The hype on fillers has confused physicians and consumers making honest comparisons difficult. Non-plastic surgery specialists from unrelated medical disciplines further muddy the waters by promoting simplistic makeovers which are quickly performed and claim to provide instantaneous results.
Remember though, if it is too good to be true than it probably is. As circus promoter P.T. Barnum stated, "there's a fool born every minute."
These marketeers can get away with such obfuscation by exploiting the difference between the forest and the trees. As the saying goes we tend to focus on the trees and not appreciate the forest much as we might not recognize the elephant in the room.
A typical patient complains about a line around her mouth and misses the point that her cheeks and eyes are sunken-in which not only causes the line but is the real reason she is looking older. Don’t fall for the “I will just inject filler under your eyes and your circles will go away."
Manufacturers and medi-spas also promote differences in products in order to justify more and less fee schedules for products. They do this primarily by claiming that different products have different longevities which is a concept that is easy for the public to understand.
Longer duration of correction should provide lower cost over time and less need to retreat. They conveniently do not explain that in areas of the face with more muscle contraction fillers have shorter duration of action and vice versa.
Therefore Restylane and Juvederm placed in the cheek may last 2 or more years and Sculptra may last up to 6 years. Whereas same products placed around the mouth may last up to 70% less.
Rejuvenating eyes, cheeks, and temples not only lasts a relatively long time, the results do make one appear more youthful and healthy. The first step in facial rejuvenation is appreciating why one looks older before it is possible to resolve the problem.