Derma Fillers

As we age, the skin loses its natural elasticity.  Collagen production reduces, resulting in loss of mass in your face, making you look less ‘filled’ as compared to what you looked like a few years before. This is one common way we show signs of aging.

The fine wrinkles begin to appear around the eyes, nose and mouth. They are more pronounced as you lose more mass around your face. This is where derma fillers can come to your rescue.

Derma filler is gel based filler that is injected just under the skin. It fills up the gap caused by loss of mass due to aging. This gives you a younger look by filling out the space and reducing wrinkles to a great extent.

Restylane Or Juvederm?

Both are gel based derma fillers made of similar components. While Juvederm is smooth, Restylane is slightly granular.

Both are non-invasive treatments that take only a few minutes to an hour to administer. The time taken depends on the area of treatment. This treatment does not require you get admitted and you can leave a few minutes after the treatment.

Though non-invasive, injecting medicine can be painful for many. A topical anesthetic is typically applied before the injection is administered. Sometimes even dental anesthetic is given to numb the jaw line, when the area around the mouth and nose are treated.

Areas of Treatment

Juvederm offers a large selection of derma fillers, specifically developed for different areas of the face. This derma filler can be used to treat wrinkles and tissue loss around the eyes, cheeks, the nasal folds from your nose to mouth, lips and the area around the mouth itself.

Restylane can also be used for similar areas as mentioned above. However, this derma filler is known for its effective results around the nose (nasolabial folds), lips and wrinkles around the mouth.

Is It Expensive?

Any skin care treatment costs more than over the counter skin care products. Both Restylane and Juvederm are gel based derma fillers made of hyaluronic acid. These are expected to give a smooth finish as they mimic the natural skin composition. This gives you a more natural look almost immediately.

These derma fillers are charged on per injection basis. Hence the total cost of your treatment can vary based on the number of injections you may need. Also, insurance does not cover such derma filling treatments.

Both these injections can cost anywhere between $400 – $800. There are different sizes of injections and the cost will vary accordingly.

Are Derma Fillers Effective?

Yes they are effective. Over the years, both Restylane and Juvederm have not only seen positive results in patients but have also seen more number of people opting for these treatments over other surgeries that require you to get admitted and take time to show results.

How Long Does It Take To Show Results?

One can see the effects immediately after the treatment. Since the derma filler is injected just under the skin, it can result in some bruising or puffiness. This settles down within a few hours to a maximum of two days.

Juvederm is a smooth gel and can show effects almost instantly as it can spread well under your skin. Restylane is more granular and tends to clump up in the site of injection if not done well. This causes a slight delay for the final results to show.

How Long Do Effects Last?

The effects of derma fillers last anywhere between a few weeks to a few months, based on the area of treatment, the extent of damage and the expertise of the medical professional handling the treatment.

However, Juvederm is believed to last a little longer than Restylane due to the difference in their composition and the texture. Juvederm results can last anywhere between 6 months to 2 years. Restylane might last anywhere between 4 months to a maximum of a year, before it starts to wear out.

Who Should Administer?

Only a qualified dermatologist or doctor who has experience and expertise with derma fillers should administer this treatment. Injecting these fillers under the surface of the skin requires precision and expertise, without which, you can be left with clumps or severe bruising around the area treated.

Is Maintenance Treatment Necessary?

Yes, derma fillers require regular maintenance. The frequency of maintenance or follow-up injections depends on the area of treatment and extent of damage. If there are many deep wrinkles, your doctor will advise you to get more than one injection and also get add on injections more regularly. This will reduce deep wrinkles from showing up and add on injections are easier to administer when done on time.

Precautions

Though both the Restylane and Juvederm lines of derma fillers are safe for adults above the age of 21, one should not opt for this treatment in the following cases:

• If you have had any severe allergic reaction to these derma fillers in the past. If you have had allergic reactions with other derma fillers, do let your doctor know before you opt for this treatment.
• If you are pregnant or nursing your child (the impact of these fillers on pregnant and feeding mothers are unknown as they have not been tested on them)

Conclusion

Both Restylane and Juvederm have been in the market for a while. Your provider may be able to advise you one filler over the other based on your needs, area of treatment, affordability, etc. They are both great options for reducing the appearance of aging for all skin types, on multiple different areas.