Juvederm, Restylane, Sculptra, or Radiesse? All our dermal fillers work in similar ways, but they are formulated slightly differently to suit various needs. If you’re seeking a solution that lasts for a very long time, the latter is the way to go because it will provide you with a smooth, youthful look without needing to book an appointment every few months. Here at Advanced Dermatology Center in Wolcott, CT, we can help you choose the perfect filler for your skin.
Radiesse: A Long-Lasting Treatment
If you’re looking for a long-lasting dermal filler, you can’t do much better than this one, which lasts for around 15 months in most of our patients. This is remarkable because most other, similar products have to be renewed around once or even twice a year, thus wasting a lot of time and money. The injectable works on the face and the hands, and is one of the most effective methods of fighting the negative effects of aging.
Although 15 months is an accurate estimate for many people, we can’t say exactly how long the treatment will last for you until you’ve seen us for your initial consultation. At that time, we can evaluate your skin and how much of a change is needed. In general, the effects of the treatment will last longer if your skin concern is mild, but they may wear off faster if you need a drastic change.
Frequency of Treatment
Once we’ve seen your skin, we can better evaluate whether this is the right filler for you and if so, what kinds of results you should expect. We can then estimate when you may need a top-up, but of course, you can visit us sooner or later depending on how your needs change over time. To keep your results consistent, it’s recommended that you have an appointment every 12-15 weeks.
When Results Show Up
Aside from the frequency of treatment, many people also consider how quickly they will see results from their injections. After your appointment, you should notice an immediate change in your skin, which will appear plumper than before. This is because the filler is a gel-like substance that adds volume to your features and reduces the sagging or sunken appearance of the face.
As time goes by, the effects of your session will become more and more noticeable. After around 10-14 days, the substances contained in the gel start to have a greater impact. Your body will produce collagen: the protein that helps our skin remain smooth and youthful, at a higher rate, and thereby rejuvenate your facial features. This effect continues even once the original gel has been absorbed and metabolized by the body.
Settling
When a dermal filler is injected, you won’t see the end result immediately because the substances need to have time to settle: start impacting the way in which your body produces collagen. In this case, settling happens around 5-7 days after the original injections, which is when your body’s natural collagen production mechanism will be enhanced.
To help the formula spread and settle even better, you can carefully massage the injection site in the first 24 hours after treatment. Gently roll the tips of your fingers over the affected area every few hours so that the gel can move around faster.
Ways to Prolong the Effects
While the aging process doesn’t stop when you have a dermal filler, there are several things you can do to make sure you get the best effect possible. An easy way to speed up healing and avoid those unwanted lines around your mouth called smoker’s lines is to stop smoking. The frequent engagement of your facial muscles can make the wrinkles return faster, and nicotine ages the skin significantly, so there is a double benefit to quitting smoking.
In addition, a healthy diet can keep your skin fresh and luscious. There are certain foods that help your skin to stay well and wrinkle-free, especially ones that contain antioxidants. Some classic choices are berries, tomatoes, beans, lentils, nuts, and leafy green vegetables. On the other hand, fatty and processed foods can often cause further deterioration of the skin and other tissues, so it’s best to avoid them.
Taking Care of Your Skin
No matter what filler you get, taking good care of your skin both before and after treatment is the key to success. It’s vital that you protect yourself from direct sunlight to prevent UV damage and premature aging. Some fillers are also more likely to break down when exposed to UV rays on a regular basis. Depending on the amount of melanin in your skin, you should use a sunscreen of between SPF 30-50 to avoid this issue.
You should also have a good skincare routine that nourishes and replenishes your skin. Some anti-aging products may be able to support your treatment, and we will give you details about them at your appointment. They can help slow down the aging process so that you can maintain your results for the long term. We also offer treatment for superficial skin concerns like an uneven tone or sun spots, so let us know if you’re interested in a supplementary solution.
Who Should Get the Treatment?
