Soft Tissue Filler Ottawa

The procedure takes between 30-60 minutes, depending on the area treated and the amount of filler used.  You may need to return for additional treatments depending on the recommended treatment plan.  The effects of the dermal filler are noticed immediately.  There will be swelling immediately in the areas treated.  This swelling is most obvious within the first week following treatment.  The swelling should decrease, and the dermal filler should have integrated with the surrounding soft tissues at 14 days following treatment.  Some minor adjustments may be needed after 14 days which is why it is important for patients to follow up at that time.

Dermal fillers are considered to be non-surgical, non-invasive treatment.  A small needle or cannula is used to inject the dermal filler into the skin and deliver it to the targeted areas.  A careful consultation takes place before any first time dermal filler treatment.  At the beginning of the procedure, the area that will be treated will be first cleansed with an antiseptic.  For some patients, a topical numbing cream will be applied to the skin for pain control prior to the start of the procedure.  The injection itself will feel like a sting, which will improve quickly if the filler is injected correctly.  Most dermal fillers that are injected contain the numbing agent Lidocaine, and most people will feel numb in the areas treated at the end of their treatment.

Soft tissue fillers are considered medical grade devices.  The injection of dermal fillers is considered a non-surgical and non-invasive procedure but should still be performed in a clean and safe setting by a licensed professional.  At our clinic, we are committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for our clients.  Our soft tissue filler services are performed by Dr. Zhang,  licensed surgeon who is knowledgeable about facial anatomy and comfortable with managing potential complications.  Our facility also adheres to the highest public health safety standards.  Our individual treatment rooms have operating room grade HEPA filters and operating room grade ventilation.  We perform a high volume of minor procedures at our clinic and room cleanliness and sterility checks are consistent and standardized processes of care at our facility.

Dr. Zhang is dedicated to providing natural-looking results with dermal filler treatments.  A careful consultation is an important and necessary part of this process.  Every individual’s face is different, and a tailored approach is used so that injected fillers will result in enhancement that is aligned with the existing proportions of the face.  The goal is to produce results that look natural and subtle while still helping to enhance your appearance. Our goal is to make you look and feel like the best version of you without looking overly altered.  Individual results do vary.  As with any medical procedure, there is a small risk of complications.  Please contact our clinic if you would like more information or to book a consultation.

These are some commonly treated areas using dermal fillers. Everyone’s face is unique, and therefore, the treatment amount and result may vary by individual. During a consultation, Dr. Zhang will be able to give you a detailed understanding of the product, the amount needed to achieve your desired results, and what to expect during and after the procedure. Results do vary, and risks are possible. Not everyone is a candidate for dermal filler treatment. A consultation is necessary before starting treatment. Treatment can be performed on the same day as the consultation.

• Cheeks and Cheekbones – The cheeks and cheekbones are the foundation of the face. As aging occurs, the bones in this area lose volume, which is seen on the face by deepening creases between the eyes and the cheek, the cheek and the nose, and by sagginess of the cheek from the midface to lower face. These changes can give the appearance of tiredness and sadness in the face, even when you are actually feeling relaxed and happy. Dermal fillers can be injected in these areas to replace some of the lost volume, giving more fullness to the area and reducing some of the creases and sagginess.

• Chin – The chin widens and loses definition as we age. This is caused by bone loss in the mandible (the bone that supports the chin), volume loss in the supporting soft tissues under the skin, along with weakness in the supporting ligaments. For some people, the widening of the chin may give their face a more masculine appearance, which they may not want. Because of these changes, a crease also forms just above the chin and below the lip. This crease deepens with age and creates shadowing that can pull attention away from the lips. This crease can also contribute to an appearance of unhappiness or sadness, even when these emotions are not present. Dermal fillers can be used in this area to decrease the appearance of the crease and to give more definition back to the chin.

• Jawline and Jowls – As we age, the bone that supports the lower jaw loses volume, and the jawline becomes less defined. As well, skin thinning, loss of supporting soft tissue volume under the skin, and increased weakness or laxity in the supporting ligaments of the lower face lead to drooping or sagging of the skin past the jawline. This characteristic sagging of the skin, seen on both sides of the chin, are known as jowls. The formation of jowls and decreased definition of the jawline often mimic expressions of tiredness, sadness, or bitterness. Dermal fillers can be used in this area to replace some of the lost volume and decrease the appearance of the jowls while restoring some definition back to the jawline.

• Lips – Lips are a very common area treated with dermal fillers. Dermal fillers are typically used in lip treatments to either restore lost volume or to enhance existing volume.

1. Restore volume – As we age, the lips also change in a characteristic way. The top lip loses volume while the border between the lip and the skin becomes longer. This results in a thin top lip with a partial loss of the Cupid’s bow. The bottom lip also loses volume with a similar lengthening of the border between the lip and the skin. These changes result in the appearance of thinner, flatter (less projected), and less emotionally expressive lips. The lips settle into an appearance that mimics expressions of sadness or bitterness. Dermal fillers can be used here to replace lost lip volume and restore lip border definition.
2. Enhance volume – For younger patients, the characteristic changes that occur with aging have not occurred. In this setting, lips can also be treated with dermal fillers to enhance their existing fullness and further define their shape. This augmentation should be performed in a way that respects the existing proportions of the face, with the goal of a natural-looking result.

• Marionette Lines – These are the lines that extend downwards from the corners of the mouth. These lines accentuate the downturn look of the lips, which can give the face an appearance of bitterness, sadness, or dissatisfaction, even when these emotions are not present. These lines can be due to the activity of the muscles of the lower face around the lips. Relaxing these muscles with neuromodulators can help raise the corners of the mouth and correct the downturn. Sometimes these lines are deep and extend further down towards the chin. Dermal fillers are commonly in this area to fill the lines that are still present even after adequate neuromodulator treatment.

• Nasolabial folds – These are creases between the cheek, nose, and lips. As we age, these creases become deeper, longer, and are more visible. The shadows formed by the creases can take attention away from other expressive structures of the face. As well, the deeper folds can give the face an appearance of tiredness, sadness, or anger, even when these emotions are not present. Dermal fillers can be used to in this area to fill in the folds.