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Are fillers extremely painful?

Tag Archives: HA fillers

lyzahLyzah, Registered Nurse

Myth 2: “Aren’t fillers extremely painful?”

No, fillers are not extremely painful.  In fact, we pride our practice on making every procedure as comfortable as possible. Not only do ALL of our fillers already contain a 1% Lidocaine mixture, but we also apply a strong topical numbing agent prior to injection. Our topical ointment is comprised of Lidocaine, Tetracaine, and Phenylephrine. We apply the ointment to the areas we will be treating and allow it to sit for at least 10-15 minutes to gain the numbing benefits. For most patients this achieves a completely numb experience with little discomfort if not. I also use ice sticks throughout the injection process to help decrease inflammation. Another great product we love is Arnica. Arnica is a homeopathic medication used to temporarily relieve bruising, swelling, and pain associated with tissue injury. I apply it to every filler patient before we finish, and also educate they use the topical form and/or the pill form as they recover. Lastly, I send everyone home with a travel size reusable gel ice pack to use for the next 24- 48 hours. So in fact, fillers are really easy. Most of my patients say “Wow I should have started this a long time ago”.

Hands and necks tend to give us away from an aging perspective.

As far as the hands are concerned, what I typically see are brown spots and a thinned, skeletonized appearance. Both problems are actually pretty easy to correct though.

I treat the dark spots with a Laser. There are a lot of lasers out there that treat pigment. It can be done in the office in just a few minutes. It is slightly uncomfortable but in 11 years I’ve never had anyone tell me it ‘hurt’. In fact, I’ve lasered myself numerous times to put a patient at ease. It’s not a big deal. Afterward, the spots will get a little red and may scab but within a week the skin will flake and your spots will be gone. The cost is very reasonable, about $300, but this is a treatment you will have to repeat, probably about once a year depending on how much sun you get.

Injectable fillers are used to add volume to the back of the hand so it doesn’t look so skeletonized. This does require a couple of needle sticks on each side so it is a little uncomfortable. It is done in the office and only takes a few minutes. There is no recovery though. The main ‘downside’ to this treatment, like all fillers, is cost and the need for repeat treatments. Costs will range from $500 to $1000, depending on how much filler is used, and most of the fillers will go away after 12 to 18 months.

Check with your Plastic Surgeon if you are interested because if you really hate your hands and your budget allows, we do have a really effective solution for you.

Lee Corbett, MD

www.CorbettCosmeticSurgery.com

502.721.0330

All posts on this blog are presented by Louisville MediSpa physician, Dr. Lee Corbett.