Add Volume Where Needed with a Range of Options in St. Louis
Looking to get a more youthful appearance without surgery? The Laser & Dermatologic Center offers injectable dermal fillers for the St. Louis, MO, area. The team has a wide selection of dermal fillers available to address numerous cosmetic dermatology needs, from lip injections to wrinkle-smoothing treatments.
Dermal fillers are soft substances that can be injected into the skin to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plump lips, fill out hollow cheeks, improve the look of scars, elevate deep folds, and repair various facial imperfections.
What Can Dermal Fillers Do?
The aging process generally causes a loss of volume in fatty tissue as the underlying collagen and elastin fibers begin to deteriorate. This most commonly occurs around the eyes, mouth, cheeks, jawline, brow, and bridge of the nose. These age-related changes produce lines, depressions, and furrows. Volume loss can also cause lips to thin and flatten. Fillers have the ability to plump and contour the aging face by restoring a more youthful appearance. Fillers can also be used safely with other treatments, such as BOTOX® and lasers.
In addition to serving as lip injections, fillers can address acne scarring, crow’s feet, wrinkles, and more.
What Dermal Fillers Are Available?
The Laser & Dermatologic Center offers numerous dermal filler options from the most popular brands, including Juvederm® (Ultra XC, Ultra Plus XC, Voluma XC) Radiesse®, and Restylane® (Restylane-L, Lyft, Silk, Refyne, Defyne, Kysse). Learn more about these fillers—including lip injections—on pages dedicated to the specific brands.
What Should Be Expected During and After a Dermal Fillers Session?
Dermal filler injections are simple, in-office treatments. After the specific dermal filler to be used is determined, the face is cleaned and a topical anesthetic or numbing shot is performed. A needle is used to inject the dermal filler directly into the wrinkle or depressed area. In the case of lip injections, the filler is introduced directly where more volume is desired.
A stinging or burning sensation may be felt as the filler is being injected. Right after the procedure, there may be some temporary swelling, redness, or minor bruising at the injection sites. Persistent lumpiness, allergic reactions, and skin necrosis are rare and should be reported immediately.
Makeup can be applied as soon as the treatment is over, as desired.
How Long Do Dermal Filler Improvements Last?
The duration of any improvement depends on the type of dermal filler used, the areas treated, and the ability of the patient’s skin to metabolize the materials. The fillers used at the Laser & Dermatologic Center last anywhere from six months to two years.
What Can Be Done to Maximize Dermal Filler Results?
Do not use aspirin or aspirin-containing medications for at least two weeks prior to the lip injection or other filler treatment session. Do not take Advil® or ibuprofen-containing medications for three days before the treatment. Supplements such as vitamin E, gingko biloba, garlic, ginseng, and St. John’s wort should be stopped one week prior to the procedure. Tylenol® is an acceptable alternative if pain medication is needed, but note that a topical or other anesthetic will be administered in the office.
After a treatment session, feel free to return to normal activities right away, applying ice to the injected areas as desired. Redness, swelling, and bruising are normal and to be expected. Sculptra®, specifically, must be massaged at home after a treatment session. Do this for up to 72 hour after the procedure.