Over the last 10 to 20 years, I’ve performed tens of thousands of dermal filler injections, and hundreds of thousands of Botox and Dysport injections, and it really does take a complete focus in cosmetic medicine to be a master of the art of injectables. The use of injectable agents such as Botox, Dysport and Xeomin is a staple segment of the cosmetic field. These agents slow our muscles down and decrease the wrinkles we see. They can affect the shape of the brow, the shape of the eye, and other parts of the face for better symmetry or a smoother well-rested appearance. At Reflections Center, we use injectables very conservatively so you can’t tell they’ve been been used, helping us to age gracefully. The use of injectable fillers is an art in itself, and it’s something that takes years and years of training and thousands of patients to really master the craft.
New Developments with Dermal Fillers
There has been an explosion in the number of new dermal fillers on the market today. There’s Restylane, there’s Juvederm, Belotero, Silk, Voluma and Sculptra. I could keep on going. Along with more variety, dermal fillers continue to improve year after year and we actually use about 20 different fillers in our practice. In Europe, there are about 100 different fillers on the market, and that’s coming our way. My colleagues in the cosmetic medicine field often ask, “But, why do you use so many dermal fillers? I only use one.” And the reality is, they’re all different. They each have their own attributes and uses allowing me to create a customized look. Another one of the advancements in dermal filler injections is the use of a technology called AccuVein. AccuVein gives us the ability to look under the skin and actually see where the veins live. If we can avoid those veins, we can avoid a bruise. Bruising to me, is just not something we want to see if we can help it. I want patients to go right back to work, right back to their life or right to dinner as if nothing happened.
Different Concerns, Different Fillers
If we’re treating a woman’s lips, for example, are we trying to create volume in their lip? Are we trying to create a better border in their lip? Are they bothered by the little lip lines that they see in the white part of their lips? Do they not like the crinkles in the red part of their lip? This may seem like excessive detail but each of these indications is best treated with a different type of dermal filler. That’s why, depending on what the patient’s goals are, we’re going to offer them the best tool for the job.
Prioritizing Natural Results
Years ago, we used to soley treat lines and wrinkles with fillers, and today, we use them in a very different way. We use them to:
- Re-volumize the face, to help regain youthful contours
- Improve the jawline, to decrease jowls
- Improve the shape of the nose
- Lift the eyebrows
- Volumize and shape the lips.
Injectables are used in many different parts of the face, and in the hands of a skilled injector, you really shouldn’t be able to tell where they’ve been used. The face should just look more youthful and rested. Part of our goal for dermal filler treatments is to make this a treatment that someone can fit into their daily life, something they don’t need to take time off of work for. So we try to decrease swelling, bruising, any discomfort afterward, and one of the big advancements in this field are the use of what we call cannulas. Cannulas are little flexible tubes that don’t have any point at the end, so they’re much gentler to use than a needle. There’s a bit of a learning curve when injecting with one, so you want to make sure that you’re seeking care from a practitioner who has extensive experience with cannulas. Once you’re injected using a cannula, you’ll never go back and ask for a needle. I use these cannulas to inject cheeks, lips, and the under eye area, making the treatment very comfortable while limiting the bruising and downtime.
“The plastic look from Botox is very much a concern of mine, and Dr. Wix-Harris assured me she was using a very small amount, and I don’t think that it is an artificial look for me. I still have movement in my forehead. I didn’t want that plank look, and I didn’t get it. I’m very happy with it.
I feel at least 10 years younger. No one ever knew that I got anything done, and that’s what I love about it. It’s just kind of a… It boosts your confidence to look in the mirror and you don’t have to worry about lines or wrinkles, or, you know, anything deflating. I think that boost in your confidence, that you can just go out and conquer the world, there’s nothing like it.”
Choosing an Injector
Patients should be very selective about who they choose for dermal filler and neurotoxin injections. Patients want to choose someone with experience, vast knowledge, and one who has a fully equipped facility. It’s those individuals that are going to give the patient the best and safest result with the most natural-looking outcome. At Reflections, only physicians are performing these cosmetic injections and not only are these physicians trained they also hold several years of experience.
Schedule a Consultation at Reflections
In order to find a cosmetic physician that’s right for you, speak to friends, speak to relatives and spend some time looking at review sites. Make sure the practitioner that you’re seeing is a physician that is adequately trained and sufficiently experienced to do the kinds of injections that you desire. At Reflections, we check all of these boxes for our patients while always offering the latest, most innovative treatments. Call one of our offices today to schedule your comprehensive consultation.
