Injectables

Dermal Fillers

Performed by Dr. Catharine Crawford at Prosilience Studio in Arlington, just northwest of Boston.

Dr. Crawford performing a filler injection along the jaw

With time, your skin can begin to sag and become loose due to natural aging processes. Fortunately, there are numerous non-surgical treatments available for a “lift” and “tightening” of your facial anatomy. Dermal Fillers in Arlington, MA just northwest of Boston at Prosilience Studio are an extremely popular cosmetic treatment used to add volume to areas of the face that have lost elasticity or firmness due to aging, sun damage, or other factors.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are often used for treating deep-set facial wrinkles, and they can also add volume to hollow areas such as the cheeks, around the mouth area, temples, and under the eyes, all of which are common effects of aging.

Sun damage can also increase the likelihood of wrinkles appearing, and then, of course, genetics can also cause some people to have more loose facial skin than others.

The three different types of dermal fillers that are most commonly used:

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

HA fillers are the most popular option since they are designed to bind water molecules to add volume beneath the skin. They’re regularly used to plump lips, smooth wrinkles, and folds, and remove scars, with their effects lasting between four and six months.

Poly-L-Lactic Acid

Dermal fillers made from poly-L-lactic acid tend to be used to correct nasolabial folds, the smile lines at each side of the mouth, and other facial wrinkles. These types of fillers help to stimulate collagen production to create a fuller, younger-looking appearance.

Calcium Hydroxylapatite

Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) is one of the most well-studied dermal fillers worldwide and is used to correct moderate-to-severe facial lines and folds and to replenish lost volume. It uses a naturally occurring mineral form of calcium apatite and is biodegradable and will be reabsorbed naturally by your metabolic process.

What are the benefits of Dermal Fillers?

We have seen our Arlington and Boston Dermal Filler patients able to enjoy the following benefits from their treatments:

  • Customizable and combinable with other treatments
  • It has almost no recovery time
  • Immediate results
  • Improved collagen and elastin production
  • Fewer risks involved
  • Long-lasting but impermanent results
  • Natural looking enhancements

Who Are The Best Candidates For Dermal Fillers?

At Prosilience Studio, we believe good candidates for Dermal Fillers in Boston and Arlington are those with the following characteristics:

  • Committed to practicing good skin maintenance
  • Concerned about facial aging
  • Have good overall health
  • Maintain realistic expectations of results
  • Non-smokers
  • Volume loss
  • Wrinkles and fine lines

What’s the First Step?

Your first step in getting Dermal Fillers in Boston and the surrounding area is to contact our office and schedule a consultation. During this consultation, you will have the opportunity to meet with Dr. Catharine Crawford or one of our certified injectionists who will carefully examine your skin and discuss your medical history. You should keep an open and honest dialogue with your provider because it is essential to ensure your safety and minimize any potential risks or side effects. We will take the time to address all of your questions and concerns, ensuring that you feel informed and confident in your decisions.

After gathering all the necessary information, your personalized treatment plan will be created to meet your aesthetic needs. If you are satisfied with this plan, you can proceed with receiving your Dermal Filler treatment on the same day, or if you prefer, our Patient Coordinator can help you reschedule for a more convenient time in your schedule.

What to expect on the day of a Dermal Filler treatment

When it’s time for your Dermal Filler treatment, it will be performed at our practice and is very quick. We will first have you get comfortable in our reclining chair, and then apply either a cold compress to the treatment area, or apply a topical anesthetic cream. Although Dermal Fillers aren’t “painful”, these little additions help you have a more comfortable experience.

Using a fine needle, your provider will carefully and strategically inject the Dermal Filler into the predetermined treatment areas, using her expertise and artistic eye to ensure precise placement and achieve natural-looking results. Throughout the injection process, the filler will be massaged around the treated area to ensure an even distribution.

After the injections, your provider will assess the results and make any necessary touch-ups to ensure symmetry and balance. This may involve additional injections or adjustments to achieve the desired outcome.

