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Dermal Fillers
Aesthetic South is a concierge aesthetic medicine practice with Dr. Megan Bertke delivering dermal fillers in Northern Kentucky in the comfort and privacy of your own home.
There is a misconception that fillers make you look fake. In our opinion, the best dermal filler is the one no one realizes you’ve had. Your friends and family will notice that you look more refreshed. You may get asked questions like “Are you using a new facial product?” or “Are you getting more sleep recently? You look more refreshed!” That is the goal. You look better and feel more confident, not fake.
Why would I get dermal fillers?
Our faces naturally have fat pads that give us that beautiful volume and contour. As we age, those fat pads as well as the bone structure itself gradually begins to dissolve leading to volume depletion, sagging skin, and wrinkles. Dermal fillers can be used to help replace this volume loss and facial support giving back a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance. They can also be used to augment your natural beauty and help improve the shape and symmetry of your features.
What are dermal fillers?
Dermal fillers are substances injected underneath the skin’s surface to smooth wrinkles and add volume or contour to a certain area. The most common type of dermal filler is composed of hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in your skin. Although the base structure of hyaluronic acid fillers may be the same, the consistency can be very different. This is important because different areas of the face require different filler consistency. For example, you need a thicker, firmer filler when injecting along the jaw line, but you want a softer more supple look and feel in the lips. Radiesse, another type of filler, is composed of synthetic calcium hydroxylapatite, a natural mineral found in bone. They give structure and help to stimulate collagen over time. Dr. Bertke will choose the best filler for the planned injection site in order to give you the best cosmetic result.
How long do fillers last?
Fillers are biodegradable and typically last between 6 months to 2 years depending on the specific product used. Your body will naturally begin to metabolize and break down the product over time. The longevity of your filler depends on the consistency of the specific product used, the area of the face that is injected, and your metabolism of the substance. Cosmetic fillers tend to last longest in areas with less movement. Also, some people naturally metabolize filler quicker than others.
When will I see results?
You will see an immediate difference after injection, but the full effect will gradually develop over the course of about a week. Stay well hydrated. Filler attracts and binds to water to add volume to improve your overall results.
Are the injections painful?
A topical anesthetic is placed on the injection site about 15 minutes prior to the procedure to help minimize pain on the skin’s surface. You may have some discomfort as the filler is being injected and some areas of the face may be more uncomfortable than others, but typically the procedure is tolerated very well by most patients. You may have soreness at the injection site for a few days. Tylenol should be enough to manage any discomfort.
Is there any downtime?
We recommend not applying make up for the rest of the day to allow your skin to heal. Strenuous exercise, alcohol, and NSAIDs should be avoided for the rest of the day as these things can make bruising worse. You can return to your daily routine immediately after the procedure, but avoid new skin products, facials, peels, micro-dermabrasion, face down massages, or CPAP machines for 2 weeks if possible.
Are there any side effects?
As with any invasive procedure there can be side effects and it is important that you understand them before deciding to get a treatment. Do not hesitate to ask questions! We want you to be completely informed about the procedure and risks involved so that you can make the best decision for you. Your safety is out utmost concern. Dr. Bertke has trained extensively in these procedures and how to perform them safely.
Facial soreness at the injection site and moderate bruising are common and some areas of the face may bruise more easily than others. As with any invasive procedure there is always risk of infection, but the products are sterile and standard precautionary measures are strictly adhered to. There are more serious side effects that are rare, but you need to be aware of.
Necrosis can occur if the filler is injected into a blood vessel causing the blood supply to the tissue in that area to be cut off which can cause that tissue to die and necrose. We take every precaution to minimize this risk as much as possible. Dr. Bertke is trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of this possible complication and will act quickly to resolve it in the unlikely event that this occurs. With hyaluronic acid fillers in particular there is a dissolving agent that we are trained to use and have on hand at all times in case of an event like this.
Unilateral or bilateral blindness can also occur if filler is injected into a blood vessel that supplies the blood flow to the eye. This is extremely rare. There have been approximately 100 cases documented worldwide.
Who performs my procedure?
Dr. Megan Bertke does all procedures, consultations, and follow up appointments.
What can I expect at my appointment?
Once you make an appointment, you will be sent a link to complete an online profile and any medical questionnaires related to your procedure. Dr. Bertke will arrive at your home or other agreed upon location at the time of our appointment. Before any procedure she will go over the medical information that you submitted. If you have not yet done so, then you will be asked to complete any forms or consents on an iPad at that time. If you are a new client, she will give you a comprehensive facial assessment, discuss your aesthetic goals, give you her recommendations, and answer any questions you may have about the procedure. Dr. Bertke takes photos before and after the procedure for documentation and comparison purposes that will be kept confidential unless you give your expressed consent to use them for any promotional purposes. Once initial photos are taken, she will set up for and perform your injections. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes. After that you have after photos taken and schedule your follow up. The entire visit usually takes 40 minutes to an hour for new clients and 30-45 minutes for returning clients. The majority of the time is spent talking to you so that you get the best possible outcome and feel completely comfortable with the procedure.
What if I am not sure if dermal fillers are right for me?
That’s what we are here for! Schedule a free consultation with Dr. Bertke. She will come and give you a comprehensive facial assessment in the comfort of your own home and make recommendations based on your specific profile and aesthetic goals. If at the end of the consultation you wish to proceed with the procedure then she can do it at that time. Sometimes, however, it may be determined that it is not the best fit for you. No problem. The consult is still free and you walk away feeling comfortable after making a knowledgeable decision with all of the facts.