Introduction
As the face ages, subtle changes beneath the skin, such as collagen depletion, fat loss, and reduced elasticity, can gradually soften facial contours and create lines or hollows that weren’t there before. Dermal fillers provide a non-surgical way to restore balance, volume, and definition while maintaining a natural, vibrant appearance. At AMora MD, dermal filler treatments are carefully performed to enhance each patient’s unique facial structure rather than alter it.
Our team approaches facial filler injections with a high-level understanding of facial anatomy, proportion, and aesthetics. Serving patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, and surrounding communities, AMora MD offers injectable treatments with trusted, FDA-approved dermal fillers for long-lasting results.
Facial filler injections are another popular alternative for non-surgical facial rejuvenation. Administered alone or in combination with Botox, they can help safely restore lost volume beneath the skin, especially around the lips and mouth. Dr. Moradzadeh uses the most popular and well-regarded brands, including Radiesse®, Juvederm®, Restylane®/Perlane® and Belotero®.
RADIESSE®, calcium hydroxyapatite, is the heaviest of facial dermal fillers. This naturally occurring substance is a mineral line compound used to fill moderate-to-severe volume loss in the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and frown lines. It’s also used to enhance the fullness of the cheeks and other facial contours. FDA-approved as a collagen simulator, RADIESSE is biosynthetically produced, which means that no animals or animal products are used. This lowers your risk of an allergic reaction, and no skin testing is required.
RADIESSE contains tiny microspheres of calcium-based material (calcium hydroxyapatite, which is naturally found in bone) that provide a “scaffolding” into which the body’s own collagen can grow and maintain the material in place.
One new area where RADIESSE is being used successfully is in reshaping the nose, including correcting bends, bumps, and divots, as well as flat nasal bridge areas. Since results can be literally achieved in minutes, RADIESSE is often referred to as the “15 Minute Nose Job.”
Dr. Moradzadeh has a customized multi-step approach to acne scars. One step uses Radiesse to lift depressed scars and prevent reattachment of the skin to the deeper tissues. A consultation with Dr. Moradzadeh will help determine the best protocol for treating your specific needs.
Dr. Moradzadeh has a customized multi-step approach to acne scars. One step uses Radiesse to lift depressed scars and prevent reattachment of the skin to the deeper tissues. A consultation with Dr. Moradzadeh will help determine the best protocol for treating your specific needs.
Juvederm®, the softest of the hyaluronic acid fillers, is derived from a natural substance that is found throughout the human body. Since it is so similar to a person’s own tissue, there is no need to test for sensitivity or concern about an allergic reaction.
An injection of Juvederm helps to ‘fill out’ and smooth away lines or wrinkles, acne scars, and enhance the size and shape of the lips. Results are immediate with minimal recovery time. Juvederm is the most commonly chosen injectable filler for the lips due to its smooth, soft gel formula. It is also used to lift drooping corners of the mouth and to treat deep folds on the sides of the mouth (nasolabial folds) as well as marionette lines.
Restylane® products are dermal fillers used to restore volume and fullness to the skin and correct facial wrinkles. Made of a substance called hyaluronic acid (a natural and very important part of skin structure), Restylane replaces the natural hyaluronic acid that diminishes with age, or was insufficient to begin with, as is the case with thin lips.
Since hyaluronic acid helps bind water, the skin’s ability to retain water also declines with age. As a result, the skin becomes drier, thinner, and less able to restore itself. The loss of skin fullness also makes the skin looser. This leads to wrinkling and an older appearance.
The denser version of the product, Perlane®, is used for deeper-planed injections where subdermal support is required and in areas where surface injections might be noticeable. Perlane is sometimes used as a” base filler,” which is then topped with a less dense filler such as Restylane or Juvederm.
When Restylane is injected directly into areas where the body’s support structures have been weakened, depressions can be raised to the level of the surrounding skin. This smoothes and minimizes facial lines and most types of scars. In addition, Restylane treatments improve skin texture and soften the skin’s tone. Results last anywhere between six and nine months. With a timed injection program, patients experience effects for up to 18 months.
Restylane is an excellent filler for restoring volume in the upper eyelid, lifting the hollows, and camouflaging dark circles that form in the lower eyelid. These injections are a quick way to refresh the eye area and eliminate that tired appearance.
Dr. Moradzadeh now uses the dermal filler called BELOTERO BALANCE, the very latest on the market. Specially designed to integrate into the patient’s skin and mold to their distinct facial contours, BELOTERO is proving very effective.
