Cosmetic Fillers

Sculptra (Synthetic Poly-L-Lactic Acid)

Sculptra is also known as the “liquid facelift”. It works by filling lines and wrinkles and stimulating the body to produce new collagen and underlying tissue creating a fuller appearance. A synthetic Poly-L-lactic acid material, it has been commonly used in dissolvable stitches and soft tissue implants. A natural form of Poly-L-lactic acid is produced in our muscles during exercise. The material works to gradually produce increasing thickness of the skin. The material is biocompatible and can be dissolved by the body.

Facial fat loss, or lipoatrophy, is the loss of fat beneath the skin, which can result in sunken cheeks, indentations, and hollow eyes. Sculptra is a safe, synthetic, and biocompatible material that is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss. It provides a gradual and significant increase in skin thickness, improving the appearance of folds and sunken areas. No skin testing is required. Sculptra treats skin folds, indented chin, hollowed cheeks, and sunken eyes. Results last up to two years.

The Sculptra procedure is performed in a doctor's office, typically for patients aged 35 to 60. It is most often performed with the use of a topical numbing cream and possibly a local anesthetic. Patients may experience minimal discomfort from the needle injection. The procedure can take 15 to 30 minutes. Patients return home within minutes after the procedure.

Radiesse (Calcium Hydroxylapatite)

Under the brand name Radiesse, each syringe contains Calcium Hydroxylapatite particles that are suspended in a water-based solution to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and skin folds around the mouth and nose as well as fill certain scars. The filler is biocompatible, non-toxic, and non-allergenic; results last for up to six months or more.

Radiesse is an FDA-approved wrinkle treatment used to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds around the nose and mouth, such as nasolabial folds. Radiesse is a long lasting dermal filler that stimulates the body to produce new collagen. It provides immediate correction through a convenient treatment that can be performed during your lunch hour and requires no allergy testing prior to treatment. It is not recommended around the lips because of its larger particle size.

The effects of Radiesse dermal filler may last a year or more in many patients. In addition, Radiesse treatments may require fewer office visits for retreatments.

Restylane and Perlane
(Hyaluronic Acid-Based Fillers)

Restylane and Perlane are made of hyaluronic acid. In the human body, natural hyaluronic acid provides volume and fullness to the skin. The hydrophilic or "water loving" nature of the hyaluronic acid molecules in Restylane and Perlane and their three dimensional structure allows them to bind many times their own weight in water. As hyaluronic acid begins to degrade, each molecule binds to more water which helps maintain its volume for about six months. Hyaluronic acid-based fillers treat nasolabial folds, frown lines, crow's feet, and lips.

Restylane and Perlane contain no animal proteins. This limits any risk of animal-based disease transmissions or development of allergic reactions. No allergy testing is required before use. Restylane and Perlane contain trace amounts of gram-positive bacterial proteins and are contraindicated for patients with a history of allergies to such material.

ArteFill (Bovine-Based Collagen Fillers)

ArteFill uses a bovine collagen product to suspend polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA, a type of plastic) microspheres that lodge into the treatment area after the collagen dissipates, with the goal of providing a more permanent benefit. Since up to 40% of bovine-based collagen soon dissipates, the treatment area is typically overfilled at first. This form of collagen is derived from cows and may be used to add volume to facial areas such as the lip area, above and below the eye, crow's feet, the nasolabial fold area, and frown lines. Both human-based and bovine-based collagen are FDA-approved for cosmetic uses. ArteFill is a dual-acting injectable wrinkle filler. The secret is in its patented formula, which contains 20% ArteFill Precision-Filtered Microspheres™ (made of PMMA, the same material used for dozens of medical implants over the last 50 years) and 80% ArteFill Purified Bovine Collagen™ gel with lidocaine, an anesthetic.

First, ArteFill visibly corrects the wrinkle. Then the microspheres provide the permanent support your skin needs to correct the wrinkle and prevent further wrinkling. ArteFill is a permanent implant prescribed by a licensed physician. An ArteFill Skin Test prior to treatment is a safety precaution to make sure that you are not allergic to the bovine collagen or anesthetic in ArteFill. ArteFill is injected underneath the wrinkle, just above the skin’s fat layer providing the soft, supportive foundation that your skin needs for long-lasting wrinkle correction.

Free Cosmetic Consultation
The number of treatments for optimal long-term benefits differ for each person. Clinical and makeup skin products depend on individual skin types. Call for a free consultation with our licensed esthetician.