Fillers Specialist
Marilyn Kwolek, MD
Dermatologist located in Danville, CA
As you get older, your face loses some of its subcutaneous fat and volume, making fine lines and wrinkles all the more apparent. From her practice in Danville, California, board certified dermatologist Dr. Marilyn Kwolek helps patients from the Contra Costa area turn back the clock with dermal fillers. They’re a safe, effective, and minimally invasive cosmetic treatment that restores facial volume and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Fillers Q & A
What are dermal fillers?
Once you reach your 40s, you may begin to notice that the skin on your face seems a bit more uneven, a little less supple, and has a few more lines. To compound the issue, your facial muscles — the ones that help you talk, chew, smile, frown, and squint — also begin to break down after years of use. This so-called ‘facial deflation’ begins at about the age of 30, and continues as time goes on. It’s what’s responsible for the flattened cheeks, thinning temples, and lip thinning that are so common among middle-aged adults.
Dermal fillers are minimally-invasive injectable cosmetic products made with collagen, hyaluronic acid, and other beneficial substances that help rejuvenate facial skin and add facial volume. They’re designed to address the many facial changes brought on by aging, including facial deflation.
What are the benefits of fillers?
Dermal fillers are a simple, safe, and effective way to temporarily reverse age-related facial deflation and smooth wrinkles and furrows without having to resort to surgery. They can be used to help reduce the appearance of deep lines around your eyes, brow, or mouth, change the contour of your jawline, subtly flesh out your cheeks, or even enhance your lips. They can also help diminish the appearance of minor scars and depressions, including those caused by acne.
Because they deliver immediate results, carry very few risks or side effects, and require little to no recovery time, dermal fillers are one of the most commonly requested aesthetic treatments. Dr. Kwolek recommends ice and arnica after a filler procedure. If you do bruise, the excel V™ laser is available to help heal the bruising faster.
Which products does Dr. Kwolek offer?
Dr. Kwolek offers the following state-of-the-art injectable filler products:
Juvéderm® collection — This leading collection of hyaluronic acid fillers, which includes Juvéderm Voluma®, Juvéderm Vollure™, Juvéderm Volbella®, Juvéderm Ultra and Juvéderm Ultra Plus, is designed to instantly and subtly add volume to specific areas of your face, including your cheeks and lips.
Sculptra® Aesthetic — This long-lasting dermal filler is designed to smooth out the smile lines and wrinkles around your nose and mouth.
What does the procedure entail?
After an initial consultation to discuss your specific cosmetic goals, Dr. Kwolek will develop a customized treatment plan and choose the best dermal filler products to meet those goals. Before the procedure, you’ll receive thorough pre-treatment instructions telling you what you should avoid (aspirin, ibuprofen, and smoking) and what’s recommended.
Dr. Kwolek administers dermal fillers through a few tiny facial injections, which are generally considered painless and require no anesthesia. The average session lasts 10-20 minutes, with immediate results that may last anywhere from one to two years, depending on the product.
*Individual results may vary