BELOTERO BALANCE® Dermal Filler is made of hyaluronic acid or HA, a substance that naturally exists as a component of the skin. By binding to water, it fills wrinkles and folds, providing immediate, smooth correction. BELOTERO can be injected directly and very superficially into fine lines, so the patient does not experience any bumps or Tyndall effect (the blue discoloration under the skin that can occur with superficial filler placement). By adapting to a person’s unique skin characteristics, BELOTERO softens lines and wrinkles around the nose, mouth, and eyes for smooth, natural-looking results.
BELOTERO BALANCE® Dermal Filler has unique properties that enable it to adapt within the skin for subtle, even correction. (No filler has been able to accomplish this since Collagen was removed from the market due to its high cost and the need for allergy testing.) BELOTERO’s versatility makes it gentle enough to treat more delicate facial areas, including vertical lip lines, lower eyelid lines and hollows, and even the “11” lines and crow’s feet.
Dermal fillers in Los Angeles are a great option for adults seeking to address early to moderate signs of facial aging or enhance specific facial features without undergoing surgery.
Patients who may benefit most from dermal fillers include those experiencing volume loss in the cheeks, lips, or under-eye area; individuals with facial lines or folds such as nasolabial folds or marionette lines; and patients looking to improve facial symmetry or contour definition. Dermal fillers can also be an effective solution for softening the appearance of certain acne scars or other depressed scars when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Despite how they are often portrayed, facial fillers are not only intended to increase lip volume. This treatment has a wide range of applications that apply throughout many areas of the face and neck. For example, dermal filler injectables help patients of various skin types and tones with these common issues:
Finally, as noted, the most well-known benefit is dermal fillers’ ability to mitigate volume loss significantly. This commonly occurs with age around the cheeks, eyes (especially the under-eye area), and lips. Restoring volume in these areas and others can give a more natural, youthful appearance.
The first step in a successful dermal filler injection procedure is undergoing a consultation with a well-qualified provider. In an initial consultation appointment, Dr. Moradzadeh will perform a comprehensive evaluation to ensure you’re an ideal candidate for facial filler treatment. This includes assessing your aesthetic concerns, medical history, current medications and supplements, and more. The consultation appointment is also an important opportunity for Dr. Moradzadeh to assess your unique anatomy and facial proportions, which will help him work with you to formulate an approach tailored to your needs and expectations.
When it’s time for treatment, we will first ensure you are comfortably positioned and ready to proceed. Then, the facial fillers are injected with a tiny needle or blunt cannula directly into the areas that need correction. Many dermal fillers, including those we offer, contain anesthetics like lidocaine to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. The procedure is simple, takes only a few minutes, and yields practically immediate results.
Prior to treatment, Dr. Moradzadeh will recommend avoiding aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or vitamin E supplements unless prescribed by the patient’s primary care physician.
Your Guide to Post-Dermal Filler Care
One of the major advantages of dermal fillers is the minimal downtime associated with treatment. Most patients can return to normal daily activities immediately following their appointment. Mild swelling, redness, tenderness, or bruising at the injection sites is common but often resolves within a few days.
Patients are advised to avoid strenuous exercise, excessive heat exposure, alcohol consumption, and touching or massaging the treated areas for at least 24 hours following treatment. These precautions help minimize swelling and ensure optimal placement of the filler. Post-treatment discomfort is usually mild and temporary, and cold compresses can be used to reduce swelling if needed.
The cost of dermal fillers in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles varies based on the individual treatment plan and the filler type used. In addition, the number of injections you receive, your provider’s experience, and standard costs for your area all influence your total costs—as do facility fees, copays, and other costs. This makes it very difficult to provide an accurate projection of your total costs without first conducting a consultation and starting a treatment plan. Most insurance policies do not cover facial fillers because they are typically classified as elective cosmetic procedures. However, there are instances in which facial fillers are more likely to be covered when deemed medically necessary. For example, if a facial filler treatment is used to enhance the aesthetic results of facial reconstruction surgery, the likelihood of achieving coverage is higher. In either case, it’s always best practice to check your policy first and work with your provider to fulfill any pre-authorization or other requirements to qualify.
Dr. Arash Moradzadeh is a dual board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and the greater Los Angeles area. His affiliations include the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS), the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABO), and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). As a graduate of the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, and with two fellowships (plastic surgery and regenerative medicine, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery), Dr. Moradzadeh brings a unique, experienced perspective to all procedures and treatments offered at his practice. Whether administered by him or another highly-qualified member of our esthetic team, patients in Los Angeles and beyond can expect nothing less than natural-looking, long-lasting results that align with their vision and goals.
If you’re considering dermal fillers in Los Angeles, the first step is to schedule a personalized consultation with AMora MD. To do so, contact AMora MD by calling (310) 659-9900. Our team looks forward to helping you explore your options and feel confident in your treatment decisions.