Facial Fillers

What are Facial or Dermal Fillers?

A popular non-surgical alternative for a rejuvenated appearance is the use of a variety of injectable dermal or facial fillers. Dermal fillers are intended to enrich a person’s facial aesthetics with the addition of volume in appropriate places. Intended results include: boosted facial fullness; scar revision; plumped lips; reduction in the appearance of wrinkles; softened facial creases; augmentation of shallow contours; and skin rejuvenation. At Georgia Dermatology Center in Cumming, GA we offer several types of dermal fillers including: , Juvederm®, Voluma®, Restylane Silk®, Radiesse®, Bellafill, Sculptra®, and Belotero®.

All soft tissue fillers facilitate increased volume to your facial skin, although each type of filler material performs differently and the lifespan of the effects varies. However, as the formulation and ingredients of each filler  are unique, no single filler performs effectively in all areas of the face. Dermal fillers such as Juvederm®, Belotero® and Radiesse® are particularly effective in immediate softening and filling in nasolabial folds and marionette lines. A very important distinction is that only certain fillers are appropriate for lip enhancement, usually Juvederm® and a newer product with similar characteristics,Restylane Silk®, as they contain small micro-spheres and can be targeted in and around the lip lines to achieve desired results.

Dermal fillers are safe if used correctly. They are generally simple to administer and the results last for a significant period of time. A significant benefit is that dermal fillers provide cosmetic results that can be reproduced from treatment to treatment, and as some fillers are designed to assist the generation of your own collagen, the number of treatments required to maintain the rejuvenated appearance may decrease over time. Although the results of dermal fillers are not equivalent to cosmetic surgery, these treatments are minimally invasive and offer a less costly alternative to cosmetic surgery, results are immediately noticeable, and there is little or no recovery period or downtime following treatment.

What is the Injection Process?

The injection process for fillers with immediate results typically is completed in a single visit, taking just a few minutes per site for wrinkle reduction and line softening. Extremely deep lines and scars may require more than one treatment to achieve the desired results, as well as the products Sculptra® and Artefill®, which are designed to stimulate your ow natural collagen production. A topical anesthetic is usually used to numb the area, although for patients with extremely sensitive skin or where deeper injections may be required, a localized injectable anesthetic may be administered. A thin needle is employed to inject the dermal filler into the targeted area where reduction in wrinkles or fullness is desired. It is normal to initially experience some minor discomfort, and possibly swelling and slight bruising at the injection site, particularly around the lips, but most patients are able to return to work or engage in daily activities within a day.

Depending on the specific filler being used, and the target area, you can expect results lasting between 3 months to five years. Collagen based products typically yield the shortest result life, while hylauronic acid based fillers are proven to last from six months to one year. The enhancement results around the lip area, due to constant movement, typically exhibit the shortest duration of results, while the nasal labial fold area maintains results for periods up to one year. It is important to remember that effective results are due as much to the injection technique as the type of filler being used. This is why our experienced specialist in cosmetic dermatology at Georgia Dermatology Center, Dr. Gross, can deliver the best in technique and care.

Our Most Popular Fillers

We offer several options of dermal fillers.

