Case Closed: The #1 Cause of Looking Older

It’s no secret that we all want to look younger. We live in a youth obsessed society, but this is nothing new. Since the beginning of time, civilization has been on some sort of quest to find eternal youth.  We’re a bit more sophisticated these days, we know that there is NO actual Fountain of Youth we can drink from, sorry Ponce De Leon. I guess you could say that our Modern-Day Fountain of Youth would be the mighty Medical Spa; also called medi-spas or med spas, these types or practices are a sort of hybrid between the traditional day spa and a medical clinic and tend to specialize in anti-aging services.  Medical spas typically combine the best of two worlds—a relaxing spa experience with the procedures and expertise typically only found at a doctor’s office.
At Beautique Medical Spa our most popular services are Botox and Fillers, such as Juvéderm and Voluma. Beautique Medical Spa is considered an expert in this field; in fact, Dr. Sanchez, the Owner and Medical Director, is the only Diamond Practice recognized by Allergan in the Rio Grande Valley. So it’s safe to say we inject A LOT of Botox and Filler.  When clients come to us to help reverse the signs of aging and/or start their journey toward achieving a smoother, younger-looking complexion, most clients ask for Botox right off the bat. While Botox does smooth wrinkles and make you look years younger, dermal fillers correct issues Botox simply can’t. They work together hand in hand.
If you’re a newbie when it comes to dermal fillers it is helpful to know what they are and what they’re used for. Here at Beautique Medical Spa, we offer a variety of dermal fillers, each with a distinctive formulation. Each filler has its job on where and when it should be applied and of course the correct amount needed to achieve your best transformation. We really like Allergan’s family of dermal fillers because they include lidocaine which helps the process be the least painful possible, their outcome is predictable and well tolerated by the majority of clients.  We also carry Radiesse and love that product to help re-build volume and help restore youth to hands.  Other products on the market that are popular are from the makers of Restylane.

What Do I Need to Know About Dermal Fillers?

As we age, we lose facial volume, as well as the ability to produce natural collagen and elastin, which is what helps provide lift and padding under our epidermis. The skin also tends to become more dehydrated, thinner and loses a bit of its youthful component. To correct, cosmetic Injectors use dermal fillers to provide lift, and smooth deep wrinkles and folds by restoring this lost volume to the face for a fresher more youthful look.  Dermal fillers are small injections of hyaluronic acid, also known as HA, (we call it a secret anti-aging weapon) to fill in wrinkles and add volume to soft tissue. We typically apply this to the face, around the eyes, cheeks, mouth/lips, and jawline. Using Dermal Fillers to lift and smooth targeted folds and wrinkles by adding subtle volume, can make a huge difference to a person’s appearance, giving them a fresher look. Fillers can make you look younger because they don’t change your appearance dramatically like you would with a face lift or other plastic surgery option. People notice you look amazing, but most of the time won’t know what you’ve done…and boy will it will drive them crazy. LOL. All your friends will see is a more confident, vibrant version of yourself.

How Do I Know Which Filler is Used Where?

You shouldn’t have to. As mentioned earlier, we primarily use Allergan’s family of Fillers which include: Juvéderm Ultra and Ultra Plus, Volbella, Vollure, and Voluma. Each product is used to achieve specific results in different areas of the face such as to treat fine lines on the more delicate parts of the face to filling in deep folds and wrinkles and building up the cheeks. The beauty about fillers is that they can be used alone or in combination with each other. It is our job as expert injectors to help navigate you during this journey.
  

Which Filler is best for Lips?

Whether you were born with thinner lips, or have lost lip volume due to hormones or smoking, to give your lips a little extra oomph we use Juvéderm Ultra XC an injectable gel that temporarily adds more fullness and plumps thin lips—whether your lips have thinned over time or you simply want fuller lips—in adults over the age of 21. Thanks to the lidocaine that is already part of the formulation, Juvéderm Ultra treatments are usually relatively painless and quick. Juvéderm Ultra is ideal for anyone wanting to add more shape and volume to their lips for that perfect pout. Results for Lips last typically last anywhere from 6-12 months depending on the person. Another product that we use for lips is JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA^® XC an injectable gel primarily used in the to increase lip fullness and soften the appearance of lines around the mouth often called “lipstick lines” in adults over the age of 21. You can kiss away “lipstick bleed” with Volbella and have a   beautifully smooth lip border. Since Volbella contains the thinnest, most spreadable gel, it is also used to fill in acne scarring on the face, and even smooth out the delicate under eye area. Volbella usually lasts up to 12 months

Which filler is best for cheeks?