Now that you know how long you can expect the results from Radiesse to last, you may wonder whether this is the optimal solution for you. Because it is a minimally invasive and safe treatment, it is suitable for almost everyone, but we can discuss your options at your initial appointment. At that time, we will evaluate your skin concerns, your medical history, and what you hope to achieve, so we can offer you the best treatment possible.
Your Struggle with the Effects of Aging
Unlike some other options, this treatment can be effective for a wide variety of issues in your sub-dermal skin layers. It addresses changes related to a loss of collagen or elastin as we age, and can even help with collagen deformation. Some of the most common conditions treated are fine lines and wrinkles, hollow features, lax or thin skin, and hollows under the eyes.
We can also use this injectable as a contouring treatment for different areas of your face. This means that the volume of your tissue can be restored if your bones have become more prominent as a result of aging. Some people also use it to fill in scars that developed either after an accident or as a result of severe acne.
Your Medical History
A key factor we will take into consideration is your medical history and whether you have any conditions that could preclude you from being eligible. Our first priority is always your safety, so it’s important that you give us a full picture of your general health. As mentioned, this injectable is very safe for most people, but you might need to seek an alternative if you have an allergy to lidocaine, are currently pregnant or breastfeeding, or have an active skin infection.
Your Expectations
Whether Radiesse is the best option for you or not will also be determined by what cosmetic goals you have. Some people are looking for a complete transformation, while others prefer results that are subtle or that appear over the course of several weeks. Here at the clinic, we offer a wide variety of aesthetic treatments, so we can find a solution no matter what you’re looking for.
We will also discuss whether you have had previous treatments and if so, how you liked the effects. That way, we can rule out any treatment that didn’t work for you previously and incorporate the methods you have seen success with in the past.
What the Treatment Looks Like
After your initial consultation, we will book you in for an appointment. You can expect this to take between 15-40 minutes, so it’s possible to complete it on your lunch break. Although the needle used is very fine, many patients prefer to have numbing cream applied before the injections. This will take a few minutes to work, but we can get started as soon as your face is fully numb.
Your doctor will then inject the filler gel directly into your skin at the spots where you most need it. The length and cost of your appointment will be determined by how many areas are treated and how many syringes we need to use.
Number of Syringes Needed
Most of our patients see great results with one to three syringes, but we will discuss the kind of change you’d like to see before getting started. If your concerns are very mild or targeted in a specific area, one syringe should be enough, whereas a more drastic change may require several.
Preparing for Treatment
To ensure a smooth and successful appointment, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Three to five days before the injections, you will need to stop taking any blood-thinning medications and avoid Retinol or skin active acids. It’s also a good idea to protect your skin from direct sunlight.
In addition, we can’t perform the treatment if you have an active cold sore, fever blisters, eczema, or another type of inflammation in the local area. Aside from these considerations, you should be able to perform all of your normal activities in the days leading up to treatment. We will give you a more detailed list of instructions once your treatment plan has been created.
The Recovery Process
Because no general anesthetic is used during your appointment, you will be able to drive yourself home. You can return to work and your other activities straight away, but it’s best to avoid very strenuous exercise, direct sunlight, and strong heat in the first few days. In addition, you shouldn’t apply any skin active acids or Retinol and avoid certain supplements until your doctor deems them safe.
Sometimes, additional measures can be helpful, for example sleeping with your head elevated or using cold compresses to prevent any side effects. Dr. Jurzyk and his team will give you some instructions that are specific to your situation.
Rejuvenate and Renew Your Features Now
Radiesse is a great and long-lasting filler for many people, and you won’t need a top-up appointment for around 15 months once your treatment is complete. Call or message us at Advanced Dermatology Center in Wolcott, CT if you are interested in learning more about this and our other injectables like Sculptra. Our team, headed by Dr. Jurzyk, will be delighted to show you the various options and how they can restore your skin to its youthful glow.
