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May
Get to know the strongest, most durable hyaluronic acid fillers on the market today
Injectable, wrinkle-fighting treatments come in many different forms. While injectables like Botox® relax muscles to soften expression lines, facial fillers work differently to smooth creases and folds by filling in and plumping up areas of volume loss. Many of the most popular fillers are made with hyaluronic acid. Due to our considerable expertise in aesthetic treatments, Kirwan Plastic Surgery understands the distinctions among HA-based fillers well. This knowledge allows our team in Norwalk, Connecticut, to choose the best filler product for your needs and that gets the optimal and most durable lift and volume boost, which supports your long-term satisfaction with this nonsurgical alternative.
What are the biggest differences among HA fillers?
It comes down to how this naturally occurring molecule is “engineered” or cross-linked. The cross-linking of HA molecules contributes to their varying stability and consistency. Additionally, the strength of each product depends on the total number of crosslinks and the concentration of HA in the filler, which is injected as a gel-like substance into sunken, hollow, and depressed areas. The stronger the gel, the better the lifting power and the longer the results last.
What are some of the strongest gels?
JUVÉDERM® is arguably the most well-known filler. Its suite of products includes VOLUMA® XC. This particular filler is the thickest, longest-lasting, and highest-lifting of the family of JUVÉDERM® products. This filler is also formulated differently from other JUVÉDERM® fillers that use Hylacross™ technology. Hylacross™ involves cross-linking molecules of the same weight. These fillers include JUVÉDERM® XC and JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC. VOLUMA® XC is formulated with Vycross™ technology. Since these types of fillers cross-link molecules of different weights, the gel has less of an affinity to water. As a less hydrophilic injectable, VOLUMA® XC and other Vycross™ fillers result in less swelling compared to other HA-based fillers, too.
What does the “XC” stand for?
Nonsurgical cosmetic procedures are generally tolerated well by most patients. But, for utmost comfort, these gels with an “XC” behind them are made with a local anesthetic. Either lidocaine or xylocaine is built into the filler, so you shouldn’t feel any discomfort as the product is injected precisely into the areas that need the lift, volumizing, and augmentation the most.
SEE THE TRANSFORMATIONS & BEAUTIFUL RESULTS
Before & After Photos
VOLUX jaw line and chin front
Lip Flip before and after oblique
23 year-old, lip flip, Juvederm Ultra-Plus upper and lower lips, 5 days
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New Patient: (475) 250-1581 | Existing Patient: (203) 838-8844
Where can these fillers be injected?
Kirwan Plastic Surgery has found that VOLUMA® XC, when injected close to the facial bones and deep fat compartments, naturally and predictably enhances the jawline, cheeks, and chin for a high-definition, youthfully-contoured look. Another Vycross™ filler, VOLLURE® XC, is ideal for “smile lines” and “marionette lines” around the nose and mouth. VOLLURE® is both durable and can be evenly distributed to support the best, most natural-looking outcomes. A third Vycross™ filler, VOLBELLA®, is best-suited for delicate areas, like the thin skin under the eyes, to fill in tear troughs. As a thinner gel, it also naturally “fills in” smoker’s lines around the lips, as well as cheek, frown, and forehead lines. It may even be diluted to treat wispier lines.
Are these fillers a substitute for surgical procedures?
No. As you age, there may come a time when the costs versus the benefits of temporary fillers no longer compare favorably to long-lasting surgical procedures like a facelift or neck lift. For those older patients who do not want surgery, our team in Norwalk, CT, may explore good alternatives like fat injections. You get the permanency of surgical procedures as well as improvements in the quality of the skin as the stem cells associated with fat grafting increase skin hydration, improve skin density, assist in reparative processes, and more.
Kirwan Plastic Surgery understands the nuances among fillers and also understands how to “wow” patients with VIP products and a VIP experience. To request your consultation, call (475) 250-1581 today.
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Dr. Laurence Kirwan
Dr. Laurence Kirwan, MD, FRCS, FACS, is an internationally renowned, board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience. He trained at Manchester University and completed his Plastic Surgery residency at the University of Missouri. A Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and American College of Surgeons, he is a leader in aesthetic surgery, specializing in face, breast, and body procedures. Dr. Kirwan has authored multiple scientific papers and books and served as an instructor in prestigious programs. Recognized by Tatler and Russian Vogue, he practices in Connecticut, where he continues to offer personalized, top-tier care to his patients.