Dr. Bustillo does not use or recommend silicone or biopolymer injections. These types of fillers, while permanent, are responsible for serious and permanent complications for many patients throughout the world. Dr. Bustillo only uses non-permanent dermal fillers approved by the FDA. These are extremely safe and have been in use for many years.
A discussion of dermal fillers would be incomplete without an introduction to facial wrinkles. There are two types of facial wrinkles, dynamic and static wrinkles. Static wrinkles are those caused by a combination of gravity and loss of skin elasticity and are typically located in the lower third of the face. Examples of these types of wrinkles include the nasolabial folds (those that go from the nose to the corner of the lips) and marionette lines (those that go from the corner of the lips to chin). These wrinkles are treated with dermal ” fillers “. Please refer to the Botox section for more information on dynamic wrinkles.
Dr. Bustillo uses two main types of dermal fillers. The first group are the hyaluronic acids. These include Restylane and Juvederm. They are composed of synthetically produced sugars that are normally found the body. These last approximately six months. Dr. Bustillo uses the hyaluronic acids to help correct the depressions found along the junction between the eyes and the cheeks, known as the ” tear trough “, to correct the crease between the nose and the lips, known as the ” nasolabial folds “,to improve the marionette lines below the lips, and to fill thin lips.
Dermal fillers Before and After Photos
The second group of dermal fillers are the calcium hydroxyapetite fillers, or Radiesse. This filler lasts for approximately one year. Dr. Bustillo uses this filler for deep nasolabial and marionette folds and for cheek augmentation.
Dr. Bustillo is well known for his skills in achieving a natural look in performing facial rejuvenation with injectable treatments. He does this by enhancing the patient’s features and softy correcting those areas that have aged over time. You will never see exaggerated cheeks or lips coming from our office. That is just not what we do.
One of the main contributors of facial aging is volume loss. One of the first places where this can be seen is in the midface, commonly referred to as the cheeks. This loss of volume together with descent of the facial tissues causes a flattening of the cheek. The area around the mouth is also often affected by volume loss. This can be seen as the marionette lines, which begin at the outer corner of the mouth and go down toward the chin. Another area that can suffer from volume loss is the tear trough. This is the valley that can sometimes form that runs from the inner corner of the eye down into the cheek. In older individuals, the temples can sometimes become hollow, giving a skeletal appearance to the upper face.
Over the last several years, the number and types of fillers has increased exponentially. Whereas ten years ago there were only a handful of facial fillers available, today there are over twenty, each one having different qualities. Dr. Bustillo uses different fillers for different facial areas in order to take advantage of each of the fillers’ specific quality.
The procedure is done in the office after topical anesthetic cream is applied. Acupressure is applied by his assistant on two points that help to decrease the sensation in the face simultaneously while Dr. Bustillo places the filler injections. A cold ice pack is then applied for about twenty minutes by the patient. Most patients can return to normal activity an hour after. There are no restrictions after the procedure. We do ask that you avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications five days before to limit bruising. While most patients do not bruise, there is always a small chance this may happen. For this reason, we ask that patients do not do not have fillers done right before an important event.
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F.A.Q.
Dermal fillers are considered a minimally invasive procedure for facial rejuvenation. The fillers are placed just below the surface of the skin, to help smooth out certain types of wrinkles. Dr. Bustillo believes in placing dermal fillers to help patients achieve a more youthful appearance while maintaining a natural look.
The wrinkles most commonly treated with dermal fillers include the tear trough deformity below the eyes, the nasolabial folds that run from the nose to the lips, the marionette lines. Thin lips can also be filled with fillers.
Understanding dermal fillers
Dr. Bustillo first places a special numbing cream over the areas that are going to be treated. The dermal fillers are then administered using small needles that are as thin as a hair. This allows for a relatively fast and painless injection. After the injection, the skin is cooled with a small packet of ice to help reduce local swelling. The swelling typically resolves in several hours. Rarely, the area may remain swollen for a day or two.
Patients typically can return to normal activity, such as work on the same day. However, patients are asked to refrain from exercise the same day. The effects of the dermal fillers are apparent immediately.