As we age, our skin produces lower elastin and collagen levels, leading to wrinkles and lines, sunken cheeks, and thinner lips. We also lose necessary fat in our face resulting in a visible loss of volume and deflated appearance. These imperfections can worsen the signs of aging and even cause embarrassment. Luckily, various cosmetic procedures can help you replenish your facial appearance to maintain a refreshed, more youthful look.

Dermal fillers are highly effective facial cosmetic treatments for individuals looking to address facial aesthetic concerns without going through surgery’s downtime. These treatments are injected into the face to replace or add volume and fullness. They work as a cushion that fills in the links, folds, and wrinkles, helping alleviate aging signs and increase your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Am I a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are products created from substances such as hyaluronic acid, poly-l-lactic acid, and collagen, which are naturally occurring products in your body. They are injected into the skin to improve the appearance of creases and wrinkles, raise depressed scars, and add volume to the cheeks and lips. You may be an ideal candidate for filler treatment if:

  • You are physically and emotionally healthy
  • You have deepening furrows or have lost volume on areas of the face
  • You desire fuller lips and more prominent cheeks
  • You wish to eliminate fine lines and creases that are a result of aging
  • You are committed to maintaining good skin health and have realistic expectations about the outcome of this treatment

Keep in mind that this minimally invasive cosmetic treatment is not for pregnant women and individuals who smoke or have a history of severe allergies. 

Treatment Areas

Cosmetic dermal fillers are commonly used to add volume to the skin and improve a wide variety of facial features. Dr. Arroyo and his team may use this non-invasive treatment to plump the lips and cheeks. Fillers are also used to alleviate acne scars, aging hands, facial scars, flattened cheeks, frown lines, facial wasting, small lips, marionette lines, soft creases and wrinkles, nasolabial folds, hollowed-out temples, lipstick lines, and dark circles. The surgeon will carefully examine your problem areas and map out a customized non-surgical treatment plan to suit your needs.

Types of Dermal Fillers

Dr. Christian Arroyo offers a variety of injectable filler cosmetic treatments to suit the needs and goals of different patients:

Juvaderm

This type of dermal filler is created from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance that gives skin volume, moisture, and elasticity. Hyaluronic acid injections boost the production of collagen in the skin. Juvederm treatments are available in different versions for use on other parts of the face. Juvederm Voluma XC is great for adding contours to the cheeks and smoothing out lines around the nose and mouth. Juvederm Ultra XC is great for plumping out the lips, while Juvederm Volbella XC will soften vertical lip lines. 

Sculptra

This is a dermal filler based on poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic compound that encourages collagen production. For this reason, it will take several different treatments separated over 4-6 weeks before results are apparent. Sculptra is commonly used to build up the cheeks, fill sunken or hollow areas in the face, and boost skin thickness to improve the appearance of lines and folds. This soft tissue filler will last up to two years once the first session has been administered.

Restylane

Like Juvederm, this type of injectable filler is created from hyaluronic acid. Restylane facial injections are designed to treat a number of facial cosmetic problems, including wrinkles and folds. A type of this filler known as Restylane Lyft comes with a thicker gel and is used to alleviate severe folds and creases and replenish lost volume in the cheeks or back of the hands. 

Radiesse

This is a soft tissue filler that is used to alleviate moderate to severe creases on the face. Radiesse is also widely used to plump up the cheeks and improve facial contouring. This dermal filler is created from calcium hydroxylapatite, a type of mineral present in human bones and teeth. The calcium particles are mixed with a gel-like solution and injected under the skin to improve facial aesthetics. 

Dr. Arroyo has mastery of the different types of facial fillers. Before the session, the surgeon will take you through all the available options (as well as their pros and cons) and help you select the best alternative to suit your aesthetic goals.

Dermal Filler FAQ

Dermal fillers vs Botox

Is the treatment safe?

Can dermal fillers be removed?

How much will the treatment cost?

Dermal fillers vs Botox

BOTOX and dermal fillers are similar in that they are both designed to make you look more vibrant and youthful. However, there are specific differences in how these approaches work. BOTOX is a protein-based substance that works by relaxing and facial muscles to loosen folds, wrinkles, and lines. It may take several BOTOX injections before you can start seeing results. On the other hand, dermal fillers are purified substances that are injected below the skin to add lost volume, plump up the skin, and promote collagen production. Patients can see results almost immediately after a dermal filler treatment and will only need another injection after the current one has worn off.

Is the treatment safe?

Dermal fillers are a popular choice for minimally invasive facial rejuvenation. Dr. Arroyo makes sure to use FDA-approved fillers whose safety is above board. He will also take the time to administer the treatment in the most appropriate locations to ensure a pleasing, balanced outcome. Keep in mind that filler injections should only be administered in a medical setting by a skilled professional.

Can dermal fillers be removed?

Some dermal fillers such as Juvederm, Belotero, and Restylane based on hyaluronic acid may be dissolved (at least to some degree) if you are not entirely happy with the outcome of the treatment. This typically entails injecting an enzyme known as hyaluronidase to dissolve the existing dermal filler. It is vital to work with a highly experienced plastic surgeon or injection specialist to minimize the risk of unpleasant outcomes with this treatment.

How much will the treatment cost?

The cost of an injectable filler in Houston can vary between $500 to $6000, depending on the extensiveness of the treatment. Get in touch with Dr. Arroyo’s office to learn how much you can expect to pay for this treatment.

Treatment Approach

Before your facial filler treatment, a thorough discussion of your goals takes place, and a customized plan is created, paying attention to every detail. Dr. Arroyo will then numb the area to help increase your comfort throughout the session. Dr. Arroyo prides himself on providing painless filler treatments. The next step is to inject the selected filler under your skin using very fine needles. Your surgeon will take special care (based on an understanding of facial anatomy) to focus on the proper areas to achieve the desired result. The whole session will take between 30-60 minutes to complete. Immediately after the cosmetic filler treatment, patients can resume work and routine daily activities. Your face may feel swollen with discoloration, but this typically dissipates within a day or so. The treatment result will manifest gradually as the treatment area recovers and the injected filler gets to work.

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