Dermal Fillers at Barrie Plastic Surgery

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal Fillers are materials used to restore fullness to the face, especially lips, cheeks, chin, nasolabial folds and periorbital; around the eyes.

Types of Dermal Fillers

Lip fillers are a Hyaluronic acid injectable (which is naturally occurring in the body) draws water into the tissue thus adding hydration and volume. Used to plump, shape and balance. Treatment lasts 9-12 months depending on age and metabolism.

Undereye filler is used to improve dark circles or replace lost volume that occurs as we age. We use a lightweight filler for a seamless undereye look. Treatment lasts 12-18 months.

Human fat (autologous fat) is harvested from your own body. Using your own fat requires a more extensive procedure other than injectable fillers. You must undergo liposuction to extract the fat prior to injection. You do eliminate the risk of an allergic reaction or rejection from the body. Not all the cells survive when they are placed in a new site. You can expect a high rate of reabsorption. To try to avoid this, doctors usually overfill the area that is being treated.

Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that is found in your body. There are high concentrations that are found in soft connective tissue and in the fluid surrounding your eyes. It is also in some cartilage, joint fluids and skin tissue. This same substance is often injected into the aching joints of people with arthritis to ease the pain. Hyaluronic acid is not derived from animal sources. Brand names: Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane, Captique, Esthelis, Elevess, Hylaform, Prevelle and Puragen. The most common ones used in Dr. Tumi’s office are Restylane, Juvederm and Perlane.

Collagen is a natural substance (protein). It is the main component in cartilage, teeth and bones. It either comes from human skin or cows (bovine collagen) Brand names: CosmoDerm, Cosmoplast, Zyderm, Zyplast. The human cadaveric dermis is skin that is cultivated from a cadaver and injected into your face. This results in an impressive filling of facial hollows. Brand names: Cymetra, Dermalogen, and Fascias.

Calcium hydroxylapatite is the heaviest filler and is found naturally in human bones. It is a mineral reserved to fill the deepest creases like nasolabial folds, marionette lines and frown lines. It can also be used to enhance the fullness of cheeks and other facial contours Brand names: Radiesse and Radiance.

Polylactic acid is a synthetic material. It stimulates the body’s own collagen. This is generally best used in the lower half of the face to fill lines caused by laughing, augment the lips and fill nasolabial folds. Unlike the other dermal fillers, the results are not immediate. It stimulates collagen production, so the results appear gradually over a period of a few months. Brand names: Sculptra and New-fill.

Semi-Permanent PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) fillers contain about 20% of tiny PMMA microspheres that are suspended in 80% of purified collagen gel. It can be removed. It is most often used to treat medium to deep wrinkles, folds and furrows, especially nasolabial folds. It can also be used to fill out pitted scars and also to augment the lips. Brand names: Articol, Artefill and Metacrill

Advantages of Dermal Fillers

1. Less expensive
2. Immediate result
3. Quick recovery

Disadvantages of Dermal Fillers

1. Cannot help with excess skin sagging
2. Temporary result
3. Needs to be repeated.

Am I the Ideal Candidate for Dermal Fillers?

Ideal candidates for dermal fillers are in good health, don’t smoke, and have realistic goals for their results.

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