Annual Filler's Guide: 2017 Edition
Written by Lucy Mazzucco
From Neurotoxins to Fillers to Restylane Skinboosters, we have your complete guide on what to do, where, why and how (much)!
Neurotoxins
DYSPORT
Treatment area: The neck, forehead and around the eyes (“crow’s feet”) are commonly targeted sites of injection.
Treatment protocol: Works by injection to treat stiffness, smooth skin and reduce wrinkles by paralyzing surrounding muscles. “They function through a mechanism whereby muscles are relaxed or unable to contract, consequently decreasing or eliminating dynamic wrinkles,” notes Dr. Andreas Nikolis, MSc, FRCS(C), from Victoria Park Medispa in Montreal.
Downtime: None. Most patients are able to resume their day-to-day activities and experience little to no discomfort.
Results: Most patients see results within a few days and they typically last anywhere from three to six months.
Side Effects: Tenderness, minimal bruising or swelling may occur but typically goes away on its own within a few days.
Cost: The starting price is an average of $400 and can range depending on what area and how many sites are being injected.
BOTOX
Treatment area: On the forehead between the brows, laugh lines, around the eyes (“crows’s feet”) and frown lines.
Treatment protocol: Works by relaxing the muscles temporarily through direct injections into the muscle tissue.
Downtime: None. Make up may be applied immediately following the procedure in case there is an occurrence of redness. “Most typically there is mild redness that lasts a few hours, and once in a while there can be bruises after injection,” notes Dr. Jamil Ahmad, MD, FRCSC, from Toronto’s Plastic Surgery Clinic.
Results: Patients may see results within one to two weeks of their procedure and results may last anywhere from three to four months.
Side Effects: Some patients may experience a slight stinging sensation following the injections and may experience swelling and/ or bruising for a few days after the procedure.
Cost: The price ranges and varies from patient to patient, but an average cost is anywhere between $300-$600.
Fillers
EMERVEL
Treatment area: The under-eye area (“teartrough”) and cheeks
Treatment protocol: The main component, Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is mixed with Butanediol Diglycidyl Ether (BDDE) through a process of biotechnology without the use of any animal products. “Although fillers and neurotoxins are both used to treat wrinkles, it’s important to point out that not all wrinkles are the same,” notes Dr. Carman, MD, FRCSC, and founder of the Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Toronto.
Downtime: Minimal to no downtime, but patients may be advised to avoid physical activity for a few hours following the procedure.
Results: Results may last anywhere between six to nine months.
Side Effects: Mild tenderness, redness, swelling and may cause itchiness.
Cost: The average price for Emervel can start anywhere from $600.
JUVEDERM
Treatment area: Most commonly used to plump lips, reduce the visibility of smile lines and smooth the appearance of wrinkles.
Treatment protocol: Works by injecting Hyaluronic Acid(HA) to restore smoothness, ne lines, plump and bring out natural contours in the face by combining with the water naturally found in the skin.
Downtime: The procedure may take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes and has minimal to no downtime. Patients usually resume normal day-to-day activities following the procedure.
“If people are easy bruisers, or are taking a blood thinner such as aspirin, then there could be some bruising that can last several days,” says Dr. Kucy Pon, MD,FRCP(C), from the University of Toronto.
Results: Results may last anywhere from 6 to 10 months and are reversible.
Side Effects: Mild bruising, redness or itching may occur, but they will clear up on their own within seven days or less.
Cost: Depending on the injection site and how many sites are being injected, the price can range anywhere from $600-$2000.
Treatment area: Most commonly used on the cheeks, lips and general eye area.
Treatment protocol: Based on Hyaluronic Acid (HA), this wrinkle ller is performed by using a ne needle to inject the gel at the treatment sites. The Lidocaine in Teosyal is used to freeze the targeted area.
Downtime: There is typically no downtime associated with Teosyal and the treatment may take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes.
Results: Results vary from patient to patient and may depend on thei njection site, but results last anywhere from 6 to18 months and may be noticed immediately post-treatment.
