Are Fillers Good for Your Face?

Key takeaways

  • Dermal fillers are a popular option for restoring volume to the face and addressing concerns such as deep under-eye circles, thin lips, and wrinkles.
  • There are several types of dermal fillers available, including those made from hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, poly-L-lactic acid and polymethylmethacrylate, each with their own unique properties and effects.
  • To achieve the best results, it is important to consult with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who can help determine the best type of filler for a patient’s specific needs.

Are you thinking of ways to make your face look and feel younger? There are many ways to achieve this, but dermal fillers are an excellent option. 

Dermal fillers are soft, gel-like substances injected beneath the skin to restore volume to the face. Dermal fillers can plump thin lips, soften facial wrinkles and creases, improve shallow contours, minimize the shadows of the lower lids, and boost the appearance of recessed scars.

Are fillers good for the face?

The answer is yes. When correctly employed, fillers are effective in addressing various concerns. For instance, fillers can help smooth deep under-eye circles, increase the volume of the lips, lift the cheekbones, smooth nasolabial folds, and relieve lip lines.

Most dermal fillers are made of natural substances already in the body, so the risks of adverse reactions are limited. When injected, they will feel natural under the skin.

Upon injection, the fillers give subtle and natural-looking results. Your face will not be dramatically changed if done with discretion and skill and you will not entirely look like a different person before treatment. Most people won’t even detect what you’ve done; they will only notice a refreshing and rejuvenated look on you.

The results from dermal fillers last long. In most cases, you will retain a youthful and gorgeous face for at least one year. Of course, you may need a quick touch-up appointment in 4-6 months following your initial appointment. It is in your best interest to maintain your filler results by scheduling your appointment before your fillers metabolize completely.

What are the major types of fillers?

  1. Hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal fillers

These are soft and gel-like dermal fillers designed to work like the natural Hyaluronic Acid found in the skin. HA fillers help maintain plumpness and hydration and produce results that last 6-12 months or longer. The fillers are usually infused with lidocaine to reduce pain and discomfort with treatment.

  1. Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) dermal fillers

Like hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite is a natural substance found in the body, specifically in the bones. It has no adverse effects when injected. The CaHA fillers have calcium particles suspended in a smooth gel and last roughly 12 months after injection. They work by stimulating collagen production and are effective for deeper wrinkles and lines.

  1. Poly-L-lactic Acid fillers

Poly-L-Lactic acid is a safe, biodegradable synthetic substance. After injection, it stimulates collagen production, helping to smooth fine lines and allowing the skin to rebuild natural collagen.

The synthetic filler is effective in treating deep facial wrinkles, producing results that last more than two years. It is different from other fillers because it causes a gradual effect—the increase in volume occurs over several months as the filler stimulates the body to produce collagen.

  1. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is another safe synthetic substance that produces remarkable results. Once injected, it forms a tiny ball that remains below the skin to provide continued support. 

Fillers with PMMA stimulate collagen production ensures enhanced structure and firmness in the face. 

PMMA fillers are semi-permanent and more durable than other more readily biodegradable fillers. But they have potential complications like forming lumps and being visible under the skin.

Achieving success with dermal fillers

Each type of filler has its pros and cons. To choose the right dermal filler for your face, you need the guidance of an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who understands facial anatomy and is familiar with a variety of available fillers and their injection techniques.

At Politis Plastic Surgery, we help our patients choose and apply the correct fillers to achieve their cosmetic goals. 

To ensure the best possible outcome, Dr. Effie Politis will thoroughly evaluate your specific areas of concern, understand your goals, and review your expectations before, during, and after the procedure. She will also explain the fillers’ possible side effects and risks before the procedure. 

With proper preparation and communication between you and your plastic surgeon, you will definitely achieve natural, beautiful, and safer results.

References

 

The Embrace RF Procedure

We’re all vulnerable to aging. And the quality of your face and skin will inevitably slowly degrade with time.

Embrace RF Procedure

Often when we inspect our face closely we see loose, sagging skin with small pockets of fat all over. Many of us don’t like these inevitable changes and desire the restoration of youth and beauty.

This is why many are choosing the EmbraceRF procedure as a way to achieve a substantial outcome with a relatively modest risk profile compared to more invasive procedures.

So what is the EmbraceRF procedure?

EmbraceRF is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive, FDA-cleared, innovative therapy for producing results closer to facelift surgery. The highly advanced skin-tightening and face-contouring treatment uses radiofrequency energy to deliver a younger, slimmer appearance. With its blend of two top facial rejuvenation treatments—FaceTite and Morpheus 8—EmbraceRF is a multipurpose approach that contours, lifts, and clears the face and skin without surgery or downtime.

