Does it seem like lately you’re becoming more and more aware of your wrinkles, crow’s feet, or worry lines? If this is the case, you’re not alone. Maintaining a youthful look is a challenge for everyone, and some people have a particularly difficult time with it. But not everyone wants to take a step as drastic as surgery in order to correct it. At Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA we use multiple treatments that are less invasive. Among our most popular options is the dermal filler Juvederm.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers in Atlanta are injectable substances that help give skin a younger, fuller look. Recently there has been an influx of these wrinkle treatments, with many of these fillers entering the market. Today’s dermatologists use cutting-edge science in order to create solutions that are ideally suited to target areas like crow’s feet, laugh lines, lips, or cheeks.
These fillers are much less invasive than many of the treatment options that were previously offered. In most cases, they also take less time. With dermal fillers Atlanta, a single session might only take an hour. The recovery process is fast and results appear the same day.
A Better Alternative to Botox?
When people first notice their wrinkles, most of them think of the best-known option: Botox. This works fantastically well for many, but sometimes patients are not satisfied with the results. It’s possible that Botox simply doesn’t work for them or that they have begun to build up a tolerance after multiple treatments.
When patients begin to see Botox become less effective, they might look for other options for them to reach their personal goals. In these cases, this new filler is a particularly good choice, because it operates in a completely different way from Botox while still providing the same type of results.
What Do Dermal Fillers Treat?
Different brands of dermal fillers work on different areas of the face and skin, but Juvederm stands out partly because there are several different types available. Among the issues these filler addresses are:
- Unwanted wrinkles
- Nasolabial folds
- Crow’s feet
- Sagging or hollow cheeks
- Frown lines
- Lip lines
- Worry lines
What Is Juvederm Made of?
This filler is something called a hyaluronic acid filler. While “hyaluronic acid” might sound rather harsh, it’s actually a natural substance that already exists as a part of your skin.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
The most important thing to know about hyaluronic acid is that it binds to water. When it’s inside your skin, it helps to keep it naturally hydrated. When dermatologists inject small amounts of hyaluronic acid (or “HA”) into the cheeks, lips, or skin, they are simply replenishing your skin’s natural hydration system that adds volume, suppleness, and vitality.
Hyaluronic acid starts binding to water as soon as it gets injected. Because of the speed of the process, the treatment shows results almost immediately. As your skin absorbs the HA, it will continue to settle in the first week or two. Many people find that it gives them a particularly smooth and natural feel.
Is this Filler Safe?
Dermal fillers Atlanta fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration. In 2006, the FDA confirmed that Juvederm had no serious side effects. Because it relies on hyaluronic acid, it is suitable for almost everyone. This filler doesn’t cause issues because it’s made up of a substance that exists naturally in the skin already.
Seeing the Best Results
Why is this treatment so popular? It consistently is one of the favorite treatments for patients, and many cosmetic clinics offer it even when there are other options available. One likely reason is that patients know they can achieve quality results that will look natural and take very little time.
One treatment session will provide quality results that won’t fade overnight. Patients who try it once often return for a second session when it’s time to replenish the filler.
Long-Term Solutions
With so many dermal fillers atlanta available for customers to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming settling on just one. Each brand has different areas that it treats as well as a different estimate for how long it will last. Juvederm consistently ranks as one of the longest-lasting, and some specific varieties can remain effective for almost two years.
When compared to other shorter-lasting fillers, the benefits can be clear. Over the course of several years, you won’t need so many sessions, and you will wind up spending significantly less in terms of both time and money.
A Path to Healthy Skin
Unlike some dermal fillers that introduce artificial elements into your skin, the main ingredient here is completely natural and something your skin wants more of. The wonderful thing about hyaluronic acid is that it improves your look by improving the health of the inside of the skin.
The Power of Hyaluronic Acid
We all have this acid as part of our skin, but our natural reserves get slowly depleted as we age. By reintroducing this vital organic chemical, dermatologists are restoring the balance that our skin used to have when we were younger.
The result is skin that not only looks younger but acts younger, too. It can become more supple and more natural-feeling. Even if your interest in dermal fillers in Atlanta is primarily for appearances, you want to make your skin look plump and youthful. The reality is that this process is one of renewal and revitalization.
Four Different Types
Each type of this dermal filler has been specifically crafted to work on a particular area of the face or skin. Not everyone has the exact same aesthetic concerns, so it’s important to provide options, and we’ll discuss the best choice for you at your initial consultation. The four types that are available are:
Volbella
Volbella is a great solution if you want to get your lips plumper, reduce lip lines, or just increase the volume in general. Lips are sensitive spots, so Volbella comes with a local anesthetic in order to make the injection more comfortable. Results usually last at least a year after the first treatment.
Voluma
If you want to make sure that your cheeks are looking their best, then Voluma is the choice for you. The skin on your cheeks is thicker, and as a result, Voluma is designed to work deeper as it adds contour to the cheek line. You can recover the volume that so frequently disappears with age, and this deep treatment can last for as much as two years after the initial session.
