Injectable Dermal or "wrinkle" Fillers and the Aging Face
Fine wrinkles, creases, lines/ folds and "sunken-in areas" (volume loss) in our face, each is a natural part of the aging process. Each of these listed is a progessively deeper, noticeable, change to the skin and the contour of the face. Injectable wrinkle fillers can reduce the appearance of wrinkles and lines to provide a more youthful "fresher more heathy" appearance.
Aging Changes of the Face :
-
Twenties,Thirties....
development of Wrinkles, creases, lines/ folds
begin. Due to childhood sun exposure and progressive
ultraviolet light damage
to
our sun exposed areas.... face, neck, back of the hands, forearms and sometimes legs. Over time, the skin gets thinner, drier and less elastic. Ultimately, this causes wrinkles, lines or deep furrows.
Sunbathing, tanning booths, outdoor activities
along with smoking and other lifestyle choices can contribute and accelerate what we classify as
"External Aging
" components of the skin. Seventy percent (
70% !
) of all the visible aging of the skin is ultimately due to Sun Exposure.
Nothing is more important in an Anti-Aging and Anti-skin Cancer program, than Daily Regular use and re-application of a Superior sun screen whether or not one is anticipating going outdoors or not. We recommend using this type of excellent , stand-alone sunscreen 2-3X times a day instead of a moisturizer in the day time hours.
-
Thirties, Forties
and up,
Wrinkles, creases, lines/ folds are also contibuted by natural "
built-in" aging...INTRINSIC Aging...
which occurs. Pre-programmed
genetic/metabolic, and immune system
aging changes in our cells and tissues add to sun and environmental damage. Together, they promote degenerative changes in skin appearance, quality, texture, and discoloration. Beyond appearance, the skin function is effected with poor exfoliation as well as poor collagen and elastin fiber production and repair.
These result in predictable slowing of exfoliation, cell and tissue repair,
Collagen
fiber and
Elastain
fiber production as we get beyond the age of Thirty.
-
Forties , fifties
and up
Lines/ folds/laxity
ocurr because after the age of thirty, our face begins to undergo
Volume Loss
and permanently lose adipose layer "baby fat" from our face at a fairly rapid rate of at least a teaspoon per year. The face, volume deflates and we begin to noticeably have flatter cheeks. The skin does not shrink so gradually begins to hang down more loosely causing lines and folds. In younger persons, the fat padding adds to the contour of the face and a easily recognizable "youthful" appearance.
As we age the loss of the fat pad and loss of volume to the
Lips
is easily percieved as age-defining changes.
-
Fifties, Sixties
and above, the adipose/baby fat pad undergoes
Deeper
volume loss
and with contiued sun damage, produces noticeable changes in the face contour. Significant
flattening
of the cheeks,
jowel
formation around and below the mouth, cheek and jaw-line, and flatter, sometimes sunken, appearance to the sides of the cheeks, face and even temples causes and aged appearance.
-
In our sixties, seventies
and above, the baby fat volume loss and sundamage changes continue, but we also start seeing significant under-structure changes with shrinking,
thinning and resorption of facial bones and hormonal weakening of muscle mass.
Untreated, can result in visible signs of "advanced" in our facial architecture. Muscles and other connective tissues of the face also tend to shrink and have poor repair at this time.
ABOUT DERMAL FILLERS FOR WRINKLES,LINES,FOLDS AND VOLUME:
So, we see there are many levels of AGE progression and levels of wrinkles, lines, folds, and volume loss. Because of this, there may fillers out there to treat different levels of aging condition. In the earliest days, 20 years ago, Bovine collagen was popular but had the down side of potential allergic reaction and it did not last long. Looking for a product that did not cause allergic reactions, and was more compatible with the human body we found Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in skin, soft connective tissue, fluid around the eyes, cartilages and joint fluids. Hyaluronic acid is actually is a type of carbohydrate , more specifically a mucopolysaccharide, and binds to water and other molecules. It can be made in a lab, so it is not a risk to give an allergic reaction or transfer disease. When injectected, it acts like an inflatabble padding by drawing water to itself, giving the result a soft "Filling" effect.
