The appearance of your skin is affected by the strength and the elasticity of the natural collagen support layer beneath it. Overtime, this support layer weakens and facial creases and furrows appear. Ultrasoft and Advanta facial implants are sub-dermal implants which help to eliminate these creases and furrows by providing structure and support underneath the skin.

The Ultrasoft or Advanta facial implants are  persistent yet removable facial implants for the treatment of deep facial furrows or creases such as nasolabial folds (creases between the noses and corner of the mouth), mental creases ('marionette lines'), and definition of the vermilion border surrounding the lips. The implants will provide a substantial correction of the furrow or creases, maybe used to augment the lips. However, it may be necessary to use another product such as Collagen or Restylane® to achieve full correction of the treatment area.

The Ultrasoft facial implant is a hollow, tube-shaped implant made of biocompatible polymer called ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene). The Advanta facial implant is the next generation ePTFE.  It is a porous implant of different shapes and sizes, being also biocompatible and less palpable.  The ePTFE polymer used in both implants is proven material which has been used for more than 20 years in s variety of medical applications that includes the replacement of deteriorating blood vessels in over 3.5 million people, hernia repair, abdominal wall reinforcement and, subsequently, for soft tissue augmentation of the face.

The Ultrasoft and Advanta implants help to eliminate deep facial creases and furrows by providing structure and support underneath the skin. The implants help to reduce the depth of the creases or furrow by raising the level of the surrounding skin.

Areas with actual tissue loss, relative tissue deficiency or deep facial creases such as nasolabial folds, oral commissures, deep glabella furrows and the vermilion border may be appropriate indications for Ultrasoft and Advanta facial implants. These implants are not appropriate treatments for fine, superficial lines.

Prior to treatment you will discuss, in consultation with Dr. Lashgari, whether you are an appropriate candidate for the facial implant procedure. Treatment with these implants consists of a simple in-office procedure done under a local anesthetic. The implant is inserted below the surface of the skin through two small incisions. The procedure generally takes less than an hour, but will vary depending on the number of implants used.

Each person will respond differently to the procedure. You may feel a slight discomfort when the doctor injects a local anesthetic. However, you should not feel discomfort during the actual procedure.

You may experience some swelling or bruising which usually lasts for a few days up to one week following treatment. A stitch is placed on each incision site which is generally removed five days following the procedure. Many patients return to work the next day after treatment as these effects usually can be camouflaged with cosmetics. Some patients experience a sensation of tightness in the implanted area for approximately five to seven days. You will also be able to "feel" the implant under your skin; however, this should decrease over time.

As with any surgical procedure, there are associated risks and benefits. In order to place each implant, one or two tiny incisions less that 1/4 of an inch must be made on the skin. Although there will be a scar at these incision sites, they are located in places which are very difficult to detect - over time they should become unnoticeable.

While the correction is immediate some swelling occurs and final healing takes approximately three to four months. You will appear normal to most people in five to seven days.

The Ultrasoft and Advanta facial implants are made of permanent material. They will remain in the area in which they are placed unless you choose to have them removed. As you age, furrows may slowly appear over time.

While it is possible to have an allergic reaction to almost any material, there have been no reported cases of an allergic reaction to the ePTFE material.

People who have excess facial skin, those who want a resurfacing of the skin or who have fine, superficial lines may not be appropriate candidates for the Ultrasoft facial implant alone. However, physicians often use facial implants in conjunction with other procedures to fill in deep creases or furrows not amenable to other procedures.

Ultrasoft and Advanta facial implants are sub-dermal implants which help to eliminate deep furrows by providing structure and support underneath the skin. They are persistent material which are not absorbed or broken down by the body over time.

Filler materials such as Collagen, Restylane®, and fat injections, reduce wrinkles by "filling in" the lines and wrinkles just under the surface of the skin. Collagen, Restylane®, and fat are gradually absorbed by the body and need to be re-injected.

For optimal correction of deep furrows and fine lines, many physicians utilize Ultrasoft or Advanta implants in conjunction with fillers like Restylane®. Call us to set up a free consultation on these implants.