Dermal Fillers and Collagen Stimulators

The most frequently used dermal fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, which is a sugar found naturally in the body. The sugar-based compound pulls in and binds to water, acting something like a sponge. HA—as the sugar is often called—fills the eyes, helps to lubricate joints, and is abundant in youthful skin. The molecule contributes significant volume to the face—particularly in the lips, cheeks, and jawbone areas, as well as in the under-eye hollows. It also keeps the backs of the hands looking smooth.

Unfortunately, as skin ages and is exposed to ultraviolet radiation and pollution, hyaluronic acid levels drop along with collagen and other beneficial elements. As a result, the skin begins to lose both moisture and volume, leading to the development of facial lines, wrinkles, and folds. The loss can also cause deflation or thinning in areas such as the cheeks, tear troughs, and lips, as well as the backs of the hands, the buttocks, and more.

Some of the FDA-approved hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler brands and lip injections we use at The Dermatology Office include:

The first injectable in the Restylane^® line was approved more than 26 years ago, making it the original hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler in the United States. Since that initial approval, more formulations have joined the collection, each one made to mimic the body’s own naturally occurring hyaluronic acid. Options include Lyft for providing structure and fullness to the cheeks and backs of the hands, Contour for improving cheek definition, Defyne and Refyne for minimizing nasolabial folds and other deep laugh lines or enhancing chin definition, Silk for smoothing the skin around the mouth and subtly enhancing the pout, Kysse for giving the lips a plumper look, and Eyelight for filling undereye hollows to give the face a more alert look.

Juvéderm^® is a family of hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers made with technology to provide significant duration. Voluma^® is designed to contour the midface, Volbella^® is a lip injection that adds volume to thin lips and gives the mouth area a more youthful smoothness, Vollure^® addresses facial creases (such as marionette lines and nasolabial folds), and Volux^® is the first hyaluronic acid to be approved for jawline contours and definition. The original Juvéderm^® Ultra XC and Ultra Plus XC kicked off this unique technology that can be used virtually anywhere, but are typically used in the lips and the lines and folds of the face.

The RHA^® filler formula is made with movement in mind. This line of dermal fillers deliberately reflects the flexibility and robustness of the body’s natural hyaluronic acid. These qualities allow it to provide a natural look while withstanding muscle action that could cause other fillers to break down more quickly. Options include RHA^® 2 to minimize moderate to severe dynamic wrinkles, RHA^® 3 for volumizing the lips and smoothing the surrounding skin, RHA^® 4 for deeper injection in nasolabial folds, and Redensity™ to “fine tune” small wrinkles in the mouth area.

Instead of adding volume with a hyaluronic acid-based gel, some dermal fillers contain tiny particles that prompt work in collagen-producing cells, known as fibroblasts. These injectables are known as biostimulants, and they can provide the dual benefit of adding volume that can be seen right away and encouraging longer-lasting results built from natural body processes.
The collagen-stimulating dermal fillers uses at The Dermatology Office include:

Bellafill^® for Body is ideal for improving definition in specific areas, such as the abdominal region. Patients who want to improve the visibility and dramatic appearance of their ab muscles can choose this dermal filler for precision contouring.

Radiesse^® contains calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), which is a version of the same mineral found naturally in human bones. This dermal filler option encourages the development of volume in areas where collagen and more has depleted over time. Often referred to as an “injectable implant,” Radiesse^® is approved by the FDA for addressing age-related volume loss in the backs of the hands, as well as for re-volumizing hollows and creases in the face. It is especially effective for patients who have developed volume loss due to sun damage, as well as exposed, cord-like veins and tendons. Radiesse^® can also be used for buttock augmentation, stimulating collagen to help create a fuller, curvier look.

Sculptra^® contains poly-L-lactic acid (or PLLA), a polymerized form of lactic acid that is FDA-approved to fill shallow to deep nasolabial folds and similar facial creases. Lactic acid is made in the body when sugar breaks down, but is also a product of sugar cane. Polymer versions of this compound have been used for years in the medical world to make absorbable/dissolvable stitches or sutures. Commonly known as a collagen stimulator, Sculptra^® prompts collagen production that corresponds to the filler’s dissolution in the skin, gradually restoring a naturally full look to the area—as opposed to volume from hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers that gradually fades. Dr. Turner’s patients have also achieved success using collagen-stimulating Sculptra^® for re-volumizing the temples, augmenting the buttocks, and smoothing crepey skin at the knees. She also uses Sculptra^® topically after RF or traditional microneedling and Sciton^® Halo^™ treatments to further boost collagen production.

