What are Fillers?
As BOTOX opened the world to an exciting new era of anti-aging cosmetic dermatology, derma fillers revolutionized it. Loss of volume, resulting in deep hollows under the eyes and cheeks, jowls, folds and creases and the inevitable pull of gravity on ligaments and underlying tissue are among a few of the changes that totally alter the youthful contours of your face.
Then, in 1996, Restylane was the first “injectable filler” to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cosmetic purposes. The sister fillers of Juvederm, Perlane and Radiesse soon followed, reversing and replenishing many of the most severe effects of premature aging.
Our resident medical expert at Your Laser Skin Care Center in Los Angeles, Dr. Ella Fedonenko, provides the latest dermal fillers to reduce wrinkles and facial folds, reduce acne scars, plump up lips and help to re-sculpt other areas of your face and body.
The advantages of dermal fillers
• Smooth out wrinkles
• Fill in depressed areas such as at the corners of the mouth
• Fill in prominent smile line folds
• Redefine lip borders and eliminate small grooves that cause your lipstick to “bleed”
• Plump up lips
• Quick and instant solutions with very little down time!
Fillers are Really Filling the Bill
For the nearly 2,000,000 people who had facial filler procedures, in 2012, there was very good news in May, 2013. An FDA panel unanimously recommended that Juvederm Voluma XC be approved as the first derma filler for replacing volume in the mid-face, or hollow cheek area! From gravity, from weight loss, from the natural shifting of fatty deposits, the “gaunt” look has been a common concern for many men and women and this news is very welcomed, indeed.
By the way, according to the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the 2,000,000 patients using Juvederm, Restylane, Perlane and other fillers, in 2012, shows an increase of 205% since 2000. Since 2010, these fillers have seen an increase of 110%.
BOTOX, which is not a filler for wrinkles but eliminates the muscle contractions that cause them, increased 115%. In the same 3-year time period, face-lifts saw an increase of only 20%.
With the average price of $800 for one session of fillers and a face-lift costing upwards of $10,000 – and continuing new treatments almost annually – many surgeons wonder if they will be performing any face-lifts within the next five to ten years!