 As we age, the cheeks may flatten, and the skin may begin to sag. As Dr. Sanchez explains to his clients, this is caused by natural loss of volume in the cheek area, or what the experts call age-related midface volume loss. To restore volume to the cheeks Dr. Sanchez and his team use JUVÉDERM VOLUMA^® XC to add volume beneath the skin’s surface, which provides lift and contour to the cheek area.
VOLUMA: is what we like to call the “mother of all fillers”. This product is used for mid face to help lift. The thickest and strongest gel of the Juvéderm family, Voluma is ideal for deeper injections into the cheeks. It gives your face a nice lift and boost of supple volume. If you’re looking for a natural contour and a defined, youthful look, Voluma is for you. No downtime is needed after the injection and it can last up to two years.
 Another option your injector may use is Juvéderm Ultra Plus. It’s used to FILL, and most commonly used on your cheeks or the area around your mouth (smile lines). It’s a thicker version of the Juvéderm Ultra and is used to fill in depressed areas in the cheeks and correct deeper facial wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines. Ultra Plus is ideal for those looking to smooth deep folds and wrinkles or plump areas with deep skin depression or fat loss. Results usually last up to 12 months

Which filler is best for lines such as Smile/Laugh Lines also called Nasolabial Folds and frown lines?

After a thorough facial analysis, your injector will most likely recommend one or both of the following products to combat lines that have appeared due to aging and volume loss. JUVÉDERM^® XC Ultra & Ultra Plus. First approved by the FDA in 2006, it corrects moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as the parentheses lines or “smile lines” around the nose and mouth. It is injected into areas of facial tissue where moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds occur to temporarily add volume to the skin, which may give the appearance of a smoother surface. Typical results last up to 12 months.
Also commonly used for lines either alone or in combination with Ultra/Ultra Plus is JUVÉDERM VOLLURE^™ XC which is injected into the areas of facial tissue where moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds occur, including the “parentheses lines” around the nose and mouth. JUVÉDERM VOLLURE^™ XC is designed to temporarily correct facial wrinkles for a smoother appearance to the face for adults over the age of 21. Used more for balance with those that create more of a shadowed look and combines a perfect mix of spread ability and durability allowing for more natural facial expressions and movements after injection. It’s ideal for treating nasolabial folds and marionette lines as well as filling in moderate wrinkles and refreshing the lower part of the face. The treatment can last up to 18 months and has been found to be the longest-lasting dermal filler for nasolabial folds.

Which Filler is Best for the Under-Eye Area, Tear Troughs, Temples, Nose etc.?

 It is important to know that the FDA has only approved the Juvéderm collection of Dermal Fillers to be used for cheeks, lines, and lips but in the hands of a skilled injector other areas such as the tear troughs, temple, and nose are treated “off-label” which basically means that those areas haven’t been through clinical trials and aren’t technically approved by the FDA, but like mentioned, skilled injectors that have gone through hours of extensive training can be qualified to perform these non-surgical procedures.

How Many Syringes Do I Really Need?

One of the most important things to know about fillers is that one syringe of filler is usually not enough in most cases to provide full correction and results you’d be pleased with. Close your eyes and picture a packet of ketchup.  How many little packets do your typically use for your French fries or hamburger? Only one? Didn’t think so, more like 3-5 am I right? Well each ketchup packet is equivalent to 5 syringes of a dermal filler. Isn’t that crazy? That is why when your injector suggests more than one syringe, it’s because you really need it. Think about it, you are already spending money on yourself, why would you only do half a treatment? Do you really think 1/5 of a ketchup packet is enough to fill in the two lines next to your mouth, or your lips? There is a rule of thumb that can be followed, one syringe per decade. So, if you’re 30 you will most likely need a minimum of three syringes, 40 would need four syringes and so on.  You can calculate two syringes for cheeks and nasolabial folds (one for each side). Usually one syringe to add fullness to the lips and if necessary one for the border to stop the lipstick bleeding. Does that make more sense?  Next time you go to a McDonald’s grab a ketchup packet and imagine that much filler in your lips and/or cheek, it’s not a lot is it?
There are a variety of fillers and we here at Beautique carry a few different kinds such as: Vollure, Volbella, Juvéderm Ultra, Juvéderm Ultra Plus and Voluma. Each one of these fillers has a special job.

What Results Do Fillers Provide?

The results should be subtle, leaving your friends and family believing that you’re simply looking your best and great for your age. Treatment can last between 9-24 months, but naturally towards the end of this period the effects begin to gradually soften, so there really is no dramatic change. When the effects begin to soften, then it’s time ‘top up’ the treatment.
Whether you’re suffering from a lack of collagen production, acne, or other effects of the aging process, dermal fillers can give you a more natural appearance than surgical face lifts. They are used to reduce or eliminate wrinkles, fill in scars left over from acne, enhance lips, and replace soft-tissue volume loss.
Of course, always keep in mind that when you come in for your consultation and talk with your injector then you will be properly advised on which filler would be the best fit for you.
When you visit Beautique Medical Spa, you are always in the care of properly licensed & certified professionals. That’s the kind of artist you want to make you look younger, refreshed and revealing your Belleza!  Beautiful skin starts with a conversation. If you would like to find out more about fillers and whether it is the right step for you give us a call (956) 664-1234.