Facial Fillers

What are Facial Fillers?

Many of us notice fine lines developing on the face in our thirties. These can often be the result of muscular activity or sagging. The lines that form on your face are areas where the body's own collagen has thinned and broken leaving a depressed line. Facial fillers are synthetic injections which fill out wrinkled or uneven areas of the face. In addition to Botox injections, these facial fillers are used to add volume to wrinkled areas

I wish there was something simple for those little lines around my mouth.

-a Baltimore patient

The wrinkles around the eye can often be due to muscle activity and may be improved with Botox. If the lines are very deep or are due to skin sagging e.g. the lines that run from the nose to the corners of the mouth (nasolabial folds), then a filler may often soften or sometimes even eliminate the line. The filler is injected into the skin itself to plump up the depressed line in the skin. When the lips are injected we place the filler on the inside of the lip to turn it out a little.

Do the Facial Filler injections hurt?

The face is a sensitive area but the area is numbed with ice or an anesthetic creme making the injections tolerable.

Which Facial Filler is right for me?

Three important factors to consider when selecting a facial filler are 1) longevity 2) cost 3) ease of administration

Juvederm

Juvederm is a smooth consistency gel made of hyaluronic acid and is manufactured by Allergan. In summary, Restylane has been replaced by Juvederm because it lasts longer. Dr. Rodriguez uses Juvederm injectable to restore volume and smooth away wrinkles in the face. It lasts approximately 6-9 months. It is used for lip augmentation as well as naso-labials folds, marionette lines, glabella lines, and tear trough and scars. Juvederm costs $550 per syringe. It is easy to administer and feels natural. Keep in mind that most patients need more than one syringe.

Sculptra

Sculptra also has the consistency of gel and may last several years.  This injectible is done in a layering method with a series of injections.  Usually done at two to four week intervals until desired volume is achieved.  Sculptra may also be used in the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, jowl contouring, cheeks, glabella lines, tear trough and scars.   Sculptra is not used for lip augmentation. Sculptra cost $250 per cc.  

Radiesse

Radiesse is used to fill and help restore soft tissue facial contours.Once injected, Radiesse immediately adds fullness to your face giving you a visible result at the first treatment session. Treatment effects will differ for each person, in a clinical study, the treatment lasted for at least one year for all patients.  Radiesse may be used in the nasolabials folds, marionette lines, jowl contouring, cheeks, glabeller lines, tear trough and scars. Radiesse cost is $650 per syringe. Most patients often need more than one syringe for the initial desired result.

What about Injections with my own Fat?

Fat Transfer is a more involved procedure, but is uses your own fat tissue to create volume. Therefore, it is the most natural way to restore youthfulness to your face.   The procedure involves liposuction and fat grafting techniques. Most patients opt to have IV sedation. The fat is removed from your abdomen area with liposuction, then processed and purified. It is then placed in syringes for injection into the facial areas needing volume. It must be purified and injected very carefully at different levels beneath your skin.

The fat that does survive the injection process is there permanently. This is your own tissue and there is no chance of an allergic reaction. Read our fat injection discussion to learn more.

Who performs the Botox, Juvederm, Sculptra and Radiesse injections?

All facial filler injections are performed by Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years of experience. You deserve the best!

How much recovery time is involved with facial fillers such as Juvederm or Sculptra?

You may return to work the next day with Botox, Restylane or Sculptra, however a small percentage of patients experience some bruising for a few days following the injections.

Discount Pricing for Juvederm, Sculptra and Radiesse, and Botox

A courtesy discount is always given for more than one syringe of Juvederm or Radiesse. In the same capacity, when Sculptra is applied to multiple areas in one session, a discount is given.   Special discount pricing is as follows:

Save when you are a member of Brilliant Distinctions with Allergan!

Brilliant Distinctions is an exclusive rewards program that helps you save on select Allergan products and services. It's easy and it adds up fast! If you are not yet a member, we'll be happy to help you register when you come into our office.

Earn points to get cash vouchers each time you get Botox and/or Juvederm XC, as well as Latisse!

Brilliant Distinctions Point Program

Facial Fillers Before and After Photos

See our patient gallery of Facial Filler Before and After Photos, all performed by Dr. Ricardo Rodriguez, a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 20 years experience.