The term “fillers” refers to the broad range of products used for soft tissue augmentation. The most popular fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in the human body. Once injected, fillers act like an “internal sponge” and soak up water in the treated area, giving you added volume. This volume can improve facial lines, wrinkles, or folds, increase the definition and fullness of the lips or cheeks, or change the contour if your nose, breasts, or buttocks.
CA Aesthetics offers a wide variety of fillers, each with different characteristics (e.g. thickness, cohesivity, duration of effect) and indications for usage. Softer fillers, for instance, are better suited for lip augmentation, whereas firmer fillers are better for cheek augmentation. Depending on the filler used, the treatment effect will generally last 6-12 months. At the time of your consultation, Dr. Li will discuss with you his various strategies, injection techniques, and types of filler he uses, to tailor an individualized treatment plan for you.
CORRECTION OF FACIAL LINES
Correction of facial lines, wrinkles, or folds is the most common reason why patients seek filler treatment today. Common areas of concern include the tear troughs (eyelid bags), lines above the mouth (nasolabial folds), lines below the mouth (marionette lines and pre-jowl sulcus), and loss of cheek fullness, all of which can be augmented with filler to reverse and/or camouflage signs of aging.
LIP AUGMENTATION
Over the past decade, lip augmentation with fillers has also gained popularity, among patients of all ages. As we age, lips naturally lose volume and become less projecting. Some patients may also have naturally smaller lips or may prefer more accentuated lips in keeping with modern trends. Regardless of the reasons for desiring lip augmentation, fillers are a great way to increase fullness of the lips and highlight its features as well, such as “M” at the top of the upper lip (Cupid’s bow) and the two lines going up the lip to the nose (philtral columns).
NOSE AND BUTTOCK AUGMENTATION
With the development of newer fillers with different structural properties, fillers can also be used to augment or correct contour abnormalities of the nose (“Liquid Rhinoplasty”) or add volume to the buttocks (“Liquid Brazilian Butt Lift”) in patients who are not good candidates for Buttock Augmentation with fat grafting. The use of fillers for these purposes is considered off-label and requires Dr. Li to use his detailed knowledge of the surgical anatomy to safely perform these procedures.
KEY POINTS
QUICK IN-OFFICE PROCEDURE
RETURN TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN HOURS
MINIMAL TO ZERO DISCOMFORT WITH TOPICAL ANESTHETIC
RESULTS LAST FOR 6-12 MONTHS
LOOK YOUNGER, FRESHER, AND REVITALIZED
SMOOTH OUT FACIAL LINES AND WRINKLES
ADD VOLUME TO YOUR CHEEKS
HAVE TREATMENTS PERFORMED BY DR. LI PERSONALLY
WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE TREATMENT
Ideally, come to your consultation with any facial creams or make-up as this will need to be wiped off before treatment
Arrive earlier than your appointment time to have topical anesthetic placed on your treatment areas
Bring music or something to read while you wait for the topical anesthetic to take effect
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER TREATMENT
There can be minor bruising or swelling of the skin at the site of injection, which can last a few days
Do not re-apply make-up for 12 hours post-injection, to minimize the risk of infection (very low)
Do not do high-intensity exercise for 12 hours post-injection, as this may cause more bruising
Do not massage your filler, unless directed to do so