It is a perfect option if you don’t want facelift or surgery as it gives permanent results within a shorter time compared to surgery. The results are also more natural-looking and achieved with less scarring. Plus, the procedure takes just 45 to 60 minutes to complete, making it a very convenient solution for tackling facial aging symptoms.

How is it done?

It is performed under local anesthesia or light sedation. During the procedure, your surgeon passes a thin probe with a needle-like entry point under your skin at the treatment site. The probe is used to direct radiofrequency energy to the underlying skin tissue while the skin surface is treated concurrently with a specially-designed hand piece.

EmbraceRF is right for you if you have:

  1. Neck and face wrinkles
  2. Deep creases between your mouth and nose
  3. Sagging skin and neck contour
  4. Jowls
  5. Sagging facial skin with little elasticity
  6. Sagging neck and chin contour

But you should also be in good overall health, a non-smoker, and have realistic expectations.

How does it work?

EmbraceRF applies radiofrequency energy both to the skin surface and to the sub-dermal layers. As the temperature rises above 60 degrees Celsius under the skin, fat dissipates and the skin tightens.

The procedure melts excess fat, contracts the skin, and enhances overall texture; helping to address loose skin in the neck, jowls, and other body areas. It is effective in eliminating stubborn pockets of fat in the neck and facial areas; hence it tightens loose skin, contracts and contours fat, and allows for shaving off of fat in places such as the nasolabial folds, jaw-line, and chin.

By using controlled radiofrequency energy to heat sub-dermal tissue, EmbraceRF helps to reinvigorate collagen production. The newly produced collagen repairs and rejuvenates skin tissue, reducing and eliminating wrinkles to achieve a smoother, fresher skin. In turn, the new collagen helps to make the skin firmer, stronger, and more elastic. This eliminates skin sagging and improves the outline of areas that previously had unsightly, fatty lumps.

Besides, the FaceTite part of the procedure employs tiny incisions made behind the ears and below the skin to deliver a controlled wave of energy, while the Morpheus 8 part blends micro-needling with radiofrequency to provide even more dramatic results.

What are the benefits of the procedure?

EmbraceRF is an effective alternative to surgical facelift. It restores facial contours in a minimally invasive way, therefore it doesn’t lead to scarring. It is specially tailored to tackle facial fat and skin laxity. Plus, the recovery time is short and you’ll be able to return to work and resume your routine activities after 48 hours.

The non-surgical procedure can be done on the forehead, eye, brow, chin, cheek, jaw, and neck areas, delivering benefits that are close to those of facelift without the surgery and its associated recovery. It effectively reduces wrinkles and fine lines, minimizes skin laxity, and remodels neck, jaw line and facial fat.

At Politis Plastic Surgery, we offer EmbraceRF and other non-surgical solutions alongside surgical procedures. We carefully select non-surgical techniques that offer stellar, dependable and quality results for our clients, ensuring that all our procedures add value and help our patients look their best.

Would you like trusted, non-surgical rejuvenation performed by a skilled, experienced plastic surgeon. Book your consultation with Dr. Effie Politis today to find out the right surgical and non-surgical options that suit your cosmetic needs. For more information on the EmbraceRF procedure and other facial rejuvenation techniques, visit the site “Politis Plastic Surgery.”

 

How to Optimize the Neck Lift

What else can make a gorgeous face look better?

A striking and contoured neck!

The neck is what balances and amplifies the unique features of the face.

The question, now, is how do we achieve that?

A neck lift might just be what we are looking for!

What is a neck lift?

A neck lift is a surgical procedure to boost the appearance of the neck.

This outpatient procedure is done under sedation and local or general anesthesia to refine the shape and contours of the neck and jawline.

At Politis Plastic Surgery, we offer the neck lift procedure for those who aren’t happy with their neck appearance. We frequently see patients with a turkey wattle neck, excessively fatty neck, and necks with too much skin. Through a sequence of customized procedures, we sculpt and refine it to achieve aesthetically pleasant outcomes.

So what makes a neck beautiful?

Though different people may hold varied opinions about what makes a lovely neck, specific characteristics are considered fundamental.

Generally, a neck is beautiful if it is longer, has a sharper contour and distinct jawline. Plus, the angle between the neck and the head should be 105 to 120 degrees.

At Politis Plastic Surgery, we have mastered these crucial marks of a beautiful neck. When you come for neck lift surgery, we will evaluate the shape and volume of your lower face, jawline, and neck with consideration to the ideal traits of an attractive neck.

