How to Choose The Right Filler

Dermal Fillers, also known as Facial Fillers, can work some serious magic when performed by the right practitioner.

Dermal fillers are used to give volume to lips, enhance the cheekbones, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and soften under-eye circles. And yes- they can leave you looking rejuvenated, rested and even younger!

With so many different fillers available on the market, it can be difficult to choose which one is right for you. Here are some factors to keep in mind when considering dermal fillers and tips on how to choose the right filler:

Things to Consider

The type of filler you choose will be dependent upon your budget, your practitioner’s experience and preference, your individual beauty needs as well as your skin’s condition (how elastic or inelastic it is, how much sun damage you have, etc).

It’s important to remember that what may have worked wonders for a friend may not be what’s best for your unique skin needs. Injectables are a journey, not a race! Be patient with your injectable journey. 

If you’re considering going under the needle, here is some key info on some of the most used dermal fillers that we carry at Koru Medical Spa. 

Juvéderm

Price: $675- $900 per syringe 

Juvéderm is a collection of fillers made by a company called Allergan Aesthetics. The main ingredient in these products is a form of Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a naturally occuring substance found in the body that gives the skin moisture, volume, and elasticity. HA depletes with age and as a result, skin loses volume and wrinkles start to appear.

Each Juvéderm filler is designed to treat different areas of the face. Juvéderm Voluma XC is often used to add youthful contours to the face and smooth moderate-to-deep nasolabial folds (smile lines) and marionette lines (from the corners of the mouth to the chin). Juvéderm Ultra XC and Juvederm Volbella XC plump the lips and soften vertical lip lines. 

Though not totally painless, most HA fillers are infused with anesthetic lidocaine that minimizes discomfort during and after treatment. 

The effects of Juvederm can last 6 to 18 months, depending on the filler and the individual.

Restylane

Price: $550-$600 per syringe 

Like Juvéderm, Restylane is a family of HA fillers. These products, made by a company called Galderma, are also specifically designed to treat different areas of the face. The original Restylane is designed to smooth wrinkles, fill in deep folds, and add volume to the lips. 

Restylane Lyft features a much thicker HA gel that is used to treat severe wrinkles and folds as well as volume loss in the cheeks. It is also FDA approved to add fullness to the back of the hands.

Restylane Silk and Restylane Kysse are designed specifically for enhancing the lips, in a very natural and soft way. It is made with smaller HA particles than the others to achieve a natural look.

Restylane’s effects, after 1-2 treatments (occasionally more in specific patient scenarios) can last 6 to 18 months, depending on the filler and the individual.

Sculptra

Price: $1000 per syringe 

Sculptra is an FDA-approved injectable that helps gradually replace lost collagen in the skin. We love sculptra because it addresses the underlying cause of patients’ concerns (collagen loss), not just the outside appearance. 
Unlike Juvederm and Restylane, Sculptra features poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA) that is used to restore the deep, underlying structure of the skin to diminish facial wrinkles. Sculptra works with your body in the deep dermal layer of the skin to help rejuvenate collagen production and restore your skin’s inner protein structure, thus giving your skin more permanent volume. 

Sculptra is a journey, not a race! It will likely take several treatments, about four to six weeks apart, for results to become obvious, as the process of restoring and rebuilding collagen does not happen overnight. This process varies for each individual.

Scultpra can last for up to 2 years! 

Revanesse Versa

$650 per syringe

We are currently really loving this product for various needs. Revanesse Versa is a Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Filler that can be used to treat moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, including nasolabial folds (smile lines).

We found that Versa works amazing on the lips! It can last up to 12 months with needed corrections and is clinically proven to show less swelling than other fillers. 

Still Hesitant? 

Don’t absolutely love your result, or changed your mind on an area you wanted treated? Fear not, HA fillers can be partially or completely broken down and removed with an enzyme called hyaluronidase.

---

$100 off Revanesse Versa

This month at Koru Medical Spa, take $100 off Revanesse Versa filler (usually $650)

---

Misconceptions of Botox

When most people hear the word "botox,' they think of the people in the movies or the housewives on TV who can't move their faces or drink out of a straw. Botox is one of the most popular medical aesthetic treatments worldwide, and for many reasons! However, many have the wrong idea of what it is and its many uses. Here are some of the most common misconceptions:

1. Botox is for treating wrinkles. 

Here's a little secret... Botox can be used to treat a number of issues other than fine lines and wrinkles! There are different types of botox with different uses, Toxin A and Toxin B. Here is a short list of just some of the many uses Botox can temporarily treat: 

• wrinkles

• headaches and migraines

• uncontrollable sweating

• crossed eyes (strabismus)

• jaw pain

• uncontrollable blinking (blepharospasm)

• overactive bladder,

• muscle stiffness/spasms. 

When most people hear the word "botox,' they think of the people in the movies or the housewives on TV who can't move their faces or drink out of a straw. Botox is one of the most popular medical aesthetic treatments worldwide, and for many reasons! However, many have the wrong idea of what it is and its many uses. 

2. Botox is for people who already have wrinkles. 

Another misconception of Botox is that it is only used for those who already have wrinkles... False! In fact, you can get ahead of the game by using botox as a preventative treatment for lines and wrinkles. Wrinkles are a result of long term movement, so the sooner you prevent them the easier it is to treat these lines. As we don't recommend getting Botox as a teenager, many of our patients who come in for treatment are in their mid-twenties. 

3. Botox is for women. 

One huge misconception of Botox is that it's "something women get." Studies have shown that more and more men are getting "brotox" over the years, with many of them starting treatments in their early thirties. 

4. Botox is dangerous. 

Botox is derived from botulinum toxin, which can be hazardous in high doses. However, only minuscule portions of the correct strain are injected into the patient making it virtually harmless. Studies have found that strain A, which is used for Botox injections is FDA approved and does not destroy any neurons. When administered by a trained professional and in the correct dose, there should be little to no concern of Botox being a danger to you. 

5. Botox is a long-term commitment. 

Botox only lasts about three to six months depending on the patient and is not a permanent solution to wrinkles. As muscle action gradually returns, wrinkles will reappear and need to be treated once again. Unfortunately, there is nothing one can do to make it lost longer except for maintaining your treatments. It is best if you do not wait until your wrinkles are completely back in full swing, but rather to re-treat before the Botox completely wears off. Another tip is to continue use of the right products, like wrinkle corrector, sunscreen, moisturizer, etc.