Fillers
Conveniently located to serve the areas of New Jersey
Learn more about our non-surgical solutions to enhance and preserve your natural beauty
Injectable fillers, also known as dermal fillers or soft tissue fillers, are non-surgical cosmetic treatments used to enhance facial features, restore volume and improve the overall appearance of the skin. They are injected under the skin to plump up wrinkles, fine lines, and hollow areas, and can also be used to augment lips, cheeks, and chin.
Fillers are typically made of natural or synthetic materials and are available in various formulations to target specific concerns. Some fillers are designed to stimulate the production of collagen, a natural protein that gives skin its structure, while others work by filling in areas of lost volume.
Injectable fillers are a popular option for those seeking a non-invasive way to improve their appearance without the downtime associated with surgery.
Consult Dr. GartnerContents
Expectations
ASSESSMENT
Dr. Gartner first examines your aesthetic concerns to determine the best approach with which to treat them. The key to your successful filler treatment is to assess your face as a whole, rather than isolated sections. This allows for a more harmoniously proportionate improvement that enhances your natural features. You’ll still look like yourself, but much better.
SIDE EFFECTS PREVENTION
Two of the most common side effects of dermal filler treatments are bruising and swelling. These are caused by the injection technique, rather than the product injected. For this reason, Dr. Gartner first clearly marks where the filler should be injected to minimize the risk of misplacement which would make your treatment ineffective. He then administers the injection using a gentle touch to reduce the rate of swelling and bruising, as well as make your treatment more comfortable.
PRODUCTS
Dr. Gartner is dedicated to offering you the least invasive and most effective cosmetic medical options available. For this reason, he has extensive training and experience using a full range of dermal filler products. Dr. Gartner won’t recommend the same filler product over and over again to all his patients—he customizes your treatment based on your unique goals and needs, then matches the right product and injection technique that are the most effective for you. We offer the following:
HYALURONIC ACID-BASED INJECTABLE FILLERS
- Juvederm XC (Ultra and Ultra Plus): This is one of the most popular dermal fillers in the country. It is versatile and can be used for a variety of concerns.
- Juvederm Voluma: A newcomer to the Juvederm family, Voluma is the first of its kind to treat more apparent volume loss, particularly in the cheeks and temporal regions.
- Restylane: This is the most researched dermal filler in the world and is popular in Europe. It is also versatile.
- Restylane Perlane: This is suited for deeper wrinkles and folds.
- Belotero: This filler has a soft consistency that makes it suitable for the creases around your nose and mouth (nasolabial folds) and your tear troughs.
OUR INJECTABLE FILLER OPTIONS AT GARTNER PLASTIC SURGERY
HYDROXYLAPATITE-BASED DERMAL FILLERS
- Radiesse: This filler contains hydroxyapatite.
POLY-L-LACTIC ACID-BASED FILLERS
- Sculptra: This is a relatively newer filler that is based on absorbable suture technology to reinforce the collagen structure of your skin, making it more resilient and youthful.
In addition, Dr. Gartner can also rejuvenate your facial contours with your fat, taking it from an area that has an excess amount. That means you’ll have a two-in-one procedure: you’ll be a bit leaner in the area the fat is taken from and your face will look better, too!
What Fillers Can Do For You
UPPER FACE
- Smooth away wrinkles and creases across your forehead and around your eyes.
- Reduce bags under the eyes.
- Reduce dark marks under the eyes.
- Fill out hollowed temples.
MID-FACE
- Reduce creases extending from your nose to your mouth.
- Add fullness to your cheeks.
- Give your cheekbones a better definition.
- Even out pockmarks and other depressions on your skin.
- Reshape your nose.
LIPS AND LOWER FACE
- Fix the asymmetry of your lip contour.
- Add volume to your lips.
- Banish vertical lip lines.
- Diminish lines from your mouth down to your chin.
- Redefine your chin.
- Recontour your jawline and eliminate jowls.
YOU’LL BE ABLE TO
- Get back to work right after your dermal filler treatment.
- See the results of your treatment instantly.
- Dermal filler scarring is minimal.
- Enjoy an improved complexion.
Looking Younger
Every day, the structure of your face and supporting tissues are affected by the damage caused by gravity, the environment, and the aging process. Undesirable changes brought about by genetics also occur with time. These factors impact bone structure, fat, and the most important component of your skin, collagen. The result of these three combined leads to the visible signs of aging in the face. By adding volume back into your skin and facial contours, you’ll reclaim the youthful look you’ve lost.
- Bone density decreases with age: This changes your craniofacial skeleton, making such things as the size of the eye sockets larger and the bones of your upper jaw smaller.
