It turns out there are a few more things that are certain beyond death and taxes. Undoubtedly, as you have aged, you have already noticed some of these certainties when it comes to how your body has changed as you’ve gotten a little older. The inescapable reality of life, or one of them, is that by the age of 60, most of us will have lost a portion of our facial bone and fat, which causes a sagging effect. That loss of volume isn’t just limited to the face, either. It happens in places like
our hands, too. Here’s the good news: none of these effects of getting older have to be permanent. In fact, whether it’s to address aging or simply to attempt to alter a part of your appearance you’re unhappy with, there is a quick, safe, simple procedure that offers an immediate positive impact: dermal fillers.
How do dermal fillers work? The goal is simple: add volume. The fillers are expertly injected into the area being treated, and the non-surgical procedure is over in minutes. There’s no downtime and results can be seen almost immediately.
There are a wide variety of fillers, although here at GLOW Surgical Arts we have selected what we consider the two very best options to suit our patient’s needs: Juvederm and Radiesse. The former is a smooth gel filler made of hyaluronic acid, a natural complex sugar found in all living cells. The latter is made of calcium-based microspheres suspended in a water-based gel. The primary component is the same in composition to the mineral portion of bones and teeth. Both options offer different advantages, and one of our GLOW cosmetic surgeons will work closely with you to determine which filler makes the most sense for your needs.
What can dermal fillers be used for? Broadly speaking, dermal fillers can be utilized to treat just about any area you see in the mirror that you feel has lost volume or shape. Usually, by simple virtue of being the first place most of us look when we study our own reflection, the face is what gets treated. Many of us are familar with the commercials letting us know our face is no place for parentheses and softening deep nasolablial folds is one of the most common places dermal fillers is used. But the options are almost limitless. The fine lines around your mouth, the deep lines extending downword from the corner of your mouth (marionette lines) and even your lips can all be enhanced with dermal fillers. Your midface is especially susceptible to volume loss, resulting in a hollowed, gaunt appearance. Dermal filler to augment cheecks and restore tear trough volume will turn back the clock, restoring the "triangle of youth."
But it doesn't stop there, sagging jawlines and “notching” in the jawline can be dramatically and positively altered. It will always depend on what is causing the changes in the jawline, but if it’s tied to a thinning of the skin and aging in general, dermal fillers are an excellent option for treatment. Altering your chin’s appearance is also achievable with dermal fillers, and the nose’s shape and appearance is very much something that can be easily addressed. If it’s the shape of your nose that doesn’t sit well with you (not necessarily the size), dermal fillers offer a much faster, less expensive, non-surgical alternative to rhinoplasty, and the results can be extremely positive. The sometimes ugly effects of aging on the hands (volume loss, overly prominent appearance of tendons and veins) is another area where dermal fillers offer immediate and wonderfully visible rejuvenation.
Death, taxes… and aging. Some things happen no matter what we do. At least with aging, there are options available to combat it, even fend it off. Dermal fillers are gaining more and more popularity, but even so, many don’t realize how diverse the procedure is. Adding volume wherever you’ve lost it is what they do, put simply. Just remember it doesn’t matter if you’re thinking “small.” Wrinkles, lines, or even a single scar can be addressed with dermal fillers. The procedure is non-surgical, takes minutes, comes with no downtime and the results are immediate. Now, they’re not permanent, but dermal fillers can absolutely be redone periodically as needed and altered to continue to specifically treat your needs. It’s completely customizable, and your GLOW cosmetic surgeon will work closely with you on an ongoing basis to make sure the filler being used is the best fit for you, and that the areas being treated are seeing the effects you desire. Still have questions? That’s fine! A GLOW cosmetic surgeon can answer all of them during a free, no-obligation consultation. Schedule one today!
© GLOW Surgical Arts and GLOW Surgical Arts blog, 2011-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to GLOW Surgical Arts and the GLOW Surgical Arts blog, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
