If you're considering injectables...
As we age, our faces begin to show the effects of gravity, sun exposure and years of facial muscle movement, such as smiling, chewing and squinting. The underlying tissues that keep our skin looking youthful and plumped up begin to break down, often leaving laugh lines, smile lines, crow's feet or facial creases over the areas where this muscle movement occurs.
Soft-tissue fillers, most commonly injectable hyaluronic acid, collagen or fat, can help fill in these 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. They are also used for peri-orbital rejuvenation, Cheek and chin augmentation, nose shaping, correction of crooked nose and depressed nose, scar treatment, acne scar reduction, etc. 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 facelift.

If you're considering a facial-rejuvenation treatment with collagen or fat, this brochure will give you a basic understanding of the procedure - when injectables can help, how the procedure is performed, and what results you can expect. It may not answer all of your questions, since a lot depends on your individual circumstances. Please ask Dr. Desai if there is anything about the procedure you don't understand.

Knowing Your Options:
Injected hyaluronic acid and fat are primarily used to improve the appearance of the skin's texture. They can help fill out deep facial wrinkles, creases and furrows, "sunken" cheeks, skin depressions and some types of scars. They can also be used to add a fuller, more sensuous look to the lips. Also used for cheek and chin augmentation, depressed and crooked nose correction.
Deep folds in the face or brow caused by overactive muscles or by loose skin may be more effectively treated with cosmetic surgery, such as a facelift or browlift. Injectables are sometimes used in conjunction with facial surgery procedures; however, injectables alone cannot change facial contour the way surgery can.
Keep in mind that a plastic surgeon is the only specialist that can offer you the full gamut of the most advanced treatments ranging from cosmetic surgery, refinishing techniques, laser therapy, injectables and the use of other fillers. You and Dr. Desai may determine that a single procedure or a combination of procedures is the best choice for you.

A Word About types of fillers:
This brochure deals with the two most commonly used types of injectable fillers, hyaluronic acid (restylane, perlane, dermadeep, dermalive, esthelis, etc.) and fat. However, to a lesser extent, a number of other filler materials are also being used for facial-rejuvenation purposes. They include: Fibril, a gelatin powder compound that's mixed with a patient's own blood and is injected to plump up the skin (similar to injectable collagen); and Gortex, a thread-like material that is implanted beneath the skin to add soft-tissue support.
Each of these options has its own set of risks and benefits.

What To Expect From Treatment:
The most important fact to remember about injectable fillers is that the results are not permanent. Injected material is eventually metabolized by the body. You should not expect the same long-lasting results that may be gained from cosmetic surgery.
In some individuals, the results may last only a few weeks; in others, the results may be maintained indefinitely. Researchers believe that age, genetic background, skin quality and lifestyle as well as the injected body site may all play a role in the injected material's "staying power." However, the precise reason for the variation of results among patients has yet to be identified.
Sometimes one substance may work better than the other for a specific problem.

Risk Related To Injectables:
When injectables are administered by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually minor in nature. Still, individuals vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions and their healing abilities. The outcome of treatment with injectables is never completely predictable.
Hyaluronic Acid: Allergic reaction is the primary risk. Risks not necessarily related to allergies include infection, abscesses, open sores and lumpiness, which may persist over the treated area. Reports of these problems are very very rare.
Fat: Allergic reaction is not a factor for fat because it's harvested from a patient's own body. However, there is still a small risk of infection and other infrequent complications.

Planning For Treatment:
In your initial consultation, Dr. Desai will evaluate your face - the skin, the muscles and the underlying bone - and discuss your goals for the surgery. Dr. Desai will help you select a treatment option based on your goals and concerns, your anatomy and your lifestyle.
Dr. Desai will ask you about your medical history, drug allergies, and check for conditions that could cause problems, such as active skin infections or non-healed sores from injuries. Insurance usually doesn't cover cosmetic procedures. However, if your injectable treatment is being performed to treat a scar or indentation from an accident or injury, you may be reimbursed
for a portion of the cost. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure.

Types Of Anesthesia:
Local anaesthesia and it is an out-patient procedure (lunch time procedure)
THE TREATMENTS
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring protein that provides support to various parts of the human body: the skin, the joints, the bones and the ligaments. Injectable hyaluronic acid, is patented by the trade names Restylane, Perlane, Dermalive, Dermadeep, Esthelis, etc. It is produced in various thicknesses to meet individual patient needs and is also U.S.- F.D.Approved.
It is used primarily to fill wrinkles, lines and scars on the face and sometimes the neck, back and chest.
The procedure: The compound 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.
After treatment: 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. No bandaging is needed 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 2-5 days. If these symptoms persist, contact your surgeon.
Results: As stated earlier, the duration of results from injections is variable. 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.
Temporary Fillers- They last for 6- 24 months. (Ex.- Restylane, Perlane, Esthelis, etc.)
Semi-permenant Fillers- They last for 2-5 years. (Ex.- Dermadeep, Dermalive, etc.)
AUTOLOGOUS FAT- It is usually taken from the thighs or abdomen. It lasts for around 6 months to maybe 3-5 years. Advantage is that it is much cheaper and no allergic reactions. Disadvantage is that it is unpredictable in terms of survival and longetivity.

Your New Look:
If you're like most patients, you'll be very satisfied with the results of your injectable treatments. You may be surprised at the pleasing results that can be gained from this procedure.