Dermal fillers can erase the signs of aging by smoothing away moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Radiesse is made of a gel with calcium hydroxyapetite microspheres and Juvederm, Restylane, Voluma, and Versa are made of hyaluronic acid in various chemical configurations. All are easily injected into the numbed skin with tiny needles to produce immediate and natural-looking results by restoring lost volume. Dr. Boerner chooses the correct type of filler for whatever area needs to be restored.

Candidates for Dermal fillers are people with:

• flattened, sunken cheeks
• nasolabial folds (lines from the corner of the nose to the corner of the mouth)
• marionette lines (lines down from the corners of the mouth to the chin)
• some vertical lip lines
• lips that have lost their plumpness
• thinned out earlobes that can no longer support your jewelry

A dermal filler treatment session lasts about 30 minutes and involves the injection of dermal filler into the areas of concern. Dr. Boerner numbs the skin with an anesthetic cream or a chilling device AND uses products that have an anesthetic in them, so the procedure is as comfortable as possible. Dr. Boerner uses a device that locates the blood vessels under the skin so that the injections can avoid them and lessen the chances of a bruise occurring.

What Exactly are these Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers replenish the lost volume in your face. Radiesse is a gel with molecules of calcium-based microspheres that immediately restores the volume. What is unique about Radiesse is that it acts as a scaffold under the skin, providing structure and stimulating your own collagen to regrow around the calcium.

Juvederm, Restylane, Voluma, and Versa are made of hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring molecule. It makes up the skin, the jelly inside the eye and other parts of your body. Depending on its chemical bonds it can lift up cheeks or smooth away upper lip lines. Much like a sponge, hyaluronic acid’s primary function is to bind and absorb water, which creates volume and structure. In this way, hyaluronic acid can be thought of as the body’s internal moisturizer. As you acquire birthdays, the hyaluronic acid in our face diminishes, and the face tends to droop down, forming folds. These dermal fillers are injectable gels that work to correct this by restoring hyaluronic acid in your face. Dermal Fillers lift and fill out the lines and folds, giving your face a more youthful appearance. Because they attract water easily, patients can be swollen for a few days after treatment, so plan accordingly! Fillers last 4-24 months, depending on the filler. Softer fillers, like Versa which is fantastic for lips, lasts 4 months. Voluma which is “thicker” and is used to lift cheeks is said to last 24 months.

Are Dermal Filler Treatments Safe?

With any cosmetic treatment, safety is always our first concern. These products are injectable gels and are a non-surgical, in-office treatment. They are not collagen, one of the early fillers that caused allergic reactions and bumps. If there are any side effects now, they are minor and short-lasting. The biggest risk is bruising, so get your fillers at least 2 weeks before that Big Event! There is minimal recovery and downtime, except for the generally mild swelling with Juvederm and Versa.

The most common, yet quite rare, side effects include, but are not limited to, temporary injection site reactions such as redness, pain/tenderness, firmness, swelling, lumps/bumps (VERY rare), bruising, itching, and discoloration. As with all skin injection procedures, there is a risk of infection.

These dermal fillers are generally biocompatible, which means allergy skin testing is not required prior to treatment.

Juvederm was the first FDA approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler and has demonstrated safety and effectiveness in persons of color. Radiesse, the “next generation” of fillers, is longer lasting and causes less swelling. Versa, just released in the U.S.A. this January, has a decade-long safety record in Europe.

What Happens in a Dermal Fillers Treatment Session?

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to wrinkle treatment. A customized treatment plan is important to achieve the best results for you. At Vermont Facial Aesthetics Dr. Boerner will discuss your needs and desires and then plan the most effective facial rejuvenation approach for you. First, Dr. Carol Boerner will first ask you about what aspect of your face you want to improve. In partnership with you, Dr. Boerner will plan how to make these improvements happen.

Next, if it is determined that you need Radiesse, Juvederm or Versa to fill in some deep lines or creases then, using strategically placed tiny needles, Dr. Boerner will inject the dermal fillers to smooth out the lines and replace the volume. The Dermal Filler treatment itself takes about 30 minutes (an artist cannot be rushed) and is not painful. Often Botox® Cosmetic or other Botulinum products will be used in conjunction with Dermal Fillers for the best results.

What kind of results can I expect from Radiesse, Juvederm and Versa Treatments?

Dermal fillers restore the skin’s volume in a way so subtle that everyone will notice you look good, but no one will know exactly why. Juvederm results last about a year in most people, depending on their metabolism. Skinny folk who cannot keep weight on will lose their effect in less than six months. Radiesse lasts 12-18 months: Versa, about 8 months. Replenishing your Dermal fillers before they are gone keeps you looking oh so good!

Dermal Filler treatments can make you appear refreshed and alert. Putting the apples back in your cheeks and softening your facial folds makes people view you as a younger, happier person. After a treatment session of Radiesse, Juvederm, and Versa with Dr. Carol Boerner you will look and feel refreshed.

Now we have Restalyn Refyne, a lip filler that DOES NOT SWELL!! Therefore these is no downtime after having your lips enhanced.