Fillers

Fillers are becoming an increasingly important tool in facial rejuvenation. It is interesting that most patients are unaware of the range of uses that fillers can be put to. Collagen was the first filler to find widespread acceptance, but, because of its short effective life, it is now used much less.

The first use of fillers was to improve the deeper facial , such as the nasolabial fold, the fold running from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth. filling the marionette lines, the grooves running downward from the corner of the mouth, was one of the early use for fillers. Both these uses are still quite common, and supporting the corners of the mouth, by filling the skin immediately beneath the area, is an important part of lip rejuvenation.
Even though fillers have been around for a long time, new uses and new techniques are constantly being developed. One of the recent advances in filler placement has been the "fern pattern technique" "fern pattern technique explanation" . This was invented by a Dutch physician and allows the filling of superficial lines and folds, giving long lasting results with efficient use of filler.
New techniques using some of the newer fillers (Juvederm) have allowed more efficient and attractive repair of lip lines.
Facial sculpting, the creation of a more youthful facial structure, is one of our most commonly performed procedures. It is a technique that most people are unaware of, and it greatly depends on the aesthetic sensibility of the person administering the filler. However, the results are frequently quite impressive, without giving the impression that a procedure has been performed. Patient satisfaction is very high.Facial sculpting explanation .
Lip rejuvenation is another use for fillers, and the technique for doing this has improved significantly over the years. Again, this is a very artistic process and it is time consuming. An enhanced lip should look very natural and normal, not as though something has been done. Lip enhancement
There are a number of different fillers on the market, and their different properties determine the best uses for each. The differences between fillers will be the subject of the next post.

Gerald N. Bock MD
Stockton, CA
California Skin Laser Center