Fillers
How does the skin age?
Many people are living healthier than ever and want to look as fit as they feel. The appearance of our skin, as a mirror to internal health and age is becomming increasingly important. But how does the skin age?
The skin gets it’s firm and youthful structure from components such as collagen and elastine which are held together by a firm matrix of hyaluronic acid. During the natural ageing proces the skin looses volume and elasticity around the age of 30, due to a decrease in these building blocks. Through the force of gravity this decrease in volume and firmness leeds to creasing and folding of the skin.
The lines that develop such as the lines between the nose and the lips, or the marionette lines are called static lines. Thinning lips and deeper wrinkles that can not be treated with Botox are also examples of decrease in volume of the skin. What treatment options are there for the ageing skin? Many people experiment with expensive cosmetics with little to no effect, and others consider drastic surgical options to improve the ageing skin. An increasingly popular option is minimal invasive treatment with injectables such as hyaluronic acid fillers which volumizes the skin and restores youthful appearance without the costs, complications and irreversibility of plastic surgery.
In the past decades there have been many attempts to rejuvenate the ageing skin with products that restore volume, also known as ‘fillers’. Dermal fillers have grown rapidly in popularity over the past years because they offer aesthetic posibilities which were previously only possible through surgery, however with hardly any recovery time and at lower costs.
Treatment with dermal fillers are, after Botulinum toxin, the second most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment in the U.S. with 1.6 million treatments in 2011 (1). Hyaluronic acid fillers are the most widely used fillers on the market nowadays. Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like natural substance that is produced by the healthy skin and acts as a volumizing and stabelizing network of polymers. The ageing skin looses it’s volume by decreasing amounts of natural hyaluronic acid and can regain it’s youthfull appearance by restoring the depleted hyaluronic acid (2). There are several different types of hyaluronic acid fillers on the market, each with unique properties (such as level of cross linking) which allow treatment of different regions in the face with suitable products.
Superficial wrinkles for instance, can elegantly be removed with a soft filler, whereas a deep volume treatment of the cheeks benefits from a more firm filler. Hyaluronic acid fillers are extremely effective in facial rejuvination by softening wrinkles and restoring volume to create a more natural and balanced look. By restoring volume to specific areas in the face, fullness and definition can be acchieved in areas such as the lips and the cheeks. The past decades of experiance with hyaluronic acid fillers have shown to be highly effective as a non-surgical alternative in skin rejuvenation (3). Many clinical studies have shown natural results and overall high levels of patient satisfaction. With high tolerability and minor levels of post-treatment reaction such as local swelling, the majority of people return to their social engagements immediately after treatment (2). At Injectables Clinic we work with the fillers Juvederm (read more about Juvederm) and Belotero (read more about Belotero) based on excellent results in client satisfaction and safety.These products are top-shelf and are approved by the American FDA. During the consultation you and your cosmetic physician can choose which product suits your needs best.
Fullness and definition of the lips are associated with attractiveness and youth, ...
The cheeks cover a relative large area of the face and are a prominent feature.
As we age the volume of the skin around the mouth, nose and cheeks decreases which...
The decrease of volume of the skin in the area around the mouth and the cheeks can lead to...
The repetitive contraction of the muscles around the mouth, in combination...
The chin as one of the central markers of the face, is very important in the way we look.
A well defined jawline can add a lot of power to the face. However, as the skin ages, ...
Fullness and definition of the lips are associated with attractiveness and youth, and are a key aesthetic feature of the face. As the skin ages, the lips loose volume and the cupidsbow and vermillion border loose their definition, hereby becoming a clear sign of ageing.
Volume and definition of the lips can elegantly be restored with fillers, and is therefore one of the most popular treatments worldwide. At Injectables Clinic we specialize in volume- and definition treatment of the lips, paying special attention to natural results.
The cheeks cover a relative large area of the face and are a prominant feature. Full cheeks are a sign of attractiveness and youth. A decrease in volume of the cheeks has a sagging effect on many structures in the lower face. Volume depleted cheeks can for instance leed to deep naso-labial folds, marionette lines and a less defined jawline. As an important balancing factor in the face, accentuation and definition of the cheeks can result in a naturally youthful look.
At Injectables Clinic we specialize in subtle volumizing for natural rejuvinating results.
As we age the volume of the skin around the mouth, nose and cheeks decreases which leeds to folding of the lines between the nose and the corners of the mouth. A pronounced nasolabial fold is one of the predominant features of the ageing skin. Local volume treatment with fillers can soften this fold, and restore the natural youthful appearance of the lower face.
