What is a Tissue Filler and how is it different from Botox?
Most Temporary tissue fillers contain hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that is present in our skin. As we age the natural hyaluronic acid in our skin becomes less apparent, resulting in lines, creases and folds. Injections with tissue filler will help to replace the lost volume in the skin. Tissue fillers are a gel like substance that are designed to smoothe out lines and creases that develop as we age. Botox is solely for relaxing the muscle that causes the creases to develop as the muscle contracts. Frequently they are used in conjunction with one another. For example: Botox is injected into the forehead to stop the frown and tissue filler such as Restylane or Juvederm is injected into the crease to restore lost tissue volume. In clients that have a crease without any muscle movement then the combination of the two provides the best result.
> Watch the video on Tissue Fillers

What Tissue Fillers are used at the Dermatology Rejuvenation Centre?
We predominantly use two at the current time: Restylane and Juvederm. Both of these fillers are very similar and contain hyaluronic acid. They have been on the Canadian market for almost 10 years and have long term safety data. The most important aspect of using temporary tissue fillers is their ability to offer a desired effect with very little risk. The use of the permanent tissue filler, Artesense is primarily used for injecting depressed acne scars and occasionally for other areas where there is loss of volume. I limit their use due to long term concerns over allergic reactions which are relatively uncommon but do occur. For that reason they are not used in the lip areas.

How long do Restylane and Juvederm last?
These tissue fillers gradually diminish over a period of 6-12 months although in some areas they may last longer. In areas such as the lips they tend to last less than a year due to the frequent movement and rich blood supply in this area which promotes a more rapid break-down of the product. The hyaluronic acid is eventually absorbed by the body and disappears without a trace.

Where are the most common areas injected?
By far the commonest areas are the lips, smile lines/creases and folds along the nose-mouth areas and the frown lines between the eye brows. We also use tissue fillers for correcting the tear troughs (shadowed area under the eyes), the crows feet regions and also to enhance the cheek area as the face flattens as we age.

Are there any side effects?
Generally speaking there are few side effects; we expect mild swelling and occasional bruising. The lips are always an exception as they tend to swell more readily. Typically the swelling settles in 48 hours so keep your social calendar in mind when scheduling your appointment. Rarely there may be some mild localized lumpiness though this normally settles within 2 weeks. If the lumpiness is longer lasting than it can easily be removed.

Can my lip lines be corrected without looking unnatural?
As one ages the lips become thinner and lose their volume - sometimes lipstick will run. I am very conservative when it comes to injecting the lips to give you a more natural result. Before the injections the lip area is frozen, like at the dentist and the procedure is very well tolerated. The result is immediate though due to the slight swelling the final desired affect is typically expected in 2-3 days.