Injectable Fillers FAQs

No, fillers are done with the aid of topical or local anesthesia.

Local anesthesia is not necessary, but can be used to alleviate some of the discomfort associated with fillers.

Yes, during your swelling you will experience some lumps and bumps. This is normal and at two weeks we will reevaluate you.

You may wash your face the day of your appointment.

It is safe to sleep as you normally would the day of.

It typically takes no more than three days, but the final balance of the product may take up to two weeks.

Makeup can be applied the following day.

It is best to delay any skincare treatment for the following 48 to 72 hours following the injection of your fillers.

Typically, two weeks before is enough time. This will allow for any potential bruising or swelling to subside as well as the ability for minor touch ups.

This can vary from one filler to another, as well as from patient to patient. There are fillers that can last up to six months or as long as a year and a half.

That can always be accommodated by contacting our office and scheduling another appointment.

There is no specific age to start dermal fillers. It depends on when the need arises. We have very young patients at the Hillcrest Plastic Surgery that are using dermal fillers for enhancing facial features, such as their lips; treating acne scars and other facial scars; and minimizing signs of aging, such as loss of volume in the cheeks. Dermal fillers can also be used to enhance the results of facial plastic surgery.

At the Hillcrest Plastic Surgery, we have vast experience with 8 different types of dermal fillers. The best filler for you will depend on these factors:

• area being treated
• skin type
• how long you want the benefits to last
• aesthetic goals

Each filler has its own advantages, and sometimes a combination may achieve the best results. For example, a possible combination of fillers might be Restylane to enhance the lips, JUVÉDERM to fill out hollows beneath the eyes, and RADIESSE to add volume to the cheeks.

Many patients who have lost weight have an aged appearance because of loss of volume. A facelift may not be necessary. Fat, the most natural filler used for this procedure, can be harvested from another area of the body through liposuction and then injected into the targeted regions. Other options include injectable fillers such as Sculptra and RADIESSE.

Fillers used in our Orlando med spa such as Sculptra, Restylane, and JUVÉDERM are biocompatible and biodegradable. These terms mean that these injectables can be broken down and naturally eliminated by your body's normal cleansing processes.

Allergic reactions to Sculptra are uncommon. Sculptra is composed of the same material used in surgical suture material for years. Side-effects may include small, non-visible bumps beneath the skin which you may be able to feel but not see.

Currently the manufacturer of Sculptra Aesthetic does not recommend the product for patients who have a tendency to form hypertrophic scars (thick, raised, pigmented scars).

RADIESSE is the most likely filler to show up on X-rays due to its calcium content.

Although not harmful, bruising can occur with the use of dermal fillers. At Hillcrest Plastic Surgery, we follow and recommend the following precautions to decrease the risk of bruising:

• Topical Arnica
• Ice compresses
• Meticulous injection technique
• Local anesthetics combined with epinephrine

We also recommend that you stop all blood-thinning agents at least five days before your injection. Talk with your physician about any blood-thinning prescriptions prior to halting your medications.

It has been our experience that hyaluronic acid fillers such as JUVÉDERM last between 6 to 8 months, depending on the patient. In addition, the duration of the benefits varies, depending on the locations of the injection. Areas of the face that are less mobile tend to last longer.