If you have been thinking about getting dermal fillers, especially if it is your first time, it is normal to have some questions about how they work and which of the many dermal filler options is best for you. At San Diego Aesthetics & Med Spa, we want our patients to have as much information as possible when going into new treatments. We can go over all of the options you have when choosing a dermal filler, some of the areas we can treat and how to get natural-looking results.
What Are Dermal Fillers Made Of?
The most widely used filler material is hyaluronic acid (HA), a sugar molecule that helps attract and hold moisture. HA fillers like JUVÉDERM are often used to add structure and volume to the skin while keeping it soft and hydrated. Hyaluronic acid fillers have different textures and thicknesses that make them useful for areas like the lips, cheeks or smile lines.
Other injectables are made with materials that stimulate collagen production. Poly-L-lactic acid is a synthetic material that is used in cosmetic products that can create a framework under the skin when injected and encourage the body to make more collagen. These products do not immediately add volume, but refresh areas like the nasolabial folds through this additional collagen over the course of several months.
Common Types of Dermal Fillers
The JUVÉDERM® Collection
The JUVÉDERM family includes a range of hyaluronic acid fillers, each with a different texture and density for specific areas of the face. We select each product based on how much flexibility is needed in the treatment area and other factors like your facial anatomy and treatment goals.
- JUVÉDERM ULTRA XC: ULTRA is often used to add volume to the lips. It has a higher water affinity for a plump and hydrated look.
- JUVÉDERM ULTRA PLUS XC: This is a thicker option that can help with deeper folds, such as smile lines.
- JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC: VOLBELLA is a lighter option than ULTRA and is perfect for fine lines around the lips and subtle lip volume.
- JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC: This gel is used in the cheeks and temples to give them volume. It is also used in the chin to correct retrusion.
- JUVÉDERM VOLLURE® XC: This product balances flexibility and support and is often used for lines around the nose and mouth.
- JUVÉDERM VOLUX® XC: VOLUX is a firm filler from JUVÉDERM that is often used to mimic bone in the chin and jawline area.
The Restylane Collection
The Restylane collection also uses hyaluronic acid and offers a wide variety of gel formulations that differ in firmness and spread. In general, Restylane products have more internal support to keep them from spreading too much under the skin.
- Restylane Silk: This filler is used to define the lips and soften fine lines around the mouth.
- Restylane Lyft: A slightly firmer option, Restylane Lyft is often selected to add structure and support in the cheeks.
- Restylane Defyne: When deeper lines are present, this filler allows movement while reducing their appearance.
- Restylane Refyne: This filler is made for moderate wrinkles and offers flexibility for natural facial expressions.
- Restylane Kysse: Restylane Kysse is made to add lip volume while allowing the lips to move naturally.
Areas Commonly Treated With Dermal Fillers
Lips
Lip filler can help address asymmetry between the upper and lower lip and restore volume that has been lost. It can also fill in vertical lip lines that make the mouth look more aged, or address naturally thin lips. Fillers can also be used to refine the lip border or to create a specific desired lip shape when the natural shape of the lips allows for it.
Cheeks
Loss of cheek volume can cause the midface to appear flatter and may contribute to some of the folds that you may begin to notice around your nose and mouth. Dermal fillers placed in the cheeks can help create a more prominent cheek shape or fill in lost volume.
Jawline and Chin
The jawline and chin influence both the balance of the facial features and the appearance of the face in profile. Chin retrusion refers to a chin that sits farther back in relation to the rest of the face, which can affect how the jawline appears and how the lower face looks alongside other facial features. Dermal fillers are a nonsurgical way to add projection to the chin and improve the definition of the jawline.
How to Get Natural-Looking Results From Dermal Fillers
Finding the Right Injector
Natural-looking outcomes start with the person placing the filler. Experience with facial anatomy, product behavior and injection technique all matter when working with cosmetic fillers, especially on areas of the face that move. At our med spa, every treatment is done under the guidance of Dr. Musicant and Registered Nurse Molly Shea, who understand how each filler performs at specific tissue depths.
Conservative Dosing
Using too much product at once can change facial proportions quickly and in ways that look unnatural. Conservative dosing allows for subtle changes to build gradually and preserves your natural facial features. Our minimalist approach also means that we can easily adjust results as fillers settle.
Proper Injection Location
Where filler is placed is just as important as how much is used. Strategic placement at the correct depth helps you keep your natural contours while avoiding overfilling or asymmetry. We choose injection points based on your anatomy to give you the most natural-looking results.
Facial Balancing
Treating a single area without considering the rest of the face can lead to results that look more disconnected. For instance, we will consider the size of your eyes and nose while injecting the lips to make sure the proportions are balanced.
Get Natural-Looking Results With Dermal Fillers in La Mesa, CA
Dermal fillers can help restore volume, refine facial contours and soften lines. At San Diego Aesthetics & Med Spa, we offer natural-looking results in a comfortable and relaxed setting. We have patients in La Mesa, CA, and from the surrounding East County area. You can reach us at 619-303-0988 if you have questions about our treatments, or you can schedule a consultation online.
