Dermal Fillers

Lips thin and lose projection as we age. The borders of the lip, which are well defined in youth, flatten over the years. Lip fillers can be placed at the border to accentuate the lip, in the body of the lip to add volume or in a specific manner to create more of a pout. In general, we like to concentrate dermal filler to the central lip and taper to the corners of the mouth.

The laugh lines, or nasolabial folds, extend from the side of the nostril down next to the corner of the mouth. For many, they are among the first signs of aging and worsen as we lose volume and gain laxity with age. Dermal filler is injected under the laugh line crease to soften it. To avoid an unnatural appearance, we do not believe in trying to completely flatten the area.

Marionette lines extend from the corners of the mouth down between the chin and jowl. The jowl, which is cheek fat that has fallen over the jawline, may deepen the marionette lines. Dermal filler may be placed in the marionette line and prejowl area to make it appear smoother. Any downturn at the corners of the mouth may also be filled and raised to create a more upturned position.

A recessed chin may be a feature one is born with or accentuated with aging. In profile, it makes the jawline and neckline appear shorter. Dermal filler adds projection while mimicking the natural feel and contour of the chin. It may also be used to soften a double chin.

Hollow cheeks are the result of age-related volume loss of cheekbone and the descent of cheek fat into the jowl. This may lead to a gaunt, tired appearance. Different parts of the cheek may need different types and amounts of filler depending on the patient's unique anatomy.

Bumps and depressions along the bridge or tip of the nose can attract unwanted attention. Dermal filler can be used to fill in contour irregularities to smooth out the nose. We use blunt cannulas in this area to reduce risk. A full correction can be achieved in 1-2 treatments.

The tear trough extends from the inner corner of the eye to the central cheek where dark circles form. Dermal fillers elevate the tear trough to blur the boundary between the cheek and lower eyelid. Skilled injection technique is critical for preventing worsening of lower eyelid bags. A full correction can be achieved in 1-2 treatments.

The eye socket, or orbit, gets larger as we age and creates a deepening between the eye and eyebrow. This makes the upper eyelid appear too tall and sunken. Dermal filler placed above the upper eyelid can fill the hollow and shorten the height of the upper eyelid.