RADIESSE®, Restylane®, Sculptra, and JUVÉDERM® are popular dermal fillers here in the Cypress area, thanks to their simplicity and effectiveness. At MINTbody Med Spa & Wellness, our injector team takes an artistic approach to filler injections, using these products to carefully sculpt the results that each patient wants without creating overdone or unnatural-looking results. Here, learn about your options for fillers and start deciding if they’re right for you.

Dermal fillers work exactly as their name implies. Using a biocompatible active ingredient—typically a gel formulation of hyaluronic acid (HA), although this can vary between products—fillers add fullness beneath the skin, filling in wrinkles and adding volume to other areas of the face, such as the cheeks.

The introduction of injectable fillers to aesthetic medicine has completely changed the landscape of our field. Now, without surgery or other invasive measures, we can easily correct some of the most bothersome signs of aging.

Sculptra is a cutting-edge injectable formulated with poly-L-lactic acid, a biodegradable compound that helps firm, tighten, and smooth the skin by stimulating the body to regenerate collagen. Collagen is a structure-building protein found naturally in youthful complexions that begins to diminish as we age.

By replenishing collagen reserves organically, Sculptra can help combat hollowness and volume loss in the cheeks and can improve the appearance of scars and other indentations. In fact, Sculptra is often used as a major component of a non-surgical facelift.

Over time, Sculptra is absorbed by the skin tissue and dissipates in about two years, leaving behind a more stable scaffolding for the complexion. Typically three sessions are required over the course of several months, although the exact number of injections for each patient will vary.

Restylane® HA-based is a crystal-clear gel that can treat fine lines and deep wrinkles. It also works well for enlarging the lips.

BELOTERO® is a hyaluronic acid-based filler that seamlessly integrates with your skin, adapting to your facial contours. Due to its unique cross-linking, BELOTERO easily “molds” with your facial contours, creating a natural-looking, attractive result.

RADIESSE® Unlike most of our other fillers, RADIESSE is made of calcium hydroxyapatite, the same mineral component found in our bones and teeth. In addition to wrinkles, RADIESSE can be used to fill in acne scars. The results from RADIESSE injections at our medical grade spa facility are longer lasting than some other fillers. You can expect your results to last between 1 and 2 years.

JUVÉDERM is a smooth gel filler that instantly softens wrinkles around your mouth and nose. Patients can expect natural-looking results that last up to a year from this product.

JUVÉDERM is available in several formulations. These include:

• JUVÉDERM VOLLURE™ XC, which smooths away more severe lines and creases.

• JUVÉDERM VOLBELLA® XC, which is specifically formulated for the lips and lip lines.

•JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC, which is formulated for deeper injection and adds volume and lift to the cheeks.

At MINTbody Med Spa & Wellness, we offer fillers here in the office. This brief, outpatient procedure can be done on your lunch break. Our nurse injectors will first cleanse your face, then may use a special medical pen to mark your skin to help him ensure accuracy during each injection. Each filler product comes pre-formulated with lidocaine, a local anesthetic that improves comfort. Individual injections are very brief.

After your appointment, you can feel free to get back to your normal daily routine immediately. You may experience some minor side effects, including bruising, tenderness, and redness near your injection sites. These symptoms typically go away on their own in a couple of days.

The results created by fillers are immediate. Unlike BOTOX, fillers don’t require any time to take effect; they fill in the areas where they were administered immediately. Some fillers, such as RADIESSE, begin working immediately and also stimulate collagen development for ongoing improvement. The longevity of your results depends on the products used as well as where on your face they were injected. Typically, areas of the face that move frequently, such as the mouth, see shorter-lived results than areas that are relatively still.

Here at MINTbody Med Spa & Wellness, we understand that patients typically desire a very natural result. We avoid overtreatment and strive for conservative results. However, it’s quite safe to maintain your results with regular touch-up injections. When you want to enhance your results, we can administer more products to help you hold on to your results for as long as you like. Typically touch-up treatments require less product than initial treatments.

When you sign up for the Allē rewards program, you’ll earn points with each visit. You can redeem your points for discounts on dermal fillers and other treatments.