As
we age, our faces begin to show the effects
of gravity, sun exposure and years of facial
muscle movement, such as smiling, chewing and
squinting. The underlying tissues that keep
our skin looking youthful and plumped up begin
to break down, often leaving laugh lines, smile
lines, crow's feet or facial creases over the
areas where this muscle movement occurs.
Soft-tissue
fillers, most commonly injectable collagen or
fat, can help fill in these lines and creases,
temporarily restoring a smoother, more youthful-looking
appearance. When injected beneath the skin,
these fillers plump up creased and sunken areas
of the face. They can also add fullness to the
lips and cheeks. Injectable fillers may be used
alone or in conjunction with a resurfacing procedure,
such as a laser treatment, chemical peel, or
a recontouring procedure, such as a facelift.