Other categories of fillers are made up of calcim hydroxylapatite or poly-lactic acis or polymethylmethacrylate...see below
DIFFERENT TYPES OF "WRINKLE", DERMAL FILLERS:
There are a large number of potentially confusing "fillers" out there and more coming almost every year. The Doctor should select the right Filler for the area desired after examinination and discussion with the patient. Remember, when it comes to fillers,,,,adhere to the rule " the right tool for the the right job !" There are many fillers out there, many of which are no longer commonly used due to risk of allergic reaction (collagen) and results didn't last very long 3-6 months, (Cosmoderm/Cosmoplast, Zyplast, Zyderm).
Here is a list of some of the most popular wrinkle fillers today . The most populary are those made of Hyaluronic Acid and treatments last anywhere from 6 months to 18 months. Hyaluronic acid is a common substance (glycosamin) already found in your skin and connective tissues which can be duplicated in the lab. There also some fillers made of synthetic ingredient which have excellent results used in the correct cases last from 12 months to 2 years.
-
Wrinkle Filler:
Restylane
Ingredient : Hyaluronic acid particles suspended in a gel
Effects: averages 9 to 12 months
Useful for: small, fine to medium wrinkles and folds.
FYI: Not recommended if you have severe allergies
-
Wrinkle Filler: Juvederm Ultra
Ingredient : Gel made of hyaluronic acid
Effects: Up to one year
Useful for: small, fine to medium wrinkles and folds
FYI: Not recommended if you have severe allergies, particularly if you're allergic to bacterial proteins -
-
Wrinkle Filler:
Perlane
Ingredient : Hyaluronic acid particles suspended in a gel
Effects: averages 12 to 18 months
Useful for: Moderate to severe wrinkles and folds and volume loss .
FYI: Not recommended if you have severe allergies
-
Wrinkle Filler: Juvederm Ultra Plus
Ingredient : Gel made of hyaluronic acid
Effects: averages 12 to 18 months
Useful for: Moderate to severe wrinkles and folds
FYI: Not recommended if you have severe allergies, particularly if you're allergic to bacterial proteins -
-
Wrinkle Filler:
Radiesse
Ingredient : Calcium hydroxylapatite suspended in gel
Effects: Averages 12 to 24 months; some studies show that the body may produce collagen around the micro-spheres, and may lead to longer lasting results over time.
Useful for: Long-lasting fill of medium to deep lines/folds and volume loss
FYI: The filler can clump when injected into the lips. There is also a risk of allergy
-
Wrinkle Filler:
Sculptra
Main Ingredient: Synthetic poly-L-lactic acid
Effects: Typically up to one year
Useful for: Medium to deep lines/fold and Volume loss -
- Wrinkle Filler: Artefill
These are not the only treatments for Wrinkles and lines, but for volume loss and architectural changes in the face there are no better choices to return the youthfull, fuller appearance of a face. On other pages we talk about alternatyives or treatments that can be done to assist fillers in returning youthfulness, maintaining youthfulness and preventing Age appearnce to our skin.
- COSMETIC PROCEDURES INCLUDE:
- Chemical Peels
- Dermabrasion
- Tretinoins(Retin-A)
- Botox injections that relax muscle
- Fractional (non-ablative) Laser Resurfacing
- Co2 Ultrapulse Laser Resurfacing
- Laser Skin Tightening
- Plastic Surgery
The best prevention for wrinkles is to keep the skin moisturized and use sunscreen and sunblock to prevent additional damage from the sun.
- Alpha-hydroxy acids, preparations made from "fruit acids" that produce subtle improvements in the appearance of wrinkles.
- Antioxidants, creams consisting of Vitamins A, C and E and beta-carotene that improves the appearance of wrinkles and provides some additional sun protection.
- Moisturizers, which temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
- Vitamin A Acid, which helps alleviate some of the signs of aging, including mottled pigmentation (e.g., liver spots), roughness and wrinkling
For more information on Wrinkle fillers in the Brandon, FL area call Colorado Health and Youth Dermatology & Cosmetic Medical Centers at (813) 661-6667!