Dermal fillers can be a powerful tool against natural collagen loss, a process that starts around the time you’re 30 and one that contributes to the gradual aging of your appearance. Using synthetic versions of natural body chemicals, fillers replace lost tissue, providing you with long-lasting and repeatable aesthetic improvements.
Dermatologist Jennifer A. Baron, MD, and her team in San Jose, California, offer the finest in dermal filler care. Commonly using hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite filler formulations, we cover a wide range of filler applications in the comfort and safety of a medical aesthetic practice.
If you’re new to the world of dermal fillers, there are things you should know about what fillers can and can’t do, as well as after care and expectations for your treatment itself, ahead of your first appointment.
Collagen loss is an inevitable part of aging, although your body retains the ability to produce additional collagen for wound repair. The natural decline of collagen in your skin, however, doesn’t stimulate new collagen growth.
Dermal fillers that use synthetic hyaluronic acid address collagen loss by replacing lost tissue with gels of various consistencies. Some are great for filling small collagen voids, the kind that produce fine lines and wrinkles, while others spread more widely to replace lost volume in areas like your cheeks and lips.
Calcium hydroxyapatite fillers offer these direct-fill benefits, in addition to carrying a bonus characteristic. These fillers stimulate new collagen production in the area around your filler treatment.
This new collagen growth lasts beyond the effects of the dermal filler gels themselves, potentially leading to fewer treatments spaced further apart.
The first step in a successful dermal filler appointment is the consultation, where you discuss your aesthetic goals. This verifies that your expectations are in line with the capabilities of dermal filler products, as well as assuring that fillers are the best method for achieving the results you want.
Dr. Baron also needs to be aware of your medical history, including the medications and supplements you take regularly, as some of these may have blood-thinning effects that can complicate your treatment and recovery.
Skip makeup and sunscreen on the day of your treatment to minimize the chances of infection. Caffeine and alcohol can lead to increased bruising after your treatment, so avoid these on the day of your procedure as well. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid direct sun on your face to minimize irritation.
During the procedure itself, we’ll perform the following steps:
Dermal fillers typically show immediate results, with the collagen-boosting benefits of calcium hydroxyapatite becoming apparent in the weeks following your procedure. A dermal filler appointment can last up to 60 minutes, depending on the number of areas being treated.
There’s minimal downtime associated with dermal fillers, though you may have some redness, swelling, or irritation from the injections. These effects vary between patients. We’ll advise you of specific aftercare procedures at the time of your appointment.
Contact Jennifer A. Baron, MD, at her San Jose location, by phone or online, to schedule your dermal filler consultation today.
