Injectable Fillers in Chicago and Northbrook, IL
Am I a candidate for injectable fillers?
Injectable fillers are safe, and most people who are unhappy with their signs of aging are good candidates. Because there are many options available, it is possible to find a dermal filler that is appropriate for any patient. During your initial consultation, be sure to let your doctor know about any health conditions you may have and any medications you are taking. Patients taking aspirin are at a higher risk of bruising. It is recommended that aspirin be stopped about 10 days before treatment.
How do injectable fillers work?
Injectable fillers are administered on an outpatient basis by Dr. Schlechter in his Northbrook office in the greater Chicago area. Treatments are fast, and there is typically no need for any type of anesthesia. Each treatment takes only a few minutes. Upon completion of your treatment, our spa staff ensures that you are not experiencing major discomfort and provides camouflage makeup, if needed.
The Procedure
Here at North Shore Aesthetics, we believe that only a plastic surgeon should perform injections. After all, they are the ones with the specialized training and in depth knowledge of the muscular skeletal features of the face.
Today’s injectables market is filled with products that target different areas of the face with regard to non-invasive wrinkle reduction. Toxins, such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport®, and XEOMIN® all function to release the wrinkles in the forehead, between the eyebrows, and in the outer corners of the eyes (also referred to as “crow’s feet”). These toxins last roughly three to four months depending on the body’s metabolic rate.
With dermal fillers, there is a wide variety that target various areas of the face. JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC and JUVÉDERM® Ultra Plus XC, Restylane®, and RADIESSE® are all hyaluronic acid fillers that offer immediate reduction of creases in the nasal labial folds (aka the parentheses around the mouth or the smile lines) and the creases down the corners of the mouth (aka the Marionette lines or frown lines). These fillers last about nine to 12 months depending on the body’s metabolism.
JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® and Restylane® Lyft are also hyaluronic acid fillers, but they have more viscosity so they tend to last longer than those just mentioned. JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® and Restylane® Lyft can be injected onto the cheekbone or jawbone to restore the youthful contours of the face by lifting the skin and camouflaging the look of early jowling. Results from JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® can last up to two years with optimal correction. Sculptra® Aesthetic is another filler that promotes one’s own collagen building. The effects are not immediate, but with optimal treatment, the results can last just over two years.
There are also fillers designed to create fuller lips and to reduce the look of vertical lip lines for approximately six months. These are JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC, Restylane® Silk, and BELOTERO BALANCE®. The latest injectable to hit the market is KYBELLA®, which is formulated to destroy the submental fat that causes the look of having a double chin.
Fillers & Injectables
JUVEDERM® Ultra XC and JUVEDERM® Ultra Plus XC (with Lidocaine)
JUVÉDERM® is made of hyaluronic acid— a naturally occurring substance in your skin that helps to add volume and hydration. In appropriate candidates, injections place JUVÉDERM® injectable gel, a smooth consistency gel under the skin to instantly restore your skin’s volume and smooth away facial wrinkles and folds. This includes, nasolabial folds—the creases that run from the bottom of your nose to the corners of your mouth also called “smile lines” or “parentheses.” JUVÉDERM® provides a smooth, natural look and feel—so everyone will notice (but no one will know)!
JUVEDERM VOLUMA® XC
The loss of midface volume is one of the hallmarks of facial aging. This occurs in varying degrees of severity, and can lead to significant changes in the facial appearance. One of the most noticeable changes is the loss of cheekbone definition. Volumizing fillers can be used to provide a ‘lift’ without surgery. The goal is to restore volume in the midface (cheekbones) to create a natural, youthful face. JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC is the first filler formulated with lidocaine that is FDA approved to restore age-related volume changes in the cheeks. JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC lasts almost twice as long as other fillers.
Sculptra® Aesthetic
Sculptra® Aesthetic is not an overnight miracle or a quick-fix. Sculptra® Aesthetic is the first facial injectable that gives you subtle, long-lasting results by replacing lost collagen, allowing you a more natural-looking appearance. A full treatment of Sculptra® Aesthetic takes an average of three injection sessions over a few months and can last up to two years.* It corrects facial wrinkles and folds that appear with aging by replacing lost collagen.
*Individual results and treatment sessions may vary.
Restylane® – Perlane® – Restylane® Silk
Restylane® and Perlane® are also made from non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) gel. This means that Restylane® and Perlane® contain no animal products. The hyaluronic acid increases the body’s natural supply, which becomes depleted with age. Restylane® and Perlane® are biodegradable so the effects are not permanent. The results of a Restylane® and Perlane® filler treatments tend to last six months to a year. Since hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the skin and other tissue, there is no need for a skin test when using Restylane® and Perlane® fillers. Restylane® Silk is thinner molecule ideal for the fine lines around the lips.
RADIESSE®
Ideal wrinkle reduction is achieved by replenishing your skin’s lost volume. RADIESSE® immediately provides volume and lift to the treated areas, which will diminish the signs of aging. But what’s unique about RADIESSE® Volumizing Filler acts as a scaffold under the skin, providing structure and stimulating your own natural collagen to grow. This process continues for several months after your injection, which extends the initial effect of RADIESSE® Volumizing Filler. Best of all, the natural results are clinically proven to last a year or more in many patients.
BELOTERO BALANCE®
BELOTERO BALANCE® is great for wrinkles above your lip, fine lines on your cheeks, or shallow scars on your face, even if your skin is thin and delicate. BELOTERO BALANCE® is an injectable gel filler made of hyaluronic acid. It’s the same main ingredient that’s found in JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® with a different formulation. It is most effective for treating fine lines, making it a good choice for improving the appearance of crow’s feet, fine lines on the forehead and cheeks, and shallow acne scars anywhere on the face. BELOTERO BALANCE® spreads between the collagen fibers of your skin, giving a soft, smooth result.
BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport®, and XEOMIN® are used to relax the muscles in the area between the eyes, forehead, and crow’s feet. These preparations are not considered to be fillers, but are called neuromuscular blocking agents.
KYBELLA®
KYBELLA® is the only FDA-approved, non-surgical treatment of submental fullness, which we call our double chin. KYBELLA® is an acid that naturally occurs in our body, aiding in breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. Dr. Schlechter administers KYBELLA® at North Shore Aesthetics, which is located in Northbrook. During your appointment, Dr. Schlechter will place a series of injections in the fat under your chin. Each treatment takes only 15 to 30 minutes to complete, and most patients require two to four treatments for maximum results.
Recovery
Recovery is minimal. Most patients are able to return to daily activities. You might have mild swelling or bruising. Fillers can last anywhere from nine months to two years. As they wear off, follow-up treatments are recommended to maintain your best results.
