If you’re familiar with the aesthetic and cosmetic industry, then you’ve likely heard of filler. This injectable is a major player in my line of work and is one of the many treatments I have come to master throughout the course of my career. I’ve performed countless injections on patients  over the years and have also had the opportunity to train fellow practitioners on my techniques, skills, and overall philosophy. I guess you could say I’ve really come to perfect the art of injection!

While filler is one of the most popular treatments within the cosmetic industry, patients oftentimes assume it is only applicable to areas such as the lips or cheeks. I thought to share a quick explanation of just how filler works and give a rundown of the different ways I use this injectable to address patients’ concerns.

As we age, our bodies gradually lose collagen, elastin, fat, and even bone. This can lead to volume lose and increased laxity in the lips, cheeks, jawline, neck, and even hands. Filler is used to treat these “static” issues by doing exactly what its name implies –filling affected areas and restoring volume. This is the main difference between filler and Botox, with the latter dealing more with “dynamic” concerns related to muscle contraction.

Lips

Lip filler is one of the more commonly known applications of filler but is commonly misunderstood by patients and injectors. It’s important to remember that filler is intended to restore a more youthful structure and enhance certain aspects of the body rather than create an entirely new shape/form. I conduct a full evaluation of the patient’s facial anatomy, including cheek volume/height, bone structure, and lips to assess what the proper proportions should be. I’m then able to apply a conservative yet effective amount of filler that re-volumizes the lips and achieves a natural-looking result.  To learn more about what filler can do for the lips, check out my previous blog post on the subject.

Lower Face/Jawline

The lower face/jawline is another area where filler can effectively address a patient’s concerns, although some injectors may overlook these areas for potential injections. Through injections around the area and in the cheeks, I’m able to “lift” the face to improve structure, produce a more defined jawline, reduce the prominence of jowls, and even lift the upper neck. This application truly hits at my philosophy of treating the core cause of one’s issues rather than just the effects. You can witness a patient demonstration first-hand on our blog here.

Undereyes

One of the most frequent areas of concern I discuss with patients is the undereyes. The skin under and around our eyes is extremely delicate and should be taken into consideration within one’s skin health regimen. Filler, when paired with PRP (platelet rich plasma), is a treatment I’ve now performed for years and that has made an incredible difference for patients. PRP works alongside filler to not only restore volume, but also improve texture, discoloration, vascularity, hollowness and skin laxity. My blog post on unpacking the undereyes walks through the treatment step-by-step and also features some amazing patient before and after photos!

Hands

People commonly think that skin health is related to just the face, but you shouldn’t let your hands give away your age. Just as it works in the face, filler acts to re-volumize the hands and produce a more youthful appearance. We also pair filler with PRP to treat volume loss and thinning of the skin.

Filler is a great way for patients to achieve desired results, but must come from the right hands. I always take the time to conduct thorough consultations with each patient before developing a treatment plan that is right for them. Through my years of experience both injecting and training, I know how to use filler to truly make a difference for patients and help them look & feel their best.

If you’re interested in learning more about filler, give us a call at 205-870-0204 to schedule a consultation today!