
Q. How long will the results last?
A. Depending on which product you choose, results will last anywhere from 4-24 months. Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus are FDA approved to last about 12 months, RHA is expected to last 15 months, and Juvederm VOLUMA is approved for 24 months in the cheek area. Keep in mind that there is always variability with each patient.
Q. How much do fillers cost?
A. Please call the office for the most updated pricing as prices may vary. For optimal results, more than one syringe may be necessary, especially if multiple treatment areas are being injected on the same day.
Q. What are the common side effects?
A. The most common side effects are bleeding, bruising, and swelling. In general, bleeding and swelling are minimal. Bruising can vary from none at all to large, quarter sized discolorations. To reduce the incidence of bruising, cease taking all anti-inflammatory medications 10 days prior to your appointment. You may also consider trying Arnica Montana, either in supplement form before and/or after treatment, or as a lotion, cream, or salve after the procedure. A high potency Arnica salve made locally is available for purchase in our office for $14/tin. Ice packs can also be applied to the area to reduce swelling and bruising, and make-up may be applied to conceal bruising.
Q. Will the injections hurt?
A.There is mild-moderate discomfort with filler injections if no anesthesia is used. We offer both topical anesthesia and injectable nerve blocks with lidocaine to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. Both options are available at no extra charge. In most cases, patients may apply topical anesthesia to the treatment area 45 minutes prior to their appointment and experience very little discomfort.
Q. What do I need to know prior to my filler appointment?
A.
Avoid taking aspirin (even if you take 81mg for preventive reasons), ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or any anti-inflammatory medication, St, John’s Wort, Ginger, Garlic, Ginkgo Biloba, high doses of Vitamin E, fish oil or Omega 3 fatty acids for 10 days prior to your procedure to decrease your risk of bruising and swelling. You may take Tylenol or Celebrex.
Pick up topical anesthesia from our office and apply it to the treatment area 45-60 minutes prior to your procedure. EXCEPTION: If you are having your lips lined (defined) or augmented, we will inject a small amount of local anesthesia to numb the area so no topical anesthesia is required.
TOPICAL ANESTHETIC APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Apply the cream to the treatment area “thick like frosting” ¼” above and below the area to be treated. 2) The cream will start out white, but will fade to clear as it absorbs into the skin. 3) If you are unsure if you should apply topical to an area, please ask us or apply it there anyway! It is better to be numb in a potential area than not at all. The cream takes a minimum a 45 minutes to take full effect and we will not have time to wait during your allotted treatment time for new areas to become numb.
Q. When should I schedule my procedure?
A. It is best to schedule your procedure at least 4 weeks prior to any major event (weddings, graduations, etc.) to allow time for healing to occur and any possible bruising and swelling to resolve.