DERMAL FILLERS
As we age, our faces start showing the effects of sun exposure, gravity, smiling, chewing, squinting and frowning. Tissues start to thin and break down, leaving noticeable laugh lines, crows’ feet and facial creases.
An injectable soft tissue filler can help fill in these lines and smooth your face to help you look your best. A simple 15-minute treatment offers instant skin correction. It will plump up wrinkles and folds on your face and neck, fill in “sunken cheeks,” enhance your lips and correct scarring caused by acne and chicken pox.
The benefits are significant: fillers are non-invasive, safe, and they provide dramatic, natural-looking results with minimal downtime.
Dr. Nield is very concerned about the growing trend seen here in Vaughan, of women with over-filled, bloated faces and lips, secondary to too much filler being injected into their faces. Certainly, this disturbing trend in not limited to Woodbridge and Toronto, but is being seen across North America, especially in Hollywood.
People seem to be of the mistaken belief that more filler is better. Dr. Nield explains that our face does change throughout the years. Our youthful, rounded faces in our 20’s and 30’s, gives rise to higher cheek bones and less volume in later decades. This latter beauty should be celebrated and modified to keep us looking refreshed and less tired. We should not try to have our faces look so swollen, that we actually look worse, not better.
Not a week goes by that a patient comes to see Dr. Nield, asking to have the excess filler removed from her cheeks. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that can be used to dissolve excess hyaluronic acid, the key ingredient in many injectable fillers. Dr. Nield has now become very experienced in remodifying and remodeling such patients.
In order to be a successful cosmetic dermatologist, one must be able to analyze and create a natural looking visage. Dr. Nield’s father, Dr. Hugh Cunningham, was a highly accomplished artist and sculptor. Fortunately, Dr. Nield has inherited her father’s artistic talent, and is able to create wonderful, natural looking results in all of her patients.
Dr. Nield is the most experienced cosmetic dermatologist in Vaughan. Why would you trust anyone else to naturally rejuvenate your face?
Before the procedure, Dr. Nield may give you an injection of local anesthetic (similar to what a dentist might use) to numb the area. Dr. Nield will then inject a small amount of filler into the area being treated, then lightly massage the area to smooth the contour of the surrounding tissue. A treatment takes 15 to 30 minutes and the results are immediate.
Dr. Nield typically uses a cannula, a small sterile, fine tube which safely delivers the filler to the correct locations, while at the same time, reducing the risk of complications.
You may need one or more additional injections to achieve the desired level of correction and fullness. To sustain results, you will need to repeat the injections every 6-12 months, depending on your skin and the area being injected. It has been shown that fillers can eventually lead to new collagen formation. Using a variety of injectable fillers, Dr. Nield is able to literally “sculpt” your face by restoring its natural contours and smoothing out wrinkles, creases and folds. Dr Nield is an expert injector. Her own father was an artist and sculptor, and she has inherited his ability to sculpt her patients to look refreshed and natural looking. Her patients never look over filled or over corrected.
These products can be used to reduce fine lines around your mouth, frown lines, crow’s feet and fine laugh lines. They can enhance your lips and restore volume to your nasolabial laugh lines, marionette lines (oral commissures), chin and jaw, cheeks, tear troughs (dark circles under your eyes) and reduce the appearance of acne and facial scars. They can also reduce the droopy corners of your mouth, so that you no longer look sad but happy and refreshed.
Please note that with most fillers, the results are not permanent; your body will eventually metabolize the injected material. Injectable fillers can last anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the filler, your age, genetic background, lifestyle, skin quality and the area that has been injected. In general, hyaluronic acid fillers such as last approximately: last between 6-12 months, depending on the type of product used, the location and amounts used.
Most side effects are mild, lasting 7 days or less. The most common side effects include temporary injection site reactions such as redness, pain, tenderness, firmness, swelling, minor lumps, bruising, itching and discolouration. If you are prone to cold sores involving the treatment area, Dr. Nield will prescribe antiviral medication. Any unusual reactions should be reported to Dr. Nield. Dr. Nield will suggest you use Alastin INhance post injection serum which can be applied 4 x per day to significantly reduce amount and duration of bruising and swelling if they do occur.
To ensure this treatment is as safe as possible, Dr.Nield does the injections herself. She is well qualified with decades of experience. As a precaution, we suggest that you do not have any filler injections within 2 weeks before or after having a dental appointment, vaccinations, or medical procedures. In addition, if you have any viral or bacterial infections, then Dr. Nield will defer all treatments until you are symptom free. If you have any underlying medical conditions, that are active, or if you need any medical procedures or surgeries, then filler will be deferred as well.
We also suggest that if you are prone to hives, you may need to take antihistamines prior to having filler, and it may need to be taken post filler as well. Please feel free to discuss any concerns with Dr. Nield.
Avoid the following supplements for at least 1 week prior to treatment: Vitamin E, Garlic tablets, Ginseng, Ginko Biloka, Evening Primrose Oil.
Avoid the following drinks: Green tea, Alcohol.
Avoid OTC products such as ASA, Aspirin, NSAIDS such as Motrin or Advil, Cold remedies with ASA or NSAIDS
Avoid Rx meds if possible, such as Coumadin, Warfarin, Plavix, Celebrex, Toradol, Indocid, or other prescription anti-inflammatory medications.
Dr. Nield highly recommends that if you are prone to brusing, you apply Alastin INhance post injection serum.
Injectable fillers will make a difference, but likely not as much as you hope if only a few syringes are used. Very deep wrinkles can be decreased but will not disappear completely. For deeper folds, you will need more injections to see an improvement. In the past decade,improved techniques have been developed to volumize the face, reducing saggy jowls and uplifting the cheeks. The results can be quite dramatic and may last a year.
Depending on your needs, we may suggest an additional or alternative treatment such as a Ultherapy or Botox/Xeomin.
It is important to realize that nothing can stop the aging process, but something can be done to smooth out the signs of aging. The earlier you start rejuvenating yourself, the better the results will be.
Temporary fillers usually last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years before our bodies metabolize them.
Long term fillers are not easily removed, and as we age, our facial structure changes, so that we may need filler in different areas than in the past. For this reason, Dr. Nield prefers to use temporary fillers such as Hyaluronic acid or Radiesse.
Most patients are happy with the temporary fillers since they can be used for all lines and results can be seen immediately.
Avoid dental work 2 weeks before or after filler is done.
Discontinue use of the following 5 days prior to treatment:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Aleve)
- John’s Wart
- Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Fish Oil)
- Vitamin E
- Ginger
- Gingko Biloba
- Ginseng
- Garlic
- Alcohol
- Green Tea
If you are using prescription blood thinners, do not discontinue use unless permitted by your physician.
If you have a history of cold sores, consult with Dr. Nield regarding pre-care Instructions. You may need ti take Valtrex 500mg twice a day for 3 days, starting on the day of treatment.
On the day of the injection, you should AVOID:
- Strenuous physical activity
- Drinking alcohol or applying alcohol-containing products directly ontp the area to be treated
- Extreme heat (tanning salon, sauna bath, etc.)
- Take antiviral medication if prescribed – as noted above
All these recommendations are designed to insure the best possible outcome. If you need further information, do not hesitate to seek advice from Dr.Nield.
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