Dermal Fillers
Dr. Steven F Weiner has pioneered the cannula technique for injecting dermal fillers. Cannulas allow for greater safety, less bruising, less downtime, and less discomfort than traditional needle injections of fillers. Dr. Weiner trains hundreds of injectors per year on fillers and has been a top 3 physician trainer for Galderma (Restylane products) since 2017. He lectures worldwide on injection safety and develops innovative techniques to ensure the best possible cosmetic outcomes. His trademarked “reJAWvenation” technique to improve jowls and jawlines was featured on The Doctors Show in December 2019.
Voted by peers as One of the 100 Best Injectors in America – 2018, 2019
Presidential Elite Level with Galderma 2017, 2018, 2019 (Highest Level of Status)
The “core” hyaluronic acid fillers at The Aesthetic Clinique are:
- Restylane L
- Restylane Refyne
- Restylane Defyne
- Lyft
- Restylane Silk
- Restylane Kysse (coming in 2020)
- Revanesse Versa
Other filers used are:
- Radiesse – Calcium Hydroxyapatite
- Sculptra – Poly-L-Lactic Acid
- Bellafill – Poly Methyl Methacrylate
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers are the mainstay of treatments at The Aesthetic Clinique. HA is a natural occurring molecule in the skin which provides hydration. It is also found in joints and acts as a lubricant. Hyaluronic acid is extremely hydrophilic (water loving) and can absorb 100x its weight in water. This property enhances it longevity. Cross-linking is a manufacturing process which also enhances the duration of the filler and varies between different HA products. Gradually, the HA is biodegraded by the body. The longevity of the filler is dependent on the location placed, the filler used, and an individual’s metabolism.
The areas injected at The Aesthetic Clinique:
- Cheeks
- Tear Troughs
- Temples
- Forehead
- Nasolabial Folds
- Ergotrid
- Lips and lip lines
- Eyebrows
- Marionette lines
- Piriform aperature
- Submalar
- Preauricular
- Jawline
- Chin
- Prejowl sulcus
- Chin crease
- Ear lobes
- Neck
- Décolletage
- Hands
- Acne Scars
- Cellulite dimples
- Creepy skin of knees and arms
- Buttocks
- Skin boosters
G prime (G’) is a measure of a fillers lifting ability. These are used in the cheeks, jawline, and chin. High G prime fillers are:
- Radiesse
- Lyft
- Restylane L
- Restylane Defyne
- Bellafill
Flexibility is a measure of a filler’s ability to stretch. These fillers are used in areas of expression to maintain a natural appearance even during movement. These fillers are best placed in the nasolabial folds, lips and peroral area, and marionette lines. The fillers that have high flexibility are:
- Restylane Refyne
- Restylane Defyne
Collagen stimulating fillers cause the body to react to their presence by creating collagen. In general, these fillers last longer than the HA fillers. It takes 3-4 months to see the full results of the collagen created in response to these fillers. Collagen stimulating fillers are:
- Sculptra
- Radiesse
- Bellafill (Permanent)
Sculptra is mixed with water/saline so the immediate results after injection will soon be absorbed. It will take 3-4 months to see the effects from Sculptra. Both Radiesse and Bellafill have a temporary carrier which gives volume prior to the collagen stimulation. These carriers, sodium carboxymethycellulose in Radiesse, and collagen in Bellafill, will degrade in about 4-6 weeks. The collagen in Bellafill has an allergy potential in a very small percentage of patients and requires an allergy skin test 4 weeks prior to Bellafill injections.
Comfort during injection is important at the Aesthetic Clinique. All the fillers have lidocaine added to provide some temporary numbing during the injections. Other measures taken are:
- Artek cooling
- Vibration – Gate Theory of distractions
- Cannula use
- Frozen C – Cryotherapy – if desired
- Topical numbing creams – if desired
- ProNox – Nitrous Oxide (Laughing gas) – if desired with extra fee
We ask that all blood thinning supplements be discontinued at least 3 days prior to injections. Aspirin needs to be stopped for at least 10 days and other anti-inflammatories should be curtailed for 3 days. After filler injections, there can be some swelling, minor discomfort, and bruising. Bruising can be treated with the Excel V laser in our office and this will decrease the duration to only a few days. This is a complementary service but is only effective in the first couple days when the area is blue/purple. Avoiding strenuous activity for 24 hours and sleeping on 2-3 pillows will decrease swelling and bruising.
It takes about 10 days for fillers to settle in and integrate with your tissues. If there is a concern about the filler at any time, please call our office. Any change in color of the area injected, paleness, extreme pain or swelling or change in vision should immediately be brought to our attention.
