Dermal Fillers for West Caldwell, NJ

Before your first syringe

Most people thinking about filler for the first time already have a picture of it in their heads, put together from photographs, social media and a friend’s story. Some of that picture is accurate and some of it is not. Below are the beliefs we hear most often at Montville MedSpa & Pain Center, set against what the fillers used here actually do.

Five beliefs, and the facts

1. “Once it is in, I am stuck with it.” Not with hyaluronic acid (HA), which is what the practice primarily uses: Juvéderm, Revanesse Versa and RHA. An enzyme called hyaluronidase can dissolve HA gel if a correction is needed, and even left alone the body breaks it down over months. Most HA fillers last between 6 and 18 months, a shorter time in the lips and a longer one in the cheeks and jaw.
2. “Filler means lips.” Lips are among the most requested areas, but they are one of several. Juvéderm Voluma XC restores the cheekbones, Volux XC shapes the chin and jawline, filler in the tear troughs eases under-eye shadows, and Ultra Plus XC or Vollure XC soften nasolabial folds and marionette lines.
3. “Filler and Botox are the same thing.” They solve different problems. Botox and Dysport relax the muscles behind lines that come from movement, while filler replaces the volume whose loss leaves creases behind when your face is at rest. Plenty of plans use both.
4. “Lip filler stretches your lips for good.” Placed properly, HA lip filler adds volume within the lip’s own boundaries and does not permanently stretch it; once the gel is absorbed, the lips return to their earlier shape. A stretched look comes from overfilling, which is the reason the practice does not overfill.
5. “It always looks done.” The aim here is balance and proportion rather than a trend. After the gel is placed it is molded, and the area is moved gently while you smile and frown, so the result keeps up with your expressions.

A bonus hidden in the chemistry

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar your skin already makes, and it draws in water, so a little hydration comes with the volume. It has antioxidant properties that help protect the skin from free radical damage, and HA fillers have been shown to encourage some collagen production as the gel settles into the surrounding tissue.

Who should wait

The fillers used here are FDA-approved for adults aged 22 and over. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, put filler off until afterwards, because injectable fillers have not been approved for use during that time. If you get cold sores, mention it at your consultation, since a flare-up is one of the known risks.

West Caldwell patients ask

How long will I be in the chair? About 20 to 45 minutes depending on the areas, after a numbing cream has had 15 to 30 minutes to work. Most modern fillers also carry lidocaine.

Can I go back to my day afterwards? Most people return to their usual routine the same day. Leave the area untouched for a few hours, and give hard exercise a rest for a day or two.

Who decides how much I need? Your provider, once your face has been assessed, and you leave the consultation with a full cost estimate. Filler here is led by Dr. Donna D’Alessio, MD, and her training covers facial anatomy and vascular safety.

Read the full dermal fillers page, see before & after results, or read whether lip filler stretches your lips.

Book NowCall (973) 794-3958Text (973) 834-7074