The entire procedure typically takes between 10 to 30 minutes but will vary depending on the location(s) of the injection and the filler you’re receiving.

Dermal Filler recovery

After your treatment, you can expect some swelling, redness, and bruising after the procedure, but these side effects are usually mild and go away within a few days. You can resume your normal activities immediately after the treatment, but your provider and injector may advise you to avoid strenuous exercise and exposure to sunlight for a week. We will also give you specific aftercare instructions to help you achieve the best results moving forward.

How much do Dermal Fillers cost in Boston, MA?

The cost of a Dermal Filler in Boston and Arlington will vary based on various factors, including the treatment area, the number of sessions needed, and the specific type of Dermal Filler used. To determine the exact price for your personalized treatment, we recommend scheduling a consultation. After evaluating your unique needs and creating a tailored treatment plan, our Patient Coordinator can provide you with a comprehensive cost breakdown based on your plan.

Why choose Dr. Crawford?

Given the amount of Medical Spas sprouting up, we understand that choosing the best match for your treatment is a difficult decision. However, Prosilience Studio (located just northwest of Boston is a medical spa that will make you feel heard and safe before even attempting to propose a treatment plan, thanks to the guidance that comes from Dr. Crawford’s breadth of experience and her rigorous training.

Certified by the American Board of Surgery and her leadership positions at Valley Regional Hospital, the Cambridge Health Alliance, and her association with top Medical Schools in the country such as Harvard Medical School, you will feel safe in Dr. Catharine Crawford’s hands. Her dedication, beyond procedure, to the well-being of her patients is evident in the depth of her innovative work toward patient care and education.

Results

Dermal Fillers before and after

Photographs of Prosilience Studio patients. Individual results vary.

After: Juvéderm lip filler
Before: Juvéderm lip filler
Before After

Dermal Fillers questions

Are Dermal Fillers painful?

We provide methods of making your experience more enjoyable with topical numbing cream or cold compresses, some of the fillers even contain lidocaine (an anesthetic that helps reduce pain). If you have any concerns about the treatment regarding your sensitivity to the needle or any other aspect, please discuss this during your consultation, and together, Dr. Crawford will find the best solution for you.

How many appointments will I need?

The great thing about Dermal Fillers is that you only need one treatment session to enjoy its benefits! Every Dermal Filler has different longevity, but on average, most patients can enjoy their results between six months and a year. Your body will naturally absorb the filler over this time, so as you begin to notice the effects of dermal fillers going away, we encourage you to make a maintenance appointment to maintain your appearance.

How long until I see results?

Most patients should be able to notice a difference immediately after their treatment. Once the swelling subsides and the filler sets into its resting position (usually 10 – 14 days), you can enjoy the results for months. Every client is different, and recovery and impact can look different based on your individual circumstances.

Can I combine Dermal Fillers with other procedures?

Of course! Some of the best procedure combinations with Dermal Fillers include injectables like BOTOX & Wrinkle Relaxers to achieve a smoother and fuller face. If you do have a certain aesthetic goal in mind, whether it be non-surgical or not, please discuss this with Dr. Crawford during your consultation and she will be able to make some expert suggestions.

What are the risks associated with Dermal Fillers?

Dr. Crawford is proud of his success rate in providing our Boston area patients with safe and effective Dermal Fillers. While it is a very safe procedure, certain risks, and side effects are associated with the treatment, which can include:

  • Acne-like skin eruptions
  • Asymmetry
  • Bleeding from the injection site
  • Bruising
  • Damage to the skin that results in a wound and possible scarring
  • Infection at the injection site
  • Lumps
  • The palpability of the filler under the surface of the skin
  • Skin necrosis (ulceration or loss of skin from disruption of blood flow)
  • Skin rash with itching
  • Skin redness
  • Swelling
  • Under- or over-correction of wrinkles

In extremely rare cases, the filler can be accidentally injected into your blood vessels rather than just under your skin, which will block blood flow and produce varying results. If you experience any long-lasting or unexpected reactions, please contact our office right away.

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