Vollure
Vollure works on lines across the face and will target wrinkles or folds that you may want to get rid of. Usually, these will be mid-level folds, worry lines, and wrinkles. Vollure will soften these, and results last for a year to a year and a half.
Ultra Plus
If you have particularly pronounced lines, such as nasolabial folds, Ultra Plus will provide the extra potency you need in order to smooth them out. Ultra Plus works on the deepest lines and folds on the face.
During your initial consultation, a staff member can help you determine which type is right for you.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate?
Because the main ingredient in this filler is a substance that naturally occurs in the skin, it will not cause allergic reactions, so the filler will be suitable for nearly anyone who wants it.
The typical patient who seeks treatment usually does so because they want to soften the lines that begin to appear with aging. These can appear at different stages for different people, so there is no “right age” to get treatment. It is perfect for anyone that wishes to smooth wrinkles in a way that looks natural and organic.
For the sake of caution, this particular treatment is not advised for women who are currently pregnant or lactating. Further information will come as the result of an in-person consultation.
When Should You Consider Treatment?
Specific goals may be different for each person. Some may want to focus on their lips and cheeks. Others might want to get rid of crow’s feet or marionette lines. Candidates who are ideal for this treatment are trying to achieve a more youthful look.
Why Maintenance Treatments Matter
For the best long-term results, it’s important to return to the clinic after a year or two or whenever you notice that the results are starting to fade. Hyaluronic acid gradually disperses over time as it is absorbed by the skin, so some maintenance will help keep the look consistent.
How Should You Prepare for Treatment?
The very first step is staff consultation. This will make sure that everything has been agreed upon and that treatment is the right option. During this meeting, you can tell the staff about your own beauty goals, aims, and particular health requirements.
During the Consultation
You may have some questions about the details of the treatment session, especially if you’re a first-time patient. We will address all your questions, and our staff will confirm details about your medical history, such as any medications you might be taking. After we schedule an appointment, you will want to make sure to prepare properly for the session itself.
Before Treatment
We ask that all patients refrain from taking aspirin or any aspirin-based medications for at least five days to a week prior to treatment. Aspirin has a specific effect on the bloodstream that can make injections more difficult, and it can also slow the recovery process. If you require a painkiller, we recommend that you use one that does not have aspirin as an ingredient.
Additional Preparation
You may also receive some additional preparation instructions during your consultation as dictated by your personal situation and needs. We will make sure to explain everything you need to do before the session itself. Preparation is not complicated, and the entire process is designed to be as convenient as possible.
During Treatment: What Is It Like?
The thing that stands out to many patients is just how fast a session goes. One treatment can take only an hour, and sometimes even less. Of course, this will depend on how many areas are being treated, but it is not uncommon for patients to be in and out quickly.
A Speedy Treatment Process
When you arrive, our staff will administer a vial of filler by injecting small amounts into the area you need. Each vial also contains a small amount of lidocaine, which is a local anesthetic designed to make sure that the process is more comfortable.
Unlike many more complicated procedures, the dermal filler session is extremely fast and also requires no downtime. Patients can resume almost all activities immediately after treatment.
After Treatment: What Should You Do Next?
Typically, patients will see immediate results from their treatment. However, it will take a week or two for the filler to settle into its final position. During this time, there are a few things to consider in order to speed recovery.
Don’t Drink Alcohol
One of the most important things you can do is avoid drinking for the first 24 hours after treatment. We strongly advise that you abstain from alcohol in any form, even if it’s just a small amount. Alcohol affects the bloodstream and can slow your recovery process.
Stay Away From Heat
Another factor that can slow recovery is overexposure to heat and in particular any direct heat that affects the treatment area. Saunas, tanning salons, sunbathing, and very hot showers are all potential problems in the first day or two. We advise patients to avoid these activities during this time.
Wait to Get a Massage
One of the things that make dermal fillers in Atlanta effective is that they can be injected in small doses all across a treatment area. As the hyaluronic acid is absorbed by the skin, the filler settles in place.
Massages can complicate this process. The act of massage can cause the filler to become redistributed in a way that won’t be as even in the long term. This can result in a less satisfactory experience overall, so we recommend that patients don’t get massages for at least two weeks after the treatment.
What Should You Expect In the Months After Treatment?
After two weeks, the filler will have completed most of the settling process. At this point, the hyaluronic acid will continue to maintain your skin’s hydration, and the look should stay consistent for months.
Allergies?
Because this filler is made of hyaluronic acid, there is no significant risk of allergy or other reaction to the filler. The body will not recognize hyaluronic acid as a foreign substance that needs to be fought off (thus triggering an allergic reaction).
Extra Treatments
In time, the results will begin to fade as the filler becomes absorbed into the skin. Once you start to notice this happening, you can schedule a maintenance session to keep your look fresh. Our staff will help you determine your timetable and make sure you have everything you need to achieve your perfect look.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Aging and the onset of wrinkles can become a big distraction for many people, affecting their confidence and self-esteem. With Juvederm, patients finally have a treatment option that will give them a natural solution.
Schedule your consultation with us today! Our staff is here for you to discuss your beauty goals and to answer any questions you might have. Get in touch with Peachtree Dermatology in Atlanta, GA today!
