Soft-tissue fillers, most
commonly injectable collagen or fat, can help fill in lines and creases,
temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful-looking appearance. When
injected beneath the skin, these fillers plump up creased and sunken areas of the
face. They can also add fullness to the lips and cheeks. Injectable fillers
may be used alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure, such
as a laser treatment, or a recontouring procedure, such as a face lift.
Treatment with collagen
can begin after a skin test determines that you're not allergic to the substance.
The collagen is injected using a fine needle inserted at several points along
the edge of the treatment site. If a local anesthesia has not been used, you may feel
some minor stinging or burning as the injections are administered.
Since part of the substance
is salt water that will be absorbed by the body within a few days, Dr. Ratliff
will slightly overfill the area. You may be asked to hold a hand mirror
during the procedure to help Dr. Ratliff decide |
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when you've had enough. Immediately following treatment,
you may notice some minor discomfort, stinging or throbbing in the injected
area. Occasionally some bruising or swelling will occur, but it is usually
minor. Any redness that appears in the injected site usually disappears
within 24 hours. However, in some individuals, particularly fair-skinned
patients, this redness may persist for a week or more. Tiny scabs may also
form over the needle-stick areas; these generally heal quickly.
Allergic reaction is the
primary risk of collagen. To help determine if you are allergic to the
substance, Dr. Ratliff will perform an allergy skin test about a
month before the procedure. After the test is performed, the test site
should be watched carefully
for three or four weeks, or as long as Dr. Ratliff advises. Any sign of
redness, itching, swelling or other occurrences at the test site
should be reported to Dr. Ratliff.
Risks not necessarily related
to allergies include infection, abscesses, open sores, skin peeling, scarring
and lumpiness, which may persist over the treated area. Reports of these
problems are very rare.
No bandaging is needed following treatment, and
you are free to eat, drink, and wear makeup with sunblock protection shortly
thereafter. There may be some temporary swelling and redness in the treated
area, which should dissipate within a few days. If these symptoms persist,
contact Dr. Ratliff.
The duration of results
from collagen injections is variable. Collagen's longevity depends on the
patient's lifestyle and physical characteristics as well as the part of
the body treated. In general, the injected material is likely to disappear
faster in areas that are more affected by muscle movement.
Dr. Ratliff can help you
determine how long you can go between treatments to best maintain your
results.
