Dr. Gregory Lewen, M.D. specializes in specialty dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers for his non-surgical patients in Miami, Aventura, and all across southern Florida. The treatments are a great solution for younger-looking skin that is wrinkle-free!
What Are Injectables?
Cosmetic injectables are dermal fillers and wrinkle relaxers. They are a great way to improve the contours of your face and restore your youthful appearance without surgery and with little to no downtime. Injectables can be used to treat all parts of your face. We’ve broken the sections down into:
What Are the Benefits of Dermal Fillers and Injectables?
Gradual loss of volume in many areas of the face is a very common sign of facial aging, and dermal fillers and injectables can help to restore youthful contours and balance to the face. Cosmetic injectable treatments can help to give you a refreshed and rejuvenated look without the downtime associated with surgery. Facial fillers can help to brighten your appearance. Dr. Lewen performs dermal filler and injectable procedures in a very natural manner to augment or highlight certain facial structures and to provide a refreshed look to your face. Dr. Lewen believes that the best face fillers are those where it is difficult for others to identify exactly where the improvement was made. They just know you look great! These treatments are generally safe, easy, well-accepted, and well-tolerated. It is very common for patients to state that they experience a boost in self-esteem and self-confidence after having cosmetic injectable treatments performed.
Dermal fillers and injectables are great non-surgical options to achieve natural facial rejuvenation. Good candidates for this procedure are in good general health and have a positive outlook with realistic cosmetic goals regarding the improvement in appearance that can be attained.
"I just saw Dr. Lewen July 6, 2018. His bedside manner is excellent. He explains all procedures in detail. I was extremely happy with the outcome and I will be going back. He and his staff are super professional and make you feel comfortable. The best part, is that he takes you at your appointment time, no 2 hour waiting ????"
Karen M
"You are in very good hands with Dr. Lewen. Not only is he excellent at what he does, his bedside manner is second to none. His staff are so pleasant and enjoyable to deal with as well. Five stars!"
Joyce K
"What a delightful experience and a fabulous outcome. Besides regaining my peripheral vision, I look ten years younger! Dr. Lewen did beautiful work, leaving the tiniest scars in the most unnoticeable places!!! The office staff, especially Brooke, was so sweet and so helpful."
Judy F
How Do Facial Fillers Work?
Dermal fillers and injectables work by adding volume to selected areas of the face. These treatments will also cause certain facial shadows, wrinkles, and folds to become less apparent, and will re-create youthful contours and shapes in your face. Certain products can have a plumping effect on the face, while others are used for sculpting facial contours or balancing the face, and some are even used for eliminating fine lines or wrinkles. Some of the cosmetic injectable treatments will also serve to promote the growth of new collagen in the skin.
Many facial filler products are made from a molecule called hyaluronic acid, which is a modified sugar molecule that is naturally occurring in the body and commonly found in your joints, eyes, and skin. There are other facial filler products that are made from a variety of other substances such as calcium hydroxyapatite (a natural component of bone), collagen, poly-L-lactic acid, and PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate), among others. It is generally rare for patients to have allergies or sensitivities to the most common dermal fillers and injectables.
The alternative treatment options for facial rejuvenation in patients who are not interested in cosmetic injectable treatments may include surgical options depending on the area of concern. Fat grafting injections may also be an option for rejuvenating certain areas of the face in some patients. Dr. Lewen will be happy to discuss any alternative treatment options with you at the time of your consultation.
What Should I Expect from Cosmetic Injectable Fillers?
Different types of facial fillers are used for different applications and Dr. Lewen will consult with you to identify which treatment is best suited for your individual aesthetic goals.
- The injection of facial fillers or the “liquid facelift” is a relatively simple procedure that can be done in the office.
- Pain during the procedure is quite minimal and generally tolerated very well.
- Cosmetic injectable treatments are sold by the syringe only. Some specialized treatments are priced based on the specific area that is treated.
- Mild to moderate bruising is typical, but does vary with the individual patient and the site treated. Aspirin, anti-inflammatories (i.e. Motrin, Aleve, etc.), and other blood thinners can potentially lead to additional bruising. Dr. Lewen will discuss ways to limit bruising during your consultation.
- Light cover-up makeup can be worn almost immediately.
- In most cases, normal exercise can be resumed 24 hours after having a treatment performed.
Dr. Lewen takes the time to customize all treatments to the individual patient to ensure that personal cosmetic goals are met appropriately.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding dermal fillers and injectables (the “liquid facelift”), Dr. Lewen will be happy to address them during your consultation.
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How Are Dermal Fillers and Injectables Performed?
Dermal fillers and injectables are most commonly performed in the office setting. Depending on the specific areas being treated, this procedure can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. After your consultation and your treatment plan has been discussed in detail, you will be asked to sign consent forms for your procedure, and confidential photos will be taken. After all forms are signed, Dr. Lewen’s trained staff may apply a topical numbing cream to the area that will be injected for best comfort. The numbing cream will be given an appropriate amount of time to work before your injections begin. After the numbing cream is removed from your face, Dr. Lewen will prep the area being treated to ensure that all makeup and oils are removed from the skin and that the skin surface is sterile.
Dr. Lewen frequently uses dermal fillers and injectables that come pre-mixed with lidocaine, a numbing medicine. In some cases, he will also mix additional lidocaine with specific products. Ice is also used for certain areas to provide the easiest and most comfortable experience during these injections. For certain areas, Dr. Lewen will also use a blunt-tipped cannula for facial fillers. Although not preferable for usage in every area of the face, in some areas, the use of a blunt-tipped cannula has the added benefits of increased safety, improved comfort during injections and less bruising when compared to the use of a needle. After your procedure is completed, Dr. Lewen’s staff will provide you with ice to apply to the treated area(s), and you will be given a detailed post-procedure instruction sheet.
This procedure is generally well-tolerated, does not involve large amounts of pain, and does not require sedation. Dr. Lewen administers all facial filler procedures himself.
What is the Recovery After Dermal Fillers and Injectables?
Dermal fillers and injectables should be done when you are generally healthy and when you are able to allow ample time for your body to heal completely from the treatment. Dr. Lewen advises all patients pursuing these treatments to expect some degree of bruising and swelling through the healing process. Some patients may experience more bruising and swelling than others, and some areas of the face are more prone to bruising and swelling than others. Healing after facial fillers varies entirely based on the individual patient. Although some products and some areas may start to settle in much quicker, Dr. Lewen usually advises patients that the final result after facial fillers cannot be judged appropriately until at least one to two weeks after the injections are performed. Dr. Lewen advises patients to abstain from working out for at least 24 hours following cosmetic injectable treatments and patients are instructed not to manipulate or massage the injected areas. Cover-up makeup can be applied to conceal any bruised areas immediately after the treatment and until all bruising is gone. Dr. Lewen usually sees patients in the office two weeks after your dermal fillers and injectables are completed for a follow up evaluation to ensure that your desired cosmetic results are attained.