Dermal fillers are excellent, non-invasive treatments intended to reverse the appearance of aging on various areas of the body. Options include:

• Lip augmentation (lip injections)
• Buttock augmentation (buttock injections)
• Correcting tear troughs (hollows under the eyes)
• Reducing deep folds (correction around the mouth for “marionette lines” and nasolabial folds)
• Smoothing smile lines and perioral lines (correction of thin, superficial lines around mouth)
• Correction of age-related volume loss and facial contouring (such as the midface and cheeks, chin, and jowl correction) or hand contouring
• Jawline sculpting
• Filling temple hollows
• Nose shaping
• Addressing oral commissures (downturned mouth corners)

Each unique dermal filler varies in consistency or thickness. Dr. Turner selects each specific filler to directly suit a patient’s individual profile and the areas being treated. She may even recommend using multiple types of filler, depending on the desired results.

Candidates for lip injections and other dermal fillers may also be interested in a neuromodulator, such as Dysport® or BOTOX^® Cosmetic Cosmetic, which reduces the appearance of dynamic wrinkles and similar cosmetic concerns by relaxing key muscles.

Dr. Ellen Turner prides herself on outstanding patient care. She is very diligent about choosing appropriate candidates for each procedure, and you can expect your dermal filler consultation with her to be comfortable, informative, and respectful.

Dr. Turner will listen to your particular concerns and carefully assess which lip injections or dermal fillers would be best for your clinical needs and personal preferences. If lip injections or other dermal fillers can indeed address your concerns, she will discuss with you the details of how and why specific options may be chosen.

To ask Dr. Turner if you are a good candidate for dermal filler injections, you can Book an appointment online or call the office to make an appointment at (214) 373-7546.

Dr. Turner sets herself apart from many other injectors by using a cannula to administer most dermal fillers. Unlike needles, which have a sharp tip, cannulas are rounded. This makes cannulas a safer choice than needles, since there is much less risk of injection into a vessel or nerve, and greatly reduces the chance of bleeding or bruising. Cannulas are also much less painful than needles, and require little—if any—downtime or recovery time after a session.

As for results, Dr. Turner provides her patients with a natural aesthetic appearance, and her patients continue to return to her for her gentle touch and calm bedside manner. Her commitment to excellence also extends throughout her entire practice, where her experienced cosmetic consultation team will spend the time to customize your treatment plan and determine the amount of filler you will need to optimize your results. Get ready to look like a younger and more attractive version of yourself!

The effects of hyaluronic acid-based lip injections and other dermal fillers will be noticeable right away and have a natural appearance. Typical filler results last up to one year, and some may last up to 18 months or longer, depending on the specific filler and area addressed. Remember that biostimulants build healthy new collagen, and this can provide longer-lasting results.

There is no downtime associated with dermal fillers, and most patients are able to return to work or other activities soon after their treatment session for lip injections and more. Some initial injection-related swelling may make the area appear overfilled at first, but as this side effect recedes, the true, natural-looking enhancement will become apparent.

Some dermal fillers are formulated with or may be combined with lidocaine, which is a local anesthetic similar to the kind you might get before a procedure at the dentist’s office. Lidocaine is used in a dermatologist’s office to minimize injection discomfort. If you are allergic to lidocaine, please let Dr. Turner know so that a more suitable filler can be chosen.

Dr. Turner also prefers using microcannulas, which are like needles, but which have round tips. She employs microcannulas whenever possible for dermal filler injections, since the rounded shape ensures that dermal filler treatments are as painless as possible. Using a cannula is also helpful in decreasing the risk of bruising and other filler complications.

Patients considering injectables but wondering about dermal filler costs should know that the exact expense varies depending on the treatment. The ultimate expense truly depends on a patient’s choice and details of the procedure: Where will the dermal fillers be applied, which ones will be injected, how much of the filler will be used, and how often will follow-up visits be scheduled?

Direct outside financing  is available through CareCredit. All this requires to set up is a simple online application. An approval allows patients to begin their treatments right away, then pay for them over time through a personalized payment plan. Apply online or ask our staff for more details.

To learn more about what to expect before and after dermal filler treatments, click here.

In addition to lip injections and other fillers, Dr. Turner also provides an extensive selection of skin rejuvenation options, including chemical peels, spa treatments, microneedling, Dermalinfusion, laser skin resurfacing, and more for improving the tone and texture of the skin.