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Fountain of youth in a needle: An introduction to dermal fillers and other injectables
Dr. John Burroughs has the capabilities and expertise to offer a vast array of surgical procedures from our office in Colorado Springs. In fact, Dr. Burroughs has successfully performed 20,000-plus oculofacial plastic surgery procedures to reawaken “aged” eyes and reset the clock on signs of aging and environmental damage. You don’t always need surgery to achieve the desired results. Springs Aesthetics provides an entire category of treatments to repair facial laxity, volume loss, and more, with reduced risks, side effects, complications, and downtime associated with surgical interventions.
What do you offer for injectables?
Dermal fillers and “wrinkle blockers” may both be injected into precise points of the face. Depending on the formulation and type of product used, these injections can “fill in” sunken areas (like the tear troughs under the eyes) or soften the appearance of lines, wrinkles, folds, and other depressions. Sometimes the nose can be straightened, the tip lifted, and the dorsal ridge (humps) smoothed for a more pleasing appearance.
Do fillers and wrinkle blockers work the same way?
No. Fillers largely involve applying a thick gel-like solution to the depressed area. As the specific ingredients or formulation are introduced into the precise tissues that have sustained volume loss, the area is “reinflated.” Think of this process as akin to a hot air balloon; when deflated, it is highly wrinkled and lax. However, when the balloon is filled with air, its rounded shape, contours, and smoothness are all restored.
“Wrinkle blockers” are distinct from other products. These neurotoxins or neuromodulators are perhaps best known by the brand name Botox® Cosmetic. When introduced to the expression lines, such as crow’s feet around the eyes, these injections treat the precise muscles responsible for the development of these lines. By relaxing the muscles, you notice an improvement in the severity of “frown lines” and more. These products may also be used for “prejuvenation” to stay ahead of aging by keeping lines/folds from developing or worsening. Botox® Cosmetic and other neuromodulators can help reduce excess sweating and oil production and improve skin quality.
What fillers do you use?
Many of the most popular fillers are made with hyaluronic acid, a molecule that occurs naturally in the body. Hyaluronic acid plays a significant role in maintaining the overall appearance and softness of the skin. However, as we age, the body produces less hyaluronic acid. We can restore this beneficial substance with HA-based fillers like Belotero® and Restylane® and Juvederm®. Once applied to folds around the nose and mouth, it fills those depressed areas to create a smoother, more youthful look. In addition to HA-based fillers, we provide particularly “durable” products known as collagen stimulators, volumizers, or “biostimulators.”
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What makes a collagen stimulator different?
True to their name, products like Radiesse® and Sculptra® not only fill in and add volume to depressed areas but also trigger fresh collagen production. Like HA, this beneficial firming substance is produced in smaller quantities by our bodies, starting at around 25. Since these fillers actually stimulate the production of new collagen, the results that gradually improve with time tend to stick around longer—for up to three years. Bellafill® is the longest-lasting and can volumize areas of the face for up to five years.
Will injections hurt?
Injections can certainly cause temporary discomfort. Many of the products discussed here are formulated with numbing lidocaine or a topical numbing agent, which may be applied as part of your treatment. We also have laughing gas, Zimmer (cooling air), and Dr. Burroughs and Melissa are adept at injection techniques to ensure the most comfortable experience possible. Sometimes, stress and fatigue can cause increased injection discomfort, so we strive to help our patients and clients be relaxed. For those still anxious about the thought of needles, we are happy to discuss alternative ways to keep you relaxed at every step while at our office in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
What filler is best for me?
Request a consultation today! Each of these products differs in terms of its indications and factors like how long the treatment results last and how often you will need “touch-up” sessions. Additionally, you may choose to combine wrinkle blockers and fillers for a nonsurgical or “liquid facelift.” Other services may also be combined to get desired results without invasive procedures—call (719) 749-3606 to speak with a team member.
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John Burroughs, M.D.
Dr. John Burroughs specializes in eyelids, orbits, and faces and has performed over 20,000 related procedures. His role in oculofacial plastic surgeries has been highly appreciated.
He is an alumnus of the Air Academy High School, University of Texas, and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine), Maryland. He later followed a transitional internship and ophthalmology residency in San Antonio, TX, and has decades of aesthetic treatment experience.
Dr. Burroughs is American Board of Ophthalmology-certified and is a Fellow of the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Reconstructive Surgeons, the Oculofacial Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a member of many other associations. He is a lifelong learner and teacher.