Dermal Fillers in Miami

For many, the sight of wrinkles and lines causes feelings of frustration and insecurity, especially among those who lead active, healthy lifestyles. In addition, most report feeling that their appearance suggests they are much older than they feel or otherwise appear.

While a facelift is sometimes necessary to correct excessive wrinkles, most patients start with dermal fillers as a non-invasive solution to diminish the appearance of fine lines.

Another main contributor to facial aging is volume loss. One of the first places where this can be seen is in the midface (cheeks). This loss of volume, together with the 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.

Types of Dermal Fillers

Dr. Bustillo uses two main types of dermal fillers in his practice. They are both safe and effective for restoring a youthful appearance.

The first group is made up of hyaluronic acid fillers. These include Restylane and Juvederm. They are composed of synthetically produced sugars that are naturally found in the body. These last approximately six months.

Dr. Bustillo uses hyaluronic acid fillers 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.

The second group of dermal fillers is the calcium hydroxyapatite fillers, with the most popular being Radiesse. This filler lasts for approximately one year. Dr. Bustillo uses this filler for deep nasolabial and marionette folds and for cheek augmentation.

Over the last several years, the number and types of fillers have 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 qualities.

The Dermal Filler Procedure: Step-by-Step

Dr. Bustillo is well-known for his skills in achieving a natural look while performing facial rejuvenation with injectable treatments. He does this by enhancing the patient’s features and gently correcting those areas that have aged over time. You will never see exaggerated cheeks or lips coming from Dr. Bustillo’s office.

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.

The dermal fillers are administered using small needles that are as thin as a hair. This allows for a relatively fast and painless injection. A cold ice pack is then applied for about twenty minutes to soothe the treated area after the injections.

Recovery After Dermal Fillers: What to Expect

Patients typically can return to normal activity, such as work, in about an hour. However, they are asked to refrain from exercise the same day. The effects of the dermal fillers will be apparent immediately, although there may be some temporary swelling.

There are no restrictions after the procedure in the days following the treatment. Dr. Bustillo asks that patients avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications five days before treatment to limit bruising.

While most patients do not bruise, there is always a small chance this may happen. For this reason, we recommend that patients do not have fillers done right before an important event.