Dermal Fillers vs. Surgery

Signs of aging begin to appear as collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid diminish in the skin, leading to unwanted volume loss and wrinkle formation. Furthermore, loss of facial fat alters youthful contours resulting in unwanted facial hollows. Fortunately, there are numerous options for regaining a more youthful look, ranging from non-surgical neuromodulators (e.g. BOTOX^®) and dermal fillers (e.g. Restylane^®) to surgery (e.g. facelift). The Philadelphia-area Cirillo Institute team regularly meets with patients to determine each patient’s unique treatment plan to achieve their desired results.

During your consultation, the Cirillo team will ask you what bothers you the most and what you are trying to achieve with cosmetic treatments. Together an individualized plan will be suggested that may include non-surgical and surgical options.

Non-surgical Treatments

This is a broad category that encompasses everything from injectables to laser treatments to peels to microdermabrasion and microneedling. Injectables represent a large group that includes several muscle-relaxing botulinum toxin-based formulas designed to smooth out wrinkles caused by muscle motion. It also includes dermal fillers created to add volume into the skin, thereby softening unwanted wrinkles and hollows caused by volume loss.

Even these categories have multiple divisions. For instance, one filler in particular—Restylane^®—has five different variations, each approved by the FDA for treating specific conditions.

Restylane^® smooths out moderate to severe nasolabial folds and other facial wrinkles, and can also be used for lip augmentation. Restylane^® Lyft is another fold-smoothing option, and is also injected to augment cheeks and reduce signs of aging in the hands. Restylane^® Silk is intended for augmenting the lips and addressing fine lines that develop around the mouth. Restylane^® Refyne focuses on laugh and smile lines, as does Restylane^® Defyne—though Defyne is formulated to be a thicker gel that can soften deeper lines.

All of the Restylane^® fillers are made of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid’s primary role is providing moisture, given that each molecule can hold thousands of times its own “weight” in water.

Hyaluronic acid is naturally produced in the body. Its production decreases as we age. Furthermore, hyaluronic acid breaks down more quickly with sun exposure, pollution, and smoking. Decreased production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid all contribute to volume loss and unwanted wrinkle formation.

Injecting hyaluronic acid-based fillers helps to restore undesired volume loss, thereby softening wrinkles and decreasing hollowness. Hyaluronic acid fillers last from 8 to 24 months, depending upon which filler is used. Maintenance treatments with hyaluronic acid fillers keep your desired appearance.

Surgical Procedures

Surgery differs from non-surgical treatments in two key ways: It involves sutures, and the results are longer lasting.

Facelifts, brow lifts, eyelid lifts, and neck lifts share the common goal of addressing sagging tissues by elevating them to more youthful positions. Surgery typically involves removing or repositioning fat, tightening muscles, removing excess skin, and suturing the skin and deeper tissues into an elevated position. Great care is taken by the surgeon to position the incisions in such a way that resulting scars will be difficult to see. Incisions are often made in natural folds and creases to camouflage them.

Patients who choose surgery will be advised to plan for a recovery period, during which their incisions will heal. During this time, swelling and bruising as a result of the surgery will also fade. Recuperation times depend on the specific surgery and the patient’s own healing abilities. It is important to avoid exposure to sunlight, cigarette smoke, and other environmental pollutants while healing. Ultraviolet light can cause scars to darken. Smoke can inhibit proper blood flow, decreasing needed oxygen levels to healing tissues.

In general, surgery is the treatment of choice for patients looking for a quicker,  more dramatic, and longer lasting improvement in their aging face and neck.  However, surgery is often combined with non-surgical options to achieve the best possible result.

Learn more about surgical and non-surgical options by contacting the Cirillo Institute, serving Bryn Mawr, Newtown Square, and the Philadelphia area, at 610.525.0500 or sending a message online.