Most people experience significant physical changes when they grow older. Their skin is no longer as smooth and even as before, and the tissues lose their plumpness. At Wichita Vision Institute in Wichita, KS, we offer various kinds of injectables that help patients keep their faces youthful-looking. Dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM can get rid of wrinkles, restore volume in the cheeks, and plump up the lips. Read on to find out more about the expected results.
How Long Does JUVÉDERM Last?
If you’ve never had injectable treatment, you might not know how often you have to come to the clinic for top-up injections. Other treatments like BOTOX only last for a few months, so you need at least three or four appointments a year to maintain excellent results. Dermal fillers are more convenient because they remain in place for much longer.
The standard formula is metabolized within six to twelve months, depending on the treatment area and how the patient takes care of their skin after the appointment. The more durable cross-linked fillers last even longer. They might provide excellent results for twelve to eighteen months. Some of the thickest fillers don’t break down until two years after the initial appointment.
Traditional Injectables
Dermal fillers have been around for several decades. The standard formula is excellent for people who would like to add volume to their lips and get rid of the small wrinkles around the mouth and nose. This gel can also address the nasolabial folds, which are the lines between the nose and the mouth. The active ingredient is hyaluronic acid, a substance that is present in many of the body’s tissues.
Traditional dermal fillers last between six and twelve months when injected in the mid-face or around the mouth. This area of the face is in constant motion when you chew, speak, or create facial expressions, so the gel is metabolized relatively quickly. Fortunately, each appointment at the clinic only takes a few minutes, so you don’t have to spend more than two hours a year getting treated.
Cross-Linked Injectables
In recent years, dermal filler manufacturers have come up with new products that are more targeted at individual cosmetic issues and last longer. These innovative gels are cross-linked using Vycross technology. This means that the hyaluronic acid molecules cling together more effectively, and they take longer to break down.
There are several cross-linked injectables available. They plump up the lips, address the fine smokers’ lines around the mouth, smooth out nasolabial folds and marionette lines, and add small amounts of volume to the face. Generally, these fillers last between twelve and eighteen months. We recommend that patients come to the clinic once a year for their maintenance appointments.
Fillers that Add Volume to the Cheeks
A loss of volume in the mid-face is a serious issue for some people as they reach middle age. It makes them look gaunt, tired, and older than they are. Fillers like VOLUMA XC are designed specifically to add volume to the face. These gels are thicker and denser, so they plump up the skin in the mid-face or the chin area.
The results from VOLUMA XC are extremely long-lasting. Not only is this formula more solid than the others, but it is also cross-linked. The molecules take up to two years to break down and be absorbed by the body. This means that patients don’t need to come to the clinic for at least eighteen months after their initial appointment. VOLUMA XC is often used in conjunction with thinner gels to help patients achieve smooth, youthful-looking skin in all facial areas.
How to Prolong the Results
Not every patient experiences the same long-lasting results after dermal fillers. Several factors affect the speed at which hyaluronic acid is metabolized. The most important ones are the person’s metabolism, activity levels, lifestyle habits, and the condition of their tissues. Someone who is already experiencing significant changes due to aging might need injections more frequently than someone who is only just noticing the first changes.
To prevent a premature breakdown, avoid exposing your treatment area to a lot of UV radiation because this damages the cells and causes excessive wrinkling. Wear sunscreen when going out, and stay in the shade as much as possible. Eat a healthy diet that includes all essential vitamins and minerals, and drink plenty of water every day to keep your facial tissues hydrated.
What Happens During the Appointment?
JUVÉDERM injections are minimally invasive, so they don’t take a long time to administer. You can expect to spend approximately one hour at the clinic. We start the session by analyzing your treatment area to determine where to inject the hyaluronic acid filler. Then, we apply numbing cream to reduce the sensation in your tissues.
The injections themselves only take a few minutes. You can get cleaned up and drive yourself home or back to work right away. Usually, only one dermal filler appointment is necessary, but you might have to come back to the clinic if you’re getting treated with several gels. Because the active ingredient isn’t toxic, you don’t need to wait for more than a week or two between sessions.
After the Session
You don’t have to rest after your session. However, there are certain things you need to avoid for a few days. We’ll give you detailed instructions before starting the injections, so you know what to expect. The most important aftercare instruction is to avoid blood-thinning substances like NSAIDs or certain kinds of supplements for five to seven days because they affect the healing process.
Cover up your treatment site by wearing a wide-brimmed hat whenever you go outside. Apply high-quality sunscreen that doesn’t contain any toxic substances. If you’re not sure which brands are best, ask us. We can let you know which cosmetic products are suitable for your skin and which ones should be avoided.
Who Needs Dermal Fillers?
Dermal fillers are an excellent choice for anyone who has cosmetic issues related to the aging process. They can get rid of small lines and wrinkles and add volume to the tissues. Unlike other treatments, fillers address static wrinkles, so they are suitable for patients in their 40s and beyond who have significant lines. We generally recommend that patients start getting fillers when they first notice a loss of volume or mild to moderate wrinkles.
We can also treat esthetic problems related to the lips with fillers. Patients of all ages experience thin or uneven lips, either due to genetic factors or because of the aging process. Since there are several gels available, we can create subtle, moderate, or dramatic results.
Are There Any Prerequisites?
Almost everyone can be treated with dermal fillers because the active ingredient is natural, and the process is minimally invasive. However, we ask patients to come to the clinic for an initial evaluation before allowing them to take part. We carefully check their medical histories, allergies, and the medications they take.
Those who have a condition like heart disease, an autoimmune issue, or a serious mental health concern might not be eligible because the injections could interfere with their treatment. Women who are pregnant or have recently given birth aren’t good candidates, and they have to wait until their child is at least three months old.
