The idea of cosmetic surgery has been on my mind for some time now. But I always found it difficult to take the leap of faith and let a prick of a needle do its magic. Besides, there is such an overwhelming abundance of information out there, it’s difficult for anyone to decide what is a unique formula for their skin’s need.
The question that lingered in my thoughts the most, is the real difference between Botox and fillers.
In my research, I found that Botox, which is commonly used in treating wrinkles basically paralyzes the muscles and blocks signals from the nerves, so the muscle doesn’t contract (and cause wrinkles). In addition, your body takes a while to detox the botox itself, adding unnecessary tax on your detox system. On the other hand, fillers, are hyaluronic acid injections. Our body loses its hyaluronic acid as we age and fillers simply inject the acid back into our body. Doesn’t that sound more assuring?
Not fully convinced with my ‘internet research’, I decided to seek some professional help from Dr. Ben Talei. In an exclusive interview with Dr. Talei, he spoke to us about the newest and most innovative technology that can help you age better and restore some youth. He discussed the advancements in minimally invasive and non-surgical procedures and explained Fillers, a curious topic for many moms, women, and also, men.
What is a filler and what are the varieties?
Dermal fillers are mostly gel-like materials that are injected into the face to add volume, reshape or improve lines in the face. There are permanent fillers like fat and silicone and temporary ones like
What are the ingredients of a filler and how safe is each kind?
Products such as Restylane and Juvederm are HLA fillers and are the most commonly used. You have risks with any injectable both in the short term and long term. The immediate risks to worry about are vascular occlusion which means blood vessels can accidentally be injected. This could compromise the skin and even one’s vision. It’s very important to inject with a high level and experienced injector. Radiesse is a paste-like filler made of calcium hudroxyapatite which is a bony mineral. I don’t love using radiesse because it can’t be reversed or dissolved and it can cause chronic inflammation if injected into the soft tissues.
Collagen fillers are no longer used. They were mostly bovine in origin, meaning they came from a cow and had a high allergic reaction rate. Silicone and silicone like polymers should be avoided. They typically start to cause problems 5 years after injection and continue to cause problems forever and ever! Recently patients have been ordering this stuff online and injecting it themselves or they’ve had an unlicensed practitioner inject them in a hotel room filler party. I’ve seen some terrible results.
What happens to the skin when it ages?
As the skin ages it tends to droop, deflate and dehydrate. This comes from a loss of deep and superficial support. The fat under the skin is slowly lost over time. The organization of collagen fibers changes while elastin and hyalronic acid in the skin are also diminished with time. Collagen helps provide the lattice rigid structure in the skin. Elastin provides support and elasticity. Hyaluronic acid carries water and hydration. Patients may have a gross misunderstanding of how to regain this soft tissue components.
What’s your favorite treatment?
My favorite thing to do is a procedure called Profound RF which is the strongest radio freqeuency device on the market. This forms all of those tissue components (above, explained) and more. The skin gets more radiant, tighter and smoother. Then I follow up a month later with smaller amounts of fillers than the patient would have had. If I see the main issue is drooping, I advise patients to do the Auralyft procedure which is an advanced, natural and dramatic type of surgical face and neck lift.
Most people use fillers once they start noticing signs of aging. When do you recommend is the best time to get a filler and what result does it provide?
People usually start Botox to relax the lines and muscles in the face in their mid to late 20’s. Fillers can be used for so many things it’s hard to say when patients start them. Most
How long do fillers last and how are they detoxed from the body?
Most fillers last 6months to a year depending on how much is injected and where it’s injected. The body naturally metabolizes HLA fillers as HLA is a naturally occurring element in the skin. When a filler causes a reaction or moves to the wrong place, it can last up to 10 years. This is commonly seen with classic Juvederm when it’s injected in the lip or under eyes. For this reason, I don’t use that product commonly.
The body naturally metabolizes HLA fillers as HLA is a naturally occurring element in the skin.
What are the latest treatments to couple up with fillers for a natural look and subtle fixes?
As I mentioned, I love doing the Profound RF treatment to tighten the face and neck and brighten the skin. If a patient doesn’t have downtime we love performing a clear and brilliant laser and dermal infusion to improve the skin quality. Afterward, we have them lay on our LightStim LED bed which helps inflammation
If someone is on a budget but wants to do some annual cosmetic maintenance, what would you suggest?
I always advise not injecting too frequently because this stuff isn’t permanent. Botox, for example, doesn’t always have to be at its maximum, so I prefer injecting only when needed for a refresh. You can actually avoid a lot of the problems in the skin by using good skin products. We love to place patients on Auasilk oil which is
About Dr. Ben Talei
Dr. Ben Talei is double board certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Talei is internationally recognized for his advanced and groundbreaking surgical techniques. With a 5-star patient rating, Dr. Talei has been featured on E! News, Fox, NBC, Inside Edition and The Doctors.
