Facial Fillers and Injectables

Non-surgical Facial Rejuvenation

Facial aging involves loss of soft tissue support, loss of fullness, and wrinkles. Soft tissue injectables and fillers are a non-surgical option for facial rejuvenation that address the loss of volume that accompanies facial aging. The general trend in facial rejuvenation is to treat signs of facial aging earlier in life with these and other non-surgical means (liquid facelift). As a result, these non-surgical therapies have become quite popular and are a valuable tool for plastic surgeons.

Soft tissue fillers are used to plump up areas of loss of facial volume including nasolabial folds (smile lines), cheek bones, tear trough depressions beneath the eyes, acne depressions, and lip augmentation.

The earliest soft tissue fillers consisted of substances such as liquid silicone which caused many problems including extrusion and infection. Collagen was used for years as the primary soft tissue filler but has fallen out of favor as better options have been developed. Collagen use was occasionally associated with allergic reactions.

Current popular soft tissue fillers used in facial rejuvenation:

Restylane – Hyaluronic acid filler which is a naturally occurring substance in the skin. Lasts 3-6 months in lip augmentation and up to a year in many other areasJuvederm – Hyaluronic acid. Similar to Restylane but reported by some to be a little softer.
Radiesse - calcium based microspheres. This is a little firmer and can leave “lumpiness” if injected around the thin skin of the eyes and in the lips. The advantage of Radiesse is that is lasts a little longer 1-2 years.
Artefill – micro-PMMA (clear plastic beads) with collagen. This can last a very long time and there is the possibility of permanent problems if something should go awry.
Fat – Structural fat grafting involves harvesting the patients own fat (usually from a place that he/she would want it removed anyway) and using it to inject. Fat is a very delicate substance and requires proper handling and treatment prior to injection. There is always a fair amount of transferred fat that does not survive requiring several treatments which can be quite expensive. That said, there is nothing more natural feeling and looking on the market.

There is a limit to what one can accomplish with soft tissue fillers. Sagging skin of the face and neck will not be tightened. Fillers can be used in addition to other facial rejuvenation procedures such as a facelift and eyelid surgery. Dr Yates is experienced in soft tissue fillers as well as complete facial rejuvenation providing service to the Salt Lake City metro area in Utah.

How much do soft tissue fillers cost?

The fees associated with fillers include 1) surgeon’s fees, 2) anesthesia fees, and 3) facility fees. As Dr Yates has an in-office operating suite, the facility fee is minimal. This is a cost savings directly to the patient. For a list of the costs of common procedures performed by Dr. Yates click here.

last modified on May 20, 2010 @ 11:22 pm