- Fat pads increase in some areas, decrease in others, or sag: Fat contributes to some of the youthful contours of your face, such as in filled-out temples, rounded cheeks, and full lips. Aging causes fat pads to decrease, giving your cheeks a more hollowed-out appearance and thinning your lips. They also sag along the jawline, creating the appearance of jowls.
- Collagen decreases: Collagen is the primary protein in your body, responsible for giving your skin strength and structure. All the components of your skin are bound together by collagen, *which acts as structural scaffolding accounting for the majority of your total skin dry weight[1].* With age, the production of collagen decreases and existing levels slowly disintegrate, causing the structure of your skin to collapse and become unable to support elastin, another protein that is responsible for giving your skin elasticity, and hyaluronic acid, a polysaccharide that helps the skin retain moisture.
Voluma
BENEFITS OF FACIAL FILLERS FOR WOMEN
As you age, your cheeks and temporal region lose volume. Gone are the full cheeks that are indicative of youth. Instead, you’re left with hollowed cheeks, depressed temples, and an overall gaunt appearance. These severe signs of aging can only be corrected by replacing the volume that you’ve lost, and that’s exactly what Voluma is designed to do. Replace moderate to severe volume loss in the mid-face and temples with a single injection treatment lasting only a few minutes. Raise sagging contours for an instant facelift.
A recent study found that Voluma can achieve high levels of satisfaction. *Majority of patients were “delighted or happy” immediately after their injection, and many continued to feel the same after the third week,* when they were able to see the final result of their treatment.
WHAT MAKES VOLUMA DIFFERENT?
- Volume is the only FDA-approved injectable filler product that is designed specifically to correct the volume loss that you experience with age.
- Volume is enhanced with lidocaine, a numbing agent that makes your injection a more comfortable one. A topical numbing cream can also be applied before treatment to further increase your comfort.
- Voluma is formulated with a smooth hyaluronic acid that is more highly cross-linked than other filler products. This makes it last longer, giving you results that may last up to two years.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR VOLUMA?
Voluma is designed to correct sagging and loss of volume in the mid-face in patients who are over 21 years old. An assessment, examining your concern and medical history, will be performed by Dr. Gartner first to ensure Voluma is suitable for you. If you say yes to any of the following, then Voluma may not be safe for you:
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Do you have an infection or injury in the area that you’d like to treat?
- Are you currently taking medication that increases bleeding, such as Aspirin or blood thinners?
- Are you currently undergoing immunosuppressive therapy?
- Do you have a history of irregular scarring?
Risks
Like any medical treatment, Voluma has its own set of side effects and risks. Common side effects include bruising, swelling, lumps, and tenderness. You may also experience itchiness and redness. These will go away in two to four weeks or so. Make sure to follow the care instructions that you’ll receive from Dr. Gartner because they’ll help you recover more quickly from your treatment.
It is very rare for our patients to experience complications from their Voluma treatment because of our expertise and strict treatment protocols. However, you must understand the related risks regardless. These include infection, lasting lumps, and undesirable results. Infection can be resolved with medication, lumps may be eliminated with hyaluronidase (a substance that dissolves excess product) and undesirable results may be corrected with another treatment or by simply waiting for the effects of Voluma to go away.
Radiesse
Wrinkles develop when the collagen in your skin starts to disintegrate. Radiesse reverses this effect by adding a natural water-based gel and calcium-based microspheres (calcium hydroxylapatite) to your skin, creating a strong foundation on which your collagen can grow and proliferate.
- Fill in deep creases, such as glabellar lines, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds.
- Lift the brow area for an instant brow lift.
According to a study comparing Radiesse to filler products based on hyaluronic acid (i.e. Juvederm and Perlane), Radiesse received a higher rating when judging results. Patients experienced the highest rate of satisfaction with Radiesse than the other products, and their results lasted longer.
WHAT MAKES RADIESSE DIFFERENT?
- Radiesse is based on calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA), a biocompatible material that shares the same chemical composition as bone. CaHA has been used in the medical field for over 25 years. Therefore it has a long-standing track record for safety. Your skin will gradually absorb the injected Radiesse, leaving behind a stronger collagen structure that supports healthier, more resilient skin.
- Radiesse can achieve long-lasting results. After your treatment, you’ll notice an instant enhancement of your facial contours. But what’s even better is that you’ll also notice that your results get better and better with time. This is because the product stimulates collagen production over the long term.
- Unlike other filler products, Radiesse can last a year or more. For example. Dr. Gartner has found that when treating nasolabial folds, Radiesse can achieve results that last about a year, while Juvederm tends to last about eight months.
