Injectable Fillers for Soft Tissue
The past few years has witnessed a revolution in the field of injectable cosmetic fillers. We have come a long way from the days of collagen, silicone and fat as our only choices available. Newer and more exciting fillers are constantly being developed. Injectable cosmetic fillers are used to fill out large and small lines and grooves of the face such as the lines between the eyes, around the mouth and the tear trough lines below the eyes. Dr Stover is also using the newer fillers to fill out the troughs in front of the jowls to mask jowling and also to thicken the thin skin of the hands.
Dr. Stover has extensive experience using injectable fillers in the face since using collagen 7 years ago while teaching in New Orleans. He has been trained in the technique of lipostructure fat harvest and injection. He currently uses mostly Sculptra, Radiesse and Restylane, Perlane and Juvederm. These materials last far longer than collagen and are very safe. Harvesting fat for Fat Transfer is also an excellent relatively long-lasting alternative. Microdroplet silicone is a very safe and effective permanent filling option but is not FDA approved for injecting into the face region. The three materials listed in bold above are purchased from the manufacturers and injected with few complications.
Dr. Stover was the first physician in Hawaii to use the filler Sculptra to fill out the sunken cheeks seen commonly in HIV patients. He currently treats the majority of HIV positive patients in Hawaii.
Dr. Stover continually studies and travels to meetings to stay up-to-date with the latest advances in injectable cosmetic fillers. Soon Dr. Stover will be able to harvest skin from patients and send the tissue away to a special lab which will grow the patient’s own collagen in tissue culture. Whenever the patient is ready for more filling, a prescribed volume of tissue will be ordered from the lab and injected. This technique is being developed by the Isologen corporation.
With any injection into the skin, there is the risk of bruising and swelling. The swelling usually resolves within 1-3 days and bruising can linger for 10-14 days. Injecting any filler into the skin can result in lumps which usually resolve within 2 weeks with gentle massage. These lumps are usually felt but rarely are they visible. Any filling is volume dependant – the deeper the groove, the more the material will be needed. The results of filling are best if repeated over time.
Injectables are excellent to add volume to the face and smooth large and small lines and grooves of the face. This modality is perfect for patients who are not ready for surgery but want minimally invasive rejuvenation. Dr. Stover often combines this therapy with other nonsurgical options such as Thermage, Fraxel and aggressive skin care products such as Obagi. Using multiple approaches such as these can result in fabulous and dramatic management of the aging process with minimal to no down time.
Restylane/Juvederm/Perlane - clear hyaluronic gels
- Lasts 6-12 months
- Injected with minimal lumping or bruising
- Excellent for filling the red part of the lips
- Multiple treatment sessions recommended
- FDA approved for cosmetic lines and grooves of the face
Radiesse
- A thick white paste of hydroxylapatite (calcium and phosphorus like found in bone)
- Lasts 1-2 years
- Excellent for adding substantial bulk to deeper grooves of face
- Multiple treatment sessions recommended
- FDA approved for correction of maxillofacial defects, as well as other uses
Sculptra
- A cloudy slurry of poly-lactic acid that is mixed with sterile water before injection
- Lasts 1-2 years
- Excellent for progressively adding bulk to large areas of the face and thickening skin
- Requires 2-3 treatment sessions
- FDA approved for HIV associated facial lipoatrophy
Injectable Fillers Rewards Program:
Receive a $50 gift card towards a future purchase of any injectable (Botox, Dysport, Restylane, Perlane, Juvederm or Radiesse) each time you purchase an injectable filler at regular price.
For those desiring optimal correction or for those wanting to maintain their correction for a longer period of time, we recommend the multiple syringe rewards program:
Restylane 1ml, Jevederm and Perlane (hyaluronic acid fillers): $550 each syringe. If you purchase any 2 syringes, we will offer the 3rd syringe at a 50% reduction.
Radiesse 1.5 ml : $700 each syringe. If you purchase 2 syringes, we will offer the 3rd syringe at a 50% reduction.
Note: All vials must be used within a 12 month period from date of purchase. All vials must be used on the same patient. This offer is valid for a limited time only. Not valid with any other discounts.
