Filler Composition

The majority of fillers today are comprised of a naturally occurring substance in the body known as hyaluronic acid, or HA.  Found in connective tissues and cartilage, HA is not derived from animal sources, and it is compatible with the human body.

Differences in HA fillers are based on varying degrees of softness.  Some fillers are soft and thin, ideal for areas such as the thin skin of the lower eyelids, while others are more gel-like and sturdier, better for enhancement of the jawline.

Method of Action

When injected into the skin, HA fillers act as a cushion to support facial tissues that may have lost volume and elasticity.  They also draw water to the surface of the skin, improving skin quality and texture.

Indications for Use

Fillers can be used wherever a man has lost soft tissue support and volume.  This includes: underneath the eyes to improve hollowing and darkening, in the mid-face to support the cheek, along the jawline and chin to add definition and produce a more squared-off contour, and in the temples to help soften the eyes.  Fillers can also improve the appearance of set-in wrinkles such as in the forehead, crows feet, or area between the eyes.

After listening to a patient’s desired areas of improvement, a facial analysis and skin evaluation is performed.  The treatment sites are determined, and the skin is degreased of oil.  Depending on a patient’s comfort level with injections, topical medicine or a cold pack can be applied to temporarily numb the skin, or a nerve block performed for particularly sensitive areas.

Fillers come in pre-filled syringes and are administered in a series of injections.  The skin is massaged to evenly distribute the filler, and a cold pack applied to minimize swelling and the chance of bruising.

Fillers require little recovery time.  We recommend patients use a cold pack for the first twenty minutes after injections to minimize the chance of swelling or bruising.  Patients are asked not to massage their injection sites, or engage in vigorous exercise for 24 hours.

We believe in being preemptive to avoid any side effects, but occasionally the following may occur:

Localized Reactions: Patient’s may have temporary swelling, redness, or soreness at the site of injections.  These reactions typically resolve within 24 hours.

Bruising:  Bruising develops within a day, and typically resolves within a week.

Over/Under Correction: Depending on the filler, it may take several days, to a week, to see your final results.  The skin and overlying tissues need to settle, and any swelling to resolve.  As a result, more severely affected areas may need several treatment sessions to see appropriate correction.  If an area is overdone, there is a medicine that can dissolve the filler, if needed.

Palpability of Filler: Depending on the level of the skin that the filler is placed, patients occasionally describe feeling the filler underneath the skin.  This can be in the form of a lump, nodule, or ridge. These will resolve spontaneously with time.

Asymmetry:  Despite best practices, asymmetry may occur after filler administration, requiring additional treatments to correct

Number of Treatments: Some patients may require multiple treatments in order to reach a desired result.

Duration of Results: Fillers create impressive improvement, but their results are only temporary.  If not re-treated, the gains obtained with fillers will disappear, and the facial appearance present before treatment, will return.

How can fillers work for a man?

Because of the inherent differences in the facial anatomy of men and women, it is wise to seek a plastic surgeon with experience in filler placement specifically for men.  At all costs, one does not want to feminize a male face by placing fillers in the same areas, and in the same methods as in women.  Men have flatter cheekbones, more prominent jaw and brow lines, and thicker skin. Dr. Castillo uses fillers to emphasize a male’s angles and sharper features, restoring a masculine, yet natural, look by turning unflattering shadows into more youthful highlights.

Where can fillers be placed in men?

Fillers can be placed wherever a man has lost soft tissue support and volume.  This includes: underneath the eyes to improve hollowing and darkening, in the midface to support the cheek, along the jawline and chin to add definition and produce a more squared-off contour, and in the temples to help soften the eyes.

Can I have a wrinkle relaxer and filler placed in the same setting?

Yes, wrinkle relaxers and dermal fillers can be safely used together, and can complement each other’s effects.  For example, a wrinkle relaxer placed in the same area as a filler can prolong the filler’s duration by limiting motion of the underlying muscle, thereby slowing the body’s resorption of the dermal filler. Conversely, dermal fillers can help smooth the appearance of a wrinkle that persists, despite the use of a wrinkle relaxer.