A facelift, also known as a Rhytidectomy, is a surgical procedure that improves signs of visible aging found in the face and neck –but did you know there are non-surgical facelift options available? Fillers are an easy, non-invasive way to reshape the face and achieve desired results quickly. Depending on what clients anticipate in their results, there is a wide array of fillers to select from. Botox®, Restylane®, Radiesse®, and Sculptra® are all fillers that board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Steinbrech has successfully treated his patients with. When deciding which filler is the “best,” it depends on the treatment and results in mind.
Botox®
As we age, contracting face muscles will cause facial lines to develop, especially around the eyes and mouth, between the eyebrows, and on the forehead. Botox® treatments can prevent the deepening of these lines in facial movements and even erase signs of aging, resulting in a younger and more refreshed appearance. It is also one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in the U.S. Botox® is made from a highly purified protein that is very safe when administered by a qualified physician. It relaxes the facial muscles that cause wrinkles and smooths the lines in the skin, making you look tired or angry. It can also be used for migraine headaches, excessive sweating, and eye and neck spasms.
Restylane®
Restylane® has been safely used since 1996 worldwide. It is designed to smooth wrinkles, sculpt lips, and shape facial contours. The most common treatment areas are the lines between the eyebrows and the folds from the nose’s root to the mouth’s angle. Restylane® can bind with water, which offers longer-lasting results. It is a clear, synthetic gel made with hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found throughout the body. The gel adds volume and fullness to smooth facial wrinkles and folds. As it integrates into dermal tissue, it attracts and binds to water molecules to maintain volume. It is non-animal-based and fully biocompatible, making allergy testing not required.
Radiesse
Radiesse® is a synthetic injectable filler that reduces wrinkles, creases, and scars by augmenting the body’s natural collagen supply. It comprises microspheres in a biocompatible gel of the same minerals found in our bones, creating little risk for allergic reactions. Treatments typically take only 15 minutes and require a local anesthetic to numb pain. Results are visible immediately, can last for months or years, and can be repeated as often as a client wants. It has been approved by the FDA to restore and correct signs of lipoatrophy in patients with HIV.
By administering Radiesse, the body’s natural supply of collagen is stimulated to provide more volume and definition. Compared to other fillers, it is much longer-lasting. Patients are excited by the uplifting results from this filler, with over 80% reporting a high early satisfaction rate with long-lasting results at month 12, without retreatment.
Sculptra®
Sculptra® counteracts lipoatrophy, similar to Radiesse. It is injected into the deep dermis layer of skin to improve the appearance of sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, indentations, and wrinkles. It is composed of an alpha hydroxy acid that has been used for the past twenty years. Results can last up to two years.
Treatment Areas
When deciding which filler is best for you, it’s important to consider the area being treated. Botox® is best for facial lines, such as crow’s feet beneath the eyes, frown lines between the eyebrows, horizontal lines across the forehead, worry lines around the mouth, and lines on the neck.
Restylane®, on the other hand, is designed to smooth wrinkles, sculpt lips, and shape facial contours, adding volume and fullness. Radiesse® can be used for the lips, smile lines, depressed scars, and mouth corners, while Sculptra® is best for sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, indentations, and wrinkles. Generally, Botox® works well for relaxing the face and preventing future wrinkles, but if you’re looking for more sculpting or volume, another filler may work better for you.
Douglas S. Steinbrech, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon that specializes in male aesthetics. Dr. Steinbrech is certified by the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. 