The decrease of volume of the skin in the area around the mouth and the cheeks can lead to sagging and folding of the skin under the corners of the mouth. These folds, called marionette lines, are amoung the typical signs of the ageing skin and can unwantingly cause a stern or unhappy facial expression. A local treatment with fillers can restore the skin quality and contours, taking years off your age. At Injectables Clinic we focus on natural volumizing effects for rejuvination of the face.
The repetitive contraction of the muscles around the mouth, in combination with decrease of volume of the lips and surrounding skin, leads to the formation of fine vertical lines around the lips. These wrinkles surrounding the lips are a very pronounced symptom of the ageing skin and can make people look years older than they actually feel. These peri-oral lines can easily and elegantly be treated with fillers. By restoring volume to the area surrounding the lips, the skin will look healthier and the lines will soften. Additionally the contour of the lips will be more defined, resulting in a radiant and youthful look.
The chin as one of the central markers of the face, is very important in the way we look. A strong or weak chin can make a world of difference, and is the reason for the popularity of volume treatment of the chin. At Injectables Clinic we do volume treatments of the chin area in order to create a balanced result with respect for characteristic facial features which should be preserved.
A well defined jawline can add a lot of power to the face. However, as the skin ages, the lower structures in the face such as the jawline can loose it's original shape due to sagging of the skin. Adding volume in strategic areas can subtly accentuate the jawline and rejuvinate your appearance. At injectables Clinic we focus on natural and balanced options for skin rejuvination.
During the first consultation we take the time to dicuss your wishes and to see which treatment options fit you best. Through several questions about your medical history, we can determine if you are a suitable candidate for treatment with fillers.
Afterwards your doctor will do a thorough analysis of the structures and dynamics in the face and the quality of the skin. Using a structured assessment of the face, we can determine which areas are suitable for volume treatment, or skin quality optimalisation with fillers. Based on the treatment area and skin type, a product will be chosen that suits your needs best.
During the first consultation our goal is to completely inform you on the treatment and the results that can be expected. It is essential that the expectations are realistic and in line with the expected results. We will always provide an honest advice in order to make a well informed treatment plan. At Injectables Clinic we focus on subtle, elegant results. Herefore, during the initial treatment we will advise not treat with a lot of volume, or several different areas. A couple of weeks after treatment we invite you back to the clinic for a free follow-up consultation to review the results and to offer the possibility of a touch-up treatment. By choosing this careful approach, you will be in charge of the results, instead of having regrets of an initial overtreatment.
Contact us for a free consultation to see what options we can give you for a natural facial rejuvination.
A treatment with fillers in general takes 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the number of regions and the type of treatment that is planned.
Depending on the area that will be treated, your cosmetic physician will apply a anesthetic creme, or do a local anesthetic injection if necessary.
Through a few strategic injections with a very small needle, extra volume will be restored in the target areas untill the planned effect is acchieved. Results be visible immediatly. In order to visualize the effects of the treatment, before- and after photos will be made for your personal medical file. Your medical file is completely confidential.
What can I expect after treatment?
After a treatment with fillers you can immediately resume your normal daily activities. Take in consideration that the treated area might show some minimal redness or swelling. This diminishes within a few hours. Your doctor will advise you on optimal care after treatment. In the days following treatment the volumizing effect may increase somewhat due to the fluid absorbing properties of the fillers, thereby giving extra volume and definition to the treated area.
The volumizing effect depends on the area where the filler is placed and the firmness of the gel that is used. In general the volumizing effect of the filler can last up to 12-18 months, hereby creating a long-lasting effect. Hyaluronic acid fillers are natural substances that over time will be completely absorbed and broken down into natural products, leaving no residue. Afterwards treatment can be repeated without any problems.
Side effects may occur with any injection with dermal fillers, however the frequency and potential risks are limited. After the treatment there may be some minor local swelling, redness, itch, or tenderness. These symptoms decrease in the course of a few hours. As with any injection, there is a possibility of bruising. The needles used in filler treatments are very small, minimizing the chance of bruising. Minor bruising can easily be camouflaged and diminishes within a few days. With every injection there is an associated risk of an allergic reaction or infection. Many years of experiance and research have shown that this risk is very small (less than 0.1%) and has no consequences for the result of the treatment (1, 2).
Am I eligible for treatment?
Through several questions about your medical history, we can determine if you are a suitable candidate for treatment with fillers. In general most people are eligible for treatment with fillers. In certain cases such as known allergies for hyaluronic acid fillers, anaphylactic reactions, repeated treatment of specific areas with unknown products within the accepted timeframe, or people with body dimorphic disorder, treatment is not advised. Ask your doctor for more information about this treatment.