Facial Fillers in Chicago, IL
There is a wide range of injectable facial fillers used today, including multiple brands that each offer several different formulations. Depending on the area(s) of your face about which you are concerned, there are certain products that may be ideal for treatment.
For example, to restore volume to the cheeks, you might use a slightly thicker, firmer product; however, if you are interested in plumping your lips, a thinner, softer product may be more desirable. Dr. Thomas is well-versed in the different options and can help guide you on which product(s) would be best for the result you are trying to achieve.
Various Applications of Fillers
Fillers are most commonly used to:
- Add volume to the cheeks, lower eyelids, or lips
- Smooth the contour of tear troughs, jawline, or nasolabial folds (creases that curve from your nose to the corners of your mouth when you smile)
Range of Injectable Fillers
The majority of the fillers used in our office are composed of a substance that naturally occurs in the skin called hyaluronic acid. This has proven to be a safe, biocompatible material that is well-tolerated by patients and does not carry the risk of allergic reaction. Additionally, if there is a treated area in which you do not like the result, the product is dissolvable (aka reversible) within a certain period of time.
We carry a wide range of Restylane® and Juvederm® products as listed below. These are all based on hyaluronic acid, but each is modified to provide a unique combination of thickness and consistency. Thicker, firmer products are generally useful in larger areas to increase volume, while thinner, softer products are typically used to augment lips or improve skin contour.
Restylane® in Chicago, IL
- Restylane-L
- Refyne
- Defyne
- Lyft
Juvederm® in Chicago, IL
- Ultra
- Voluma
- Vollure
- Volbella
Preparing for facial fillers
Dr. Thomas does filler injections in his clinic, and the treatment itself typically takes 15-20 minutes depending on how many areas he is treating. However, if you have not had fillers injected before or do not know what you want to have done, he will go through a full consultation with you prior to treatment. Dr. Thomas uses a specially formulated topical numbing cream for all patients unless they request otherwise.
Precautions to take for Facial Fillers
Before injecting the Fillers
Prior to your treatment, you should avoid aspirin/NSAIDs (ex. Ibuprofen) and natural supplements that may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising. The most commonly used natural supplements that increase the risk of bleeding are: ginseng, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, vitamin E, and fish oils (containing omega-3 fatty acids).
After injecting the Fillers
Following treatment, you may have some redness, discomfort, and/or swelling in the treated areas.
When Can I see the results from Facial Fillers?
Some of the beneficial effects of the fillers are immediately apparent, but it takes 3-5 days for the product to integrate into your skin and for any mild swelling to go away. At this point, the full effect of the product is visible. The product will stay where it is injected and will not migrate to another part of your face, but it is slowly absorbed over time. Depending on the product used and the area being treated, the results generally last between 6-12 months.
Why prefer Dr. Thomas for Facial Fillers in Chicago, IL
Dr. Thomas has been using injectable fillers for many years and has the skill and experience necessary to achieve the best possible result from these minimally invasive treatments.