There are so many treatments aimed at rejuvenating the face that they can all meld together at some point in your research. This is an area of beauty in which the more you learn, the more frustrated you may feel. Essentially, the goal of rejuvenating the face isn’t so straightforward. To determine which treatment or treatments may be right for you, it is beneficial to begin by identifying what needs to change. This is why a consultation with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon is so valuable. We’re happy to speak with you about your concerns and goals. Just give us a call at (512) 450-1077.
Here, we want to look at two popular ways to bring new energy into the face using injectables.
Filling in Volume
Over time and with the performance of thousands of facelifts, it became apparent to those in the beauty business that there is much more to aging than wrinkles and sagging. One of the primary problems that occur with age is that we love volume in certain areas of the face. This discovery is what led to the development of facial fillers.
Synthetic facial fillers such as Juvéderm are formulated with naturally-occurring substances such as hyaluronic acid. In the instance of a hyaluronic acid dermal filler, the mechanism that creates change is the attraction of water molecules. Once water has been drawn into the area of treatment, such as smile lines, hyaluronic acid binds to them and holds them in place for several months. Other fillers, such as Sculptra, work by creating a scaffold beneath the skin that gradually increases collagen stores for better-looking contours. Still, results are temporary.
Using Fat for Contouring
In recent years, fat transfer, or fat injections, have become increasingly popular. This method of facial rejuvenation harvests fat cells from another part of the body and introduces purified cells into the areas of the face that need a boost, such as the cheeks or temples. This technique requires a minor liposuction procedure to obtain fat, but recovery usually only lasts a few days.
Making the Comparison
- Fine lines and wrinkles improve with both facial fillers and fat transfer. Some lines are best treated with a neuromodulator such as BOTOX.
- Facial volume in the mid face, chin, and other areas can be similarly improved with either fat or fillers.
- Downtime after dermal fillers is zero. Patients may want to take 1 or 2 days off for fat transfer due to mild soreness in extraction and injection sites.
- Results are immediate after each of these treatments. However, it is normal for a degree of absorption to occur after fat transfer, so contouring is likely to change somewhat over several weeks.
- To obtain the desired outcome, some patients may need more than one fat transfer treatment.
- Dermal fillers absorb naturally over several months’ time. This can range from a few months to two years. The results of fat transfer are permanent.
Receive the personal care you need to rejuvenate your face. Contact us for a consultation in our Austin office.
