Last week I gave you the 411 on the popular injectable fillers derived from hyaluronic acid; so this week I’ll go over some popular collagen- based fillers and popular injectables for uses other than just the treatment of wrinkles.

Radiesse® is a dermal filler made up of calcium-based microspheres (calcium hydoxylapatite.) It is unique in its claim to promote natural collagen reproduction, causing the body to form its own collagen around these microspheres, and ultimately making the effects of Radiesse® last longer with multiple treatments. The first treatment is expected to last from 3 to 6 months, but can last from 12 to 18 months after the second treatment.  Radiesse® is typically pricier than other popular dermal fillers.  It is effective for nasolabial folds, cheekbones, and jawlines, but not usually for lips. Because it is not a hyaluronic acid (HA filler) based product, it cannot be dissolved by hyaluronidase (enzymes that eat away HA) if the patient is unhappy with the results.

EVOLENCE® is a collagen based injectable made from porcine (a.k.a. pig collagen), which is very similar to human collagen, yielding natural looking results.  EVOLENCE® recently announced FDA approval of the claim that results last though 12 months – making it the first and only filler to provide immediate results and last longer than a year.   EVOLENCE® is approved for the treatment of wrinkles and folds and causes minimal to no swelling and bruising.

Artefill® is unique in that the injected particles do not absorb into the skin like other popular fillers – this making results last longer (some reported results lasting up to 5 years).  In the US, Artefill® is only FDA approved for nasolabial folds and requires a skin test to be done 4 weeks ahead of the scheduled injection.

Sculptra® is an injectable in a whole new ball game than other popular dermal fillers.  It is made of poly-lactic acid and is used for the treatment of lipotrophy, or lost facial volume.  This filler is commonly recommended for HIV patients who can add volume to their cheeks and other facial areas.  Unlike most fillers that require only one treatment to immediately achieve desired results, Sculptra® requires 3 or more injections spaced between 1 to 2 months apart. While Sculptra® can be more expensive than other fillers, it can last up to 2 years.  It is also less painful than its volume-building counterpart: human fat.

Fat Grafting, or the removal of fat from one part of the body to shape or rebuild another, can be used as an alternative to facial fillers. Fat injections can build volume in the face and fill in deep wrinkles with no risk of allergic reaction (seeing as it is your own fat!).  However fat injections can be painful because plastic surgeons must use liposuction first to extract the fat before it can be injected into areas of the face. 

Hopefully this information has helped you sort out “who’s who” in the dermal filler world so that you may make more informed decisions about your procedures.  For more information about injectable fillers or to schedule a consultation, visit the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta website and schedule a consultation with Dr. Paul McCluskey today.

Cosmetic injectable fillers have become one of the most competitive markets in the world of plastic surgery.  There are currently more than 15 different brands available to consumers – all claiming that they are the best nonsurgical injectable to smooth out your wrinkles or plump up your lips. To help make all of this less confusing, I’ve written a brief description of the most popular dermal fillers on the market, so you can decide (with the help of a plastic surgeon), which product will best fit your needs.  

(This week’s blog will focus on the popular HA fillers – my next entry will give more detail on alternative popular filler products)

Restylane® is the world’s leading dermal filler, with an estimated 10 million injections since the product launched in 2004.  Like many of its filler friends, Restylane® is made of hyaluronic acid (commonly referred to as an “HA filler”).  In fact, Restylane® was the first filler developed to use non-animal collagen (most previous products used bovine collagen).  The hyaluronic acid in Restylane®, and products like it, have a very low risk of allergic reaction because the substance occurs naturally in the body. Restylane® is commonly used for the correction of wrinkles under the eyes and around the nose and mouth, as well as for the plumping up of lips.  Because the acid in Restylane tends to absorb water, temporary swelling can be expected. Restylane® lasts from 3 to 12 months (6 months on average), but because it is an HA filler, hyaluronidase (enzymes that eat away HA) can be used to dissolve the product if the results are not what you expected.

Perlane® is made by the same company as Restylane® and also makes use of hyaluronic acid, however the particles are larger, making the product thicker for effective treatment of deeper wrinkles.  Perlane® is only FDA approved to last 6 months, and like Restylane®, it can be dissolved.

JUVÉDERM® is a popular competitor among the HA fillers and was developed by the same makers of Botox®.  This product is popular for the treatment of moderate to deep wrinkles around the eyes, nose, and mouth and is also good for lips. JUVÉDERM® tends to absorb less water than Restylane® and therefore results in less swelling.  It lasts on average about 9 months (this is less for use in lips) and like other HA fillers, can be dissolved.  JUVÉDERM® is noted for flowing smoothly under the skin.

As you can see, there are pros and cons to each product.  Much of the decision concerning which filler you use depends on your individual needs and the plastic surgeon you are seeking services from.  To find out more about the fillers at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta or to schedule a consultation visit our website or call us at 404-499-0111.

After months of having the Fraxel® laser in the office of the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta – our patients and I couldn’t be happier with the results. As evidenced in the before and after pictures below – we are consistently blown away with the Fraxel® laser’s capability to give you smoother, more even toned skin, without having to undergo surgery.  As many of you know, the Fraxel® laser can be used to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles; but that’s just the tip of the iceberg in laser treatment options.  Say you have pigmented lesions (age spots) on your hands; the Fraxel® laser can be used to lighten the affected areas – making your hands look years younger. The full list of Fraxel® treatment and repair options include:

·                Wrinkles

·                Fine lines

·                Furrows

·                Acne Scars

·                Surgical scars

·                Bumpy or uneven skin texture

·                Discoloration and uneven skin pigmentation

·                Pigmented lesions (sun or age spots)

·                Sun-induced redness

·                Laser Blepharoplasty (eye-lid surgery)

·                Skin resurfacing

·                Fine lines around the eyes and mouth

·                Melasma (mask of pregnancy)

In honor of our Fraxel® success we at the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta are offering Fraxel® laser treatments for half price!  Call our office for more information or to set up a consultation.

You always see those celebrities, like Heidi Klum and Angelina Jolie, who’ve just had babies; yet their bodies look as good, if not better, than they did before they got pregnant. As most mothers know, this is definitely not the norm. The physical toll that pregnancy takes on a woman’s body can result in stretched and sagging breasts, loose and damaged skin around the stomach, and stubborn excess fat around the hips and thighs that just won’t go away no matter how hard you work out. What’s worse is that repeated pregnancies can cause even further damage to a woman’s body and exemplify these problems. Don’t get me wrong, the joys of having a child are beyond compare, but once that “fuzzy” feeling begins to wear off, women are left with frustration and worry about their body; feeling that no matter what they do, they will never look as good as they did before having children.

Many mothers who have experienced this post-baby frustration request what we refer to as the “Mommy Makeover,” or the post-maternity body and breast reshaping, often including, but not limited to, a breast lift, breast reduction, tummy tuck and/or liposuction.

To learn more, please click the “read the rest of this entry” link below.
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