Side Effects: Mild swelling and redness may occur at the treatment sites.
Cost: The costs vary depending on the injection site and how many areas are being treated, but the average cost may be anywhere from $600-$2000.
RESTYLANE
Treatment area: The forehead, cheeks, jawline, lips, under-eye area (“crow’s feet”), and is commonly used to improve ne lines and smile lines.
Treatment protocol: An ultra- fine needle is used to inject treatment areas with clear gel. “Fillers are substances often composed of hyaluronic acid used to either replace volume, or augment and contour the face,” says Dr. Lisa Kellett, MD, FCRCP(C), DABD, of DLK On Avenue in Toronto.
Downtime: There is little to no downtime and a typical procedure takes less than an hour. Patients are usually advised against being exposed to extreme heat or cold, and are advised to avoid touching the areas that have been treated for up to six hours.
Results: Patients often see results immediately after the procedure and they can last up to one year.
Side Effects: Redness, swelling, tenderness and discolouration at the site of injection. These side effects typically go away on their own after up to one week post-treatment.
Cost: The average price varies from patient to patient depending on the treatment site and the number of sites being injected, but one syringe costs an average of $500.
BELLAFILL
Treatment area: Commonly used for lines that occur around the mouth. “Fillers are used to replace lost volume in the cheeks, nasolabial folds, marionette lines and lips. They usually last six to twelve months,” said Dr. Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD of Gidon Aesthetics & MediSpa in Toronto.
Treatment protocol: A base of collagen gel and polymethyl methacrylate microspheres (PMMA) that can encourage the natural production of collagen is slowly injected to ensure the product is distributed evenly.
Downtime: Minimal to no downtime, but patients may be advised to avoid physical activity for up to 24 hours following the procedure.
Results: Results may be seen immediately and can last up to five years.
Side Effects: Slight bruising or swelling may occur. Clients with a collagen allergy may have a higher tendency to develop scars and may be advised against obtaining a Bella ll treatment.
Cost: The price ranges and varies from doctor to doctor, but an average cost may be anywhere between $800 to $1000.
PRINCESS
Treatment area: Princess fillers use Hyaluronic Acid (HA) to inject sites including the cheeks to smooth wrinkles and harsh lines.
Treatment protocol: Usually pain-free and performed with very fine needles, the overall treatment typically lasts anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes.
Downtime: Patients are usually able to resume regular activities right away, but are typically advised to avoid physical activity for up to 24 hours following the procedure.
Results: Princess provides long-lasting results that are not permanent and typically last for several months and possibly up to a year.
Side Effects: Mild to moderate side effects including tenderness and redness may occur but usually go away on their own after up to seven days.
Cost: The starting price per syringe is an average price of $500.
REVANESSE
Treatment area: Typically used to treat fine lines, wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes (“crow’s feet”).
Treatment protocol: A Revanesse treatment is usually fairly quick and usually only takes about 15 minutes.
Downtime: There is typically no downtime associated with Revanesse, but patients are often advised to avoid sleeping directly on the injection site.
Results: Patients may begin to see results immediately after the procedure that can last anywhere from six months up to two years.
Side Effects: Mild bruising, swelling and redness may occur post-treatment. These side e ects typically only last for a few days.
Cost: The average price varies from doctor to doctor, but an average starting price for one syringe is $500.
Restylane Skinboosters
Treatment area: Restylane Skinboosters are typically used on the cheeks, hands, jawline, neck and décolletage.
Treatment protocol: Restylane Skinboosters, a gel that contains a unique form of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), is injected in the top layers of skin, drawing water into the injection site. Different from fillers, the Hyaluronic Acid in Restylane Skinboosters naturally integrates into the skin to improve its smoothness, giving the skin a radiant and refreshed look by improving its hydration.
Downtime: There is essentially no downtime for the procedure.
Results: According to a survey, 100% of patients said they would pursue another treatment.
Side Effects: Slight redness and bruising may occur around the injection site up to a few days following the procedure.
Cost: The average price varies, but is usually a starting price of $300.
From Elevate Magazine - please click here for the full article
