Skin Filler Injection (Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse)

Facial aging from gravity, environment, aging, weight loss and gain and genetic influences may lead to loss of facial fullness, wrinkles and skin droop. Injected skin fillers smooth and contour facial wrinkles such as the nasolabial folds (between the nose and corner of mouth), chin lines (marionette lines) or grooves between eyelids and cheeks. Fillers also plump areas which have become flattened or thinned with age such as cheek areas or lips (also known as the “liquid face lift”). Fillers were the second most common nonsurgical plastic procedure in 2008, with over 1.2 million procedures.

Restylane and Juvederm - image gallery

 Short lived fillers such as collagen have been largely replaced with the more stable hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Juvederm) which lasts 6-12 months depending on the area injected. No skin testing is required for hyaluronic acids.

Radiesse - image gallery

Radiesse is a calcium hydroxylapatite gel used for longer term (12+ months) treatment of nasolabial lines and for facial contouring including cheeks. It is not recommended for lips due to the greater incidence of nodule formation.