Injectable Fillers in Charlotte, North Carolina

There are a number of different types of fillers that are categorized according to active ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, Poly-L lactic acid, polymethylmethacrylate, and fat.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the skin, helping it stay plump and hydrated. Fillers that use hyaluronic acid are usually soft and gel-like and offer temporary results that last between six and twelve months. The HA is slowly absorbed by your body. The most popular types of hyaluronic acid fillers are Juvéderm®, Restylane®, and Belotero® Balance.

Juvéderm®

Juvéderm® dermal filler targets different areas of the face, and the results can be seen immediately after treatment.

• Juvéderm® Ultra XC – plumps lips, lasts for six months to one year
• Juvéderm® Voluma XC – offers cheek contouring, lasts up to two years
• Juvéderm® Volbella XC – adds volume and smooths vertical lip lines, lasts up to one year
• Juvéderm® Vollure XC – smooths nasolabial folds, lasts up to 18 months 

Restylane®

The range of Restylane® fillers contains different ingredients that are designed to target specific areas. The results typically take a couple of days to appear.

• Restylane® Silk – adds volume to the lip area and smooths fine lines, lasts six months
• Restylane® Refyne – smooths nasolabial fold, lasts up to one year
• Restylane® Defyne – for deep lines and wrinkles, lasts up to one year
• Restylane® Lyft – used for cheeks and hands, lasts up to 18 months

Belotero® Balance

Belotero® Balance is used for delicate areas, such as under the eyes, as well as to fill fine lines in the face and neck. You can expect results to last around six months.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite (CaHA)

Calcium hydroxylapatite occurs naturally in the body, primarily in our teeth and bones. The calcium particles are microscopically ground then suspended in a smooth gel. The consistency of the filler is thicker than hyaluronic acid fillers and tends to offer longer-lasting results. It stimulates the natural production of collagen, and it is most frequently used to smooth deeper lines and wrinkles. Radiesse® is the most well-known brand of CaHA filler and lasts up to one year. It offers the higher “liftability” compared to other fillers, which is why it is often used to augment jawlines and cheekbones.

Poly-L-lactic Acid

Poly-L-lactic acid is a biodegradable synthetic substance that has been used for many years for medical applications, such as synthetic stitches. It is classified as a “collagen stimulator.” These fillers help your body rebuild natural collagen, while the filler gel itself dissolves within a few days. Poly-L-lactic acid fillers are used for deeper wrinkles, and the results can last up to two years. Sculptra® Aesthetic is a well-known FDA-approved poly-l-lactic acid product

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)

Polymethylmethacrylat (PMMA)is a synthetic biocompatible compound has been used in medicine for about a century. As a dermal filler, PMMA is used in the form of a microsphere that remains below the skin to provide support. The fillers also contain collagen to offer structure and firmness. 

Bellafill® is the most common PMMA filler. It is made from a combination of bovine collagen and microspheres. It’s longer-lasting than HA fillers, although it can cause allergic reactions in some patients.

Facial Fat Transfer

Also called autologous fat injections or facial fat grafting, facial fat transfer is the only form of filler injections that requires surgery. For this treatment, your own fat is harvested, usually through liposuction, then purified and injected into the face. The fat is used to restore volume to areas of the face, such as the temples, cheeks, and lower eyelids Facial fat transfer is also used for pitted facial scars and to fill in nasolabial folds. Facial fat transfer has a downtime of approximately one week, and the procedure can take up to two hours.

Before the treatment, meet with your doctor to discuss your goals, as well as any concerns. The surgeon evaluates the area and takes a full medical history.

During the treatment, the area is cleaned, and a topical anesthesia is applied to numb the area. Many of the different dermal fillers contain lidocaine, a mild anesthetic designed to minimize discomfort during and after your treatment. The doctor strategically injects small amounts of the filler under the skin. You may notice the results immediately after the injections.

The entire procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes, with the exception of fat filler injections, which take around two hours.

The longevity of facial fillers depends on the type of dermal filler. Some last between six and twelve months, and others last up to two years. With most facial fillers, even after the effects of the fillers have ended, there will still be some anti-aging benefits as most contain hyaluronic acid and other ingredients that help stimulate elastin and collagen.

Dermal fillers are considered to be safe, and severe complications from fillers are uncommon. Some patients have symptoms after the injections, such as bruising, redness, pain, swelling, and itching. In some cases, there may be skin rashes, infections, discoloration, pigmentation changes, and lumps.

Some facial fillers stimulate the production of collagen by stretching fibroblast cells that are responsible for the production of collagen. So, not only do dermal fillers produce immediate results, but they also contribute to the creation of thicker, more youthful-looking skin.

While the visible results of dermal fillers immediate, it can take up to four weeks to see the full results. This is because the filler takes time to integrate into the facial tissue, with some types being more cohesive than others. Injectables may cause some initial swelling and bruising around the injection sites, and these symptoms may last up to two weeks. 

Hydrate before and after the treatment. Hyaluronic acid in fillers binds with water, and being hydrated may help enhance the results. Your skin is the last organ that receives water, so hydration, over and above your regular water consumption, will have an effect on the results.

After getting injectable fillers, be gentle when cleansing and caring for your face. For the first two weeks after treatment, avoid facials, waxing, laser, and high temperatures, such as hot showers and saunas. Also, avoid exercise for the first 24 hours.

Botox® and other neurotoxins relax muscle activity at the site of the injection to reduce lines and wrinkles, such as crow’s feet and frown lines. Dermal fillers are different in that they fill in wrinkles and lines. Botox® and injectable fillers complement each other because they work on different types of wrinkles. Botox® relaxes dynamic wrinkles that are caused by facial movements, and dermal fillers smooth static wrinkles and restore lost volume. The combination allows you to address multiple areas of your face.

Please note that there are specific laws that govern the use of facial fillers in [STATE], so it’s important to work with a doctor who has the right qualifications, meets the state’s medical requirements, and has years of experience in injectable filler procedures.