Comprehensive Guide to Facial Filling and Improvement in New York City
Facial filling and improvement have become incredibly popular in the world of cosmetic dermatology, offering a non - invasive way to achieve a more youthful and refreshed appearance. In New York City, there is a wide range of experts and doctors specializing in these treatments. This guide will take you through everything you need to know, including rankings of top experts, details about different facial fillers, and a price list.
What Are Facial Fillers?
A facial filler is a cosmetic product designed for injection into the soft tissue to produce an anti - aging effect, create contour, or enhance a facial feature. It can also be referred to as a soft tissue filler or dermal filler. Facial fillers come in various formulations and styles, allowing experts to design customized treatment plans based on patients' needs.
According to the research from Dr. Michele Green's website, facial fillers can smooth away fine lines and deep wrinkles, restore lost facial volume, enhance key facial features, and improve or create dynamic facial contour. They are a non - invasive alternative to traditional plastic surgery, with little to no downtime and long - lasting results.
How Do Facial Fillers Work?
Facial fillers are designed to boost collagen development within the dermis layers, encouraging volume creation in the treatment area. The mechanism by which a given dermal filler can stimulate collagen production depends on the type of filler used. Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers, such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero, are the most commonly used. Once injected, they bind with the water in the skin, resulting in a lifting and plumping effect and an overall smoother skin texture. They also promote collagen production.
Biostimulating facial fillers, like Sculptra, Radiesse, and Bellafill, encourage the body to create new collagen. For example, Sculptra is made of poly - l - lactic acid. When injected, it slowly stimulates the body's own collagen production, gradually increasing volume and smoothness over a series of treatments.
Types of Facial Fillers
Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the skin that supplies it with suppleness and youthfulness. Many popular facial fillers are made of hyaluronic acid.
- Juvederm Collection: A popular line of HA fillers from Allergan.
- Juvederm Voluma XC: Increases volume in the cheeks, chin, and midface. It can create a “liquid facelift” by reducing overall facial sagging and minimizing the appearance of jowls. Results can last up to 12 months.
- Juvederm Volbella: Creates subtle lip enhancement and reduces the appearance of perioral lines and “smoker’s lines”. It can also reduce the appearance of tear troughs. Results last up to one year.
- Juvederm Ultra XC: Restores facial volume and smooths fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. It is commonly used for lip volume and contour and can last nine to twelve months.
- Juvederm Ultra Plus XC: Treats nasolabial folds, smile lines, and marionette lines in the mid and lower face and enhances lip volume and contour. It lasts approximately nine to twelve months.
- Juvederm Vollure: Treats the appearance of nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and smile lines and lasts around 18 months.
- Juvederm Volux: FDA - approved to enhance the jawline and reduce the appearance of jowls. Due to its thicker formulation, it can last anywhere from six to eighteen months.
- Skinvive: Uses hyaluronic acid microdroplets to promote hydration and smoothness to the skin. It typically lasts for six months.
- Restylane Family: Distributed by Galderma.
- Restylane - L: Corrects moderate facial wrinkles in the mouth and tear trough area, provides subtle, natural - looking lip enhancement, and can treat acne scars. Cosmetic results can last for six to nine months.
- Restylane Lyft: Treats deep lines and wrinkles, corrects age - related volume loss in the midface, and restores a younger - looking appearance to the hands. It lasts approximately nine to twelve months.
- Restylane Contour: FDA - approved to augment the cheeks and correct age - related volume loss in the midface. It lasts up to twelve months.
- Restylane Defyne and Restylane Refyne: Used to treat severe - to - moderate smile lines and laugh lines and to enhance the chin and jawline. Both can last up to one year.
- Restylane Volyme: Contains a soft formulation that boosts volume and enhances the look of the cheeks, chin, and jawline. Results can last up to one year.
- Restylane Kysse: Utilizes innovative xpreshan technology to create plump, enhanced lips and reduce the appearance of fine lines around the mouth. Results can last for one year.
- Restylane Silk: Has a small particle size to rejuvenate the lips and perioral lines. It typically lasts for six or more months.
- Restylane Eyelight: FDA - approved to treat the delicate tear trough area and eliminate the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. It can last for up to eighteen months.
- Restylane Skinboosters: Deliver dermal hydration and improve the skin’s overall health through a series of microinjections. Treatment entails multiple sessions spaced one month apart, after which patients can return biannually to maintain and enhance the results.
