The Gift of Great Skin: Which Dermal Filler is Right for You?

Injected beneath your skin, dermal fillers enable more than three million people each year to soften creases, smooth lines, and restore lost volume.

Joshua M. Berlin, MD, and our expert team offer a range of treatments to enhance your skin, including dermal fillers, at Premier Dermatology Partners® in Boynton Beach, Florida.

What are dermal fillers?

As we age, our bodies produce less elastin and collagen. Boosting production of these two proteins helps restore our skin’s elasticity, plumping areas and reducing others.

Dermal fillers, such as Juvederm®, lessen fine lines and wrinkles while adding volume to your face, resulting in a more youthful appearance.

How fillers work

Dr. Berlin uses a thin needle to inject minimal amounts of gel-like dermal fillers into one or several areas beneath your skin to:

Smooth wrinkles
Soften facial creases
Enhance volume to lessen sagging skin
Plump up lips and cheeks

It’s important to choose the right filler for your skin. Afterwards, it may take a few hours or longer to see results while your skin adjusts to the treatment.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers

Specific fillers contain a synthetic form of hyaluronic acid (HA), a natural substance produced by your body, to smooth and hydrate your skin. HA fillers include:

Juvéderm

One of the most popular dermal fillers, Juvéderm contains hyaluronic acid that mimics the HA in your own body, plus lidocaine to reduce any injection discomfort. It includes various formulations specially designed to improve:

Lines
Cheeks
Lips
Temples
Chin
Jawline

Results from Juvéderm generally last up to nine months, depending on your skin’s tone and texture. Let Dr. Berlin know if you have any issues with products containing hyaluronic acid or lidocaine.

Restylane®

This HA filler reduces fine lines and adds volume to sunken undereye areas.

Belotero®

It enhances lips and lessens superficial lines.

Dr. Berlin helps you decide whether HA fillers are the best solution for you.

Collagen-stimulating fillers

A protein found in the body, collagen serves many purposes, such as supporting your skin’s elasticity and hydration.

Collagen-stimulating fillers, such as Sculptra®, have replaced most collagen injections. This newer type of filler encourages your body to produce collagen. It incorporates synthetic, biocompatible poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) to stimulate collagen production, resulting in more youthful-looking skin.

These improve the look of:

Cheeks
Lips
Acne scars

They even reduce stretch marks.

Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA)

Formulated from a substance found in your actual bones, CaHA fillers, such as Radiesse®, work exceptionally well with deeper lines and wrinkles.

How long do the results last?

Depending on your skin tone and texture, filler results generally last from six months to two years. Areas with less movement tend to retain the benefits longer. Other factors may lessen a filler’s longevity, including:

Exercise, which speeds up your metabolism
Smoking, which reduces blood flow to the area
Higher metabolic rates that break the material down more quickly

Dr. Berlin also recommends avoiding any strenuous exercise for 48 hours post-injection to avoid additional bruising and/or swelling.

Dermal fillers versus Botox®

While both these treatments are minimally invasive, they differ in major ways. Dermal fillers add fullness to the injected area, while botulinum toxin (Botox) simply relaxes your muscles to reduce fine lines.

The gift that keeps on giving

If you’d like to begin the New Year sporting a more youthful appearance, Dr. Berlin helps you choose the best procedures to achieve your skincare resolutions.

To reduce fine lines and wrinkles, plump your cheeks or lips with dermal fillers, or discuss another cosmetic or medical dermatological issue, schedule a consultation with Dr. Berlin and our knowledgeable team today.