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September 24, 2024
Beginners Guide to Fillers
Are you filler curious?
Maybe you’ve heard a lot about them, had them once before, or tried them without the best experience. We turned to Arthur Turko, MD, FACS, a plastic surgeon at Plastic + Hand Surgical Associates in Portland, Maine, for answers.
In this quick guide, we’ll cover what you need to know about injectables, how we approach them, and how to get the results you’re looking for.
What do fillers do?
Fillers plump up tissue in your face using needle injections.
Depending on your aesthetic goals, different fillers will be used for certain parts of the face at specific depths.
“There’s so much information and many options out there, and it can seem overwhelming,” says Dr. Turko. “It’s helpful to have a trusted advisor like your plastic surgeon to help find what’s best for you.”
A quick overview of filler types
Plastic + Hand is the most trusted team for injectables in Portland, Maine.
“The type of filler we use is not as important as the goal we’re trying to achieve,” says Dr. Turko. “While we’ll figure this out in your consultation, it’s helpful to understand fillers at a high level.”
Fillers come in different densities. To best illustrate this, here are four types of Allergan Aesthetics fillers that Plastic + Hand offers, from the thinnest to thickest:
- JUVÉDERM® VOLBELLA® XC: This is ideal for fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the mouth. Very small amounts are injected right underneath the skin or even into the skin itself.
- JUVÉDERM® VOLLURE® XC: This slightly thicker filler is a little soft with a silkier texture. It can help people achieve a plumper lip, distinct lip lines, and more noticeable philtral columns (the raised, vertical ridges that connect the bottom of the nose to the lips). Not only do your lips have a smooth texture with this filler, but they also feel natural.
- JUVÉDERM® Ultra Plus XC: This filler is ideal for intermediate-level lines, like making nasolabial folds less prominent. You can also add this filler to the cheeks to give them a rounder and fuller look for a more youthful appearance.
- JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA® XC: This is the thickest filler we use, and it’s injected deeply within the face right on the bone. If someone injects this thick filler underneath the skin, it could cause unwanted lumps and bumps. However, a proper technique creates beautiful results for cheekbone contouring. It’s also ideal for jawline augmentation, especially in men.
Plastic + Hand also offers other injectables, including BOTOX® COSMETIC, KYBELLA® XC, RHA2, DYSPORT, and DAXXIFY.
Filler results and how often you’ll need an appointment
After injection, you’ll see an immediate difference in the treated area, but that’s not the full result.
“Fillers take three to five days to fully plump up,” Dr. Turko explains. “Think of fillers almost as being a little dehydrated. As they sit in your body tissues, some water comes in from your body and pumps up and softens these injected fillers. You’ll see your final result after five days, maybe a week max.”
Depending on the filler, your results will likely last a year, possibly longer. Sometimes, the results can be semi-permanent. Recent studies suggest filler can increase collagen production at the injection site, with results somewhat noticeable even years later.
“On average, patients who get filler regularly see us about once a year for a reassessment,” adds Dr. Turko. “We can see if anything needs a touch-up.”
Myth debunked: Fillers don’t lift
Since fillers don’t contain helium, they can’t lift your face.
“You can get volume that sometimes will stretch the skin and pull on the lower face, but it’s more of a pull-and-stretch effect,” explains Dr. Turko. “You can only lift through surgery like a facelift.”
He warns against trying to create a huge lift through excessive use of fillers. “That’s when you get an artificial look to the face, which we don’t recommend.”
Why your injector matters most
Fillers are widely available in different types of facilities, but you need a trusted expert.
When fillers are injected incorrectly, you can get lumps and bumps or end up with an abnormal appearance. You can also waste a lot of money on results you don’t like.
“When you get fillers at Plastic + Hand, you’re getting these injections performed by a plastic surgeon skilled in facelifts and facial reconstructions,” says Dr. Turko. “We know the layers of the face and exactly how to get the filler in the right spot. We also know how to help you achieve your aesthetic goals through injectables or other cosmetic procedures.”
Do you have questions about fillers or injectables?
If you’re considering fillers or injectables, our Plastic + Hand team has the most qualified plastic surgeons in Maine.
Are you new to injectables? Book a consult with us. If you decide to have injections in this same appointment, we’ll waive your $50 consult fee.
We’re committed to providing the results you seek with the respect and compassion you deserve. The first step begins here. Call us at 207-775-3446 or submit this request form to get started.