• JUVÉDERM®  – is composed of hyaluronic acid, and is a natural substance found in the body. It is indicated for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (i.e., nasolabial folds). Juvederm® intended to optimally treat specific skin density and problem areas with smaller micro-spheres, so it tends to remain in place more effectively than other products. JUVÉDERM® is especially flexible enough to be used to enhance lips and correct vertical lip lines.
• JUVÉDERM XC®-is used to treat fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth and helps define and volumize the lips. This treatment has little down time and you can enjoy fuller, more youthful lips 6-9 months.
• JUVEDERM XC PLUS®- is designed to instantly soften lines around the mouth and nose (nasolabial creases from the nose to the corners of the mouth). This injectable will also naturally fill in the creases at the angles of the lips leaving you with a smile. This injection treatment leaves you with instant results and no downtime. You can enjoy this natural rejuvenated look 6-9 months.
• VOLUMA®- is the newest of the Juvederm family. Voluma delivers instant enhancement of the cheeks. Voluma is a deep dermal injection designed to correct age related volume loss in the cheeks. Once injected, you will notice how this filler nicely “lifts” your cheeks. This injectable reverses the aging process instantly by lifting and contouring the cheeks. There is minimal bruising with this treatment with no downtime and gives instant results. More than one treatment may be necessary to achieve the desired result however; it can leave your cheeks plump for up to two years.
• RADIESSE® is made of a mineral-like compound found naturally in human bones – calcium hydroxyapatite. Radiesse is a volumizing filler that delivers immediate lift to correct moderate to severe wrinkles and folds. In addition to having the efficacy to fill in the deepest creases, such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and frown lines, while stimulating natural collagen growth, Radiesse® can enhance fullness of the cheeks as well as other facial contours. This treatment can leave your face looking refreshed up to 12 months.
• RADIESSE® FOR HANDS is now available to improve the appearance of aging hands. Radiesse for Hands is the only dermal filler FDA approved and proven to immediately restore volume loss of the hands leaving a smooth natural appearance. There may be mild to moderate bruising with this treatment with no downtime and gives instant results. More than one treatment may be necessary to achieve the desired result. Results can last for about a year.
• SCULPTRA® is effective in stimulating the body’s own production of collagen as well. It is comprised of polylactic acid, a synthetic material that also targets the lower half of the face. Sculptra® is intended to correct adipose tissue loss of the cheeks.  As compared to other dermal fillers that produce near immediate results, more than one treatment may be necessary and Sculptra® results typically take at least a few months to appear, although the results are longer lasting. Sculptra works gradually after treatment to correct hollowing of the cheeks, caused by the decreased volume in the cheeks, whether this is caused by natural aging or weight loss. Treatments can last for up to two years.
• BELLAFILL® is the only permanent filler. A unique injectable filler for the correction of nasolabial creases for a long period of time. Bellafill leaves you with a natural, younger looking appearance. An allergy test will have to be performed 30 days prior to injection treatment. Unlike other wrinkle fillers, Bellafill® is made with unique microsphere-enhanced collagen. Upon injection, the collagen gel is absorbed by your body while the microspheres stay in place, giving the skin long-lasting support. Results will be seen immediately and will continue to improve over time. Over 15,000 patients have been safely treated with Bellafill®.
• Restylane Silk® Dr. Alexander Gross is proud to be amongst the first in the Atlanta area to offer Restylane Silk®. Restylane Silk is a product based upon the tried and true hyaluronic gel used in Restylane, but with a smaller particle size.  It was FDA approved in June 2014, and is now available at Georgia Dermatology in Cumming, GA.  With its smaller particle size, it is effectively used to treat very fine lines and wrinkles, including “smokers” lines around the lips, and to add lip volume in general.  Restylane Silk also contains lidocaine 0.3%, to help reduce discomfort during injection.  Longevity of the product is reported to be similar to that of Restylane, which can range from 6 months to a year.
• Restylane® & Perlane have been one of Dr. Gross’ best-selling dermal fillers for years. Dr. Gross uses Restylane® and Perlane® add volume and help fill, smooth, and minimize lines and wrinkles on the face. With his skill and artistry, these dermal fillers can be used to help create a natural, younger-looking appearance.
• BELOTERO® – is soft tissue filler, approved for temporarily smoothing out and filling fine lines and wrinkles. Belotero is used in the nasolabial creases and around the mouth to soften stubborn creases. Belotero will leave a natural rejuvenated look to your face. Belotero treatments are relatively painless with the help of ice compresses before the procedure and the results can last 6-9 months. Most patients who use Belotero schedule follow up treatments after six to twelve month to maintain their youthful, fresh appearance.

JUVÉDERM®, composed of hyaluronic acid, is a natural substance found in the body. It is indicated for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds (i.e., nasolabial folds). Juvederm® intended to optimally treat specific skin density and problem areas with smaller micro-spheres, so it tends to remain in place more effectively than other products. JUVÉDERM®, is especially flexible enough to be used to enhance lips and correct vertical lip lines.

To achieve the maximum facial rejuvenation experience, the “liquid facelift” procedure employs the use of multiple fillers for different facial areas to improve the entire facial aesthetic. In this procedure, soft tissue fillers, in conjunction with muscle inhibitors such as Botox® and Xeomin, are administered via injection to targeted areas.

Georgia Dermatology in Cumming, GA is one of the largest user of injectable dermal fillers in the entire Atlanta Metro area including Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Lawrenceville, Gainesville, and Sugar Hill. Dr. Alexander Gross has been specially trained and certified to teach other physicians on how to properly do injectable treatments in order to achieve the best results. He also is one of the most experienced with with over 15 years experience in injectable treatments.