Dermal Fillers

Wrinkles are creases or folds that form and mar the smooth surface of the skin. Most wrinkles form because of aging skin¹. As people grow older their bodies produce less collagen and elastin. These are the proteins that help the skin maintain its structure. With less collagen and elastin, the skin is no longer well-supported from the inside. As a result, the skin becomes thin, more fragile, and less able to maintain its shape and contours. Individuals can begin to see fine lines in vulnerable areas, such as the face, hands, and chest, in their late 20’s. Each person inherits traits related to their skin, and their vulnerability to signs of aging, from their genetic blueprint.

Although aging skin is the primary cause of wrinkles, factors related to overall health, lifestyle and the environment can cause wrinkling to occur sooner or become more severe. The risk for loss of skin volume includes chronic illness, smoking, repetitive facial expressions, dehydration, pollution, and exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light. After inherited genetics and age, UV light exposure is the most significant factor in the formation of fine lines and deep furrows. UV rays break down collagen and elastin proteins in the skin, speeding the skin’s natural aging process. With UV light exposure, the connective tissue in the dermis layer of the skin weakens and shrinks. The areas of the skin which receive sun exposure can develop an aged, wrinkled appearance quickly².

Wrinkles can negatively affect a person’s appearance and self-confidence. Although aging is unavoidable, you have the power to make it less noticeable. It is possible to begin making choices that support skin health. There are innovative treatments available to help maintain your skin’s fullness. Epiphany Dermatology can help. We can remove fine lines, smooth your skin, and rejuvenate your appearance. We can partner with you, to fight the aging process. Our skilled staff uses cosmetic dermal fillers to erase wrinkles and enhance your appearance.

Wrinkles, such as crow’s feet or laugh lines, occur when there is a loss of volume in the dermal layer of the skin. It creates “open spaces” in the deeper layers of skin which cause the top layer to fall into the open spaces beneath the surface. The visible skin surface appears to sag and crease as the natural contours of youth are lost. Epiphany Dermatology can help this depleted volume by using dermal fillers to fill the voids, creating full tissue and smoothing the surface appearance of the skin.

During an office visit, dermatologists inject hyaluronic acid; a substance found in the body that helps the skin stay moisturized and maintain elasticity, into these cavities beneath the skin. As doctors fill these spaces, they mold the areas to give the surface a smooth appearance.

Dermal fillers are a less invasive and cost-effective alternative to surgeries that achieve comparable results. Dermal filler injections are low risk for most patients and recovery time is minimal³.

Epiphany Dermatology’s Riverside, Missouri office provides our dermal filler treatments. Patients receive a personal consultation with our board-certified physicians. During this appointment, our dermatologists address the patient’s concerns and guide them through their options. Some of the FDA-approved, dermal filler products that we have available include Juvéderm®, Voluma®, and Radiesse®. Their prices vary by product and individualized care plan.

After a personalized care plan is created, our dermatologists will inject the facial fillers in areas identified during the consult. The “smile lines” or “laugh lines” extending from the nose down towards the chin (nasolabial folds) are the most commonly injected site. Cosmetic facial fillers are also used to benefit other locations including lips, cheeks, hands, and even ear lobes. Not only do dermal fillers reduce the appearance of wrinkles and folds, but they can also be used to improve the appearance of scars. Depending on the location of injection and patient preference; topical anesthesia may be provided. Anesthesia can also be within the filler injection to minimize any pain.

After injecting the facial filler, the patient may have some mild swelling. Patients can return to their daily activity immediately, and strenuous activity should be avoided or reduced for a few days. Ice is recommended for the first 24-48 hours to help decrease any swelling. Patients are encouraged to avoid massaging the treated area to avoid accidentally relocating the product to an undesired location. These cosmetic facial fillers usually last from between 6 to 18 months, depending upon where they are injected, and on touch-ups

Dermal filler can treat many wrinkle-related concerns. Some of the more common conditions that Epiphany Dermatology treats are the following:

Wrinkles

Crow’s Feet (Lateral Canthal Lines)

Smile Lines (Nasolabial Folds)

Facial Asymmetry

Wrinkles in the Hands

Enhance Lip Volume

Restore Sunken Cheeks

¹ Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018, March 7). Wrinkles. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wrinkles/symptoms-causes/syc-20354927

² Heather Brannon, M. (2018, September 2018). The Effects of Sun on the Skin. Retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com:
https://www.verywellhealth.com: https://www.verywellhealth.com/effects-of-sun-on-the-skin-1068724

³ The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. (n.d.). Injectable Filler Guide. Retrieved from https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org:
https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/non-surgical/injectable-fillers-guide/

Schedule Your Dermal Filler treatment at Epiphany Dermatology – Kansas City
Kansas City Filler Treatments are performed by Dr. Brian Matthys, Dr. Molly Menser and  Dr. Nicholas Rudloff at our Riverside and St. Joseph locations.

Make an appointment today!
Call: (816) 205-8120
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Locations
1805 NW Platte Rd., Suite 120
Riverside, MO 64150  |  Riverside Directions

805 N 36th St., Suite D
St. Joseph, MO 64506  |  St. Joseph Directions