Surgical Injectables

Botox

Some wrinkles are the result of overactive muscles. A popular treatment for this is Botox. Botox (a controlled toxin) is a paralyzing agent injected directly into the muscles to reduce muscle activity. Common places to inject include the horizontal forehead furrows, vertical lines between the eyebrows and "crow's feet" around the eyes. Botox is temporary (3-4 months). It is an office-based procedure that does not require anesthesia and has little to no downtime.

Collagen:

Collagen is an injectable filler made from cow protein and is used to fill or plump wrinkles or furrows. Popular places to inject include the lines between the eyebrows, lines between the nose and lips (nasolabial folds), lines to the side of the mouth, and lines around the lips. It is done as an in-office procedure, and does not require anesthesia. Recovery is usually one day. Keep in mind; collagen is temporary (3-4 months), therefore, repeated treatments are needed. Also, a test dose is required for first time users to determine the possibility of an allergic reaction.

Fat Injections:

Fat taken from your own body is used as a soft tissue filler material. Since it is taken from your own body there is little possibility of an allergic reaction. Fat is taken from areas such as your abdomen, buttocks, or thighs using a small needle attached to a syringe. This is a day case procedure, where the fat is injected in multiple thin strands into the treatment area. It is a  belief that autologous fat injections may be long lasting or even permanent. I have doubts. Keep in mind; your body will absorb some of the fat and therefore repeated injections of stored fat may be needed for optimal results.

Alloderm:

Alloderm is a soft tissue filler made from cadaver dermis. It comes in a sheet and is soaked in a salt -water solution prior to insertion. It can be used to enlarge lips, fill lines between the nose and lips, and in areas where soft tissue augmentation is needed. It is hard to predict the longevity of this product, however, it seems to have a long-lasting result. Unfortunately, there are some patients that absorb this material sooner than expected. The product is processed in such a way that infections from the donor or patient rejection are not a concern. Alloderm acts as a structural framework for the body and becomes an integral part of human soft tissue starting at two to three weeks.

Cymetra:

Cymetra is an injectable, soft tissue filler that consists of micronized Alloderm. Popular places to inject include the lines between the eyebrows, lines between the nose and lips (nasolabial folds), lines to the side of the mouth, and lines around the lips. As with Alloderm, this filler may have long-lasting results if used correctly. Unfortunately, multiple treatments are needed to obtain a long-lasting augmentation. As with Alloderm, some patients metabolize or absorb the Cymetra sooner than expected. Cymetra injections can be performed in the office simply with manufactured syringe preparations.

Porex:

Porex is a non-absorbable, permanent facial implant made by Med Pore. The material is made of Porous Polyethylene. It is fabricated in various shapes and sizes. It is used in cheek augmentation, chin augmentation, and nasal re-profiling. Its main advantage is tissue adherence and lack of implant movement. Dr. Farella has used Porex successfully to augment the ethnic nose.

Gore-tex

Gore-tex is a non-absorbable, permanent, soft tissue implant that is used in cheek, chin, lip, and nasoabial(nose-lip line) augmentation. It can be purchased in various shapes and sizes. This material is soft and flexible. The multi-strand Gore-tex product has been used successfully in nasolabial augmentation (with the benefit of not being able to feel the implant).