We will tailor our surgical steps in a way that achieves the most optimized outcome. Usually, this involves removing volume discrepancy, ensuring balance, and establishing a neck contour. The result will be a more optimized neck appearance that boosts your confidence.

What are the goals of neck lift surgery?

A neck lift corrects any imbalances in the volumes and positions of the contents of the neck, jawline, and face.

In a younger person, the procedure corrects the angle of the neck by removing excess skin and muscles. For older patients, a combination of techniques is employed to tackle imbalances due to excess skin, too much fat, and bigger or weaker neck muscles.

At Politis Plastic Surgery, we offer a customized neck lift procedure for every patient.

However, we have designed the procedure to achieve three objectives.

First, the procedure reduces deep neck fat and submandibular glands to reduce neck volume and balance the jawline and the face.

Second, the surgery removes excess skin and neck muscles to deepen the angle of the neck, ensuring a smooth transition from the face to the neck.

And third, neck lift repositions the elements of the neck to achieve a better overall alignment of the neck, jawline, and lower face.

Before the procedure, we will speak with you to better understand your goals and expectations. We will explain the options and craft a treatment plan that best meets your needs.

How are the structures in the neck accessed?

To optimize the outcome and avoid imbalance between the neck and the face, we assess each surgical step in isolation and anticipate the impact of each subsequent surgical maneuver.

The whole procedure is broken down into a series of interdependent and well-understood maneuvers with a pre-determined outcome.

The neck is approached through a submental incision placed at least 1.5cm posterior to the submental crease. This enables access to all the structures that may need to be corrected.

But to fully expose and reduce deep fat and submandibular glands, your plastic surgeon will elevate the neck muscles. The doctor then carefully evaluates the fat and glands to determine their impact on neck volume and contours before being reduced.

If the submandibular glands are enlarged or malpositioned in a way that affects the neck contours, they are modified before any significant reduction of the deep fat and neck muscles is done.

After that, your surgeon will raise skin flaps over the neck, retaining at least a 5 mm thickness of subcutaneous fat whenever possible.

For a wide exposure of the submental and submandibular triangles to provide complete visualization, your surgeon will make a deep skin incision to elevate the neck muscles.

How is the neck refined to achieve the desired outcome?

If you have deep central fat in your neck, your surgeon will reduce the fat to the desired level. Doing this helps cut down the fat volume, enhance balance and create a contour in the neck.

With the fat reduced, your doctor will assess the shape and angle of your neck. If the angle between the neck and the head is blunted, the surgeon will remove or alter your neck muscles to deepen the angle.

Next, the roof of the submental triangle is examined, and the muscles in the area are reduced carefully to minimize the mass to a plane level.

Lastly, the surgeon creates neck contours at the submental triangle.

Safe, effective neck-lift surgery

Would you like to refine your neck to achieve more balance with your face? At Politis Plastic Surgery, we have the equipment, personnel, and expertise to deliver successful neck lift procedures.

Every step in the neck lift procedure is designed to address a specific preoperative and intraoperative finding and helps to optimize the surgical outcome.

Make an appointment today and speak with Dr. Effie Politis about your goals and expectations and determine whether a neck lift is the right procedure for you. She will listen to you, explain the spatial location and relation between the structures of your neck, and share with you all the possible options.

Dr. Politis will address all your questions and help you understand the impact of each possible modification and sequential surgical step on the final result.

How Kojic Acid Annihilates Hyperpigmentation

Do you have a skin blemish caused by sun damage, aging, melasma, or inflammation? Would you like to make your skin clear, glowing, and beautifully even-toned? Or do you want a potent alternative to hydroquinone?

Enter, Kojic acid.

Kojic acid is derived from several types of fungi. It is also a byproduct of fermented rice wine and soy sauce. It is a highly effective natural skin brightening ingredient applied topically to treat hyper-pigmentation.

Due to its ability to penetrate the skin rapidly and to quickly inhibit melanin production, the chemical reduces dark spots and brightens the skin in no time.

When compared to tranexamic acid (8-12 weeks) and retinol (4-6 weeks), Kojic acid provides one of the quickest (2-3 weeks) spot lightening effects.

How does Kojic acid work?

Kojic acid provides a powerful melanin-blocking effect that helps prevent all kinds of hyperpigmentation, whether sun-induced, age-related, or post-inflammatory.

Melanin is the natural body pigment that gives the skin, hair, and eyes their color and is produced when melanocytes convert the protein tyrosine to melanin with the help of the enzyme tyrosinase.

