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Collagen Loss and Dermal Fillers

INJECTABLE GELS RESTORE VALUBALE VOLUME IN WESTFIELD, NJ

Unfortunately, it’s a fact of life that our skin ages—and many of the resulting changes that happen to our face shape and appearance are related to collagen loss. Dermal fillers from NJ-based Burnett Plastic Surgery in Westfield are a non-surgical, minimally invasive way of counteracting this volume loss and restore a more youthful, smooth appearance.

These versatile treatments have remained popular in 2023 and do more than reduce wrinkles. They can also improve the definition of facial contours, sculpt contours, plump lips, and restore fullness to areas that have hollowed or been otherwise affected by collagen loss. If you’re curious about how these treatments work, here’s everything you need to know about dermal fillers for addressing collagen loss.

WHY IS COLLAGEN IMPORTANT FOR THE SKIN?

Collagen is a protein that’s responsible for giving the skin its plump, firm, and youthful appearance. It provides structure, strength, and support to the skin. Collagen loss occurs naturally with age, starting from the mid to late 20s. As collagen levels drop, the skin loses its support and begins to loosen and sag, as well as develop creases and lines.

WHAT ARE DERMAL FILLERS?

What does dermal filler do? Before getting into how dermal fillers work, you first need to know how wrinkles develop. There are two main types of facial wrinkles: dynamic and static. Dynamic wrinkles are related to muscle activity and can be seen when specific expressions are made, while static wrinkles develop as collagen, healthy fat, elastin, and hyaluronic acid diminish. These lines can be seen at all times on the face, regardless of whether it’s in motion or at rest.

In addition to aging itself, sun damage, pollution, stress, and exposure to other stressors can also cause collagen loss.

Dermal fillers are injected to fill out areas beneath the skin where collagen or fat once provided volume. The treatments work specifically to replace the volume lost in the face during the aging process. Certain fillers are useful in smoothing out lines that form on the face as collagen dwindles. This type of filler can create a smoother, less-lined, better-defined facial appearance.

Collagen loss can also cause the structure of the face to change, which is why a certain formulation of dermal filler focuses more on contours.

While results will vary depending on which type of filler is used and on the depth, amount, and placement of filler injected, results typically last one to two years. Patients can return to Dr. Burnett for touch-up or repeat procedures. Because the results are subtle, the method is effective for patients who want to give their appearance a little boost, but not make a dramatic and obvious change.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DERMAL FILLERS?

Which dermal filler do I need? What’s the best dermal filler? See below to find out more about dermal filler options available at Burnett Plastic Surgery.

Juvederm^®

Made by Allergan, the Juvederm^® family of fillers includes several formulas, all made from cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Each dermal filler in this line restores volume to specific areas of the face to address collagen loss, smoothing lines for a more youthful aesthetic.

Ultra is specifically designed to add fullness to the lips. Ultra Plus is a thicker gel for smoothing out more severe folds and lines. Like Ultra, Volbella^® is intended for the lips, but is best for modest, subtle enhancements, as well as addressing vertical lip lines. Vollure^® focuses on nasolabial folds and marionette lines. Voluma^® corrects collagen loss in the midface, where the apples of the cheeks work to show a youthful roundness in addition to holding up facial tissues that would otherwise sag down into jowls.

Restylane^®

Restylane^®, a line of hyaluronic acid-based fillers made by Galderma, is created with technology that gives the various options individualized particle sizes ideal for unique treatments. The smallest particles serve to shape details and smooth fine wrinkles, the medium particles fill in moderate to severe folds, and the largest particles boost volume where needed and correct severe wrinkles.

Lyft provides structure for the cheeks and can address signs of aging on the backs of the hands. Silk enhances the lips and smooths surrounding wrinkles. Kysse lumps and defines the lips even more. Refyne tends to be used for nasolabial folds. Defyne is commonly injected to rejuvenate the nose and mouth area.

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR DERMAL FILLERS?

Eligibility varies from person to person depending on what their specific goals and needs are, since there are so many types of dermal fillers available. To be ideal candidates for most dermal fillers, patients will need to be in good physical and psychological health, have a positive outlook, be non-smokers, maintain realistic expectations or goals, be committed to maintaining good skin health, and want to treat early signs of aging and collagen loss or certain types of scarring.

Since hyaluronic acid fillers provide the most temporary results, they are typically the best choice for first-time patients. Some patients may be better suited for facial plastic surgery instead of injectables, especially if they want a more dramatic and lasting effect.

HOW CAN YOU PREPARE FOR DERMAL FILLERS?

What should you not do before getting fillers? Preparation is the same for all dermal fillers, regardless of which type you choose. It’s recommended that patients avoid consuming alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours prior to their treatment. Do not smoke or take anti-inflammatory or blood thinning medications or supplements for two weeks prior to having dermal fillers. If a rash, cold sore, or another blemish develops on the treatment area, it will be best to reschedule your appointment.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT DURING RECOVERY FROM DERMAL FILLERS?

Patients will be curious about what recovery is like after facial fillers and how long the process takes. Some questions you might have are: “How long do dermal fillers take to settle?” “Are there any restrictions after getting fillers?” and “How long after fillers do you look normal?” If you’re having this treatment, here’s what you should know about recovery time and what not to do after dermal fillers.

Recovery time will vary depending on the patient and the type of dermal filler injected. It’s usually safe to resume your normal activities right away, but to best control swelling and bruising, it’s recommended that patients avoid strenuous physical activity for the first 24 to 48 hours. Generally, you should avoid significant movement and massaging the dermal filler treatment area. Additionally, you should avoid significant sun and heat exposure.

It's normal to experience some mild, temporary side effects such as an overfilled appearance in the treated areas, swelling or bruising, temporary numbness or redness, and other effects.

WHAT ARE RESULTS LIKE AFTER DERMAL FILLERS?

The results of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are apparent right away and last anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on what type of filler has been used. The longevity of the dermal filler will vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type and amount of filler, along with the patient’s metabolic rate. Denser hyaluronic acid dermal filler products that are injected more deeply tend to have the longest lifespan.

Patients interested in long-term volume correction should know that the treatment will need to be repeated to maintain the results, since the filler itself is gradually metabolized by the body.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS TO CORRECT WRINKLES AND COLLAGEN LOSS ASIDE FROM DERMAL FILLERS?

Collagen loss is responsible for the formation of static wrinkles that can be corrected by dermal fillers, but lines that appear due to decades of using the same muscles to make expressions require a different approach.

BOTOX^® is a muscle-relaxing neuromodulator, designed to smooth out forehead lines, frown lines, and lateral canthal lines—better known as crow's feet. This treatment contains a protein called botulinum toxin that works by blocking the signals from the nerves that tell muscles to contract. When the muscles are relaxed, wrinkles can’t form. The skin appears smoother, softer, and more refreshed.

Given the range of noninvasive options available, Dr. Burnett and Nurse Injector Mukta Rane will work with each patient to develop a customized treatment plan.*