Soft-Tissue Fillers – Cape Cod, Needham, Wareham

Collagen

A common treatment for deep lines and wrinkles of the face in Cape Cod is the injection of a soft-tissue filler such as collagen. This material is injected into the skin crease or skin fold to eliminate or minimize the depth of the skin furrow. Collagen is a normal body protein, and it is a component of skin and soft tissues of the body. Injectable collagen is a synthetic form of this protein made by the Collagen Corporation from cows in a laboratory. It is very similar to the naturally occurring human form of the collagen protein. Its safety and use have been regulated by the Food and Drug Administration since 1981.

All patients who desire collagen treatment in Cape Cod must first have a skin test to determine whether they have an allergy to injectable collagen. Although quite uncommon, an allergy precludes collagen as a skin-filling agent. Dr. Rheingold performs the injection of collagen in Cape Cod during a short office procedure, and improvement becomes evident immediately. Occasionally after treatment, there is some minor swelling or redness that disappears within a day. The longevity of collagen injections vary, but in most patients, improvement can last 3 to 4 months. The collagen injection then need to be repeated in order to maintain the effect.

Radiesse

Radiesse in Cape Cod is also a very useful soft-tissue filler, and it offers some distinct advantages over collagen. Its primary advantage is its potential for long-lasting effect and its moldable nature. Radiesse consists of calcium hydroxyl apatite microspheres suspended in a gel carrier composed of water, glycerin, and carboxymethylcellulose. Since Radiesse is not a protein and it does not elicit an inflammatory or immune response, it does not require allergy testing. Dr. Rheingold in Cape Cod has used Radiesse with considerable success for facial contouring as well as correction of depressed scars, facial folds, and lines. The longevity of Radiesse is 1 to 2 years, and its effect is immediate. The Radiesse injections do require local anesthesia, but Dr. Rheingold performs most procedures easily during an office visit.

Other Fillers

Other filling agents may include Dermologen, Restylane, and autologous fat injections. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these substances, which board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Rheingold will discuss during an office consultation in Cape Cod.