Dermal fillers have long since arrived as a safe, effective way to return the lost volume to the face and reduce the appearance of wrinkles in aging skin. If you’re unsure whether fillers are the proper cosmetic treatment for you, we’ve come up with a complete guide to facial fillers in Orange County and Newport Beach. Learn more about how they work, the benefits of fillers, and whether you’re a good candidate for dermal fillers.
Table of Contents
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are injectable cosmetic treatments made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occurring substance in the body found primarily in your joints and tissues. The substance works to reduce swelling and inflammation in the joints. When injected, it not only adds volume for an immediate effect it can boost collagen production over time. Therefore, results only get better as time goes on.
Dermal fillers are also FDA-approved for use as a temporary but long-lasting solution to a smoother and fuller appearance on the face, cheeks, chin, lips, and hands.
Types of Dermal Fillers
Popular types of dermal filler brands include JUVÉDERM, Restylane, Belotero, and Radiesse. At the Med Lounge, expect to choose from several different types of hyaluronic acid-based JUVÉDERM products:
- JUVÉDERM XC
- JUVÉDERM Ultra & Ultra Plus XC
- JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA XC
- JUVÉDERM VOLLURE XC
- JUVÉDERM VOLUMA XC
The type of dermal filler you choose will depend on several factors. Factors include facial treatment area, desired results and longevity, and the state of your skin at the time of your appointment. The “state of your skin” factor means how deep-set your wrinkles are before your injectables, the extent of skin scarring, and skin elasticity.
Uses for Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers have a variety of uses, like adding volume and filling in deep lines and wrinkles. The most sought-after use for dermal fillers is their smoothing effect.
Dermal fillers are ideal for moderate to severe wrinkles, smile lines, frown lines, crow’s feet, and for improving the appearance of lines around the nasolabial folds. (Severe wrinkles are the often deep-set lines that run from your nose to both sides of the mouth.)
Let’s look at the versatility of dermal fillers beyond wrinkle control.
Plump up your lips.
Patients often use dermal fillers for lip enhancement. Targeted injections can restore volume and add volume to thin lips while giving them a subtle lift. If you’re interested in lip filler treatments in Orange County, Med Lounge is a great place to start.
Say goodbye to under-eye bags.
An under-eye filler in Orange County can improve eye bags, even deep-set bags, and improve the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Also known as tear-trough filler, this treatment can restore volume lost in hollow spots underneath the eyes, an expected result of aging.
Treat and reduce old scars.
Deep scarring from years of acne can be challenging to treat. Dermal fillers can work to fill in depressed areas of the skin affected by scars, giving your skin a smoother appearance. The added collagen boost after your treatment also allows you to reap those benefits as time goes on, giving your skin a brightness it may have lost.
Define your chin and jawline.
Targeted fillers can work to define a weak jawline, add volume to your chin, and even out your proportions. Injections around the cheeks are often part of the overall effect and a great way to plump up sunken areas around the cheekbones.
Rejuvenate your neck.
Are you suffering from a sagging neck? Dermal fillers can reduce neck wrinkles and smooth out deep folds in the neck. A more youthful appearance matches the improvements you’ve already made to creases on your face.
Cost of Dermal Fillers
The cost of your dermal fillers in Orange County will depend on the results you’re after, the type of injectable you choose for your treatments, and how many treatments you’ll need over time. The dermal filler experts at Med Lounge can work with you to develop a plan that will support your budget and skin goals.
Your Appointment: What to Expect
Dermal fillers are a quick, non-invasive procedure that leads to long-lasting results. Expect your dermal filler appointments to last about 15-20 minutes.
Are dermal fillers painful? If your injections are in sensitive areas, you may experience discomfort with dermal fillers. Talk to your provider about a topical cream or agent to reduce potential numbing discomfort. Most patients compare fillers to Botox on the pain scale.
How to prepare for your fillers
To prepare for your dermal fillers, follow these pre-treatment instructions:
- Avoid anti-inflammatories, blood-thinning medications, and any herbal supplements up to 2 weeks before your treatment.
- Time your appointment right. It’s best to give yourself at least two weeks between your fillers and any special events in case of swelling or bruising.
- Don’t drink alcohol the week of your treatment.
- Studies have shown that Arnica tablets may help prevent bruising in some patients ahead of various treatments. Consider taking Arnica before your treatment to avoid bruising at your injection sites.
- Avoid harsh topical products and serums in the days ahead of your treatment. If there is any chance of a skin reaction with products you regularly use, avoid those before your injectables.
Is there any downtime with dermal fillers?
Just like Botox, there is zero downtime with dermal fillers. Minor redness, bruising and swelling right after your appointment are normal, but these side effects should not affect your daily responsibilities.
Avoid touching or massaging your face, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting, alcohol, and spending too much time out in the sun for a few days after your treatment to limit redness, irritation, and bruising.
How Long Do Dermal Fillers Last?
You should expect visible results right after your treatment, but most patients see final results within about a week to 10 days post-injection. How long dermal fillers last depends on the type of filler you chose, the area of the face you targeted, and even your daily habits after your appointment. Most dermal fillers will last anywhere from 9 months to 2 years.
What is the longest-lasting dermal filler? JUVÉDERM is one of the longest-lasting dermal fillers on the market today.
JUVÉDERM is Med Lounge’s filler of choice for patients looking for reliable results.
Dissolving fillers
Dissolving your dermal fillers is an option if you’re unhappy with your results. Removing filler involves an injection of hyaluronidase, another naturally-occurring enzyme in the body, into the area in question.
This treatment is just as efficient as a dermal filler appointment, but it may take several weeks to dissolve all the filler. The timetable varies based on the amount of filler you want to remove and the target area.
Getting your treatment from a trusted facility is essential to avoid complications and unsatisfactory results. At Med Lounge, we focus on natural-looking results that won’t just address your concerns but also boost your confidence.
Botox vs. Dermal Fillers
Botox and dermal fillers are both effective at combating the signs of aging. Both are minimally invasive procedures that require zero downtime.
Here are a few key differences:
- Botox is a botulinum toxin injectable. Most dermal fillers are hyaluronic acid injectables.
- Botox is best for dynamic wrinkles. These wrinkles appear with emotion or facial action, like smiling or worrying. Dermal fillers work well for static wrinkles or wrinkles that don’t go away with emotion or movement in the face.
- Botox paralyzes the muscles where wrinkles form. Fillers do as expected: they fill in areas where wrinkles have formed.
- Fillers last longer. Expect results to last anywhere from 9 months to 2 years. Botox results last up to 6 months on the high end.
- Botox can be used for therapeutic purposes, such as migraines. Fillers are primarily used as a cosmetic treatment.
Remember that you can use Botox and dermal fillers as a combination treatment. This method can improve the results of your dermal fillers, as targeted Botox injections can keep you from using muscles that cause wrinkles.
The Experts Can Help
The best way to make sure you have a good experience with your cosmetic treatment is to work with an expert team specializing in facial fillers. Med Lounge in Orange County has years of experience providing excellent results from dermal filler.
At the Med Lounge, we use hyaluronic acid-based JUVÉDERM, the best facial filler to give you the immediate, impressive results you crave. Put your best face forward. Book your appointment today.
