Dr. Will Thompson, M.D., is a fellowship-trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon based in Denver, CO specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face, head, and neck. He regularly recommends dermal fillers for patients looking to add volume to the cheeks, decrease the jowl area, enhance the lips, minimize nasolabial folds, and even create a more defined jawline.
- What Are Dermal Fillers?
- Why Consider Dermal Fillers?
- Who is a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?
- Consultation for Dermal Fillers
- What to Expect During the Dermal Fillers Procedure
- Dermal Fillers Recovery
- Results of Dermal Fillers
- Risks and Possible Side Effects of Dermal Fillers
- FAQs About Dermal Fillers
Have you ever pulled back the skin around your eyes and wish it could just stay that way? Men and women alike lose volume in the face with age. This can produce hollows under the eyes that make us look tired. It is becoming increasingly common for people to turn to the use of dermal fillers to treat this type of concern.
What Are Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers, AKA facial fillers, are facial injections used to volumize and shape the lips, cheeks, jawline, chin, tear troughs, and eyes. They are primarily used to make a face more proportionate and can be a powerful tool to reduce the appearance of aging as well as to enhance natural facial features. Dermal fillers are often used together with other types of injectables, such as Botox.
While there are many types of fillers, the most common is made of a substance naturally found in the skin, hyaluronic acid. This and other types of fillers can replace lost volume in many areas of the face that appear wrinkled, flattened, or shriveled. Facial fat loss is a normal part of the aging process, and fillers are a great way to replenish lost volume and restore a youthful appearance to the face. Fillers are a non-surgical option to enhance lips, cheeks, tear troughs, and nasolabial folds. It can also be used to restore lost facial volume by filling hollows in the temple areas and is even used as a non-surgical jowl treatment.
Why Consider Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are a great way to reduce the appearance of lines on the face and restore volume where it was lost with age. Factors such as sun exposure, lifestyle, and heredity can all affect the facial skin and cause us to lose subcutaneous fat. Fillers are a great way to add fullness where it is lacking.
Dermal fillers can also plump thin lips, enhance contours of the face, soften creases in the face such as marionette lines, improve the appearance of scars, and add definition to facial features. Dermal fillers are often used as a complementary treatment with various facial rejuvenation surgeries, such as facelift surgery, eyelid surgery, chin implant, etc.
While dermal fillers are used in many applications, there are things they cannot do. For example, fillers cannot do what a facelift or brow lift could do to tighten and lift aging facial skin. Dermal fillers are a great option and temporary treatment until a facelift becomes more appropriate. Fillers are temporary and ongoing treatments are needed for lasting results. Most fillers last between 6 months to twelve months; however, other new fillers last between two and five years.
Who is a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?
Deciding to use fillers should always be done for personal reasons, and never to fulfill someone else’s expectations. If you’re considering dermal fillers and you are a physically healthy non-smoker with a positive outlook and realistic goals for what fillers can achieve for you, then you may be a great candidate for dermal fillers. Ideal candidates will be committed to maintaining their skin health and overall physical health.
In some cases, patients may achieve better results with a facelift, mid facelift, brow lift, or eye lift. However, dermal fillers are an excellent minimally invasive option to enhance the face, nose, and mouth when these surgeries are not yet needed.
Consultation for Dermal Fillers
A consultation is an important step prior to undergoing treatment with dermal fillers. This meeting will allow you and Dr. Thompson to discuss your goals and establish a plan. Be prepared to share about any current medical conditions, medications, supplements, and medical history. Any past treatments with fillers and other injectables, laser therapy, and other minimally invasive procedures or surgeries should be disclosed.
The surgeon will evaluate your overall health and assess any risk factors or pre-existing conditions that may impact your results. He’ll examine your face, take photos, and recommend a treatment plan in line with your goals. He’ll go over the type of filler recommended, expected results, and roughly how long the fillers should last. This is your chance to share openly about any concerns and ask Dr. Thompson any questions you may have.
