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3252 Holiday Court, SUITE 206, La Jolla, CA 92037 | Phone: 858.658.0595

 

Restylane®

Restylane® is a cosmetic filler that is made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally-occuring substance that provides fullness and volume to our skin. Restylane, however, is made synthetically in the laboratory and therefore has little or no risk of transmitting animal-based disease or allergy. What is especially appealing about this substance is that it has been reported to last six to nine months. Restylane may be used to correct facial wrinkles and to add fullness to the lips.

 

[Click photo to enlarge]
Before	After (Restylane® lips)

 

 

Sculptra®

 

Sculptra is an exciting new product for correcting larger areas of volume loss in the face. Sculptra® is a synthetic injectable material known as "poly-L-lactic acid." Poly-L-lactic acid is biocompatible and biodegradable (able to be broken down by the body). Poly-L-lactic acid has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, soft tissue implants, and other types of implants. Sculptra is used for correcting signs of fat loss beneath the skin. Fat loss, as well as loss of bone density and skin elasticity as we age, can lead to sunken cheeks, hollows beneath the eyes, and other depressions. Sculptra injection produces an immediate fullness, which then disappears over several days. However, the body reacts to its presence by gradually depositing new collagen, leading to thicker, healthier-looking skin. These "final results" take about 3-4 weeks and can be very dramatic. At that point, the patient is reassessed and a second treatment may be given. This "liquid facelift" is performed in the office with local anesthesia and no downtime. Results may last 2 years and longer!

 

 

Radiesse™

 

Radiesse is an injectable filler that is used for correction of deeper wrinkles and skin defects and may last up to one year.

More recently, this filler is being used with great success as a filler in the cheeks, with results similar to a cheek implant!

Radiesse is made of very tiny, smooth calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres. The microspheres (particles) form a scaffold through which your body’s own collagen grows, and this produces the long-term effect. Radiesse is especially effective for improving the nasolabial folds or "smile lines." Radiesse in injected with local anesthesia in the office, and produces immediate results. There is no significant patient downtime.

 

Before	After Radiesse to nasolabial folds (smile lines)

 

 

Collagen

 

Collagen is a naturally-occuring protein that is found in the deeper layers of our skin. Over the years, it has been found to be very useful for filling in skin defects and wrinkles, as well as for enhancing the lips. Collagen generally comes in two forms. The bovine form, derived from cow collagen, requires a skin test one month before treatment to test for any allergy. The human form contains human collagen grown in a laboratory, and does not require any skin testing. The effects from collagen injection generally last three to four months.

 

 

Artefill

ArteFill® is the first and only FDA-approved non-resorbable (permanent!) wrinkle filler for the correction of smile lines. ArteFill contains PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) microspheres and purified collagen gel with a built in anesthetic for comfortable injection. The microspheres are permanent and have been refined over the years to provide an impressive safety profile comparable to temporary fillers. The body reacts to the presence of microspheres by depositing collagen, further enhancing the effect.  All patients must undergo a collagen skin test approximately 4 weeks prior to treatment with artefill. While artefill costs slightly more than other fillers, the savings over several years can be substantial. Artefill is available now. Please call our office for more information!