What Are Cosmetic Injectables and Dermal Fillers?

Cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers can minimize signs of wrinkles or creases that develop during the natural aging process. These non-surgical procedures offer ways to achieve smoother, more youthful-looking skin with long-lasting results that can be maintained with occasional “touch-up” treatments once the effects begin to fade. While injectables such as BOTOX® Cosmetic can be ideal for reducing dynamic wrinkles that tend to form in expression areas, many kinds of dermal fillers, like those from the JUVEDERM® Family of Fillers, can be used to add fullness to the lips, jawline, and cheeks. This can ultimately enhance and improve the contours of facial features that have lost volume over time. While the effects of cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers are temporary, these treatments can be good solutions for individuals who are looking for less invasive cosmetic enhancement options or for treatments that can complement the results of plastic surgery for a more comprehensive aesthetic makeover.

Dr. Jason Lichten is skilled with a variety of facial injection techniques for patients who wish to reduce the appearance of fine lines and/or to enhance their lips and other facial features. In fact, Dr. Lichten is one of the top 5% of injectors in the U.S. for JUVEDERM VOLUMA, VOLLURE, VOLBELLA, and Ultra XC, which are some of the most popular dermal fillers available. That means he performs more injections than 95% of the practitioners in the country. In addition to JUVEDERM® products, Dr. Lichten has vast experience with a wide range of other dermal filler options, including Restylane® and Sculptra®. Plus, Dr. Lichten performs all injectable procedures at our practice himself. With his extensive training in plastic surgery, Dr. Lichten’s knowledge of facial anatomy, tissue, and musculature enables him to create injectable treatment outcomes that achieve individual goals while appearing as natural as possible.

Why Should I Choose Central Ohio Plastic Surgery for Treatment with Cosmetic Injectables and Dermal Fillers?

When it comes to cosmetic injectables and dermal fillers, who performs your treatment matters just as much as the products themselves. While many providers—including those without specialized medical training—offer treatments like dermal fillers, BOTOX® Cosmetic, and other brands of cosmetic injectables, trusting the appearance of your face to someone without in-depth anatomical expertise can increase the risk of poor or unnatural-looking results.

At Central Ohio Plastic Surgery, your cosmetic injectable and dermal filler treatments will be performed by Dr. Jason Lichten, a board-certified plastic surgeon with years of formal training in facial anatomy, aesthetics, and injection techniques. Unlike many providers who attend only brief certification courses, Dr. Lichten’s comprehensive surgical education and hands-on experience can instill greater confidence that your treatment is approached with the precision, care, and artistry that you deserve.

Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Lichten also means choosing a provider who is committed to the highest standards of patient safety and ongoing professional development. As a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS), Dr. Lichten stays continually informed of the latest advancements, techniques, and research in aesthetic medicine. This dedication translates into treatments that are not only skillfully performed but are also customized to deliver natural-looking, beautiful enhancements that complement your features.

Your journey to refreshed, youthful-looking skin should begin with a provider you can trust. At Central Ohio Plastic Surgery, you can feel confident knowing that your injectable treatments are in the hands of a highly trained and experienced plastic surgeon focused on achieving exceptional, natural-looking results.

Learn more about Dr. Lichten’s training and experience.

BOTOX Cosmetic

BOTOX Cosmetic is a popular injectable treatment that can reduce signs of fine lines and wrinkles in certain facial areas. Unlike dermal fillers, BOTOX Cosmetic is designed to temporarily prevent muscles from contracting and forming wrinkles in areas such as the forehead, around the eyes, and between the eyebrows. This treatment can be very effective for common concerns such as crow’s feet, brow furrows (“11” lines), and creases along the forehead. Additionally, BOTOX Cosmetic can now be used to diminish the appearance of platysmal (neck) bands. Quick, minimally invasive, and with little to no downtime, BOTOX Cosmetic can help you look refreshed and rejuvenated with results that look natural.

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JUVÉDERM VOLUMA

Cheekbones

JUVÉDERM VOLUMA is used to restore lost volume to the apples of the cheeks. As we age, the face tends to “flatten out” as volume depletion takes its toll. Dr. Lichten offers VOLUMA to re-create the curve of the cheekbone and add fullness to the face. In our experience with this product, VOLUMA tends to last longer than other fillers – around 18 months to two years in many cases.

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JUVÉDERM ULTRA PLUS XC, JUVÉDERM VOLLURE and Restylane-L

Parentheses and Marionette Lines

The JUVÉDERM family of injectable fillers includes a range of products that can address fine lines around the nose, mouth, lips, cheeks, and jawline. JUVÉDERM Ultra Plus XC and Restylane are similar products made by different manufacturers. Both include hyaluronic acid components, which are natural to the human body. These fillers are primarily used to smooth the lines between the nose and the corners of the mouth (the “nasolabial folds”), which are sometimes called “parentheses” or “marionette” lines. These fillers can also be used to create fuller lips and minimize the tiny lines over the mouth which can cause “lipstick bleed.” There are subtle distinctions between the two that will affect which product Dr. Lichten believes is the better choice for each individual.

JUVÉDERM VOLLURE uses JUVÉDERM’s patented Vycross® technology and is designed to create a more subtle correction. This formulation allows Dr. Lichten greater control and finesse to correct more superficial wrinkles in the nasolabial folds and elsewhere in the face.

JUVÉDERM Ultra XC, JUVÉDERM VOLLURE, and Restylane-L all contain lidocaine, which numbs the area during the injection. The lidocaine does not change the effectiveness of the products, but many patients feel that it adds a level of comfort to the procedure.

JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA and JUVÉDERM Ultra XC

Lips

For patients who want to restore lost volume in their lips with a natural look, JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA and JUVÉDERM Ultra XC are great options for enhancing lip contours. These products enable Dr. Lichten to produce precise outcomes that look beautiful but do not appear artificial or “overdone.” Volbella and Ultra are terrific for filling in fine lines over the lips, sometimes known as smoker’s lines, to help with lipstick bleed. They can be used to restore volume that is lost as a result of aging.

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JUVÉDERM VOLUX

Jowls/Jawline 

JUVÉDERM VOLUX is an FDA-approved jaw filler designed specifically to provide non-surgical jawline contouring. This breakthrough in jaw sculpting can improve the definition of the jawline without the need for surgery. With just a few injections of VOLUX, many patients can experience incredible results.

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Sculptra

Cheeks/Facial Atrophy 

Sculptra is a longer-lasting option for filling out the lower cheek area. Made from poly-l-lactic acid, Sculptra has been widely used for restoration and correction of facial fat loss and atrophy. Sculptra results may last for two years or more. Dr. Lichten has found that Sculptra is effective in filling out lost volume in the cheeks, or the “hollowed-out” appearance that comes from aging or weight loss. Sculptra can be ideal for patients with volume loss in several facial features, including the temples, cheeks, and around the mouth.

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Collagen Injections

Wrinkles/Lip Enhancement  

Collagen is the fibrous protein that is a major component of the skin. It gives the skin its structure and has been used for decades to replenish the skin’s volume loss. Collagen injections can be ideal for smoothing out facial lines, wrinkles, and scars, as well as for plumping pouty lips. The effects of collagen injections usually last from two to three months and can be repeated as necessary. Skin testing before treatment may be required as allergic reactions are possible. Collagen largely has been replaced with injectable fillers like JUVÉDERM and Restylane.

Fat Injections

Wrinkles and Fine Lines/Volume Loss/Mild Scars

Dr. Lichten can take fat from one area of a patient’s body, usually the buttocks, thigh, or abdomen, and use it to fill another. Fat injections can be advantageous for filling in wrinkles and lines, enhancing contours in the face, adding volume to the lips, and filling in mild scars. While usually long-lasting, fat injections may not be permanent. These treatments are performed in conjunction with liposuction surgery.

KYBELLA

Signs of a “Double-Chin” Caused by Excess Fat

KYBELLA is an FDA-approved injectable designed to dissolve excess fat cells beneath the chin. This non-surgical treatment can reduce signs of a “double-chin” caused by fat collection in this area, ultimately helping to enhance neck and jawline contours.

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SkinVive

Cheeks

SkinVive by JUVÉDERM is the first treatment of its kind. Acting as an injectable moisturizer, SkinVive can infuse your skin with lasting hydration. Designed for rejuvenation in the cheek areas, SkinVive can produce a softer, healthier complexion and a more youthful appearance with results that last up to six months.

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Dermal Fillers vs. BOTOX Cosmetic

Dermal fillers can plump up the lines in your face and smooth out wrinkles by restoring lost volume. Fillers also can be used to add fullness to the lips and cheeks, refining their contours and improving aesthetic balance among facial features. It is important to note that fillers work differently than injectable treatments such as BOTOX Cosmetic. Rather than relaxing the muscles and preventing them from forming wrinkles like BOTOX Cosmetic, dermal fillers actually increase volume beneath the skin. As a result, patients should be able to see the effects of facial fillers immediately.

Both dermal fillers and BOTOX Cosmetic offer their own unique benefits, often making one option better than the other based on individual needs and goals. Dr. Lichten will meet with you for a consultation to determine the options that offer the best solution for your expectations.

Injectable products can be very effective on their own, or they can be used in conjunction with cosmetic procedures such as facelift surgery or other medical spa services, such as chemical peels and laser skin rejuvenation.

Aftercare Instructions for Injection Procedures

(Facial Fillers / BOTOX® Cosmetic) 

These instructions offer a guide to the brief recovery process after injectable procedures. If you have any questions about the information below, please call the office at (740) 653-5064.

You Can Expect: 

1. Minimal discomfort, which should be relieved by over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol®.
2. Slight swelling or irritation at the injection sites that will resolve within several hours to a few days.
3. Bruising, redness or discoloration. You may cover the injection sites with makeup 4 hours after the procedure; however, tap – don’t rub.
4. To return to work the same day.
5. Results within 5 days to 2 weeks after your injection.
6. Results lasting 3-4 months for BOTOX® injections. Results can last up to a year or longer for many facial fillers.

Things to Report:

1. Severe or increased pain, or pain not responding to Tylenol.
2. Marked swelling or swelling that doesn’t improve over time, facial drooping or asymmetry.
3. White discoloration of injected areas.
4. Increased warmth or coolness to touch, or redness of the skin over the injection site.
5. Difficulty swallowing, fever or chills.
6. Any problems or concerns.

Post-Procedural Activity:

1. You should avoid strenuous activity for the first 4 hours after the procedure.
2. You may shower.
3. Keep your head up for 4 hours.
4. Avoid excessive sun or heat for 72 hours post-injection (sauna, hot tub, tanning, sunbathing).
5. If swelling occurs, sleep with head elevated for 2-3 days to decrease swelling.
6. Avoid alcohol intake for 24 hours.
7. Do not massage the injected areas for at least 24 hours unless instructed otherwise by Dr. Lichten. You may feel firmness depending on areas treated and products used. These areas will settle over time (1-2 weeks).
8. Use a cool compress or ice pack for 15 minutes each hour while awake to relieve pain/swelling. Do not put ice directly on your skin!

** For most patients, the benefits of dermal fillers can be enhanced by using a medical grade skincare system. Please see Dr. Lichten or our esthetician Krista for more information.

If you have questions, or if you are ready to schedule a consultation, please contact Central Ohio Plastic Surgery today.