Dermal Fillers

Consultations offered at our two convenient locations in Houston and Sugar Land, TX

The older we get, the less collagen and elastin our bodies produce. These proteins are crucial in giving our faces that plump and voluminous youthful look. If you have noticed that your face isn’t looking quite the same and would like to give your skin a refreshed look, Dermal Fillers in Houston from Avante Plastic Surgery could be great for you! To learn more about the procedure and what we have to offer, please keep reading below.

About Dermal Fillers

While dermal fillers are casually known as “wrinkle fillers,” they can do so much more than just smooth out wrinkles. Here are a few of the common issues dermal fillers can help address:

  • Smooth out lines around the nose and mouth
  • Enhance and restore volume to sunken eyes, cheeks, or temples
  • Diminish vertical lip lines
  • Plump and enhance the lips
  • Smooth out a chin crease
  • Improve symmetry among facial features

There are a variety of FDA-approved filler products that plastic surgeons use. In general, fillers are categorized by the substance they are made from.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA)

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that is found in your skin. It helps keep skin plump and hydrated. HA fillers are typically soft and gel-like. The results are temporary, lasting 6 to 12 months before the body gradually and naturally absorbs the particles. Most HA fillers are infused with lidocaine to help minimize discomfort during and after treatment. FDA-approved HA fillers include:

  • Revanesse Versa
  • Juvéderm
  • Restylane 
  • Belotero

Calcium Hydroxyapatite (CaHA)

Calcium hydroxyapatite is also a naturally occurring substance found primarily in our bones. The calcium particles are white microscopic particles suspended in a smooth gel when used as a filler. The consistency of a CaHA filler is typically thicker than a hyaluronic acid filler and typically lasts longer, about 12 months for most patients. Calcium hydroxyapatite also helps stimulate natural collagen production and is typically used for deeper lines and wrinkles. This white gel is an excellent choice to reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. FDA-approved CaHA fillers include:

  • Radiesse®

Poly-L-lactic Acid

Poly-L-lactic acid is biocompatible (meaning it is safe to use in the body) and a biodegradable synthetic substance. It has been used for many years in medical devices, such as dissolvable stitches. Poly-L-lactic acid products are technically classified as “collagen stimulators” as their main mechanism to smooth fine lines is by helping your skin rebuild natural collagen—the filler gel itself dissipates a few days after treatment. Poly-L-lactic acid is typically used to restore volume throughout the face, and results can last more than two years. FDA-approved Poly-L-lactic acid fillers include:

  • Sculptra®

With so many dermal filler products on the market, it can be difficult to know which option is best for you without an experienced cosmetic surgeon’s guidance. Each product is uniquely formulated to have a certain texture, density, and injection depth, which means certain fillers work better for certain areas of concern. Dr. Ahmadi will analyze your face during your consultation to recommend the most suitable fillers.

Benefits

At Avante Plastic Surgery, our Houston Dermal Filler patients have been able to enjoy the following benefits from their treatment:

  • Almost immediate results 
  • Boosts confidence and self-image
  • Customizable treatments
  • Easily combined with other procedures
  • Increased collagen and elastin 
  • Long-lasting results
  • Minimal risks
  • No recovery time
  • Reduces the appearance of scars

Ideal Candidate

The best candidates for Dermal Fillers in Houston are patients who have the following characteristics:

  • Committed to practicing good skin health routines
  • In overall good health
  • Keeps a positive and realistic attitude regarding the outcome of the treatment
  • Nonsmokers

Also, if you are looking to correct any of the following aesthetic challenges, you could be a great Dermal Filler candidate:

  • Deep nose-to-mouth lines
  • Minor nose deformities
  • Receding chin
  • Sunken or thinning cheeks
  • Thin or uneven lips

First Step for Dermal Fillers

If you’re looking to get Dermal Fillers in Houston, the first step is to contact Avante Plastic Surgery and schedule a consultation with Dr. Ahmad Ahmadi. When you come in for this appointment, you will discuss your goals for the treatment and which filler is best for you. Dr. Ahmadi will examine the area you’re wanting to treat and he will ask questions about your medical history. When talking with Dr. Ahmadi, it’s very important to be open and honest with him to help prevent any unnecessary risks.

