Wrinkle Fillers – The Parker Center, New Jersey

Overview

Soft tissue fillers are an exciting option for patients seeking non-surgical facial rejuvenation with minimal down time. The Parker Center offers a full range of wrinkle fillers, administered by an experienced doctor and certified nurse injector. According to statistics from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, 1,623,345 patients had fillers injected in 2012. An additional 71,845 had autologous fat injections.

Wrinkle Fillers for Younger Patients, 20s–40s

In young to middle aged patients with minimal to moderate signs of aging, injectable fillers are often the first step in seeking facial rejuvenation. Wrinkle fillers allow younger patients to combat the first signs of visible aging without invasive surgeries. As these patients age, surgery combined with fillers and resurfacing treatments becomes the next step to maintain a youthful look.

Wrinkle Fillers for Older Patients, 40s–70s

Injectable wrinkle fillers also allow older patients to look refreshed and not be burdened with the recovery time of more major procedures. Older patients who desire the more significant improvements provided by a facelift or other surgery often choose to complement their surgical results with wrinkle fillers.

Your Options

Most injectables fall into the category of temporary “fillers” and are designed to fill in or soften skin folds, some dynamic wrinkles, and depressions in the face. These injectables are either biologically derived from organic sources or consist of synthetic materials which disappear after a period of time. Re-injection of your own fat is also considered a filler that is longer lasting and in some cases permanent.

A variety of excellent products have been introduced over the last decade. Skin testing is not required for any of these products. The products most commonly used at the Parker Center include the following:

Injectables diagram – click to enlarge

Juvéderm Ultra® and Restylane®

These products are dermal fillers that are based on hyaluronic acid and work together with the body’s own hyaluronic acid to plump up tissues under the skin. These fill wrinkles and depressions in the face to make you look younger instantly. Juvéderm® and Restylane are effective for the nasolabial folds, under the eyes, between the eyebrows, and to raise the eyebrows, soften the chin fold, soften acne scars and for lip plumping. Studies show that results last up to 6–12 months.

Juvéderm Ultra Plus® and Perlane®

This dermal filler is the newest member of the Restylane® family. The difference in Perlane® is the gel particle size. Perlane® gel particles are larger and designed for deeper injection than Restylane®. It works well for deep nasolabial folds, deep marionette lines and the pre-jowl hollows.

Radiesse®

This filler is made of calcium hydroxiapatite (CaHA), a primary component of teeth and bones. This product has a thicker consistency and is best for deeper nasolabial folds, marionette lines, between the eyebrows, nasal depressions, and the mental fold. The consistency of this product allows it to last longer than most fillers, up to a year or longer.

Sculptra™

This filler is composed of poly-L-lactic acid, a synthetic material. Again, this product fills in wrinkles and depressions in facial areas such as the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and contour deformities. Sculptra is injected in relatively small amounts and progressively increases in volume over time. It stimulates the production of collagen that your body has lost with the aging process. A series of three monthly treatments usually are necessary. Results can last up to two years.

Restylane to nasolabial folds and marionette lines
click to enlarge

Restylane to lips – click to enlarge

Fat injections

Removing fat from one part of your body and injecting it to another is called fat injection. It is also known by a number of other terms: autologous fat grafting, fat transfer, fat re-injection, microfat grafting, micro-lipoinjection, structural fat grafting, and lipostructure.

Dr. Parker will liposuction fat from one part of your body, purify it and then re-inject it into your subcutaneous and/ or muscle layers to increase volume in that area. In the face, fat is injected into the cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, hollows above and below the eyes, and along the jaw line and chin. It can also be used for nose reshaping. In the body, fat is injected into the buttocks and for correction of liposuction irregularities, chest contouring, hand rejuvenation, and the correction of scars. Fat grafting has recently been performed by some plastic surgeons in the breasts, but its use in this area remains controversial at this point.

Improving fat survival after injection has been an area of interest for Dr. Parker for a number of years. More recently, he has become very interested in the role of stem cells and their relationship to enhanced survival of transferred fat (see Harvesting Stem Cells and Cell Assisted Lipotransfer). In general, fat lasts longer in areas of non-movement, such as the cheeks. Often, it will last several years; in some cases, it is permanent. Patients are up and around immediately after fat transfer. The procedure is minimally painful and easily controlled with medication. Mild swelling and bruising can occur in the first few days; these are camouflaged easily with makeup.