Wrinkle Relaxers and Dermal Fillers

In 2015 alone, there were more than 2.4 million injectable filler and 6.8 million botulinum toxin type A procedures performed in the United States, making these the most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedure in the country. Dermal fillers, which are used for lip, cheek, earlobe and hand augmentation, are injected into the skin to fill in wrinkles. Neurotoxins, on the other hand, target muscles that form wrinkles by relaxing them. Perhaps the appeal of these treatments is in their high safety profile and predictable results, or perhaps it is their immediate effect that makes them so popular these days.

Wrinkle Relaxers

Wrinkle relaxers, such as Botox, Dysport and Xeomin, have transformed the facial rejuvenation market for those seeking wrinkle treatment without undergoing surgery. These products (known as neurotoxins) decrease the visual appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in areas on the face that show expression, such as the forehead and around the eyes. Once injected, the medication causes the underlying muscles to relax, which creates a smooth appearance on the surface. Hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide have been treated with no long term reports of side effects.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers are clear gels which are injected under the skin and are one of the most popular treatments for filling and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Moderate lines occurring around the mouth to chin area and the nose to lip corners can be softened. Cheeks and chins can be remodeled and given more definition. Scars can be minimized; hands and sagging earlobes can be rejuvenated; lips can be defined or enhanced, subtly and naturally. It is now possible to improve the shape of the nose using dermal filler. This may be safer, more cost efficient, and have less downtime than a traditional surgical rhinoplasty.

The Five Year Filler

There are a variety of temporary fillers including: Restylane, Radiesse, Juvederm, Sculptra and Belotero. While the duration of a filler’s effect depends on the material used and the area where it is injected, most products are temporary as they are absorbed by the body over time. Bellafill is the only FDA approved permanent filler with results lasting at least 5 years. Bellafill is a hybrid gel filler consisting microspheres of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) which are suspended in purified bovine collagen gel. The microspheres stimulate the body to generate its own natural collagen to permanently fill in the wrinkle. Bellafill does not only restore volume but improves the texture and appearance of the skin by stimulating new collagen. According to a recent study, more than 80 percent of patients treated with bellafill were still very satisfied with the results at five years.

The Non-Surgical Facelift

As we age the face loses volume, causing us to perceive our face as sagging or drooping. A simple way of restoring this lost volume is with the use of dermal fillers or collagen-stimulating products. When the skin’s elasticity declines dramatically, the effects of gravity become all too evident. Gravity causes the tip of the nose to droop, the ears to elongate, the eyelids to fall, jowls to form, and the upper lip to disappear while the lower lip becomes more pronounced. With dermal fillers we can restore volume loss and sculpt the face and cheeks.

Non-surgical procedures are quickly gaining in popularity as a means of improving facial appearance by restoring the three-dimensional contour of the face without the need for surgery. The cheeks nasolabial lines and marionette lines can be treated to generate a lifting effect, a look that is instantly rejuvenating, attractive and natural in appearance. With dermal fillers if someone has lost or never had much of an arch we can shape and restore the brow. This lifting effect is natural, subtle and immediate.

Lip Fillers

Throughout the ages the lips and mouth area have long been considered one of the most important features of the female face. Our lips and mouth are an indicator of our emotions and fuller lips have always been associated with youth and beauty. From the peak of fullness in our 20’s the lips start showing changes; from between the ages of 30-40 along with other factors such as gravity, genetics and smoking, the mouth may appear to look ‘sad mouthed’ or drooping. At the cornerstone of treatments for lip enhancements are natural hyaluronic acid biodegradable dermal fillers which produce the most natural results. There are some hyaluronic acid dermal fillers that help to smooth and improve hydration of the lips; others have more volumizing properties that can contour the lip as well as plumping up tired and deflated lips subtly.

Acne Scarring

Acne, the most common skin condition, can result in acne scars, in up to 95% of a patients. This disfiguring skin condition can be devastating and affect self-esteem and self-confidence. Last year, for the first time in history the FDA approved a dermal filler for treatment of acne scars, known as Bellafill. Bellafil helps to lift the scar to the level of the surrounding skin for a smoother appearance. It is a safe, simple in-office treatment that offers both immediate and lasting results.

Wrinkle reducers and dermal fillers restore youthful volume and vibrancy to our face and fill in wrinkles and fine-lines for natural-looking, long-lasting results. No longer a simple tool for smoothing lines, the sophisticated and safe FDA approved fillers of today allow the skillful physician to offer a complete portfolio of treatment options for the patient. These range from the finest filler to smooth superficial lines to the more robust which provide superior lift and sculpting possibilities. If you are seeking advice about anti-aging treatments, Dr. Carranza offers an important perspective to cosmetic dermatology as a woman and physician. She only offers treatments that have worked for her and she continually reviews breaking research and undergoes training to expand her expertise. Whether you know the treatments you want or are new to cosmetic dermatology, she will help you develop a plan to achieve your objectives.

Dr. Carranza is a Board Certified Dermatologist trained in cosmetic and cutaneous surgery at UCLA. Dr Carranza is one of the top injectors in the USA of the longest-lasting filler, Bellafill. She received the “Bella Diamond” award in 2015 for her expert skill and her achievements in the aesthetic field.