There are several new products available to prepare you for the upcoming holiday season. Radiesse, Juvéderm, Artefill, and Perlane have all been introduced since the start of 2007. These products are injectable filler materials typically used to fill creases. Indulging yourself would be done as a "lunch-time" procedure meaning that there is typically only minimal swelling/bruising and no need for anesthesia.

Radiesse is a thick material with great longevity, usually 1 to 2 years. It is made of calcium hydroxyl appetite, which is a naturally forming substance in humans. The unique advantage of Radiesse is that it offers a way to add predictable volume to your face that lasts. It is excellent for the smile lines and dark circles under the eyes. It is also useful as a temporary way to simulate cheek implants, chin implants, and rhinoplasty (nasal surgery). It can compliment the use of other fillers by allowing multiple layers. Radiesse is placed deep to the skin while other products go more superficial. While Radiesse was approved for cosmetic use this year, I do have 4 years of experience using it in the face.

Artefill is the first permanent injectable filler approved in the United States. It is injected in the same fashion as other injectable fillers. It contains collagen as well as the permanent component called polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is an implant material with decades of use in humans as a solid substance. Artefill has made the product into an injectable form. After injection, your body forms collagen capsules around each micro-sphere of PMMA producing the filling effect. The product is mixed with collagen for injection producing the initial effect. As the collagen dissolves, your body fills in the area with its own collagen for the permanent affect.

Finally, there is a new twist to the hyaluronic acid products. Restylane has been around for several years and is an excellent product. We now also have Juvéderm. Juvéderm is approved by the FDA to claim one year of longevity. I agree with this claim having now used it myself for a full year.  It is also very smooth to the touch.

And don't forget, the old standby Botox is as good as ever, especially in the upper face.

Doctor Apostolakis will begin seeing patients in the evening on a limited basis. The first two dates will be Thursday November 15 and Thursday December 20.

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