Cosmetic Surgery

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are hyaluronic gel that is injected into the skin in order to add volume to the lips and lift up wrinkles or folds.

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that is found throughout the body. It gives, for example, volume to the skin, lubricates the joints, and gives the eye its shape.

How Do Fillers Work?

Restylane® adds volume to the skin. A physician injects small amounts of filler directly into the skin and it lifts up the wrinkle or gives more volume to the lips. Wrinkles can be raised to the level of the surrounding skin and the contours of the lips can be enhanced to the desired level.

What Is the Difference Between Restylane® and Juvederm®?

Restylane® and Perlane® is the brand name for non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid. Restylane® and Perlane® is the most popular dermal filler used to contour the face. The product comes in three formulations. The selection of which formulation to use is determined by your skin type and the area to be contoured. The result of the treatments is immediate and will last six to eight months.

Juvederm® is another form of non-animal hyaluronic acid. This product performs in the same way as Restylane® and Perlane®, Juvederm® can be injected into most areas of the face where lines, folds, and wrinkles develop. The product is also used to contour chin and cheek areas. The result of the treatment is immediate and will last approximately five to six months.

What Kinds of Wrinkles Can Be Treated?

The most common areas are the glabellar lines (between the eyebrows), the nasolabial folds (from the wing of the nose to the angle of the mouth), and the lips, but other sites can also be treated.

What Results Can Be Obtained From Lip Treatment?

The vermillion border can be accentuated and the lips can be given more volume.

What Areas Cannot Be Helped by Fillers?

Very deep wrinkles and some types of acne scars cannot usually be treated with this material. Also, very superficial wrinkles may be difficult to correct. Please consult a West Coast Vein and Aesthetic Center physician for an assessment.

What Is Treatment With Fillers Like?

Treatment with fillers is a very easy and quick process. Since no pre-test is needed, the treatment can be carried out immediately and takes about 30 minutes. The result is instant. Dermal fillers are injected with a very thin needle.

Can Dermal Fillers Replace Surgical Procedures?

No. People with excess facial skin or people who want a major resurfacing of the skin cannot be helped with Restylane. However, Dermal fillers are sometimes used in conjunction with surgery to fill out wrinkles that cannot be removed by surgery.

Do the Injections Hurt?

This is very individual depending on how sensitive to pain you are. The injections may prick a little but normally no anesthesia is needed for the treatment of wrinkles and folds. Most people report that the injections are relatively painless. Lip treatment is quite uncomfortable and therefore a nerve block or some similar anesthetic is normally used.

Can the Material Be Removed?

No, but since hyaluronic acid is a natural material it dissolves with time. If you feel insecure about the desired result, it is possible to have the treatment done in steps on different occasions.

Is It Safe?

The hyaluronic acid in Restylane®, Juvederm®, or Perlane® is almost identical to that already present in the body. Also, since the hyaluronic acid in Restylane®, Perlane®, or Juvederm® is not made from animals, there is no risk of transmitting diseases from animals or eliciting allergic reactions to common foodstuffs such as eggs, meat, or chicken. Immediately after, the treatment site can be slightly swollen and red. This is a normal result of the injection and generally goes away in a day or two after injection into the skin and within a week after injection into the lips. Other types of reactions are very uncommon, but about 1 in 2000 persons have experienced transient swelling, redness, and tenderness at or near the treatment site(s) up to several weeks after treatment. If the inconvenience continues, please contact us.

Are There Any Other Types of Reactions That May Occur?

Yes. If you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, there is a risk that the needle punctures could contribute to another cold sore eruption. If you are using aspirin or any similar medication, you should be aware that these may increase the bruising and bleeding at the injection site.

How Long Does the Effect Last?

Since hyaluronic acid is a substance very similar to your own skin, the same ongoing processes (such as aging) that change the structure of your skin will also alter the implant. Eventually, the implant totally disappears from the body. How long the effect of treatment lasts depends on the individual. It depends on many factors, such as the structure of the skin, lifestyle, and age as well as on the degree of perfection demanded by the individual. Most people choose to have a new treatment within 4 to 6 months after treatment.

What Will My Skin Look Like Without Touch-up Treatment?

The correction will gradually disappear until your skin looks just as it did before the treatment. Touch-up injections will help you maintain your correction.

How Do I Get Restylane®, Perlane®, or Juvederm® Treatment?

Just call our clinic for a consultation. Our doctor will answer your questions and help you reach a decision. Restylane®, Perlane®, or Juvederm® can usually be injected during this appointment if you wish.

What Are Spider Veins?

Spider veins can be seen through the skin and, as their name suggests, resemble the look of a spider’s web. They are non-essential, thread-like veins that connect to larger veins. Their location close to the skin is why they are visible on the outside. Other than cosmetic issues, there are no symptoms associated with spider veins.

What Treatment Options Does West Coast Vein & Aesthetic Center Offer?

SCLEROTHERAPY is the “gold standard” in the treatment of spider veins. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a sclerosing (drying) agent into the vein. This causes damage to the vein wall and causes the vessel to close.

When Will I See Results?

Most patients will require more than one treatment to obtain the best results. Typically, the appearance of the unsightly veins is significantly improved after several treatments. The exact number of treatments may vary, depending on the extent of your spider vein.