- Belotero: A hyaluronic acid facial filler manufactured by Merz. With a small HA particle size, it can immediately integrate into the skin. Belotero Balance is perfect for correcting the appearance of hollow under - eyes caused by a tear trough and smoothing ultra - fine lines around the mouth. The cosmetic results typically last for six months.
Biostimulating Fillers
- Radiesse: An FDA - approved calcium hydroxylapatite filler. It replenishes lost collagen under the skin and uses a patented microsphere technology to create initial volume in the treatment area while simultaneously igniting the production of new collagen. It can be used to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and deep lines around the nose and mouth, rejuvenate the hands, contour the jawline, and enhance cheekbones. After an initial series of treatments spaced one month apart, results can last up to two years.
- Sculptra: An FDA - approved, biocompatible synthetic injectable that stimulates the body’s collagen production process. It is made of poly - l - lactic acid. The results from Sculptra injections tend to develop over 4 - 6 weeks following treatment and can last up to two years. It is excellent for volume restoration in the cheeks, temples, jaw, and chin, as well as for overall facial rejuvenation along the forehead and mouth area. It can also be used for butt augmentation, knee rejuvenation, hand revitalization, and the reduction of stretch marks, cellulite, and acne scars.
- Bellafill: Comprised of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) microspheres combined in a volumizing matrix with purified bovine collagen and lidocaine. This matrix supports and enhances the body’s production of new collagen. It was originally approved for reducing the appearance of nasolabial folds and depressed acne scars and can also add volume to other areas of the face, such as the cheeks. It has been reported to last from two to five years.
Top Experts and Doctors in New York City
Dr. Michele Green
Dr. Michele Green is an internationally renowned board - certified cosmetic dermatologist with over two and a half decades of experience. She was one of the first dermatologists in New York to utilize popular dermal filler products like Restylane and Juvederm for facial rejuvenation. She takes a holistic approach and embraces a less - is - more philosophy when it comes to facial rejuvenation, customizing each patient’s treatment plan. Dr. Green is consistently identified as one of NYC’s best dermatologists by Castle Connolly, Super Doctors, New York Magazine, and The New York Times.
Patients who consult with Dr. Green can expect a personalized treatment plan that incorporates a combination of in - office treatment options and specially formulated skin care products best suited to their specific skin concerns and unique aesthetic goals. She uses her expertise to help patients achieve and maintain a natural - looking, long - lasting, more youthful appearance.
Dr. Joshua Zimm
Dr. Joshua Zimm is one of the leading experts in facial fillers in Manhattan. As a master injector, his innovative technique when injecting facial fillers results in less bruising and pain. He uses the DermaSculpt microcannula, which has a blunt tip and is flexible, reducing the risk of cutting through veins and blood vessels.
Dr. Zimm is specially trained in the administration of Juvederm and Restylane. He takes the time to understand his patients' concerns and goals, and is known for providing excellent results and patient satisfaction, as evidenced by numerous positive reviews from his patients.
Dr. Julia Tzu
Dr. Julia Tzu of Wall Street Dermatology has been utilizing injectable fillers for over a decade to revive the skin with natural - appearing results and restore youthful, well - balanced features. Her expert knowledge of surgical anatomy as a skin surgeon allows her to choose the best soft tissue fillers and navigate filler injections safely for her patients.
Dr. Tzu believes that the key to natural - appearing results is not only the selection of the appropriate filler but also instinctively being able to pinpoint prime injection points that can provide metric - based harmony to each person’s face.
Who is a Good Candidate for Facial Filler Treatment?
A good candidate for facial filler treatment is any patient aged 21 or older who is generally in good physical health and has realistic expectations regarding the results of their treatment. Patients who want to replenish lost volume, enhance facial contouring, have mild to moderate facial wrinkles, or are interested in naturally enhancing their facial features (such as lip augmentation) are all excellent candidates for facial fillers.
However, if you have allergies or a pre - existing skin condition, you should talk to an expert injector like Dr. Green before having any treatment with dermal fillers. Additionally, dermal fillers are contraindicated for pregnant or currently breastfeeding women.
