Facial Fillers
Understanding Facial Fillers
Facial fillers are injectable gel-like substances that restore volume, smooth lines, and enhance facial contours. As we age, our faces naturally lose subcutaneous fat, causing the facial muscles to work closer to the skin surface and making smile lines and crow’s feet more apparent. Facial fillers work by temporarily replacing lost volume and stimulating collagen production, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
At Premier Head and Neck Surgery, we offer various types of dermal fillers, each designed for specific areas and concerns:
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps maintain hydration and volume. HA fillers include brands such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero. These fillers are versatile and can be used to:
- Smooth nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to mouth)
- Enhance lip volume and definition
- Restore volume to sunken cheeks
- Improve under-eye hollows
- Define jawline contours
- Reduce the appearance of acne scars
HA fillers typically last 6-18 months, depending on the specific product and treatment area. One of the advantages of HA fillers is that they can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if needed.
Calcium Hydroxylapatite Fillers
Calcium hydroxylapatite fillers (such as Radiesse) are composed of minerals naturally found in bone. These fillers provide structure and stimulate natural collagen production. They’re excellent for:
- Deeper facial wrinkles and folds
- Restoring volume to cheeks
- Improving jawline definition
- Hand rejuvenation
Results typically last 12-18 months as the gel carrier is absorbed and replaced by your own collagen.
Poly-L-Lactic Acid Fillers
Poly-L-lactic acid fillers (such as Sculptra) work differently than other fillers. Rather than immediately adding volume, they stimulate your skin’s own collagen production over time. These fillers are ideal for:
- Gradual, natural-looking volume restoration
- Treating larger areas of volume loss
- Long-term improvement in skin quality
Results develop gradually over several months and can last up to two years.
Filler Procedure
The filler injection process at Premier Head and Neck Surgery is quick and comfortable:
- Your face will be cleansed, and a topical numbing cream may be applied.
- Many fillers contain lidocaine to minimize discomfort during injection.
- Using a fine needle or cannula, your surgeon will precisely inject the filler into targeted areas.
- The area may be gently massaged to ensure proper placement and a natural appearance.
- The entire procedure typically takes 15-45 minutes, depending on the areas treated.
Benefits of Facial Fillers
Facial fillers offer numerous advantages as a cosmetic treatment option:
- Immediate results with minimal downtime
- No general anesthesia or surgical incisions
- Customizable to address your specific concerns
- Natural-looking volume enhancement
- Temporary nature allows for adjustments as your face changes
- Can be combined with other treatments for comprehensive rejuvenation
- Stimulation of collagen for improved skin quality
- Gradual, subtle enhancement that doesn’t dramatically change your appearance
During your consultation, we’ll discuss which type of filler is most appropriate for your specific concerns and desired outcomes, ensuring you achieve the most natural and harmonious results.
Botox Treatments
Understanding Botox
Botox (Botulinum toxin) is one of the most popular non-surgical cosmetic treatments worldwide. It works by temporarily relaxing specific facial muscles that cause dynamic wrinkles—the lines that form from repeated facial expressions like smiling, frowning, or squinting.
At Premier Head and Neck Surgery, we use Botox and similar neuromodulators (such as Dysport and Xeomin) with precision to create natural-looking results that preserve your ability to express emotions while reducing unwanted lines and wrinkles.
Botox is FDA-approved for cosmetic use in several areas:
- Glabellar lines (vertical “frown lines” between the eyebrows)
- Crow’s feet (lines at the corners of the eyes)
- Forehead lines (horizontal lines across the forehead)
Additionally, Botox can be used off-label by experienced practitioners for:
- Bunny lines (wrinkles on the nose when you smile)
- Perioral lines (fine lines around the mouth)
- Dimpled chin (mentalis muscle overactivity)
- Neck bands (platysmal bands)
- Jawline slimming (masseter muscle reduction)
- Lip flip (subtle lip enhancement without fillers)
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Botox Procedure
The Botox treatment process at Premier Head and Neck Surgery is quick and virtually painless:
- Your face will be cleansed, and the treatment areas will be marked.
- Using an ultra-fine needle, your surgeon will inject small amounts of Botox into specific muscles.
- No anesthesia is required, though ice may be applied to minimize discomfort.
- The entire procedure typically takes 10-15 minutes.
Unlike fillers, Botox results are not immediate. You’ll begin to notice improvement in 3-5 days, with full results visible within 14 days. Results typically last 3-4 months, though this can vary based on the areas treated, the dosage used, your metabolism, and whether you’re a first-time or repeat patient.
With regular treatments, many patients find that results last longer over time as the muscles become conditioned to being relaxed.
Benefits of Botox
Botox offers numerous advantages as a cosmetic treatment:
- Effectively reduces dynamic wrinkles without surgery
- Quick treatment with no downtime
- Prevents deepening of expression lines over time
- Creates a more rested, refreshed appearance
- Can be combined with fillers for comprehensive rejuvenation
- Temporary nature allows for adjustments with each treatment
- May help with certain functional issues like teeth grinding
- Preventative benefits when started before deep wrinkles form
During your consultation, we’ll discuss your specific concerns and goals to develop a personalized Botox treatment plan that achieves natural-looking results while preserving your unique facial expressions.