How Long Do Fillers Typically Last?

As we get older, we expect to see the signs of aging start to take a hold of our skin. But just because these lines, folds, and wrinkles are common, it doesn’t mean we have to be okay with them. Dr. Christopher Tiner and his expert team here at Christopher Tiner M.D. Cosmetic Surgery in Pasadena, CA, is proud to offer dermal fillers like Juvederm, which can fill the skin with volume to fill out lines and give you a youthful, gorgeous glow. To learn more about this incredible cosmetic treatment, read on.

How Long Do Fillers Typically Last?

Incredibly, the effects of this treatment can last for up to a year! The exact length of time will depend on the individual and the way their body works, but patients love that they can enjoy lasting results for months and months at a time. When you start to notice the effects wearing off as wrinkles and sagging areas become more noticeable again, you can simply book a follow-up session with us and we can give you the same incredible results all over again!

What Exactly Are Fillers?

Dermal fillers are a product that is injected into areas around the face and body to replenish sagging skin with volume. In doing so, lifts drooping skin, fills out wrinkles and sunken areas, and creates a smoother, more even texture. In 2019, more than 2.7 million people in the USA received this treatment, making it one of the most popular cosmetic services available. Here at Christopher Tiner M.D. Cosmetic Surgery, we offer Juvederm, a filler that works to treat numerous aesthetic concerns all around the face.

Why Do I Have Wrinkles?

Our bodies naturally produce a substance called hyaluronic acid, or HA. HA is responsible for bringing moisture to the skin, which keeps it hydrated and soft. It’s also necessary for your body to have HA to produce proteins like elastin and collagen, which keep your skin voluminous and springy. As we get older, however, our bodies produce less and less HA, which also means our production of collagen and elastin slows. This causes the skin to become more coarse and dry, and sag and fold so that wrinkles form.

How Does This Treatment Work?

If the problem is a loss of HA, then the solution is, of course, brand new HA! In this treatment, we inject a product containing synthetic hyaluronic acid into your treatment areas. Immediately the HA will get to work finding and binding itself to water molecules, which it then brings back up to the skin to hydrate it. Incredibly, HA can hold up to one thousand times its weight in water. Not only will your skin experience a fresh burst of moisture, but this process also kickstarts the body into producing new collagen and elastin.

Are There Other Reasons Why I Have Less HA?

While we lose HA as we get older, age is not solely to blame. Lifestyle choices can speed up the process; these include drinking and smoking excessively, or spending too much time in the sun. Things like air pollution and weight gain can also impact your skin negatively. Perhaps most frustratingly, genetics can contribute to how quickly we lose HA, so even if we’re taking all the right steps to protect our skin, it may not be enough.

Is This Treatment Safe?

Not only is the treatment FDA-approved, but Dr. Tiner and his staff have spent years developing their skills in this area, meaning you can rest assured you’re in the safest hands. Because it uses a version of hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the body, treatment poses a very low risk of the body having an allergic reaction. And of course, patients love that they don’t need to worry about the threat of an infection that might come with surgery, or reacting poorly to anesthetic, since we don’t use it.

Where Can This Treatment Be Used?

This treatment can be used in pretty much any area where the skin has started to droop and fold, including:

• Nasolabial folds; the lines that run from the edge of the nostrils to the corners of the mouth
• Frown lines
• Smile lines
• Marionette lines, which are the lines that run from the corners of the mouth down the chin
• Sunken areas like hollow cheeks and temples
• Jowls
• Thin lips, which have either lost volume over time or have always been thin
• Hands that have lost volume so the veins become exposed

What Should I Expect Out of My Treatment?

Before

Ahead of your actual session, you’ll need to come in for an initial consultation. This will be your chance to talk us through your cosmetic goals, plus ask us any questions you might have about the treatment. We’ll look over your medical history to make sure you’re a healthy, suitable candidate for treatment. If everything looks good, we’ll design your treatment plan, which lays out how many injections need to be made and how many units of product will be required.

Things To Avoid

There are certain steps you can take to minimize your chances of bruising or swelling after treatment. For example, staying off blood-thinning medications like aspirin and fish oil table before your injections will help keep your skin clear. It would also be useful to stay out of the sun so you don’t get burnt. We will also ask that you come in with a clean face and don’t wear any makeup during your session so that there’s no risk of any foreign substances touching the needle.

On the Day

Treatment is performed right here in-office by either Dr. Christopher Tiner or a member of his expert staff. We’ll start by applying a topical numbing cream to the area, which will ensure you have a comfortable experience throughout the process. We’ll make the injections into the areas you want treating, carefully following your treatment plan. The appointment generally takes around half an hour, and then you’ll be free to go!

What Happens After My Treatment?

You’ll be excited to learn that there’s no downtime associated with this treatment! Unlike surgical procedures that have patients out for a week on bed rest, you’ll be able to carry on with errand-running, work, or catching up with friends straight after. Certain activities should be avoided in the days after treatment so that you give your skin the best opportunity to heal, so you’ll be advised to steer clear of things like facial massages and exposure to high temperatures.

Meanwhile, the HA will immediately be hard at work, finding water molecules and binding to them. For this reason, you’ll probably notice some plumpness in your skin right away! It generally takes about two weeks, however, for the full effects of the treatment to settle into your face, but the exact time will vary from person to person. Around this time, you’ll notice your skin has lifted, lines have filled out, and you have a more youthful glow.

Do the Results Look Natural?

Patients love that this treatment leaves them looking like a refreshed, younger version of themselves without ever looking “worked on”. This treatment doesn’t dramatically change the structure of the face, but rather enhances the person’s natural beauty, which in turn still offers striking results. Because the treatment is very targeted, surrounding areas will remain unaffected, which aids in keeping the results look natural.

Who Is a Good Candidate for This Treatment?

If you’re over the age of 18 and struggling with sagging skin and wrinkles, you may be interested in this treatment. Since age isn’t the only reason we lose HA, we warmly invite anyone keen to learn more to come in for a chat. The same can be said for skin tone and gender; after all, men struggle with wrinkles as well. Certain medical conditions and medications, plus things like pregnancy and breastfeeding, may render a person ineligible for treatment.

Schedule Your Consultation Today!

If you’re ready to take control of how you age, then you may be ready for fillers like Juvederm. With just a few simple injections, you can replenish the skin with volume and feel more radiant in supple, younger-looking skin. And with decades of experience under his belt, there’s no better person to help you than Dr. Christopher Tiner. So give him or a member of his expert staff a call today at Christopher Tiner M.D. Cosmetic Surgery here in Pasadena, CA.