Dermal Fillers

Elsa Raskin, MD

The battle against the signs of aging can be constant. Many people have found an ally in restoring youthfulness in the form of dermal fillers. Doctors use dermal fillers to reduce wrinkles, enhance lips, rhytides, scars, and replace soft tissue volume loss. In some cases these problems can be eliminated. Dermal fillers can't help with excess sagging skin, but they can immediately add more volume to the face at a lower cost than surgery. In fact, people have referred to dermal fillers as "liquid facelifts" because they produce many of the same results as a surgical facelift without the same downtime. Dermal fillers can give a more natural look than surgical face lifts because these fillers return the dermis to its youthful state. However, the results aren’t permanent, in order to maintain lasting results the fillers must be injected every three months to five years, depending on the filler used.

As we grow older, so does our skin. The dermis gradually loses collagen, elastin and hyaluronic
acid. Collagen is the protein that keeps our skin firm and youthful. It is essential for a youthful
appearance. Elastin keeps our skin firm and enables the skin to resist wrinkles. Hyaluronic acid
adds plumpness to the skin. It retains water and adds volume and shape to our skin. There are a variety of dermal fillers available and each is made up of one or more of these constituents. Discuss your options with Elsa Raskin, MD. The dermal filler that is chosen should be safe and effective for the area you want to target.

Most filler can be administered in a matter of minutes. The procedure is straightforward. Elsa Raskin, MD uses a thin needle to inject the dermal filler into the targeted area. Patients may experience some brief, initial discomfort. This is normal and will subside quickly. If patients feel any slight discomfort, it can be managed with topical or injectable anesthetics. Most patients need little or no downtime and many are able to immediately return to their daily activities.

When deciding which dermal filler is optimal, it is important to keep in mind that good results are also based on the injection technique being used. It is important to note that even though this is not a surgical procedure, it does involve the use of fine needles under the skin. It is critical to find an experienced specialist who can provide you with the best information and care. Elsa Raskin, MD will speak with you about your desired goals and recommend a treatment (or a combination of treatments) to achieve your desired results. Call (212) 889-8600 to make an appointment.

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