Dermal fillers offer an instant solution to lines, wrinkles, folds and scars. Dermal fillers help to diminish facial lines and restore volume and fullness in the face. As we age, our faces naturally lose subcutaneous fat. The facial muscles are then working closer to the skin surface, so smile lines and crow’s feet become more apparent. The facial skin also stretches a bit, adding to this loss of facial volume. Other factors that affect the facial skin include sun exposure, heredity, and lifestyle. Some of the things Dermal fillers can be used for are: •  Replacing Volume lost in cheeks •  Decrease the appearance of black bags under eyes. •  Plumping thin lips •  Enhance shallow contours •  Soften facial creases and wrinkles •  Improve the appearance of recessed scars •  Sculpting noses •  Filling Acne scars Dermal fillers can be very helpful in those with early signs of aging. The most popular category of wrinkle fillers is hyaluronic acid . Each type works in a slightly different way with varying results. Side effects are rare but can include redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site. How long the results last varies from several months up to 5 years. Some research shows that repeated injections may help stimulate the body’s own natural production of collagen . That will help reduce the number of lines and wrinkles . There is also some evidence that less filler is needed over time to achieve the same look. At Well Medical Arts we have years of experience using fillers to bring out your inner beauty. Click on the images below to learn more about some of the fillers that we recommend. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BOOK APPOINTMENTS ONLINE. NEW PATIENTS PLEASE SELECT REGISTER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN TO CREATE YOUR PATIENT PROFILE . You may also call one of our patient care coordinators at 206-935-5689 and we will be happy to assist you in scheduling. CLICK HERE TO INQUIRE FOR A VIRTUAL CONSULTATION Botulinum Toxin (Botox) The injection of botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox, has become very popular for reducing wrinkles and rejuvenating the aging face. The effects are only temporary, but the injections can be done quickly, require no recovery time, and are not as complicated as many other cosmetic procedures for the face. For the first 2 to 3 hours after treatment, take it easy and do not rub the treated area. After that, you can return to your regular activities. It can take up to 7-10  days before you notice an effect from the Botox.  The results may last from 3 to 4 months on average. After that, you will begin to see the wrinkles return. There are a number of brands of botulinum toxin on the market today, we can help evaluate which one is best to achieve the results you are looking for. 10 Tips to Prevent Bruising After Wrinkle Reducers & Dermal Fillers Cosmetic injectable treatments, such as wrinkle reducers and dermal fillers, can work wonders in filling out lines and wrinkles, but they can cause temporary bruising and swelling. Many patients ask us how to prevent bruising and the good news is that there is a lot you can do before and after your appointment to minimize any unsightly coloring– and in some cases prevent it all together. No injector can guarantee that you will not bruise from injectable treatments, but to avoid having any serious side effects it is always best to go to the most expert injector in your area . Also, to be on the safe side, please don’t plan any special events for at least 2 weeks after your injectable appointment. Remember, treatments can take anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks for results to fully settle in, so unless something is really off, most minor problems will resolve in that time by just being patient. If you are just having a wrinkle reducer treatment (Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin) these suggestions are still good to follow even though bruising is uncommon. However, dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse, and Sculptra are slightly more invasive and following these instructions will help to prevent bruises or reduce the appearance, quicker. Here are a few pre and post treatment tips that can help you avoid any unnecessary bruising: 1 Avoid Aspirin & NSAIDS Aspirin, NSAIDS (Motrin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Aleve, Advil), and NSAID-containing products (Midol, Excedrin, cold medicine) are the most potent of the “bruisers”. All of these medications stun your platelets, which are the cells in your bloodstream that stop bleeding and bruising when your blood vessels and capillaries are damaged. If your platelets can’t do their job in sealing off the tiny capillaries that are disrupted during injectable treatments, your likelihood of getting a bruise is much higher than normal. Avoid all of these medications for at least a week prior to your treatment. If you need pain medication, please consider Tylenol as a substitute. 2 Avoid Wine & Alcohol Wine and alcohol also have some anti-platelet effects and increase your chances of bruising in the same way that Aspirin and NSAIDS do. We hate to ruin any fun plans, but avoiding alcohol the night before and the night you have your injectable treatment really helps to prevent bruising. 3 Avoid Green Tea, Vitamin E, and Herbal Supplements High doses of Green Tea, Vitamin E, Fish Oil, Gingseng, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Ginko Bilboa, Flaxseed Oil, and herbal supplements like St. John’s Wart, Garlic, Red Yeast Extract and many others, act like mild versions of prescription blood thinners and definitely increase your chances of bruising. In particular, Green Tea Extract is known to be one of the most potent “bruisers” on the market, so make sure you curb it well before any injectable treatment. Because there are so many herbal supplements that have unpredictable effects on bleeding and bruising, we recommend stopping ALL supplements at least one week before your treatment. 4 Skip the Gym No exercise except for walking for 24-48 hours after your treatment. Keep your heart rate under 100. Do not do any inversions in yoga or do hot yoga. Damaged capillaries need two things to repair themselves after an injection; functional platelets and minimal blood flow. Exercise and physical act