After everything has been discussed, Dr. Ahmadi will make your custom treatment plan and if you agree with it, he will be able to perform your filler injections immediately. If you instead choose to reschedule for another day, our Patient Coordinator will be more than happy to assist you with that.

Expectations

Dermal Fillers, Avante Plastic Surgery, Houston

Before receiving your Dermal Fillers, your face will need to be cleaned off and dried. Then, Dr. Ahmadi will make markings on your face where he feels the filler should be injected. Once the two of you are ready, we will try to make your experience better by either applying a cold compress or topical anesthetic to your skin. Using a syringe with a very fine needle, Dr. Ahmadi will begin to make the injections at the indicated locations, each injection will only take a few minutes per site.

After each injection, the result will be gently massaged so that the affected area is evenly distributed. It will then be assessed by Dr. Ahmadi, adding more filler if necessary. At the end of your session.

Recovery

Once Dr. Ahmadi releases you, you can return to your usual routine, but you will need to do your best to avoid sunlight and touching your face, especially during the first 24 – 48 hours. If the filler is manipulated too much, there is potential for it to migrate to other areas, creating an unwanted and uneven appearance. You should expect there to be an “overfilled” look and some potential lumps or hardened areas for the first few days, but this will subside as the filler gets partially absorbed by your body and the rest of it settles into place. There is also the chance of having some visible swelling or bruising that can range from mild to severe, as well as temporary redness or soreness. These conditions can be alleviated by gently icing the area combined with some very mild massaging, improving within a few up to a couple of days.

Cost of Dermal Fillers in Houston, TX

The cost of Dermal Fillers in Houston will depend on the type of filler you are getting and how much of it is needed to achieve your desired appearance, among several other factors. When you come in for your consultation and Dr. Ahmadi makes your treatment plan, our Patient Coordinator will be able to use that information to provide you with a breakdown of the total price.

Why Choose Dr. Ahmadi?

Dermal Fillers, Avante Plastic Surgery, Houston

Since its humble beginnings, under the leadership of its founder, leading Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Ahmad Ahmadi, Avante Plastic Surgery has become the most exclusive plastic surgery practice in Sugar Land, offering all aspects of aesthetic surgery. Dr. Ahmadi is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) who has been practicing safe and successful procedures for over two decades. His eye for perfection and comforting demeanor has made him one of the leading cosmetic providers in the greater Houston area. Whether you need something as simple and quick as Dermal Fillers, or a surgical procedure like a Facelift, Dr. Ahmadi is the doctor to see.

Schedule a Consultation

Dermal Fillers in Houston are a great way to achieve a more youthful appearance with additional volume and smoother skin. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Ahmadi, call Avante Plastic Surgery at (281) 265-2639, or use our website to request an appointment.

FAQ

Choosing a provider for filler treatments

When selecting a plastic surgeon for injectable treatments, give your decision the same level of care and scrutiny that you would for a surgical procedure. Non-surgical filler treatment is still a medical procedure that requires substantial training, knowledge, and skill to ensure safe treatment and natural-looking results. Choose a plastic surgeon with a proven cosmetic surgery background, training, and substantial experience performing filler injections.

Are dermal fillers painful?

The simple answer is no, Dermal Fillers are not painful. We do provide methods of making your experience more enjoyable with topical numbing cream or cold compresses, and some of the fillers contain lidocaine, which is 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, we 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?

On average, you should be able to notice a difference immediately after treatment. Once your swelling subsides and the filler sets into its resting position, which usually takes between 10 and 14 days, you will be able to enjoy the results for months to come! Please keep in mind that this is just an average timeline, so depending on how your body responds to the treatment and which type of filler you get, your experience may differ from another patient.

Can I combine dermal fillers with other procedures?

Of course! Some of the best procedure combinations with Dermal Fillers include injectables like BOTOX to achieve a smoother and fuller face. If you do have a certain aesthetic goal in mind, please discuss this with Dr. Ahmadi during your consultation and he will be able to make some expert suggestions.

What are the risks associated with dermal fillers?

Dr. Ahmadi has a very high success rate in providing his Houston 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. While the chance of this happening under Dr. Ahmadi’s administration, if you experience any long-lasting or concerning reactions, please contact our office right away.