Injectable Fillers

Injectable fillers, also called dermal fillers, are an excellent way to reduce signs of aging without surgery. Injectable fillers can temporarily correct wrinkles and restore fullness to the face and lips. After just one treatment, you'll experience visible results that help you look more refreshed and youthful.

Injectable fillers used in cosmetic treatments can be made from a variety of ingredients. Among the most commonly used compounds are hyaluronic acid, hydroxylapatite and human fat. Many of these substances are produced naturally in the body.

Injectable fillers are most frequently used to reduce the appearance of lines around the nose and mouth. However, they can also be used to treat:

• Depressed scars
• Facial folds and wrinkles
• Forehead lines
• Lip lines
• Marionette lines
• Sunken cheeks
• Thin or flat lips
• Under eye hollows

At The University of Kansas Health System, we offer many types of dermal fillers. The type of filler that you choose will depend on your skin's needs, your aesthetic goals and your cosmetic preferences.

• BELOTERO®
• Hylaform®
• JUVÉDERM®
• Radiesse®
• Restylane®
• Sculptra® Aesthetic

Ideal candidates for treatment with injectable fillers are in good health, have reasonable expectations for treatment and do not smoke. While most injectable fillers are approved for general correction of facial wrinkles and folds, the applications vary with each patient and each product.

Injectable fillers temporarily add volume to facial tissue and restore a smoother appearance to the face. For most fillers, you can expect the results to last anywhere between 6-24 months, until the body breaks down and clears away the product. Repeat injections will be needed to maintain your results, although usually less product is needed for subsequent treatments.

Many people choose dermal fillers for skin rejuvenation because they provide long-lasting cosmetic enhancement. Injectable fillers are also very versatile and customizable, so they can be tailored to address the unique signs of facial aging in each person. Treatments are discrete and fast, and require little to no downtime.

Risks and side effects of injectable fillers include redness, pain/soreness, firmness, swelling, lumps/bumps, bruising, itching, edema, tenderness and discoloration. However, these side effects are generally mild and resolve in a few hours or days. In most cases, injectable fillers do not require allergy testing prior to treatment.

A typical injectable treatment lasts only about 45 minutes to an hour and is conducted in an office setting. Once your injector has examined your facial appearance, he or she will mark the injection sites and cleanse the treatment area. Then, a topical anesthetic and ice may be applied to ensure a comfortable treatment. Next, the injections are made into the marked points with a fine needle, a process that takes only a few minutes.

After injection, the surgeon will massage the area to promote a smooth result. Ice may be administered after injection to minimize swelling.

Improvements are visible right away and will continue over the next few days as swelling subsides. You may experience temporary redness, swelling and/or itching at the injection sites. Avoid strenuous exercise, sun or heat exposure and alcohol for the first 24 hours after treatment.