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Dermal Fillers
Injectable fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are used to fill in facial creases, plump up the lips, and sculpt the cheeks. These fillers can soften the signs of aging by sculpting the jaw line and softening the jowls. The effects are immediate and patients can return to work that same day.
As the face ages, the youthful areas of fat become thinner and droop. One important area of fat lies just under the cheekbone in a young person. With age, this area of fat thins out and moves lower and closer to the mouth. It creates a roll and a crease that runs from the nose to the corner of the mouth. The area under the cheek bone begins looking hollow. This is called a "tear trough deformity", as if a tear drop from the eye would run through this trough as it rolls down the cheek. These rolls and hollow areas create shadows that can make a patient look older and tired. By filling these areas of lost fat, the patient can achieve a more youthful, rested appearance.
The skin can be anesthetized prior to the procedure with numbing cream or even with a nerve block (dental block). The entire procedure usually takes about a half an hour, and the effects are immediate. Although some patients can have bruising, it is typically mild and most people return to work the same day.
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