Collagen & Dermal Fillers

Not all wrinkles are the same. There are two main types: static wrinkles and dynamic wrinkles.
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Dynamic wrinkles develop due to the skin repeatedly being pulled and stretched by habitual facial expressions and other motions, like squinting. These lines usually only appear when the face is active.

Static wrinkles are deeper, more etched-in lines that develop because of loss of collagen and elastin. They are always visible on the face. Damage due to environmental stressors such as the force of gravity, sun exposure, and air pollution can also cause static wrinkles to occur.

Most dermal fillers are designed specifically to treat static wrinkles on the middle and lower areas of the face, such as around the nose and mouth.

Botox^® is considered to be a minimally invasive cosmetic because it is far less invasive than surgery. Since the treatment involves only injections and requires no incisions or sutures, there is no necessary recovery period for healing. Patients should be aware of certain side effects to watch for, but can generally resume their everyday activities on the same day as their Botox^® session.

Botox^® is FDA approved for treating forehead wrinkles and crow’s feet, and has been safely applied many millions of times throughout the world. Minor side effects may include headache, dry eyes, tiredness, and blurred vision. Anyone interested in learning more about potential side effects, as well as what to watch for in terms of more serious side effects, can talk to the doctors at Western Dermatology Consultants.

Botox^® works well to reduce the appearance of wrinkles on specific areas of the face, but there may be other regions a patient wants addressed in order to achieve a refreshed, rejuvenated, youthful look. Dermal fillers such as Restylane^®, Juvéderm^®, and Perlane^® can complement a Botox^® injection by correcting other moderate to severe facial wrinkles and adding volume to places that have sunken or thinned. Talk to the Western Dermatology Consultants staff about developing a treatment plan that creates an overall harmonious balance.

Also be aware that Botox^® addresses wrinkles only, so it doesn’t impact blemishes or problems with skin tone. Patients seeking to erase sun or age spots, even out redness, minimize the appearance of scars, or clear their complexion should consider a laser or light treatment, chemical peel, microdermabrasion, or something similar.

Various treatments available at the Spa @ WDC can be combined to deliver polished, smooth, radiant skin that can help a patient to look years younger.

If you’re considering a botulinum toxin-based cosmetic aside from Botox^®, such as Dysport^®, you should know that the units are not interchangeable. Each is a unique brand, and you can learn the differences between them at your consultation.

As noted above, Botox^® is effective at combatting hyperhidrosis in addition to serving as a popular cosmetic. The injectable is also routinely used by medical doctors in relieving neck pain from a condition known as cervical dystonia, managing migraine symptoms, controlling eyelid spasms, treating overactive bladders, and helping strabismus sufferers’ eyes to align.

While Western Dermatology Consultants offers Botox^® only for cosmetic uses, these other applications available elsewhere speak to the injectable’s safety, efficacy, and utility.

Juvederm^® Volux^™ is a dermal filler that enhances the jawline area—one of the most popular areas for patients who are interested in facial rejuvenation treatments. Volux^™ received FDA approval for enhancing the lower face in 2022 and became available at our practice as of early 2023. Volux^™ is the most robust dermal filler in the collection. It can provide structural support to give the jawline a stronger, sharper, and more well-defined appearance. The results last for up to one year.
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Note that Juvederm^® dermal fillers with an “XC” in its label contain lidocaine, a local anesthetic that reduces injection-related discomfort, swelling, and bruising.

The Restylane^® collection is another family of clear, gel-like dermal fillers that are similar to Juvederm^® and are also made from hyaluronic acid. Restylane^® Kysse is used for injections into the lips to add plumpness and can also soften lines around the upper lip. This dermal filler is designed to last longer in the body compared to your naturally occurring hyaluronic acid.

Depending on your individual concerns, one or more of these dermal fillers may be used on specific parts of the face. The treatment protocol for dermal filler treatment can be discussed in detail during a consultation. Typically, your injector will administer the first unit dermal filler, then wait to allow sensation in the rest of the treatment area to fade before proceeding with the remaining injections. Patients concerned about potential pain can also request a topical numbing agent to help reduce sensation in the targeted area. Some slight massaging by your injector may ensure that the dermal filler is evenly distributed throughout the face to restore the appearance of natural collagen.

How long does it take to see results from dermal fillers? Simply put, the effects from dermal fillers are visible right away. Patients will see a difference in the treated areas as soon as the filler is injected. Most patients can return to their normal daily activities within 24 hours. Makeup can typically be used after a dermal filler session to cover up any bruising. Other temporary side effects—lasting from a few days to about four weeks—may include tenderness, firmness, swelling, bumps, lumps, and/or discomfort in the treated areas.
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Some patients find that follow-up dermal filler treatments after their initial session help to better achieve the results they’re looking for, as well as for maintenance treatments to preserve them long-term.