Juvederm

Complimentary Consultation

Dermal fillers are gels or other substances that plump up the tissues.  They are often used for plumping the lips or cheeks or for filling in areas where there are deep folds or grooves.  There are temporary fillers, semi-permanent, and permanent fillers.  At glow Medi Spa, we use only temporary fillers such as hyaluronic acid, which are safe, effective, and require minimal down-time.

An example is Juvederm, which is a new generation of hyaluronic acid (HLA).  Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus are smooth, long-lasting and has minimal swelling.  Clients are usually pleased because there is minimal swelling and redness and they can go right back to their usual activities with no down-time.  It lasts six to twelve months, depending on the area treated and it looks so natural.  There are no animal products in it like collagen, so you don't need to get a skin test prior to treatment.

Here are some common questions asked by our clients at glow Medi Spa.

"What is the difference between Botox and Fillers?" 

Botox relaxes muscles and softens dynamic lines caused by muscle contractions / pulling.  Dermal fillers are gels usually that are injected to plump up tissues and fill in grooves.  For example, Juvederm is a dermal filler made of hyaluronic acid (HLA).  HLA is a starch normally found in your tissues, the function is to hydrate the tissues.  It is very safe with very few potential complications.  In some areas BOTOX may be more appropriate, in other areas fillers are better.  Often they are used in combination to achieve the best result.  A consultation will provide you with specific suggestions for your needs.

"Where are dermal fillers used?"

The most common area to use fillers is in the lips (increasing the fullness, defining the lips, or treating the small lines around the lips). Juvederm is ideal for creating more fullness to the lips.  It creates a very natural appearance without looking or feeling stiff.  There is very little swelling after so you can usually go right back to work or to your usual routine.  Clients will often start with a small increase in volume to enhance their lips or give more shape or definition to the borders of the lips.  Small lines around the lips can also be effectively filled in without changing the size of the lips. These perioral lines are more common in people that smoke or speak French.  It's caused by the pursing action of the lips.  What a relief not to have your lipstick bleed anymore.  Sometimes fillers may be combined with a very small dose of BOTOX to relax the muscles and enhance the improvements.

Another common area to be treated is the nasolabial fold (the groove from the edge of the nose to the corner of the lip).  These grooves start up near the corner of the nose when you're around 30 and then progressively go deeper and lower. They can be made worse by sleeping on your side. These grooves can drag the face down and make you look older and more tired.  Filling the grooves in with Juvederm camouflages and softens the lines.

Filling the cheeks creates significant changes that can revitalize the appearance of the face.  Not only does it fill in the shrunken fat pads in the cheeks, it recreates the natural contours and shape of the face.  In youth, the face is shaped like an upside-down triangle, with more fullness at the top (the cheeks) and then it tapers down to the point of the chin.  As we age, descent of the face happens as the skin sags and the remaining fat in the cheeks fall downward.  The upside-down triangle shape turns into a square and then almost seems to invert.  By filling in the cheeks, the appearance of youth is restored.  The hollows of the cheeks are filled in, the bags around the eyes are diminished along with the sunken appearance of the tear troughs.  It really creates the impression that the clock has been turned back.  Clients are extremely pleased with the results.

Dermal Fillers can also be used to fill in hollows such as the "indents" at the jaw line where the jowls hang.  Marrionette lines from the corners of the mouth downward to the jawline create an aging, sad appearance.  Softening these lines can immediately take years off the appearance of the face.

Many other areas can be treated with Juvederm.  Deep lines and wrinkles can be softened on the face, including the area between the eyes (frown lines are best combined with BOTOX).

"What is volume filling?"

Juvederm: diminishes the dark circles under the eyes

Volume filling is using Juvederm all over the face for general volume loss.  Volume loss can create an aged, sagging appearance to the face.  Volume filling gives the overall impression of youthful, healthy tissue and a more toned, tighter look.  It will look very natural when done by an experienced clinician. 

"How long will the treatment take?"

You are usually in the office for about 30-60 minutes for most procedures.

"Does it hurt?"

It is important to have a clinician with a gentle touch who takes the time to make sure that you are comfortable.  Clients frequently comment about Dr. Wong's gentle and calm nature that puts them at ease.  An appropriate form of anesthetic such as ice, freezing gel on the skin, or a small needle (like at the dentist where you don't have to go to sleep) will be suggested depending on the area being treated and your preference.  It is usually quite tolerable.

"What can I expect right after the treatment?"

There will be mild redness and swelling which can be covered with make-up.  Usually there is no down-time involved.  Occasionally the lips may swell more and require a couple of days of recovery.  There may be bruising which can last up to a week and can also be covered with make-up.  There is usually no significant discomfort after the procedure.

 "How long will the effects last?"

On average, the effects last about 12 months in areas such as the nasolabial folds, marrionette lines, and general lines and wrinkles.  In the lips, the effects usually last six months.  Because the lips are so mobile, the gel does not last as long here as in other areas.  When deep volume filling is done, such as in cheek filling, the effects may last up to two years.  It is also noted that the more someone uses hyaluronic acid (HLA) fillers, the longer it seems to last in subsequent treatments.

"How do I know if dermal fillers are right for me?" 

A full consultation with a qualified clinician will often anwer this question.  Dr. Wong will see you for a personal consultation and will give you her clinical opinion based on her vast experience with hyaluronic acid fillers.

There is also a new tool available through the Juvederm website which may help you to visualize the possible effects.  The website allows you to use your photo and see what you would look like with the effects of a dermal filler in different areas of the face.  It is a valuable tool for the most part but be careful not to draw conclusions and create expectations based on this visual tool. 

For the clinician, using dermal fillers is like an art.  It is like sculpting in many ways.  It is very individual, and requires skill and experience.  It requires listening to the client and finding out their personal preferences.  Dr. Wong does all the injectable treatments herself at glow Medi Spa.  Come in for a complimentary consultation to see what a positive difference dermal fillers can make for you.  Call us at (416) 920-9998.

Click here to watch a video on our Juvederm Dermal Filler treatment