Fillers(Injectable Implants)

    There are a number of injectable treatments available on the market today. And, most of them are available here at BCOSS Clinic. Injectable treatments are often used to soften or eliminate the appearance of wrinkles and to enhance the size of the lips. There are many injectable products available on the market that can perform these functions, such as:

    Collagen Replacement Therapy
    Collagen can also be used to reduce wrinkles. Collagen, when injected, replenishes the support layer of collagen that occurs naturally in the skin and last about the same amount of time as BOTOX® Cosmetic (3 to 6 months). Collagen may also be used to augment (increase) the lips. A collagen injection into the lips will create more volume resulting in fuller lips. Currently, the downside of a collagen injection is that testing is required prior to treatment, so injections are not performed on the same day as a consultation. New synthetic collagen injectable is in production that will eliminate the need for testing prior to collagen treatment in the future.

    Fat Transfer
    A fat transfer, also called autologous fat transfer or micro-lipoinjection, fills facial features with the patient's own fat. Unlike collagen, since the fat is harvested from the patients own body, they cannot develop an allergic reaction to it. The results of a fat transfer usually last a few months with one treatment but can be come permanent with multiple treatments.

    Fat Injection
    Deeper filling may be accomplished with off the shelf injectables or with fat. Areas treated in this way include mouth, frown and forehead lines, cheeks, etc. Liposuction is used to safely harvest a small quantity of fat which is then treated and re-injected where needed. Being derived from your own body, there is no problem with allergic reactions. Fat survival at its new site is a little unpredictable and like all injectable fillers, the procedure may require repeating. Over filling is done which results in swelling that lasts about a week.

    Dermal grafts
    Other filling techniques are to use dermis, the deeper layer of the skin. Dermal grafts can be harvested from old scars, the buttock, groin or similar crease, or at the time of other surgery, for example facelift where skin is removed. The dermis can then be threaded into the areas require augmentation. Dermal grafts tend to last better than fat grafts.

    Radiesse™ (formerly Radiance)
    Radiesse™ (Radiance) is a relatively new synthetic product on the market that has successfully been used to augment the lips. Radiesse™ (Radiance) is a composite of material found in teeth and bone, and the effects of a Radiesse™ (Radiance) injection can last from 3 to 6 years. A common side effect of Radiesse™ (Radiance) is the development of calcium deposits. These deposits occasionally show up as lumps in the injected area. The doctor will administer a steroid injection to breakdown the calcium deposit.
    Rather, Radiance is a pure, synthetic compound with a record of safety that extends more than 25 years. It is comprised of microspheres of calcium hydroxylapatite, combined with an aqueous gel. The key element of Radiance is identical to the chemical structure of calcium naturally present in the human body. Throughout its life, Radiance remains soft and flexible and also exceptionally compatible with the body.
    When injected, the cream-like texture of Radiance feels soft and natural. Unlike temporary treatments that must be repeated, Radiance provides years of rejuvenation. It is gradually replaced by the body's own tissue, and slowly dissolves away in approximately seven years.
    Radiance is cream-like in texture and remains that way throughout its life. The sensitivity and feeling of enhanced areas are retained. Once injected, its softness resembles that of your normal facial tissue. In fact, your own tissues will integrate with the Radiance microspheres as a natural process of your body.

    Injectable collagen, hyaluronic acid, etc.
    Skin wrinkles can be filled with off the shelf injectables. Although collagen injections were popular, allergic problems and the fact that injectable collagen used to be derived from cattle, have tempered this popularity. The injected collagen does not last long and needs to be repeated. The availability of safe, bio-engineered human collagen may change the situation. Instead we use non animal derived hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance which forms much of the so-called ground substance which lies between collagen fibres. This is available as Restylane, Perlane and similar products. It is useful for filling lines around the face.

    WHAT IS RESTYLANE® AND PERLANE®?
    RESTYLANE® and PERLANE® both products of Q-Med Esthetics use a natural material known as Hyaluronic Acid, to restore youthful resilience to selected areas of your skin. Hyaluronic Acid is one of very few substances that are identical in all species and tissue types. Q-Med Hyaluronic Acid however is unique. It is the only NASHA Non-Animal, Stabilized, Hyaluronic Acid available and remains in the system for many months as opposed to non-stabilized Hyaluronic Acid products that last for only a few days or weeks at most.

    What Is Restylane?
    Restylane is an injectable gel that is now approved by the Food & Drug Administration for the treatment (reduction of visible signs) of facial wrinkles. It is safe and effective for filling moderate to severe wrinkles specifically near, or around the nose and mouth. Restylane is the only dermal filler composed of NASHA gel, (Non-Animal Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid) and is made from naturally occurring substances in the human body. This alone, means that patients are sometimes less prone to serious side effects, which can sometimes occur with other animal dermal fillers, such as collagen.

    Who Can Use Restylane?
    Anyone who has moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. It typically is injected into the mid-to-deep dermis sections of the skin. It is also very effective for lip enhancement when applied using a very small needle.

    Where Is It Safe To Apply?
    Restylane can be applied to moderate and severe wrinkles in the nose, mouth and lip regions of the face. Its application results in only minor discomfort, and sometimes your physician may provide a mild topical anesthetic to relieve any discomfort you may feel.
    Artecoll®, a long-lasting injectable implant, is used to treat static facial lines, enlarge lips, fill in facial imperfections, and diminish nasolabial folds through a series of tiny injections under the skin's surface. It fills in the depression, raising the skin to its normal height. Composed of 75 percent collagen and 25 percent polymethylmethacrylate microspheres (PMMA), Artecoll® can also correct acne scars and irregularities of the nose.
    Artecoll® is distributed through a series of tiny injections directly under the skin’s surface, at the subdermal level. The amount administered depends on the depth and size of the skin defect or wrinkle. After a doctor makes the appropriate injections at the desired site, the microspheres are spread and molded with the fingertip to assure an even, subdermal distribution. All microspheres will be totally and evenly encapsulated by a fine, fibrous capsule with minimal inflammatory reaction. It can take up to 3 months to see final results.