December 16 2011

Job hunting? The edge may be in a needle, top doctor explains best filler options

As we age, the collagen and elastin in our faces - which is what gives us a youthful appearance and cushion to the skin - break down, resulting in gradual development of wrinkles, hollows and fine lines.

The current hot trend in dermatology and plastic surgery are dermal fillers, injected directly into the lines and depressions with a needle to plump up the skin and firm the areas.

The most common chemical used in these fillers is the hyaluronic acid gel which is a natural component of the skin. The way it works on the skin is by filling up a space in the skin with the look of restored volume.

Since it’s a natural structural compound of the skin and even found in many topical cosmetic serums, it assimilates into the skin structure and gives immediate results. The acid gel becomes part of the skin and will last anywhere between four and 12 months.

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, fillers like Restylane and Perlane have seen a 110% increase in procedures performed in the past three years. Botox, which doesn't fill wrinkles, but reduces the muscular contractions that cause them, has seen a 115% increase. Face-lifts, on the other hand, have only seen a 20% increase in the same time period.

The average price for fillers is $800 per session, according to the AACS. Compare that to a face-lift, which can run into the tens of thousands.

In this economy, many people are eschewing facelifts (upwards of $50,000) for more reasonable liquid facelifts, as people are concerned about their appearance when going to job interviews.

Today, a range of dermal fillers can be injected into the face, neck, lips, hands and décolleté, taking years off the a patient all while during a lunch hour, with no invasive surgery and little recovery time.

"Fillers have dramatically changed the game," says Dr. Ilya Reyter, a Beverly Hills' dermatologist. The use of fillers can hold off a face-lift for at least a decade.

Dr. Ilya Reyter is a leader in his field of dermatology and dermatologic surgery. A pioneer in facial volume restoration using fat transfer and fillers, Dr. Reyter has received acclaim for his work at the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine.