Surgery is a big commitment and not always the right fit. Many of our patients want to look great but aren’t ready to go under the knife. Other patients have already received a facelift or brow lift and want to enhance and prolong the results from their surgical cosmetic procedures. When surgery isn’t for you, dermal fillers are often a great alternative. Explore your options for non-surgical rejuvenation using dermal fillers in Beverly Hills, CA.
Dermal Fillers: What They Can and Can’t Do
As the name implies, dermal fillers fill in the skin. They are used to smooth out wrinkles, creases, and fine lines. They also add volume, restoring fullness to the cheeks, smoothing hollows under the eyes, and providing non-surgical lip augmentation. We can even use fillers to enhance the nose’s appearance without surgery in a very specialized procedure called “liquid rhinoplasty”.
There are limits to what fillers can do. They don’t remove or tighten skin. Some plastic surgery practices market a non-surgical or “liquid facelift” using dermal fillers. We find this terminology deceptive as a filler cannot replicate the results of a surgical facelift. Fillers can smooth, volumize, and enhance facial appearance. However, for advanced aging, a surgical procedure will generally provide the best results. Fillers are an excellent complement to our surgical procedures and help many patients significantly delay the need for a more invasive surgical procedure.
The Many Different Types of Fillers
There are many different types of dermal fillers. The fillers we use in our practice are all hand-selected by Dr. OC. The products we offer are carefully chosen for their safety and effectiveness. Dr. OC will recommend one or more fillers during your consultation.
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are the most commonly used filler. There are many different brand names of HA fillers including Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero, and Revanesse. Each of these HA fillers contains hyaluronic acid, but the formations, concentrations, and particle sizes vary. Some formulations are designed to work in a specific facial area, like the lips or mid-face, while other formulations are more versatile, yielding beautiful results anywhere on the face. Dr. Chaudhry is familiar with all the HA fillers we carry and can recommend the best options for your treatment goals.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the skin, connective tissues, and eyes. It helps the skin to hold water, keeping it plump, moist, and hydrated. Hyaluronic acid levels in the skin decrease with age. Treatment with an HA filler can restore hyaluronic acid levels in the skin while filling in lines and wrinkles. HA fillers are reversible, if complications occur or if you dislike your results. HA fillers are often a first line filler and an excellent option for patients that are receiving their first injectable treatment.
Hyaluronic acid fillers are temporary. Results usually last for 4-6 months while some products may last longer. Results depend on your body’s response to treatment, the areas receiving injections, and type of products used.
Other Filler Options
In addition to HA fillers, we also offer other types of dermal fillers. These fillers tend to be longer lasting than an HA filler, but many are not reversible. These fillers often stimulate collagen production within the face and hands, providing both instant and long-lasting results. The formulations of these alternative fillers vary substantially. Brand names of these fillers include Sculptra and Radiesse.
What to Expect from a Dermal Filler Treatment in Beverly Hills, CA
Dermal filler treatments are performed at our office location. The process is non-surgical and involves injecting the chosen filler into the skin with a series of small injections. Throughout the experience, you’ll work directly with Dr.OC, our specialty trained plastic surgeon.
We want our patients to feel comfortable and informed throughout the treatment process. You’ll meet with Dr. OC before your procedure to discuss the treatment and your goals to decide the most effective treatment options. Dr. Chaudhry is always willing to answer questions before and after your treatment. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Are the injections painful? Most fillers contain lidocaine, a mild anesthetic. We also use a unique vibrating tool during the injection process, helping reduce any discomfort from the treatment. A topical anesthetic is available, although many patients find the injections are very tolerable without it. The needle is very fine and the injection process goes quickly, usually lasting only a couple minutes.
After the fillers are injected, you can return home immediately. There are few activity restrictions and no required downtime after treatment. Common side effects include redness, tenderness, bruising, and swelling, lasting a day or two and fading quickly.
Fillers + Botox: One of Our Favorite Combinations
Fillers are often paired with an injectable neurotoxin, like Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau (‘Newtox’) or Xeomin. Botox works by relaxing the muscles that cause dynamic, expression wrinkles while fillers add volume and fill in other lines and creases. These two treatments work together to provide full face rejuvenation.
We also love pairing injectable fillers with our surgical cosmetic treatments like facelift, brow lift, and rhinoplasty. Furthermore, for men, Dr. OC is able to offer non-surgical penile augmentation with fillers.
Why Choose Dr. Obaid Chaudhry (aka Dr. OC) for Dermal Fillers in Beverly Hills, CA
Dermal fillers are very safe and highly effective when injectable by a skilled and experienced provider. Unfortunately, not all injectors are equally qualified. When an inexperienced injector applies these products, complications may occur including bumps under the skin, a bluish tint to the treatment area, over/under filling, and in extreme cases blindness or necrosis (meaning tissue death) of the areas injected or in the vicinity of the injection.
An MD performs all injections, never a nurse or nurse practitioner. Our plastic surgeon Dr. Chaudhry personally handles all injectables, ensuring that our patients receive the best possible results from their treatment.
Contact us to learn more about facial and body rejuvenation with dermal fillers.