Injectable Fillers

JUVÉDERM®

Content Coming Soon

Restylane

Starting in 2004, Dr. Mills’ office started offering the dermal filler, Restylane to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. Restylane is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler that restores fullness to the face. Most frequently, Dr. Mills uses Restylane to fill in the nasolabial folds and enhance the lips, including the vermillion border and/ or the upper and lower red lip. Restylane is the first and only cosmetic dermal filler made of non-animal-based hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that already exists in the body and is used to provide volume and fullness to the skin. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane is a crystal-clear get called NASHA, or Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid. NASHA is biodegradable and completely biocompatible with human hyaluronic acid. On average, Restylane lasts for six months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Restylane

Is Restylane safe?

es. Restylane has safely been used worldwide by dermatologists and plastic surgeons since 1996. Because Restylane is non-animal-based and fully biocompatible, allergy testing is not required. This quality virtually eliminates any risk of animal-based disease or allergic reaction. The most commonly reported side effects were temporary redness and swelling at the injection site. These effects typically resolve within two to three days.

Is Restylane approved by the FDA?

Yes. Restylane is FDA approved for use in the United States. It is only currently indicated for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.

Are there any side effects?

As with any injection, some common injection-related reactions may occur. The most common side effects are temporary redness and swelling at the injection site. These typically resolve within two to three days. Additionally, bruising may last four to five days when injecting into the lips.

How is Restylane administered?

Restylane is injected directly into the skin in tiny amounts using an ultra fine needle. After the injection the area may be gently massaged to optimize contouring. Restylane is a simple and convenient procedure and results are practically instantaneous.

How often should I have Restylane treatments done?

Restylane lasts about twice as long as bovine collagen, so treatments are typically scheduled twice a year. Evidence shows that having a touch-up treatment before the product has fully dissipated will enhance the lasting effect.

Do Restylane injections hurt?

Restylane is injected directly into the skin in tiny amounts by an ultra fine needle, resulting in minimal discomfort. To make the procedure more comfortable local anesthetic can be used to numb the treatment area.

Can Restylane be used anywhere on the face?

Although Restylane has been used in more than one million treatments in over 60 countries to smooth wrinkles and deep facial folds and to enhance the appearance and fullness of lips, in the U.S., it is currently indicated only for the correction of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds.

Radiesse

Content Coming Soon

Collagen

Dr. Mills offers collagen injections as a filler for the nasolabial folds, lips and lines around the mouth. Dr. Mills also uses collagen to improve deeper creases or enhance lip fullness. There are now two collagen options: Zyplast and Cosmosplast. Zyplast collagen is derived from bovine collagen and requires a skin test to make sure that you do not have allergies to the product. Cosmoplast (also known as “human collagen”) is a newer product and is derived from natural human collagen. While this product is a little bit more expensive, Cosmoplast appears to have longer-lasting results and does not require a skin test. Additionally, Cosmoplast appears to be a bit more pliable and less hard to the touch.

Both Zyplast and Cosmoplast contains a local anesthetic and is injected into treatment areas with a tiny needle. Depending on the size of the treatment area, several injections may be needed. Collagen lasts for about 3 – 4 months per treatment and Cosmoplast lasts for about 4 – 6 months per treatment. As such, repeat treatments will be required to maintain results. Again, even though this is a non-surgical technique, it is highly important that you go to an experienced physician or physician’s assistant to ensure that you get the results that you are looking for. Possible side effects include bruising, adverse reactions, lumpiness, redness and in rare cases local infection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Collagen

How long can I expect Collagen to last?

Zyplast lasts approximates 3 months, while Cosmoplast lasts about 4 – 6 months.

Does the Collagen injection hurt?

While both Zyplast and Cosmoplast have local anesthesia mixed in, we also have our patients use a topical numbing cream to help minimize any discomfort.

Can you feel the Collagen under the skin?

Some patients have commented that they can feel the Collagen under the skin.

Schedule Your Consultation

Please contact us if you are interested in scheduling a consultation in our Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Orange County area office.