Treatment
Prior to treatment:
- Stop taking aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, St. John’s wort, or high doses of vitamin E supplements for 7 days before injection these agents may increase bruising and bleeding at the injection site.
- Tell Dr. Hustak if you have previously suffered from facial cold sores, so she may prescribe an anti-viral medication that may minimize recurrence
- Tell Dr. Hustak if you have an allergy to lidocaine or any other anesthetic agent, have an allergy to micro-organisms known as gram positive bacteria, or have a bleeding disorder.
Your treatment will begin with a gentle cleansing of the skin to remove make-up and impurities followed by the application of a topical anesthetic for your comfort during the procedure. This will be allowed to take effect. Only the finest needles are selected to decrease discomfort during injection. Most products have also incorporated an injectable anesthetic (numbing medication) that will ease pain during and after the procedure. Most patients feel a small sting during injection and some pressure that resolves after the injection is complete.
Recovery
Because injections are so simple and easy, returning to work or normal social activities is no problem immediately following treatment. You should keep your head elevated for at least 4 hours after the treatment and avoid rubbing or touching the treatment area. Mineral make-up can be applied shortly after the procedure, if desired. Rarely, slight bruising or swelling may appear at the injection site and ice will reduce this affect. Activities that evening should not be strenuous and should aim not to increase blood pressure or heart rate over baseline with normal activities. This will increase take of the product and minimize bruising and swelling.
Your results will usually be visible immediately, and mild swelling and/or bruising for a few days is normal after injection. Other side effects include redness, pain, and tenderness at injection site. These usually resolve after a few days. Patients that should not use these products are ones with bleeding disorders, ones who are or may become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or under 18 years. Products often contain lidocaine so patients that are allergic to this should consult with Dr. Hustak to see what alternative product(s) may be available to them.
Types of Dermal Fillers
Juvederm is a smooth gel filler that contains naturally occurring hyaluronic acid (HA) that aims to increase volume and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles of the face. Wrinkles can be especially troublesome in Texas where sun exposure may increase the loss of HA and contribute to deeper wrinkles and earlier onset of wrinkles. This is particularly true around the nose and mouth and Juvederm is used to smooth away the nasolabial folds, vertical lip lines, marionette lines, and corner of mouth lines with one single treatment. Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC are both offered with Dr. Hustak. Both have incorporated xylocaine to ease the pain of injection. Juverderm Ultra Plus XC is designed to correct slightly deeper wrinkles and folds. When injected off label into the lips, swelling can be expected to last slightly longer at 2 weeks. The effect is temporary, with results reported to last around 1 year. In Dr. Hustak’s experience, results last 6-9 months consistently.
Restylane is a clear gel formulation of hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in your body that aims to reduce moderate and severe wrinkles of the face, particularly nasolabial folds and lips. In fact, Restylane is the only product FDA approved for lip enhancement in patients over 21 years old. When combined with lidocaine (Restylane-L), it decreases discomfort during injection. Its results are also temporary and last 6months to 1 year.
Perlane is a clear gel formulation of hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring substance in your body that aims to reduce moderate and severe wrinkles of the face. It differs from other HA based on its particle size. Since it is a larger particle size, it ideal to inject in a deeper plane to more completely correct severe wrinkles. When combined with lidocaine (Perlane-L), it decreases the discomfort during injection. Its results are also temporary and last 6months to 1 year.
Belotero Balance is a formulation of hyaluronic acid (HA) that is used to smooth away wrinkles and folds of the face. It is used for nasolabial folds and lines around the mouth. It has a delicate formulation for a soft and even correction. Its effects are temporary and last for 6 months or more.
Radiesse volumizing filler is comprised of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres in an aqueous carrier that act as a scaffold for new collagen growth. As part of the aging process, our natural skin support components decrease, leading to lines, folds, and wrinkles. Radiesse acts by stimulating your own body to make more collagen, increasing the volume and support in the area injected. It is the only wrinkle filler that immediately replenishes lost volume and stimulates the production of your own natural collagen. Its results are temporary, usually lasting 1 year or longer. Although not formulated with lidocaine, it can be mixed with it to decrease the pain of injection. The most common areas injected include the nasolabial folds, around the mouth, chin, and pre-jowl areas.
