History of Dermal Fillers

You may have wondered about how dermal fillers, such as Juvéderm® and its family of products, including Volbella and Voluma came to be. It all started with fat transplants which are still used today. In 1893, Dr. Neuber was the very first doctor to attempt transplanting fat from a patient’s arm to fill out facial defects. By the mid 20th century, silicone started to be investigated. Silicone was used from the 40s through the 50s, but patients often developed granulomas, small nodules, which was an undesirable and potentially dangerous side effect and thus silicone was banned until 1992 when a safer form was developed.

By the 1970s, various animal collagens had been researched enough to use on humans. Collagen injections and implants were introduced. The trade names for a couple of more popular cow-derived collagen back in the day were Zyderm and Zyplast. During this same time frame, Hyaluronic Acid fillers were being experimented with around the world. Hyaluronic Acid occurs naturally in the skin and is responsible for keeping the skin hydrated…it attracts to itself 1000 times its molecular weight in water. These were studied and compared to second generation non-bovine collagen in order to find which was more effective and safer. Later still, in 2006, a new family of next-generation hyaluronic acid fillers was approved by the FDA. The first one approved was Restylane®. Consequently, cosmetic injectors now have an array of dermal fillers to choose from.

Where and When are Dermal Fillers Used?

Dermal fillers are used to enhance your natural beauty by instantly smoothing away wrinkles and adding volume around your mouth, nose, lips, jaw, chin, hands, and cheeks.

JUVÉDERM® is an injectable dermal filler that contains hyaluronic acid, a substance that is found in the human body and has the unique ability to draw and bind with water molecules. Once injected this soft gel creates a fuller, plumper appearance at the surface of the skin. By precisely assessing a client’s face and placing the appropriate JUVÉDERM® product in just the right place the appearance of deep lines and folds, fine lines and wrinkles can be decreased. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are also used to enhance and re-volumize facial features such as your lips, cheeks, chins and the temple area. Combined with an active/corrective homecare program, frequent professional skincare treatments to encourage collagen production, adequate daily hydration both water and Essential Fatty Acids and a balanced diet; a youthful, rested appearance can be maintained for years to come. Facial volume and a BEAUTYfull® appearance go hand in hand. Sadly, the aging process results in the loss of essential volume, moisture and elasticity in the face. Dermal fillers help restore all of these!

These products are used to address wrinkles and folds, enhance lips and for facial contouring. Depending on how severe a fold is or how much “plump” an area requires for correction your injector will select “ultra” or “ultra plus”. With just one treatment you will get smooth, natural-looking results, that are immediate and last up to 1 year. There is little to no downtime although moderate swelling and bruising can be expected. Using Juvederm is a safe and effective way to replace the Hyaluronic Acid your skin has lost due to the aging process, bringing back volume and smoothing away facial wrinkles and folds.

JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC

This injectable gel is designed for deep injection and is used to lift and add volume. It is ideal for reversing the signs of aging seen in the loss of fat in the cheek area. By adding volume and lift to the midface we are able to restore the “triangle of beauty”- youthful faces are wide in the mid face and come to a point in the chin, aging faces become narrower in the mid face and are wider at the base. By restoring cheek volume, the midface is once again full, youthful.

JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC

This silky-smooth, light gel is indicated for the treatment of fine lines around the mouth and for the treatment of wrinkles in the lip. You can expect a subtle, smooth lip for up to 1 year.

Beyond Hyaluronic Acid…New Generation Filler…Meet Bellafill® 

What is Bellafill®?

Bellafill is the only FDA approved dermal filler on the market today, that actually helps your skin’s to stimulate long term collagen production to progressively maintain a more youthful appearance for up to 5 years, while adding immediate volume and lift. Bellafill® was approved by the FDA to treat nasolabial folds in October 2006, under the trade name ArteFill®. In December 2014, Bellafill® was approved by the FDA for the correction of certain types of moderate to severe acne scars in patients over 21.

How does Bellafill® work?

Bellafill® contains super tiny (microscopic), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) microspheres that are suspended in a smooth collagen gel. The PMMA microspheres are a bio-compatible material that has been used safely in medical implants and other devices for over 65 years.Like other dermal fillers, once injected, the collagen gel immediately reduces the look of smile lines, however, the bigger deal is that over time, the collagen gel is reabsorbed while the PMMA microspheres are left behind. AND!! These microspheres create a supportive base, deep inside the skin, or “scaffold” onto which your own natural collagen can build, resulting in smoother-looking skin in the long term. This new collagen produced by your body forms a foundation that adds volume to wrinkles, reducing their appearance – and giving you natural-looking results that feel soft and smooth for up to 5 years.

Not just for anti-Aging…Acne Scars be gone!

Bellafill® is the only long-term FDA approved filler to treat distensible (depressed) acne scars for up to one year. In just one office visit, you can safely treat your acne scars by adding volume to them, bringing them to the level of the surrounding skin and maintaining that volume long-term. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, Bellafill® creates a lasting improvement in your skin by restoring collagen, rather than adding temporary volume for natural-looking, enduring result. Based on studies, 90% of patients who treated their acne scars with Bellafil® were still satisfied with their results at the 1-year mark.