What to Expect During the Dermal Fillers Procedure
Dr. Thompson will evaluate and examine your face to determine where volume may be beneficial. He may map and mark the face in areas where the injection of filler should be placed. He may also take photos of the areas to be treated.
The face will be cleansed and may be anesthetized using lidocaine. While mild discomfort may occur, the injections are typically well-tolerated. From there, the surgeon will inject each site taking only a few seconds at each location. The treatment is followed by massaging and evaluation. If needed, additional filler will be added.
The entire treatment takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how many areas are being treated. Finally, once the surgeon is pleased with the results, he’ll clean off the initial markings, and you will be on your way. Ice to reduce swelling and discomfort is often provided. Tenderness is not uncommon, but it is rare for the treated area to be painful enough for medication.
Dermal Fillers Recovery
Dermal fillers require little downtime. However, you should discuss specific recovery plans with Dr. Thompson before receiving any injections. Typically, in the first 24-48 hours after dermal filler treatment, patients should avoid working out and intense physical activity to keep swelling and bruising to a minimum. Patients can experience any of the following initial symptoms in the initial day or two after treatment, but these symptoms should subside fairly quickly. If they do not, call your surgeon immediately.
- Overfilled appearance
- Mild to severe swelling and bruising
- Redness or numbness
- Hard lumps at the site of injection
If you experience hives or swelling, contact your surgeon as a medical intervention may be needed. When a patient is injected with their fat, it typically takes longer to heal than with dermal fillers.
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Results of Dermal Fillers
Results of dermal fillers can be seen immediately, and the effects typically last anywhere from six months to several years, depending on the type of filler used. Patients should maintain good overall health and skincare after receiving dermal fillers to enjoy the most beneficial and long-lasting results.
Risks and Possible Side Effects of Dermal Fillers
As with any cosmetic procedure, dermal fillers come with potential complications. Working with a board-certified and reputable plastic surgeon can help minimize these risks, as most can be avoided with proper technique. During your consultation, Dr. Thompson will explain all the risks in detail.
Why Choose Dr. Thompson
- Obtained his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
- Completed his head and neck surgical repair training at LSU Health Sciences Center
- Trained under the guidance of Dr. Frederick Stucker, world-renowned rhinoplasty surgeon and past president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS)
- The AAFPRS accepted Dr. Will Thompson as one of 49 surgeons to receive a sponsored Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship.
- Dr. Thompson completed his fellowship with Dr. Stephen Smith at Smith Facial Plastics and The Ohio State University
- Board Certified by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
FAQs About Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers typically last anywhere from six to twelve months. However, some newer fillers can last up to two years. Many new dermal fillers including Restylane Lyft, contain hyaluronic acid such as Juvéderm Ultra and similars. This helps boost collagen and elastin production, so results can extend beyond the temporary correction.
Dermal fillers are meant to restore fullness that is common in youth, whereas Botox prevents facial muscles from flexing and from deepening fine lines and wrinkles.
Typically, Botox is used in the upper part of the face around the eyes and on the forehead. Fillers, on the other hand, tend to be used on the lower part of the face where the lines are more pronounced from structural change due to gravity and other factors. Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers are often used in tandem to rejuvenate the face and prevent further facial wrinkling.
If you live near Denver, CO, Thompson Facial Plastics offers Dermal Fillers among its services, and is conveniently located at 3150 E. 3rd Ave Ste. 200 Denver, CO 80206
Schedule Dermal Fillers in Denver Today
Choosing a reputable plastic surgeon is a crucial step in the process of dermal filler treatment. It’s important you trust your physician and trust that he or she will not make you look “overdone” or abnormal.
Dr. Will Thompson, M.D., is a highly regarded fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers. Patients love working with Dr. Thompson for his focus on exceptional patient care and the ability to achieve beautiful and natural-looking outcomes. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Thompson, contact his Denver office at (303) 667-1474.
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