Kojic acid can inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for the production of melanin. By stopping tyrosinase activity, the chemical blocks tyrosine from forming, which prevents melanin synthesis and results in less skin pigmentation.

Since hyper-pigmentation tends to occur when melanin is produced in high concentrations and then becomes clumped, diminished melanin production effectively prevents dark spots, sun spots, and age spots. It also limits pigmentation after sunburn, stops the formation of freckles, and clears melasma.

What are the benefits of Kojic acid?

  1. It helps fade spots. Kojic acid inhibits melanin production, hence lightens sun spots, pigmentation, and marks left by pimples or acne scars.
  2. It helps to brighten the skin. Kojic acid protects against ultraviolet light, keeps the skin safe from sun damage, and ensures brighter and glowing skin.
  3. It relieves melasma. After pregnancy, many women have melasma—a condition characterized by dark patches on the body and face. Kojic acid is effective in eliminating the patches.
  4. It inhibits the future appearance of scars. Kojic acid works on superficial scars and prevents their resurgence.
  5. It prevents skin infections. Kojic acid has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It prevents bacterial infections such as acne and fungal skin infections, like athlete’s foot, ringworm, and yeast infections of the skin.

Who should use Kojic acid?

Kojic acid is ideal for anyone looking for a naturally occurring ingredient to lighten dark spots and provide a more even complexion.

You can use it when:

  1. You have an uneven, pigmented complexion
  2. You are battling a skin pigment of any kind, such as post-inflammatory pigmentation, sun damage, melasma, and dark spots after acne or injuries
  3. You want to improve your under-eye circles due to hyper-pigmentation
  4. You want to treat mild wrinkles and photo-damage
  5. You want to treat and prevent bacterial infections of the skin, such as yeast infections and athlete’s foot

Is Kojic acid safe?

Kojic acid has mild antioxidant, antimicrobial and exfoliating properties. It is a safe and well-tolerated skin-lightening product for the face and body, even on sensitive skin.

Kojic acid is an ideal option if your skin can’t tolerate ingredients like hydroquinone or retinoids.

You can use a serum or pad infused with Kojic acid once or twice a day, depending on the concentration of Kojic acid and the product’s other ingredients. It is safe for topical application in concentrations of up to 1% in skincare products.

But you should not use it for longer than three months at a time. Use it only in smaller doses, particularly if your skin borders on the more sensitive side.

Excessive application of Kojic acid can irritate the skin, resulting in contact dermatitis—a surface-level red rash.

Plus, Kojic acid should be used for fade discoloration, not complete lightening of the complexion of the whole skin.

Kojic acid can be applied in small amounts for fade discoloration to eliminate spots, such as age spots, sun spots, and obnoxious post-breakout marks.

Never apply kojic acid to broken or irritable skin.

Always remember to apply sunscreen in the morning also to help protect the skin.

Whenever you notice adverse effects, stop the use and consult your doctor immediately.

How do you prevent dermatitis when using Kojic acid?

Kojic acid is not suitable for sensitive skin, with dermatitis as its most common side effect. It can cause redness, irritation, swelling, itchiness, and pain when it causes a flare-up.

To prevent dermatitis, Kojic acid should be paired with soothing ingredients to keep skin happy and side-effect-free.

For example, you can pair it with azelaic acid, green tea extract, and resveratrol. It used to be paired with hydroquinone to increase potency, but hydroquinone is in the process of being phased out.

 As a rule, buy Kojic acid-containing products only when you know when and how to use them, and then strictly follow your plastic surgeon’s or dermatologist’s instructions.

Trustworthy plastic surgery advice

Are you looking for freedom from dark spots, sun spots, age spots, or stubborn, post-breakout marks and just don’t know how? Would you like to put your best complexion forward and enjoy enhanced self-confidence but not know the best product for your skin?

At Politis Plastic Surgery, we can help and guide you on nourishing your skin to achieve even-toned, glowing skin.

For years, Dr. Effie Politis has been helping women become their best selves, regaining their confidence over their bodies and skin. She is well equipped with the knowledge and experience to help you.

She has recommended Kojic acid as an ingredient for clearing dark spots and skin pigmentations. That is because Kojic acid is a well-studied ingredient with high safety and tolerability profile.

Come in and speak with Dr. Effie Politis today to determine if Kojic acid or any other skin brightening ingredient is ideal for you.\

You can also discuss other procedures such as breast augmentation, breast implants, breast lift, buttock lift, facelift, liposuction, tummy tuck, lip augmentation, rhinoplasty, dermabrasion, and other forms of plastic surgery.