Fillers

• Nasolabial folds from the nose to the mouth
• Marionette lines from the mouth to the chin
• Vertical lines on the upper lip and lower lip
• Loss of volume in the cheeks and mid-face
• Sagging jowls
• Chin
• Other shallow to moderate lines and wrinkles

Candidates for JUVÉDERM are healthy adult individuals who are dissatisfied with the way their face is aging and want to eliminate facial lines, wrinkles, or grooves; restore volume to the mid-face to improve sagging and jowling; enhance the lips or smooth lip lines; or contour and improve the jawline or chin. 

JUVÉDERM fillers are made off biocompatible hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in our skin and tissues. It has a minimal risk of allergic reaction or other negative side effects. In the hands of a knowledgable injector, the risk of serious outcomes are very rare. However, all procedures have risks, and with fillers of any kind it is important that your provider is very well trained and has expertise in the important anatomy of the face. In addition, there some important precautions that must be considered:

Be sure to tell your doctor if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding. The safety of these products for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding has not been studied.

• Have had or are planning to have a dental or any other facial procedure including lasers within 3 weeks prior to or after dermal fillers.

• Have any active sores or infections near the area of treatment with dermal fillers.

• Are allergic to lidocaine or have had any adverse reaction to dermal fillers in the past.

• Are prone to excessive scarring, such as keloids, or pigmentation issues.

• are on immunosuppressive therapy used to decrease the body’s immune response because this can increase the risk of infection and other complications within the area where dermal filler is placed.

• Are using medications or natural supplements that can prolong bleeding, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or other blood thinners.

Injections are performed in the office by Dr.Geerlings. After a numbing cream is applied, injections are performed using a small needle or Dermasculpt® microcannula. The difference between a needle and a microcannula is that a needle is sharp and a microcannula is dull which makes it much safer when injecting around or near delicate anatomical structures such as nerves or blood vessels. Also, the JUVÉDERM XC collection of fillers contains lidocaine which immediately begins to numb the tissues upon injection of filler. Most patients are comfortable to receive filler injections after numbing cream, Nitrous Oxide (“Laughing Gas”) is also available.

Filler results appear immediately, and you can return to your normal activities the same day. However, we advise that you avoid strenuous exercise for a couple of days after treatment. You can expect possible minor redness, bruising, swelling, and/or tenderness, but this should last no more than a few days. You can prevent swelling by applying ice to the injection areas for the first few hours and elevating your head with a pillow for the first two nights. Dr. Geerlings will give you detailed instructions about how to best care for your new treatment areas.

Keep in mind that while the effects of dermal fillers are long-lasting, they are not permanent. The duration of the effects of fillers depend on factors such as which particular filler is used, Your age and skin type, and lifestyle. There are some techniques you can use to extend the longevity of dermal fillers, including minimizing your ultraviolet UV exposure and maintaining a consistent skin care routine.

No. Dr. Geerlings will not perform filler injections on anyone who is pregnant or lactating as dermal fillers have not been studied in this population.