Youthful features are marked by plump cheeks and smooth, supple skin. When we get older, our collagen fiber network begins to weaken and is slower to repair and replenish. The result is lost facial volume, thinner skin, and sagging as our tissues react to gravity. At Longwood Plastic Surgery, we can temporarily reverse these signs of aging with the artistic use of dermal fillers.
How Do Dermal Fillers Work?
While restoring lost volume is the purpose of dermal fillers, the various fillers accomplish this in different ways. For example, Juvéderm® fillers are a hyaluronic acid (HA) gel, which is a substance naturally occurring in the body to hydrate and nourish the skin. The manufacturing process combines molecular weights of HA in different configurations to achieve the consistency, cohesiveness, and spreadability desired in specific formulas.
A different dermal filler, Sculptra®, focuses on the collagen fiber network. Sculptra® is made of Poly-L-Lactic-Acid (PLLA), which also naturally occurs in the body. In this case, PLLA acts as a collagen stimulator, encouraging dermal to build new, healthy fibers. This process takes more time than HA fillers, but it restores your skin’s collagen fiber network for longer-term support to reduce lines and wrinkles and rejuvenate facial volume. While many HA fillers last 6-12 months, Sculptra® can last up to 2 years before retreatment is necessary.
How Much Do Dermal Fillers Cost?
As with any other cosmetic procedure, cost is a determining factor in deciding to have dermal filler treatments. Many patients feel the peace of mind from these treatments that their signs of aging aren’t getting worse is well worth the price of the procedure. At LPS, we also offer flexible financing and payment options to help make the decision easier for our patients to invest in themselves.
Factors that influence the cost of dermal fillers are many. Each patient has unique anatomy and varying degrees of volume loss, so the amount of filler to restore more youthful contours will also fluctuate. The amount of filler needed will directly influence the overall cost.
Longwood Plastic Surgery offers a syringe of Juvederm® for $700 and $1,000 for Juvederm® Voluma. They also offer a vial of Sculptra dermal filler for approximately $1,000 out of pocket. Of course, the cost of your treatment will be unique and depend on the amount of filler needed. Some patients may need more or less than a single syringe to achieve their aesthetic goals.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?
Because both Juvéderm® and Sculptra® are made of substances the body naturally produces, they’re very well tolerated by most patients. Those who see the best results are patients with realistic expectations for what dermal fillers can achieve with their appearance. Your LPS specialist can explain everything you need to know during your comprehensive consultation.
What Results Can I Expect from Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers have become such a popular aesthetic treatment because their results can be seen immediately. The volume of the gel is designed to restore volume in your cheeks, around your eyes, at your temples, and in deepening lines right away.
In the case of Sculptra®, the gel may not immediately produce the volume you’ll need to diminish your hollow areas or deepening lines completely, but as the PLLA goes to work, your collagen fiber network will create the scaffolding your skin needs to maintain its youthful appearance. With Sculptra®, your target volume level will peak around 4-6 months and last for up to 2 years before you may need another treatment. The Juvéderm® filler you’ve selected will determine the longevity of your youthful results, most often lasting between 6-12 months or longer.
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning about dermal fillers? Schedule your consultation with Longwood Plastic Surgery today by calling our Brookline office at (617) 383-6250. We serve the Brookline and Greater Boston area with distinction.