Don’t want filler? No problem!
I have patients that are simply just not interested in filler. Despite the countless examples of before and after images of undetectable filler that I can provide, there’s a group of patients that will always reference the most unnatural result they have ever seen as a benchmark of what they fear will happen to them. And that’s ok.
When patients are adamantly against filler, I believe in taking a combination approach with our other non-filler treatments to provide these patients with equally beautiful, natural outcomes.
1. Always start with good skin care.
I always tell my patients that injectables can only do so much. You can reverse a huge investment of injectables by baking in the sun year after year. We like to see all our patients on a good dose of skin antioxidants, retinols, and sunscreens. For those patients not wanting filler but perhaps considering a facelift in the future, having healthy skin goes a long way in optimizing the final surgical result and healing time.
2. Award winning skin resurfacing.
If you are not into getting fillers, you need to be ok with a little downtime (3-5 days)!
Resurfacing lasers help revive skin by stimulating collagen production facilitating removal of older, damaged skin cells. Halo combines ablative with non-ablative wavelengths to resurface the skin without the significant downtime of older ablative devices. It’s won multiple awards for best anti-aging laser and is your once to twice a year spring cleaning for your skin. Expect a reduction in pigmentation, pores, fine lines and wrinkles and a glowing increase in skin luminosity.
3. Skin Tightening treatments.
At Skin Technique we utilize two of the top skin tightening devices, especially for areas of the lower face and neck. Ultherapy is the only FDA-approved device for Nonsurgical lifting. I particularly encourage it for patients noticing laxity along the jawline and neck. Since this device uses ultrasound waves of energy there is absolutely no downtime and patients walk out of the clinic with no evidence that anything was done. Intensif Microneedling combined with RF also gives skin tightening while improving irregular skin texture caused by acne scars or sun damage. I like this device for younger patients with textural concerns but who are also noticing changes in skin laxity.
4. Non-Hyaluronic acid fillers!
Yes, they do exist. I’d say my most popular treatment for patients declining filler treatments is Sculptra. Sculptra is different in that rather than immediately volumizing an area of the face it gradually helps to stimulate the body’s own natural ability to produce collagen over time. The results are not instant. They take time over 1-3 sessions of treatments spaced out over months. So, the results are gradual, subtle yet very impactful. Radiesse is known as a biostimulator since it also helps stimulate collagen. But unlike Sculptra it does give an immediate increase in volume. The ingredient is not hyaluronic acid but calcium hydroxylapatite. It works really well to revive crepey skin on the neck and décolleté by hyper diluting it.
5. Nature’s ultimate facial.
The Vampire Facial is where we use Platelet Rich Plasma extracted from your own blood sample and then microneedle or inject it into your skin, infusing the skin with best growth factors and healing properties nature has to offer. Although it cannot add much volume or give structural definition, PRP is still a popular alternative for patients averse to using dermal fillers.