- A syringe of Radiesse contains 1.3cc of product, which is more than other fillers. In addition, Dr. Gartner adds his lidocaine to Radiesse to make your treatment a more comfortable one. Compare that to Juvederm, which only has 0.8cc in a syringe, of which 0.2cc is lidocaine! That means you get a lot more value with Radiesse.
- Radiesse is formulated with a smooth hyaluronic acid that is more highly cross-linked than other filler products. This makes it last longer, giving you results that may last up to two years.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR RADIESSE?
Radiesse is designed to smooth away moderate to severe wrinkles and folds on your face by replenishing the volume in your skin and promoting the growth of collagen. An assessment will be performed by Dr. Gartner first to ensure Radiesse is suitable for you. If you say yes to any of the following, then Radiesse may not be safe for you:
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Do you have inflammation or an infection in the area that you’d like to treat?
- Are you allergic to any of the ingredients in Radiesse?
- Are you currently undergoing immunosuppressive therapy?
- Do you have a history of irregular scarring?
Juvederm Ultra and Ultra Plus
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring sugar in your body. It acts to keep your skin hydrated and supple by absorbing and retaining water. A single hyaluronic acid molecule can bind 1,000 times its volume in water, which is why adding more to your skin with a Juvederm treatment can help reverse the visible signs of aging.
What To Expect From Juvederm
- Smooth away wrinkles and deep creases, such as glabellar lines, marionette lines, vertical lip lines, and nasolabial folds.
- Fill out the tear troughs to minimize hollows and dark undereye bags.
- Raise the brows for an instant browlift.
- Add volume to your lips, making them fuller, more symmetric and defined.
- Redefine your jawline.
- Even out indentations, like pockmarks.
- Enhance the shape of the nose.
JUVEDERM ULTRA VS JUVEDERM ULTRA PLUS
The difference between these two products is their formulation. Ultra is less cross-linked than Ultra Plus, making it more suitable for moderate wrinkles and folds as well as achieving a more subtle enhancement of your lips. For severe creases and volume loss, Ultra Plus is better suited. Ultra Plus is also great for more dramatic lip augmentation.
Ideal Juvederm Candidate
Juvederm is designed to address moderate to severe wrinkles and folds on your face. An assessment will be performed by Dr. Gartner first to ensure Juvederm is suitable for you. If you say yes to any of the following, then Juvederm may not be safe for you:
- Do you suffer from severe allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis?
- Are you under 18 years old?
- Are you currently pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Is the area you wish to treat inflamed or infected?
- Are you taking any medications that prolong bleeding?
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Juvederm are swelling, redness, tenderness and, bruising, all of which will subside over a week or so. You’ll receive post-injection care instructions from Dr. Gartner that you should follow.
Rare risks that are associated with Juvederm treatment include rapid swelling, granulomas, displaced filler, and infection.
To make sure you’re recovering well and to see if you’ve achieved the results you want, you’ll see Dr. Gartner a couple of weeks after your treatment for a follow-up appointment.
Learn MoreBelotero
Eliminate the fine lines and wrinkles that we all develop with age. Belotero is a hyaluronic acid-based filler that is praised for being a soft and smooth filler that can smooth away creases in your skin before they get worse.
- Fill out the deep creases around your mouth (nasolabial folds).
- Smooth away fine wrinkles on your lips and around your mouth.
- Minimize undereye circles and hollows by treating the tear troughs.
WHAT MAKES BELOTERO DIFFERENT?
- In a comparative study, Belotero was found to outperform Restylane and Juvederm when treating nasolabial folds. Four weeks after treatment, Belotero was rated as achieving a more even result and patients favored it over the other fillers[6].
- Belotero is formulated using proprietary technology known as Cohesive Polydensified Matrix (CPM). This makes the product soft, smooth, and flexible. Patients experienced a more comfortable treatment and higher satisfaction rates when treated with a CPM-formulated filler rather than a filler formulated with non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (such as Juvederm)[7].
- Its soft consistency also makes it ideal for finer lines and delicate areas, like those around the lips and mouth.
- Belotero blends into your skin more evenly than other fillers without “clumping”. This means that there is a lower risk of developing unsightly lumps and bumps. Its composition also allows it to treat superficial lines with very little risk of developing bluish discoloration (Tyndall effect).
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR BELOTERO?
Belotero is designed to smooth out moderate to severe wrinkles around your mouth and lips, lasting for about six months or more. You’ll be assessed by Dr. Gartner first to ensure Belotero is safe for you and can achieve your goals. If you say yes to any of the following, then Belotero may not be safe for you:
- Are you allergic to gram-positive bacterial proteins?
