Injectable Fillers

If you feel like signs of aging, such as volume loss, deeper smile lines, or thinning lips, are becoming more visible on your face, injectable fillers may be a great option to consider. As we age, our bodies naturally produce less collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, which can lead to sagging skin, hollow areas and more pronounced wrinkles. Fillers are designed to restore that lost volume in a subtle, natural-looking way.

You may be a good candidate for fillers if you:

• Notice hollowing in the cheeks, temples, or under-eye area
• Have moderate to deep lines around the nose and mouth (nasolabial folds)
• Feel your lips have thinned or lost definition
• Have mild facial asymmetry
• Want to soften minor facial scars
• Prefer a non-surgical treatment with little to no downtime

Ideal candidates are in generally good health, have realistic expectations and want gradual, customizable results rather than dramatic surgical changes. During a consultation, Dr. Campanile will assess your facial anatomy, skin quality and goals to determine which filler type and placement strategy will give you the most balanced, natural outcome.

Injectable fillers are versatile and can address volume loss, wrinkles and contour concerns in multiple areas of the face. One of the most common treatment zones is the “parentheses lines,” also known as nasolabial folds, that run from the sides of the nose to the corners of the mouth. Fillers can soften these deeper creases and create a smoother transition between the cheeks and lower face.

Other frequently treated areas include:

• Marionette lines, or lines that extend downward from the corners of the mouth
• Vertical lip lines, sometimes called “smoker’s lines”
• Lip enhancement for volume, definition or symmetry
• Cheeks to restore age-related volume loss and improve contour
• Temples to correct hollowing
• Under-eye hollows, or tear troughs, for a more rested appearance
• Jawline and chin to enhance structure and balance facial proportions
• Deeper furrows in the brow when volume loss contributes to shadowing
• Surface irregularities such as acne scars or mild contour depressions

Not all dermal fillers are the same. Different products are formulated with unique ingredients, thicknesses and lifting capacities to address specific concerns. At Campanile Plastic Surgery, we offer three of the most widely-known and trusted brands of injectable fillers, including JUVÉDERM, Restylane and RADIESSE.

JUVÉDERM®

JUVÉDERM is a hyaluronic acid (HA) filler. Hyaluronic acid is a substance found naturally in the skin that helps to provide volume. Available in several different strengths, JUVÉDERM is an excellent choice for reducing wrinkles and softening facial folds, and can also be used for lip enhancement or to improve the appearance of certain types of scars.

Restylane®

Restylane was one of the very first hyaluronic acid fillers available on the market and remains a leading treatment. Restylane can be used in various places on the body to address signs of aging or for enhancing small areas like the lips. Dr. Campanile and his staff can help you decide whether Restylane or JUVÉDERM is best for your unique needs.

RADIESSE®

RADIESSE is made of calcium hydroxylapatite, a mineral that exists in the body naturally. Ideal for deep lines, RADIESSE injections stimulate the body’s natural collagen production, making results even more dramatic and long-lasting while still looking very natural. In some cases, people can go a year or more between treatments.

A few simple steps before your filler treatment can help to minimize bruising and ensure the best possible results:

• Avoid NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen) for about one week prior, unless medically necessary.
• Avoid blood-thinning supplements like fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba and St. John’s wort.
• Limit alcohol for 24 to 48 hours before your appointment.
• Avoid scheduling treatment right before a major event in case of temporary swelling or bruising.
• Let Dr. Campanile know about any medications, medical conditions or history of cold sores.
• Arrive with clean skin, free of makeup.

For the first step of your treatment, Dr. Campanile and his highly skilled team will mark strategic areas of your face for the injection sites. Next, a cleansing antiseptic solution will be applied to your skin. Numbing ointment or local anesthesia may be administered for your comfort.

The injection itself takes only a few moments. Depending on the number of areas to be treated, the entire appointment from start to finish can take anywhere from around 15 to 30 minutes.

One of the biggest advantages of injectable fillers is that there is virtually no downtime, so you can expect to return to work, errands or social activities the same day. However, it’s normal to experience mild, temporary side effects as your body adjusts. These can include mild swelling, redness, bruising, tenderness or a feeling of firmness in the treated area.

These effects are typically mild and resolve within a few days. Applying a cold compress intermittently during the first 24 hours can help to reduce swelling and discomfort.

Dr. Campanile advises patients to remain upright and take it easy for several hours after treatment. It’s also recommended to avoid strenuous exercise, excessive heat such as saunas or hot yoga and alcohol for the rest of the day to minimize swelling and bruising.

Depending on the type of injectable you received, your results may be visible quite soon or develop over the following days. Keep in mind that mild swelling can make results appear slightly fuller at first, so final results are generally fully visible within one to two weeks.

Customizing the procedure to your specific needs and cosmetic goals is the best way to ensure an optimal outcome. For comprehensive correction of facial wrinkles, you may wish to combine your injectable filler treatment with BOTOX Cosmetic. Dr. Campanile and his staff may also suggest medical grade skin care products to ensure that your skin benefits from the best regular care.

If you find that your concerns are not addressed here, please don’t hesitate to request a consultation with Dr. Campanile. Our Denver med spa staff is committed to making sure all our patients’ questions are answered before proceeding with any treatments. View our injectable filler before and after photos to see the results of our patients.