I get asked this question daily. Believe it or not, it is a much more complicated question than it seems. There are a variety of dermal fillers that can add volume to an area on the face i.e. cheeks, marionette lines, lips, fines lines around the mouth, laugh lines, etc. Different products are indicated for different areas of the face, are made differently, have different life spans and different costs.
That is why, when someone calls to ask about their need for a filler, we ask them to come in for in-person consultation so we can decipher several things:
- What is bothering you the most?
- Can that be corrected by a filler?
- What is your budget?
- For the best results, a combination of treatments may be indicated such as good medical grade skin care, neurotoxin for decreased muscle movement and a combination of fillers.
- What is your time frame? A special event that you want to look especially good for? Do we have enough time to address your issues and meet your goals?
As you can see, a lot is discussed during a consultation. It’s not a matter of just throwing a product in and having you leave with no follow up. We want to make sure that you completely understand your filler plan:
- Why we recommended a particular product and why this is best for you
- The cost of your treatment so there are no surprises
- What prep is recommended to help minimize the risk of bruising
I do get asked, “Will I bruise?” Any time that a needle penetrates the skin, there are hundreds of small capillaries and vessels within the skin structure, so yes – it is always a possibility. That is another reason that we want to talk to you prior to any injection to prep you properly and make sure that if you do have a bruise that you don’t have an important presentation the next day. Many of our patients don’t bruise if they follow our directions.
So, I guess my answer is yes, many of us need fillers. As we age, the natural process is to lose volume or fat in our face. Most patients once in their 40s start to see a more present tear trough that they “didn’t notice last year,” laugh lines that “keep getting deeper,” and cheeks that seem to “flatten.” If any of these statements sound familiar, know that you are not alone, and yes, you may need filler. The very best thing to do is come and see one of our nurses to develop the right plan for you.
Abbey Helton BSN, RN, CPSN, CANS
Clinical Director Dr.Banis Plastic Surgery
