If you’re considering getting fillers, you’ve likely come across many different brands during your research. If it feels overwhelming to pick one, you’re not alone! It’s normal to feel like there’s a “best” choice when it comes to choosing your filler brand, but it might be helpful to know that the answer is a little more nuanced. Here are some things to keep in mind as you explore your options and meet with Jennifer Fick, M.S.N., F.N.P-C, C.A.N.S during a consultation.
How Do Dermal Fillers Work?
Understanding how your injector will select a dermal filler can be helpful in knowing what to look for. Dermal fillers, like Restylane, are made with hyaluronic acid, a molecule naturally found in your skin. This ingredient is responsible for keeping your skin moisturized. When it’s injected into the skin as a dermal filler, it attracts water and creates volume to plump the skin or fill in deep wrinkles and facial folds.
Different formulations of fillers attract different amounts of water and have different consistencies. Some options are smoother, thinner in consistency, and have very small molecules that allow for great flexibility. Other types of fillers are thick and robust, allowing them to provide substantial volume. In this regard, the thickness and consistency of a given filler is often more important than the brand. Therefore, it’s always best to select a qualified and board-certified provider who you can trust, like master cosmetic injector Jennifer Fick. She can help you select the ideal formula, regardless of brand. These are a few other considerations that she will have in mind when selecting the best filler for your treatment:
What’s Your Treatment Area?
The treatment area is one of the most important considerations in selecting the right filler. For example, if you’re looking to enhance your lips, you’ll need a different filler than if you’re looking to contour your jawline. More delicate areas like the lips or under eyes will require a thinner, more flexible formulation. The thin skin around these areas could be easily over-plumped with a thick filler. For jawline or chin contouring, you will need a very stable and supportive gel that holds its shape when injected. When looking at your filler options, start by having a good idea of your treatment area and what you want to achieve.
What Are You Looking to Treat?
In some cases, you may even need different fillers for different goals in the same treatment area. The lips are a great example – for some patients, fine lines and wrinkles are their top concern, meaning a thinner, softer formulation will smooth the skin without creating too much projection. For other patients, a more stable formulation is needed to change the shape of the lips or create a more notable enhancement.
The cheeks are another example – you may need more supportive volume for deeper facial folds, which requires a dense, stable formula. If smoother, glowing skin is your goal, a thin formula with hydrating properties is a better option. Keep in mind what effect you want to achieve with fillers in your treatment area as different formulations will create different results.
Is This Your First Time Receiving Fillers?
Whether you are a first-time patient or are looking for a touch-up will also impact the choice of filler. If this is your first time receiving fillers, Jennifer Fick will focus on creating a foundation, which could mean thicker, more stable products. At your first appointment, deep facial folds will be filled in and more definition can be created in the jawline, cheeks, and chin, depending on your individual goals. As the hyaluronic acid filler is gradually absorbed into the skin, you might start to notice the return of fine lines and wrinkles. Additional appointments can be scheduled to touch up your results; at these touch-up appointments, different fillers than were originally used might be necessary since the quality and texture of the skin have changed.
How Long Do You Want Results to Last?
Some patients seek long-term rejuvenation with dermal fillers while others use fillers to visualize the results they can expect from a surgical procedure. First-time patients might also prefer fillers that dissolve quickly in case they are dislike the way their fillers look. While some fillers can last up to 12 months, others only last an average of six months.
For permanent results, patients might also consider fat injections. A fat transfer is a minimally invasive procedure that harvests body fat from the abdomen and transfers it to the lips or cheeks. This procedure is performed by Dr. Deschamps-Braly. Sometimes patients start with a fat transfer, but it might be a good idea to first start with temporary dermal fillers.
Schedule a Consultation
At Deschamps-Braly Clinic, patients can choose from a full range of injectables and dermal fillers under the expert guidance of our Aesthetic Nurse Specialist, Jennifer Fick. As a master cosmetic injector with over two decades of experience in aesthetics, she can help you select the ideal option for your needs during a consultation. To learn more, contact our San Francisco office by calling or filling out our online form.
Dr. Deschamps-Braly is a board-certified plastic and craniofacial surgeon specializing in facial plastic surgery, orthognathic (jaw) surgery, and craniofacial surgery for adults and children. He is also one of the world’s foremost leaders and innovators in facial gender confirmation surgery.
