As we age, our faces begin to show the effects of gravity, sun exposure
and years of facial muscle movement such as smiling, chewing and squinting.
The underling tissues that our skin looking youthful and plumed up begin to
break down, often leaving laugh lines, smile lines, crow’s feet or facial
creases over the areas where this muscle movement occurs.Soft-tissue fillers,
most commonly injectable or fat, can help fill in these lines and creases, temporarily
restoring smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. When injected beneath
the skin, these fillers plump up creased and sunken areas of the face. They
can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks. Injectable fillers may be used
alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure, such as a laser treatment,
or a recon touring procedure, such as a facelift. If you’re considering
a facial-rejuvenation treatment with collagen or fat, this brochure will give
you a basic understanding of the procedure-when injectables can help, how the
procedure is performed, and what results you can expect. It may not answer all
of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances.Please
ask your doctor if there is anything about the procedure you don’t understand.
KNOWING YOUR OPTIONS
Injected collagen and fat are primarily used to improve the appearance of the
skin’s texture. They can help fill out deep facial wrinkles, creases and
furrows, “sunken» cheeks, skin depressions and some types of scars.
They can also be used to add a fuller, more sensuous look to the lips.Injectables
are usually not sufficient for severe surface wrinkles on the face, such as
multiple vertical “lipstick lines” that sometimes are formed around
the mouth. Instead, your plastic surgeon may suggest a resurfacing technique,
such as chemical peel, dermabrastion or laser treatments. Rather than filing
in facial lines, resurfacing methods strip away the outer layers of the skin
to produce a smoother appearance.Deep folds in the face or brow caused by overactive
muscles skin may be more effectively treated with cosmetic surgery, such as
a facelift or browlift. Injectables are sometimes used in conjunction with facial
surgery procedures; however, injectables alone cannot change facial contour
the way surgery can.Keep in mind that a plastic surgeon is a specialist that
can offer you the full gamut of the most advanced treatments ranging from cosmetic
surgery, refinishing techniques, laser therapy, injectables and the use of other
filles. Your surgeon may determine that a single procedure or a combination
of procedures is the best choice for you.ASPC brochures are available on chemical
peel, dermabrasion, laser treatments, facelift and browlift. If you and your
doctor think that one of these other procedures might be more appropriate for
you, ask your plastic surgeon to provide you with a copy.
A WORD ABOUT OTHER TYPES OF FILLERS This brochure deals with the two most commonly used types of injectable fillers, collagen and fat. However, to lesser extent, a number of other filler materials are also being used for facial-rejuvenation purposes. They include: fibril, a gelatine powder compound that’s mixed with a patient’s own blood and is injected to plump up the skin(similar to injectable collagen); and Gortex, a threadlike material that is implanted beneath the skin to add soft-tissue support. Each of these options has its own set of risks and benefits. If you’re considering any of these alternative filler treatments, tell your doctor. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM TREATMENT
The most important fact to remember about injectable fillers is that
the results are not permanent. Injected material is eventually metabolized by
the body. You should not expect the same long-lasting results that may be gained
from cosmetic surgery. In some individuals, the results may last only a few
weeks; in others, the results may be maintained indefinitely. Researchers believe
that age , genetic background, skin quality and lifestyle as well as the injected
body site may all play a role in the injected material’s”satying
power”. However, the precise reason for the variation of results among
patients has yet to be identified.If you’ve had short-lived results from
fat injection, you shouldn’t necessarily assume that collagen injections
will work better for you. But, conversely, if you’ve had disappointing
result from collagen, don’t assume that injected fat is the answer.Although
it’s true that some individual’s bodies are more receptive to one
substance than other, others may find that neither substance produces long-lasting
results. Sometimes one substance may work better than the other for a specific
problem.
RISKS RELATED TO INJECTABLES
When injectables are administered by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications
are infrequent and usually minor in nature.Still, individuals vary greatly in
their anatomy, their physical reactions and their healing abilities. The outcome
of treatment with injectables is never completely predictable.Collagen: Allergic
reaction is the primary risk of collagen. To help determine if you are allergic
to the substance, your surgeon will perform an allergy skin test about a month
before the procedure. After the test is performed, the test site should be watched
carefully for three or four weeks, or as long as your surgeon advises. Any sign
of redness, itching, swelling or other occurrences at the test site should be
reported to your surgeon.Risks not necessarily related to allergies include
infection, abscesses, open sores, skin peeling, scarring and lumpiness, which
may persist over the treated area. Reports of these problems are very rare.Fat:
Allergic reaction is not a factor for fat because it’s harvested from
a patient’s own body. However, there still be small risk of infection
and other infrequent complications.
PLANNING FOR TREATMENT
Facial rejuvenation is very individualized. That’s why it’s
important to discuss your hopes and expectations with a board-certified plastic
surgeon who has experience with many different types of surgical and non-surgical
facial procedures.In your initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will evaluate
your face-the skin, the muscles and the underlying bone-and discuss your goals
for goals for the surgery. Your doctor will help you select a treatment option
based on your goals and concerns, your anatomy and your lifestyle.Your surgeon
will ask you medical history, drug allergies, and check for conditions that
could cause problems, such as active skin infections or non-healed sores from
injuries. Collagen injections are generally off limits for pregnant women, individuals
who are allergic to beef or bovine products, patients who suffer from autoimmune
diseases, and those who are allergic to lidocaine (the anesthetic agent contained
in the syringe with the collagen material).For more specific information about
the contraindications and risks of collagen use, ask your doctor for the manufacturer’s
brochure for patient.Insurance usually doesn’t cover cosmetic procedures.
However, if your injectable treatment is being performed to treat a scar or
indentation from an accident or injury, you may be reimbursed for a portion
of the cost. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure.
TYPES OF ANESTHESIA Collage: because the anesthetic agent lidocaine is mixed in with collagen, additional anesthetic is usually not used. However, if you are especially sensitive to pain, your doctor may use a topical cream anesthetic or a Freon spray to numb the injected area. Or, you may elect to have an injected local anesthetic or sedative drugs.
Fat: Both
the donor and recipient sites are numbed with local anesthesia. Sedation can
be used as well. If you use sedation, be sure to arrange for a ride home after
your treatment.
YOUR NEW LOOK If you’re like most patients, you’ll be very satisfied with the results of your injectable treatments. You may surprise at the pleasing results that can be gained from this procedure. |
injectable fillers
