Facial Fillers

Dermal fillers are biocompatible gels that are injected beneath the skin’s surface to add volume, smooth the skin’s appearance, and to contour the face in a more youthful way.

All of the fillers we inject here at Arkansas Plastic Surgery are composed of hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally occurring in the human body, mostly found in the layers of skin. Until we reach 25, we produce abundant amounts of hyaluronic acid, which is why our skin at this age is smooth, plump, and wrinkle-free. When hyaluronic acid decreases, the skin becomes dry, the first lines and wrinkles begin to appear, the cheeks begin to lose their volume and start to sag, and the mouth may begin to lose shape and the corners turn downward.

Botox is most often chosen to smooth unwanted wrinkles and excessive facial expressions of the upper face. It can also be used to prevent lines/wrinkles, and in some circumstances other medical conditions such as migraines or excessive sweating. Fillers are chosen most often for deeper lines such as nasolabial folds or to fill areas of volume loss such as cheeks or lips. Facial contouring can also be achieved using fillers.

When a dermal filler is injected, the hyaluronic acid attracts water. The resulting contour that it creates counteracts some of the sagging and wrinkling of skin that occurs naturally as we age.

Because dermal fillers are made from substances that our cells produce naturally, they are eventually reabsorbed into the body. Most fillers last 6-12 months but can last up to 18-24 months depending on what type of dermal fillers you receive, and the location where they are administered.

At Arkansas Plastic Surgery, our nurse uses very small, sterile needles, making the procedure safe and minimally invasive. We only use safe, proven dermal fillers made from hyaluronic acid which our body already creates. Because of this, the potential for an allergic reaction is minimized. During your consultation, our nurse will discuss any potential side effects, as well as evaluate your health, daily medications, and expectations to ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure.

Most common side effects include bleeding, bruising, or swelling at the injectable site. Less common side effects include itching, rash, lumps, or fever blisters if you are an individual who is prone to having them. Contouring irregularities can occur, but are usually mitigated by massaging the area thoroughly.

Dermal fillers are commonly used in the lips, nasolabial folds, nose, and cheeks to create definition, contour, and a more youthful appearance.

We will use a topical anesthetic 15-30 minutes prior to the injection if there are no allergies to lidocaine. The filler itself also contains a small amount of lidocaine which will help numb the area after the initial stick. There is a minimal amount of discomfort to be expected even with the use of lidocaine.

The injections take approximately 30 minutes or less.

Makeup can be applied immediately after the procedure, and you should have no problem returning to work right away.  Due to the risk of bruising or swelling fillers should not be injected prior to a major life event.

Some results will be obvious immediately, but the results vary from person to person. Your results should continue to get better over a period of two to four weeks. If your wrinkles are very deep, for example, your results may take time and repeated treatments to become optimal.

Always choose a reputable office where aesthetic injections are performed by experienced and skilled physicians or registered nurses. Schedule a consultation to meet your injector and discuss the goals for your injections to be confident you both understand your desired end result.