Hyaluronic Acid Fillers in Sierra Vista
Gwynn Patterson, M.D., FACOG
At the office of Gwynn Patterson, M.D., FACOG, patients in Sierra Vista can restore youthful contours, soften wrinkles, and enhance their natural features with advanced hyaluronic acid fillers. These treatments, also called dermal fillers, provide noticeable improvements without surgery or long recovery times. Every procedure is performed with careful attention to comfort and safety, ensuring that patients not only look their best but also feel at ease throughout the process.
What Does Hyaluronic Acid Do?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance in the body that binds water molecules, keeping the skin hydrated, soft, and resilient. In skincare, HA appears in creams and serums that provide surface-level hydration. While these products improve moisture, the effect is temporary and does not address deeper changes caused by aging.
Injectable fillers are different. The hyaluronic acid used for fillers is cross-linked, forming a smooth gel that can be placed beneath the skin. Once injected, it integrates with the surrounding tissue to restore volume, lift contours, and smooth lines. Unlike creams, cross-linked HA fillers provide structural support that can last months or even years, depending on the product and where it is placed.
Comfort and Pain Management
A common concern among patients is whether filler injections hurt. Dr. Patterson makes patient comfort a priority. Most fillers are formulated with lidocaine, which numbs the area during treatment. For patients who are especially sensitive, she may use local anesthetic injections or place precise nerve blocks to fully numb the treatment area.
To further ease anxiety, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is also available. With these layered options, patients can feel confident that their experience will be as comfortable as possible.
Benefits of Dermal Fillers
Hyaluronic acid fillers provide both corrective and preventive benefits. Patients see immediate improvements in facial smoothness and contour, and over time, fillers also stimulate the body’s own collagen production. This means that results extend beyond the filler itself, strengthening the skin’s natural support network and slowing future signs of aging.
Types of Fillers Offered
Dr. Patterson offers several FDA-approved filler options, each designed for specific areas of the face. During your consultation, she will recommend the best product based on your goals. Options include:
- Restylane® – A versatile family of fillers used for wrinkles, folds, lips, and volume restoration.
- Juvederm® – A collection of fillers designed for facial wrinkles, lip enhancement, and cheek contouring.
- Revanesse® – Known for its smooth consistency and natural-looking results, especially in treating lines and folds.
- Sculptra® – A bio-stimulant filler that is unmatched in restoring volume loss by stimulating collagen growth deep in the skin’s foundation. Over time, patients often notice an added bonus of improved skin quality, commonly described as the “Sculptra skin” effect.
- Bellafill® – A long-lasting bio-stimulant filler made with PMMA microspheres in collagen gel. Bellafill provides immediate correction while stimulating new collagen, with results proven to last five years or more. It is also FDA-approved to treat acne scarring, making it a unique option for patients who want smoother, clearer skin in addition to anti-aging benefits.
Treatment Areas
Fillers can address many of the most common aesthetic concerns. Popular treatment areas include:
- Nasolabial folds (lines from the nose to the mouth)
- Marionette lines (lines from the corners of the mouth to the chin)
- Cheeks (restoring youthful midface volume)
- Lips (enhancing volume and shape)
- Under-eyes (reducing hollows and shadows)
- Chin and jawline (improving balance and definition)
- Hands (replacing lost volume for a smoother appearance)
Hands
As hands lose volume with age, tendons and veins become more noticeable. Restylane® Lyft is FDA-approved for hand rejuvenation, restoring a smoother and more youthful look.
Results and Longevity
One of the advantages of hyaluronic acid fillers is that results are visible immediately. Patients leave the office looking refreshed, with folds softened and contours restored.
The body, however, is dynamic and continues to respond after treatment. Even with hyaluronic acid fillers, it can take several weeks for the product to fully integrate, meaning final results often refine gradually as the filler is assimilated and incorporated.
With bio-stimulant fillers, the timeline is longer but the benefits are profound. Sculptra is one of the most effective treatments for restoring lost volume because it stimulates the body to rebuild its own collagen network. Final results typically develop over three to six months, and along with restored fullness, many patients also notice healthier skin texture and radiance, often referred to as the “Sculptra skin” effect.
FDA studies often report filler duration as six months to two years, but these trials usually stop before the product has fully broken down. In practice, results can last much longer — sometimes five to eight years depending on placement and metabolism. Bellafill stands out for its longevity, with documented results lasting five years or more.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Patterson
As a board-certified physician, Dr. Patterson combines medical expertise with an artistic eye. She believes fillers should enhance, not change, a patient’s natural features. Her focus on precision, safety, and individualized treatment ensures results that look balanced and authentic. Patients also value her commitment to comfort, with advanced pain management techniques that make the process far more pleasant than many expect.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are considering hyaluronic acid fillers in Sierra Vista, contact the office of Gwynn Patterson, M.D., FACOG today. With advanced dermal fillers, long-lasting options like Sculptra and Bellafill, and a focus on patient comfort, Dr. Patterson helps patients achieve results that are natural, lasting, and confidence-building.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
Are hyaluronic acid fillers the same as creams?
No. Hyaluronic acid creams and serums hydrate only the surface of the skin. Injectable fillers are cross-linked and placed beneath the skin to restore structure, smooth wrinkles, and add volume that lasts much longer.
How long do fillers last?
FDA studies often report six months to two years, but many experts agree fillers last longer. Depending on placement and metabolism, some hyaluronic acid fillers may last five to eight years. Bio-stimulant fillers like Sculptra and Bellafill can last much longer, with Bellafill proven to last five years or more.
Do filler injections hurt?
Most hyaluronic acid fillers contain lidocaine, which numbs the area as treatment is performed. For patients who are especially sensitive, Dr. Patterson offers additional options including local anesthetic injections, nerve blocks, and nitrous oxide.
When will I see results?
With hyaluronic acid fillers, results are visible right away, though final outcomes may continue to refine for several weeks as the body incorporates the product. With Sculptra, results build gradually over three to six months as collagen production increases, restoring volume while also improving skin quality.
Can fillers be reversed?
Yes. Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if adjustments are needed. Bio-stimulant fillers like Sculptra and Bellafill cannot be reversed, but their results are gradual, natural-looking, and carefully planned.