Dermal Fillers: Restore facial volume and balance

3. Muscle Atrophy: Facial muscles may weaken and lose their tone, further contributing to sagging skin.

4. Loss of Collagen and Elastin: The skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin decreases, leading to reduced skin elasticity and firmness, causing sagging and the formation of wrinkles.

5. Hollowing and Drooping: As these changes occur, the face may appear more gaunt, with hollowing under the eyes, drooping cheeks, deepening nasolabial folds, and jowls forming along the jawline.

These combined effects lead to a more aged appearance, characterized by sagging skin, lines, wrinkles, hollow areas, and reduced facial contour definition. Dermal fillers can help restore lost volume and improve facial harmony.

Dermal fillers are administered via injections with minimal downtime, making them a popular choice for those looking for non-surgical facial rejuvenation.

Overall, dermal fillers are a versatile option for addressing age-related volume loss, contouring facial features, and enhancing skin appearance with minimal recovery time.

In order to minimize the risk of possible side effects and complications of facial fillers please follow the following steps:

• Schedule your dermal filler appointment at least 4 weeks prior to a special event that you may be attending, such as a wedding or a vacation. Bruising and swelling may be apparent for up to two weeks after your treatment and you may require fine-tuning after the original treatment.
• Avoid alcohol for at least 48 hours (up to two weeks is ideal) prior to treatment, as it may thin your blood and increase the risk of bruising. Additionally, consider beginning to take Arnica pellets (Arnica Montana- can be found at many natural foods stores) prior to your appointment. We recommend taking five pellets three times a day starting two days before your appointment and continue taking the arnica until your symptoms improve up to a week after your appointment (unless otherwise recommended by your primary care doctor).
• Avoid anti-inflammatory/blood-thinning medications, if possible (unless medically necessary and prescribed by a physician), for a period of 2 weeks before treatment. Medications and supplements such as Aspirin, Vitamin E, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginseng, St. John’s Wort, Omega 3/Fish Oil supplements, Ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, and other NSAIDS thin the blood and can increase the risk of bruising and swelling after injections.
• If you do not feel well, have a rash, or cold sore in the treatment area, please let the clinic know so that we can get you rescheduled.
• You may not be a candidate for treatment if you have any acute active infections or are on antibiotics, so please communicate this to your aesthetic provider.
• If you have previously suffered from cold sores, there is a risk that the “trauma” needle punctures (if being treated in or around the lips) could contribute to another eruption of cold sores. If this is the case for you, please let us know so we can prescribe you the proper medications.
• Avoid invasive dental procedures and vaccinations 2 weeks pre-treatment and post-treatment.
• Be sure to have a good breakfast or lunch, including food and plenty of water, before your procedure. This will decrease the chances of lightheadedness during your treatment.
• Please consider coming to your appointment with a clean face (free of makeup).
• You are not a candidate for treatment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

As you prepare for your treatment please notify IAM Center of any changes to your medical history, health status including any recent vaccinations, or personal activities that may be relevant to your treatment.

• Swelling, redness, firmness, itching and tenderness may be present for up to two weeks. Use of cool packs may be used as needed. You may take Zyrtec and Ranitidine OTC as directed on the bottle to help with any swelling and redness.
• If you have a history of cold sores you will need to notify your injector so that a prophylactic medication can be prescribed to prevent an outbreak post-procedure (or contact your PCP for prescription of a prophylactic antiviral).
• Sleep with your head elevated to reduce the amount of swelling.
• Do not massage or put pressure on the treated area, unless instructed by injector.
• Wait 24 hours to apply cosmetics, 4 hours for moisturizer or any lotions on the area.
• Avoid direct sunlight or extreme cold weather until initial swelling and/or redness has subsided.
• No strenuous exercise, or anything that raises your core body temperature or blood pressure for 24 hours.
• The results will be immediate, but its best effects are noted after swelling has resolved and product has settled which may take up to 30 days.
• Motrin/Advil or Tylenol may be used as directed on the bottle for any discomfort after injections unless contraindicated by your primary care provider.
• Plan accordingly, vaccines should not be administered 1-2 weeks prior or 1-2 weeks after dermal filler treatment.
• Lumps, bumps or irregular, asymmetrical areas may be noted. During the first 1-2 weeks these lumps may be directly related to swelling so be patient and trust the process. Once swelling has subsided, it is normal to potentially feel these lumps and bumps however they should not be visible. Let your provider know if they are visible.
• Any severe swelling, itching, redness, increasing discomfort, any discoloration, small white pustules, or discharge from treated area should be reported to your injector ASAP.
• Periodic touch-ups will help sustain the desired level of correction.
• It can take up to TWO weeks for swelling and any bruising to subside. If additional filler is desired in an area of previous treatment your provider may ask you to wait at least 2 weeks, sometimes as much as 30 days. Furthermore, if you feel you are “over filled”, trust the process, and give swelling at least two weeks to subside before electing to dissolve any product.
• Should you develop any blanching (white colored) or any discoloration in the skin outside of the area that was treated, increased or severe pain, or any blisters call/text your nurse injector.

Not everyone is a good candidate for dermal fillers. Individuals who may not be suitable for dermal filler treatments include:

Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women: There is limited research on the safety of dermal fillers during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it is generally advised to avoid them during these periods.

Allergies to Filler Ingredients: Those with known allergies to any components of the filler (e.g., hyaluronic acid, lidocaine) or a history of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) should avoid treatment.

Active Skin Infections or Inflammation: Individuals with acne, cold sores, rashes, or other skin conditions in the area to be treated should wait until these conditions are resolved to reduce the risk of infection or complications.

Autoimmune Diseases or Compromised Immune Systems: People with autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus) or compromised immune systems may have an increased risk of complications or may not respond well to fillers.

Bleeding Disorders: Those with bleeding disorders or who are on blood-thinning medications (e.g., warfarin, aspirin) may have a higher risk of bruising and bleeding at the injection site, this does not necessarily disqualify you from treatment, but it is important to discuss these with your aesthetic provider.

Be sure to discuss any concerns and disclose any and all health conditions with your aesthetic provider prior to your treatment.

Filler can effectively be combined with other treatments. We recommend working with your aesthetic provider to create a customized treatment plan utilizing multiple modalities in order to enhance your results.