Injectable Filler Treatments to Plump Skin and Smooth Wrinkles

The facial plastic surgeons at University Hospitals specialize in using injectable fillers for cosmetic purposes. Fillers that may be used include Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra, collagen and the patient’s own body fat.

Injectable fillers, also called soft-tissue augmentation, are a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure performed to correct wrinkles, depressions in the skin, and/or scarring. The procedure involves injecting a substance into the skin in order to plump or fill the area being treated. Facial features that may be treated include the lips, jawline, chin, nose and the under-eye areas.

The result of these procedures is usually not permanent and touch-up injections may be needed every three to 24 months, depending on the type of injected material used.

Botox Injections

Botox is a highly diluted purified form of the botulinum toxin. When injected into the muscle, Botox temporarily reduces the ability of the underlying muscle to contract and crease the skin. In doing so, Botox flattens wrinkles.

Botox injections can have medical applications as well as cosmetic. For example, patients who are chronic teeth grinders/clenchers may benefit from Botox injections in the masseter – a muscle on the side of the face that connects the cheekbone to the lower jawbone. Because the masseter is one of the muscles that help you chew, Botox injections can help reduce the grinding action that wears down the teeth.

Because the effects of Botox are temporary, surgeons recommend Botox injections every three to four months, after a thorough physician evaluation and consultation.

About half of the patients are in and out in a short time when receiving Botox. Some patients prefer to receive a numbing cream before getting the injection, thus the appointment may take up to one hour.

Injectable Fillers for Younger-Looking Skin

To boost and plump skin for a more youthful appearance, doctors use synthetic injectable fillers, including:

• Restylane (hyaluronic acid)
• Juvederm (hyaluronic acid)
• Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite)
• Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid)

Injectable fillers are typically given every six to 12 months. It is important to establish a relationship with a knowledgeable doctor prior to receiving an injectable filler to avoid any serious reactions such as a skin allergy.

Injectable Collagen Treats Lines and Wrinkles

Collagen is a natural protein found in humans. Injecting collagen into the skin, bones, ligaments, and other body parts can provide support and structure.

Collagen-related fillers come from tissue donors or are self-donated. They are generally utilized to treat wrinkles, scars, and facial lines. For some, collagen injections can stimulate the body's own production of collagen, lengthening the time necessary between follow-up injections.

Injectable Fat Corrects Skin Defects

Injecting one’s own fat to correct skin defects is called microlipoinjection. It involves the transfer or recycling of fat from one body area to another allowing the surgeon to recontour the skin. With a tiny needle, the fat is extracted and then re-injected into the selected site. This is often a favored treatment choice among surgeons since it involves the use of the patient’s fat, reducing the risk of allergic reactions.