Injectable Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers)

The term "soft tissue fillers" refers to a group of injectable materials designed to safely add volume to areas of soft tissue deficiency. Some of the many applications for "soft tissue fillers" include adding fullness to the lips, treating the vertical lines present in the skin adjacent to the lips and reducing the depth of several common facial wrinkles. At the Wetherington Plastic Surgery Center the three most common filler materials are Juvederm® (hyaluronic acid), Sculptra® (poly-L-lactic acid) and autologous fat (the patient's own fat).

Approved by the FDA in 2004, hyaluronic acid (Juvederm®) is a naturally occurring component of healthy skin. It functions by providing a framework for the skin, and when injected, Juvederm® binds to water and provides volume to easily fill in the lips and larger folds of skin around the mouth and cheeks. A patient notices an immediate plumping of the tissue in the treated areas. One of the main advantages of Juvederm® is that it does not pose an allergy risk for patients, and there is no risk of transmitting animal diseases by injection. Juvederm® is an excellent choice for the enlargement of the lips and management of the naso-labial fold. This technique is performed using local anesthesia, and the results last from nine to twelve months.

Approved by the FDA in 2009, micro particles of poly-L-lactic acid (Sculptra®) are injected into facial tissue to correct contour deformities, deep and shallow smile lines and other facial wrinkles. Sculptra® works by stimulating the growth of the patient's own collagen and can be used to correct areas of soft tissue deficiency. This technique, performed using local anesthesia, requires two to three sessions, and the effects usually last twelve to twenty-four months.

A patient wishing to use his or her own fat to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles may be a candidate for autologous fat transplantation. In this procedure, fat is harvested from either the patient's abdomen or thigh, processed, and then injected into the soft tissue of the face to reduce the wrinkle. This technique is performed using local anesthesia and usually requires several sessions. Once the wrinkle is corrected, the effects can last for many years.

During your complimentary consultation Dr. Wetherington will balance your goals for facial rejuvenation with the advantages and limitations of the filler materials he uses. Injection of these materials is a serious, surgical procedure and, although quite safe, has associated risks and complications that will be discussed during your visit.

These procedures are optimally performed by a properly trained physician with a thorough knowledge of facial anatomy, aseptic surgical technique, local anesthesia and a classic commitment to the aesthetic ideal. At the Wetherington Plastic Surgery Center all soft tissue fillers are injected by a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.