- Do you have a skin infection?
- Is your skin inflamed?
- Are you on immunosuppressive therapy?
Restylane
Restylane is the world’s leading dermal filler to date. It allows you to see an instant improvement of your aesthetic concerns, without surgery. When treating the nasolabial folds, results were found to last up to 18 months when patients had one touch-up performed. *The majority of patients also responded satisfactorily to treatment with no serious adverse side effects.*
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM RESTYLANE?
Upper face
- wSoften horizontal lines on your forehead.
- Fill in deep creases between your brows.
- Raise your brows so they don’t sag as much.
- Fill out hollows under your eyes.
- Minimize the lines and wrinkles around your eyes.
- Correct volume loss in the temples.
Mid-face
- Give your cheeks more fullness.
- Recontour your nose.
- *Reduce the lines around your nose and mouth.
- Correct indentations in your skin caused by acne scars.
Lower face
- *Reduce the lines around your mouth and chin.
- Plump up your lips for a more luscious pout.
- Make your lip border more prominent.
- *Reduce vertical wrinkles on your lips.
- Redefine your jawline.
Hands
- Rejuvenate your hands to make them look more youthful and supple.
WHAT MAKES RESTYLANE DIFFERENT?
- Restylane is the most popular filler around the world. It has been used more times than any other product. With over 15 years of clinical data, it has a longer track record proving its effectiveness and safety than any other filler currently available.
- The hyaluronic acid that is used in Restylane is created with Restylane requires no prior allergy test because it’s totally biocompatible.
- According to medical research, Restylane has been proven to be a safe treatment when correcting moderate to severe wrinkles and folds for patients of fair to dark skin colors[9]. The same research found that patients did not develop keloids or abnormal inflammatory reactions (outside of what would typically be experienced) from their treatments.
- Restylane is more cohesive than other fillers. This means that when it is injected, it will “stay put” better. There is less risk of displacement, which is particularly important when treating areas that require precision.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR RESTYLANE?
Restylane is for men and women who want to rejuvenate their appearance by addressing wrinkles, volume loss, and sagging. It can also be used to recontour facial features for an improved look. If you say yes to any of the following, then Restylane may not be safe for you:
- Do you have multiple severe allergies?
- Are you allergic to gram-positive bacterial proteins?
- Do you have bleeding disorders?
- Do you have cysts, rashes, hives, or infections in the area you’d like to treat?
Restylane Perlane
Do you want to experience facial rejuvenation, instantly? Perlane eliminates the wrinkles and sagging contours you’ve developed with age in a quick injection treatment that allows you to get back to regular daily activities immediately.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM RESTYLANE PERLANE?
Upper face
- Reduce deep wrinkles on your forehead and between your brows.
- Replace lost volume in the temporal area.
Mid-face
- Replenish fullness in your cheeks.
- *Reduce nasolabial folds (the lines around your nose and mouth).
- Correct scarring.
Lower face
- *Reduce the lines around your mouth and chin.
- Smooth away wrinkles on your lips.
- Fix the asymmetry of your lips.
- Give your lips more fullness.
- *Reduce jowls.
Hands
- Give your hands a rejuvenating makeover.
WHAT MAKES PERLANE DIFFERENT?
- The hyaluronic acid in Perlane has a larger particle size compared to other fillers. The desired particle size is created by pushing the hyaluronic acid through a screen to break it into pieces. Perlane has 8,000 particles per milliliter, while its sister product, Restylane, has 100,000. This means that it can provide more volume to better address deeper wrinkles and folds. It is also good for the correction of larger areas, like the cheeks and jawline. In addition to replacing lost volume, it adds a bit of a lift, too.
- Perlane is designed to be injected deeper into the skin so that it can effectively fill out wrinkles and creases that are more deeply etched for a dramatic improvement. Perlane was found to achieve a better aesthetic improvement than another hyaluronic acid-based filler when treating nasolabial folds, and the results were more durable.
- While other products may last four months, Perlane can last at least six months or more. Results may also be easily maintained for up to 18 months with a minor touchup injection at the four-month mark. Perlane can last longer because of its larger particle size.
- Perlane does not contain any animal proteins, eliminating the risk of disease transference and making it suitable for a wider range of patients.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR PERLANE?
Perlane is designed for healthy men and women who want to correct serious wrinkles and volume loss. If you say yes to any of the following, then Perlane may not be safe for you:
- Do you have severe allergies?