The Process of Getting Facial Fillers
Consultation
The first step is to schedule a consultation with a board - certified dermatologist, such as Dr. Michele Green. During the consultation, the doctor will assess your medical history, facial anatomy, skin concerns, and aesthetic goals to confirm you are a good candidate for facial fillers and develop a unique treatment plan for your facial rejuvenation. Medical photography will be taken at this time to track the future progress of treatment.
Dr. Green recommends avoiding any blood thinners, NSAIDs (aspirin, Aleve), vitamin E, fish oil, and multivitamins for one week before the procedure to reduce the risk of bruising. Patients prone to bruising can use topical or oral Arnica Forte, an herbal supplement, a few days before the procedure to prevent bruising or accelerate the healing of any bruising.
Procedure
An hour before your facial filler appointment, a topical numbing cream should be applied to the treatment area to minimize any discomfort during the procedure. When you arrive at the office, the numbing cream will be cleaned, and the skin will be sterilized for treatment. The doctor will then masterfully inject the selected facial fillers into the treatment areas. An ice pack will immediately be placed on the injected areas to minimize swelling and bruising.
Aftercare
Aftercare information will be reviewed based on the type of facial filler used during treatment. Dr. Green invites her patients to return for a follow - up two weeks after the procedure to check on the results from treatment and see if any additional filler is needed. Some general aftercare tips include avoiding strenuous activities and extreme facial expressions for 24 - 48 hours afterwards, avoiding makeup during the first week post - treatment, and monitoring progress for any signs of itching, redness, or other abnormal reactions.
Potential Side Effects of Facial Filler Treatment
Facial filler treatment is generally safe, especially in the hands of an expert injector. Some of the most common side effects from treatment include bruising, redness, swelling, nodule formation, pain, localized infection, and the Tyndall effect (a blue tint appearance in the treatment area caused by light reflecting off the gel particles in the filler, which often occurs with filler injections in the tear trough area and can be prevented by choosing a small particle - sized filler like Belotero).
Most side effects resolve on their own shortly after the filler procedure. Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero can be dissolved with hyaluronidase injections if lumps or nodules occur and do not resolve on their own. However, facial fillers like Sculptra, Radiesse, and Bellafill cannot be dissolved, which is why it is important to have your facial filler treatment performed by an expert injector to avoid any unwanted side effects.
Although rare, allergic reactions can be serious, and it is imperative to disclose any allergies to your injector before treatment. When facial fillers are improperly performed, more serious side effects can occur, including blindness, stroke, and skin necrosis if the filler is injected into a blood vessel. Therefore, it is essential to select a board - certified dermatologist.
How Long Does Facial Filler Last?
The longevity of facial fillers depends on the type of dermal filler used. Most hyaluronic acid dermal fillers produce cosmetic effects that last between six and twelve months, depending on the patient’s metabolism, the amount of dermal filler product used, and the type of HA filler used. For example, Juvederm Voluma can last up to 12 months, while Skinvive lasts for six months.
Biostimulating fillers like Radiesse and Sculptra usually last longer. Radiesse can last up to two years, and Sculptra can last up to two years after an initial series of treatments. Bellafill can last from two to five years. The semi - permanence of facial fillers allows for adaptability in your cosmetic treatment plan as your skin concerns and aesthetic goals may change over time.
Can Facial Fillers Be Dissolved?
The composition of the facial filler determines if it is dissolvable. Hyaluronic acid facial fillers are unique in that their treatment effects can be completely dissolved and reversed through hyaluronidase injection. Hyaluronidase is an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid naturally in the body. If a patient observes lumps or bumps remaining two weeks after their hyaluronic acid filler injections or is unhappy with the results, they can be treated with hyaluronidase.
On the other hand, Sculptra, Radiesse, and Bellafill are considered semi - permanent types of dermal fillers that cannot be dissolved or removed. It is important to consult with an expert injector to ensure the best cosmetic results and to avoid unwanted side effects.
Price List of Facial Fillers in New York City
The cost of dermal filler treatments can vary depending on a variety of factors such as the brand of filler used, the injector’s experience, the geographical location of the cosmetic clinic, the amount of product required, and the complexity of the procedure.
| Type of Filler | Treated Area | Cost per Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Restylane/Juvederm | Nasolabial Folds | $400 - 600 |
| Restylane/Juvederm | Lips | $400 - 600 |
| Botox | Frown Lines | $300 - 500 |
| Botox | Frown Lines, Forehead and Crowsfeet | $500 - 900 |
| Dysport | Frown Lines | <