Can the Treatment Be Combined with Other Minimally Invasive Methods?
Several dermal fillers can be combined to create the desired look. Patients might get one gel injected into their lips, another one into their cheeks, and a third one into the area around the mouth and nose. As mentioned, dermal fillers based on hyaluronic acid aren’t toxic, so they can be administered several times within one month.
We can also combine this treatment with some of our other options. BOTOX immobilizes the patient’s muscles and prevents them from creating facial expressions that cause wrinkles. LATISSE improves the appearance of the eyelashes. During the initial consultation, we discuss the patient’s cosmetic issues and determine which of these treatments is the most suitable. Then, we come up with an individualized plan.
Achieve Long-Lasting Results with Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers effectively restore lost volume in the mid-face, get rid of small lines and wrinkles, and augment the lips. They last much longer than other cosmetic treatments. Patients can expect to visit the clinic once or twice a year for top-up injections. Since each JUVÉDERM appointment only takes a few minutes, the time commitment required is minimal. Reach out to us at Wichita Vision Institute in Wichita, KS to book your first cosmetic consultation.
I Can See Clearly Now
by Don Burrows
Category: cataract surgeryDr. Patel saved my wife’s vision and mine too. I now live 770 miles from her office and would still make the trip, even if it required a cross-country trip.
I highly recommend Dr. Patel
by Jim Guhl
Category: cataract surgeryDr. Patel is a physician whose sincere goal is to improve the quality of life for her patients. When I first became a patient under Dr. Patel’s care, I was diagnosed with cataracts in both of my eyes; dry eye syndrome; and astigmatism. Previous records from my Lasik surgery, which occurred 17 years ago, were no longer available. The Lasik surgery documentation was important in determining the exact corrections that now needed to be made to properly correct my astigmatism. Dr. Patel wisely recommended I postpone the cataract removal and astigmatism correction procedure, until she received newly developed diagnostic equipment. This newly developed technology would provide her with the most accurate metrics possible. New specialized lens implants were also becoming available, which would correct my astigmatism. Dr. Patel explained my chances for a successful outcome would be significantly increased if I would be patient and wait a little longer. Dr. Patel is truly a physician with high integrity and would never perform surgery until she knew it was the right time. She truly cares about providing her patients with the best care she can. Dr. Patel successfully treated my dry eye symptoms with a regiment of eye drops, cleansing techniques and vitamins, which prevented me from requiring more extensive - and more expensive treatment. Prior to the surgery on my right eye, she provided me with sample eye drops from her office and coupons for the eye drops I would need to purchase after my surgery. She did all she could to reduce my expenses. During preparations for right eye surgery, Dr. Patel spent quality time with me explaining the results of my pre-surgery testing and asking questions to determine my vision goals. One of my desires was to once again see the front sight on a pistol. I thoroughly enjoyed going to the firing range, but due to the cataract in my right eye I could no longer see the sights, on my pistol. Although the cataract in my left eye was not as bad yet – I was also experiencing difficulty seeing and firing left handed. Using a blue gun (authentic plastic replica of a Sig P229 pistol), Dr. Patel took additional measurements which she used in determining the correct lens to implant, during my surgery. My right eye surgery took place on November 1, 2017. Two days after the surgery, I happened to glance at my mobile phone and for the first time in 10 years or more, I could read the information on the screen without glasses. I pulled the Sig out of its case and – wow! – The sight picture was there clear as a bell. So the right eye cataract is gone along with the rainbow halos around cars at night and the astigmatism has been corrected better than I dreamed possible. Quality of life restored! The process included the latest diagnostic equipment; the newest technology in an intraocular lens implant; and the use of a laser surgery technique performed by Dr. Patel. Sadly, insurance does not cover much of the cost for the process that produces the optimal results. When it comes to the long term correction of your vision and significant increase in the quality of life it is well worth the investment. Dr. Patel is a very accomplished and highly competent physician and surgeon. I will be forever grateful to her for restoring my vision. I highly recommend Dr. Patel. Jim Guhl Wichita, KS November 13, 2017
In Good Hands
by Luke F.
Category: lasik surgeryTalk about a life changing surgery!!! From the consultation to the surgery I knew I was in good hands. I would recommend WVI to anyone who is considering LASIK. Thanks WVI!
Life Changing!
by Ashley J.
Category: lasik surgeryI love Dr. Patel! After having my dreams crushed at another place when they told me I wasn't a candidate, I went to Dr Patel for a lasik consultation. She is very thorough and gave me information about my eyes that no doctor in almost 20 years has told me. A week ago I had Lasik and it has been life changing! I couldn't be happier and I'm so glad I chose Dr Patel. She truly cares about her patients and her passion shows. The wait time can be very long, but if you are prepared for that ahead of time, you won't be disappointed once you see the doctor. I'm recommending WVI to everyone I know. She is now the only doctor I trust for my eyes.
Impressed with Dr. Patel and Staff
by William D.
Category: cataract surgeryI first saw Dr. Patel about 6 years ago when my left eye wandered to the left side and stayed there. She sent me to the Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City for further evaluation. No reason was ever found as to why it did that but it corrected itself after about two months. Since then I have been seeing Dr. Patel regularly. I damaged the left eye in an accident and had to have a vitrectomy performed. She referred me to another specialist Dr. Paul Weishaar and that outcome was also great. The eye did develop a cataract and she performed that surgery a few months ago and suggested a plan for treating dry eyes. It was outstanding and since wearing glasses for over 50 years, I now just wear sunglasses. Simply amazing. Dr. Patel and her staff are the greatest and they know other great professionals if the need arises. They also do charity work and they are all a total blessing to me. I would not even consider going anywhere else. Just gotta love them.
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