- Are you allergic to gram-positive bacterial proteins?
- Do you have a rash or infections in the area you’d like to treat?
Sculptra
If you don’t want to undergo surgery but still want the same results, Sculptra may be for you. In just three simple injection sessions scheduled over three months, you’ll see the same rejuvenating effects of a facelift but without the lengthy downtime or discomfort. That’s why Sculptra is also referred to as a “liquid facelift”. In a study conducted on a group of male and female patients aged 40 to 78 years old, Sculptra was rated 99.1% for patient satisfaction when treating the mid and lower face.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM SCULPTRA?
- Correct the deep creases around your nose and mouth (nasolabial folds).
- Smooth away the creases around your mouth and chin (marionette lines).
- Plump up the cheeks.
- *Reduce the gaunt look you’ve developed with age, trauma, weight loss or disease.
- Recontour your jawline by erasing jowls.
WHAT MAKES SCULPTRA DIFFERENT?
- Sculptra is formulated with poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), a synthetic polymer. PLLA is a biocompatible and biodegradable material with a longstanding safety record, which is why it has been used for decades in the medical field to create such things as pins, implants, and absorbable sutures. When injected into the skin, PLLA kickstarts collagen production. The new collagen forms around each PLLA molecule to create much-needed volume. Over time, each PLLA molecule is harmlessly metabolized by your body, leaving behind a solid collagen framework for stronger and more supple skin.
- While other fillers give you an instant result, Sculptra is designed to achieve a more gradual improvement of your appearance. That means any changes you see in the short term won’t be as obvious, so people won’t think you’ve had something “done”. You’ll look better and better with time, so people will think you look great, naturally!
- Your Sculptra treatment’s results last two years (or sometimes longer). Compare that to other fillers, which last only six months to a year or so.
- The first FDA-approved use for Sculptra was to address volume loss in patients suffering from loss of localized fat in the face (lipoatrophy) due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)[12]. This is because of its ability to achieve a significantly improved appearance safely. Currently, Sculptra is approved for healthy individuals as well. Because it is a volumizer, Sculptra is ideal for any patient who has minimal fat on their face, such as bodybuilders and fitness models.
Preparation
Injectable fillers can give you an instant improvement of your facial contours without surgery. You can do a few things that will help prepare your body for the treatment, making it smoother and your recovery faster. Stop taking any medications and supplements that increase bruising and bleeding two weeks before your treatment. These include Aspirin, Advil, and Ibuprofen. Ask Dr. Gartner or your doctor to recommend alternatives if you require these medications. For example, Tylenol may be taken as a pain reliever instead.
You may need to stop smoking for a week before your procedure. This is to help your body recover better. You can start taking arnica supplements if Dr. Gartner advises you to, about a day or two before your treatment. This can help minimize the rate of bruising and swelling. Don’t perform any physically strenuous exercise on the day of your treatment, since this may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. Make sure that the area to be treated is not sunburnt, inflamed, or infected on the day of your treatment. If it is, your treatment may need to be rescheduled.
Remove any makeup right before your injection to reduce the risk of infection. Your injectable filler treatment
Learn MoreRecovery
Right after your treatment, you’ll be able to see an instant improvement in the treated area. However, redness, swelling, and bruising may appear in the days following your treatment, hiding your results. It will take about one to two weeks for the swelling to subside. You may also feel some numbness and discomfort.
THINGS TO AVOID AS YOU RECOVER
Following Dr. Gartner’s post-treatment care instructions will help you recover faster from the swelling and bruising associated with treatment. Some things that you should do to help with your recovery and minimize the risk of complications include the following:
- Avoid vigorous physical activity for 24 hours.
- Avoid exposing the treated area to extreme temperatures (e.g. cold winds or saunas) for 24 hours.
- Avoid using harsh skincare products or exfoliants in the treated area for 24 hours.
- Avoid drinking alcohol for 24 hours.
- Sometimes, lumps and bumps may appear. These are most likely excess products that were not dispersed. Avoid massaging any lumps you see to reduce the risk of displacement. Dr. Gartner will massage away the lumps for you in your post-treatment follow-up appointment.
- If you have significant swelling, you may want to avoid lying flat on your back while sleeping. Keep your head elevated and sleep on your back, rather than on your side or front.
- You may use makeup, however, only use sterile applicators to reduce the risk of infection.
WHEN YOU CAN GO BACK TO WORK
You can go right back to work after your treatment, however, you should be aware that your appearance may be adversely affected by swelling.
You’ll see Dr. Gartner again two weeks after your treatment so he can make sure you’ve achieved the results you want.
