Dermal Fillers

Northern Virginia Dermal Fillers – The West Institute

Over time, our facial skin changes naturally due to loss of collagen, bone, and fat; as well as environmental factors like the sun and pollution. While aging is a normal part of life, the signs of aging don’t have to be. Dr. Tina West at The West Institute understands that some of these changes can affect our self-esteem and confidence, decreasing our overall sense of wellness.

Dermal fillers are an excellent option for improving skin’s smoothness and increasing our youthful appearance naturally, by gradually replacing volume that is lost over time. For the best dermal filler options Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Chevy Chase, MD, have to offer, call 301-986-9378 to get started today.

What are Dermal Fillers?

Facial fillers are specially designed, FDA approved substances that are injected beneath the skin to revitalize appearance by replacing lost volume. Treatment with dermal fillers, when performed by an experienced Board-Certified dermatologist, can help patients look younger and healthier without the need for invasive surgery. Dr. West uses her advanced trademarked technique, Facelift In A Syringe ™, to precisely rebalance and contour the face using a variety of dermal fillers, restoring your natural, youthful appearance without an overdone look.

Most dermal fillers are formulated from substances such as hyaluronic acid that naturally occur in our bodies, thereby eliminating many sensitivity issues. In some cases, fillers are synthetically made to mimic these substances to help stimulate your own collagen production.

What are the Benefits of Dermal Fillers in Chevy Chase?

Over time, our facial skin ages and changes naturally, but injectable fillers may help to restore your skin’s youthful appearance. Because each individual’s skin is different, the results of injectable dermal fillers will vary. However, Dr. West brings over twenty years of experience performing facial contouring to her patients and has developed her distinct technique using minimal material to achieve immediate, natural-looking results that have patients returning about once a year for maintenance. 

During your consultation, Dr. West will discuss your concerns and review the best dermal filler options to help you reach your aesthetic goals. Dr. West’s unique approach aims to bring balance to the face by restoring lost volume, resulting in a refreshed yet natural look. Dr. West’s emphasis is to help her patients look like they have not had any procedures done at all.

The age you start is the age you stay.

What Fillers Can I Choose From?

As one of the pioneers in the field, Dr. Tina West had a hand in trailblazing some of the earliest dermal fillers— some of which are still used today. She has since consistently been one of the country’s highest-volume injectors over the past twenty years. You can have confidence in your choice of dermal filler options and procedures at The West Institute. As a consultant and trainer for Allergan and Galderma, Dr. West has trained many other physicians in advanced treatment techniques using many of their offered dermal fillers.

Juvéderm is an injectable gel hyaluronic acid-based filler.  Juvéderm not only adds volume to your skin, but it also hydrates skin for a lasting effect. The rejuvenating effects of Juvédem occur immediately, and the benefits have been proven to last for up to one to two years with optimal treatment.

Restylane is a safe and natural cosmetic dermal filler comprised of long-lasting hyaluronic acid (a natural sugar normally found in the skin) that maintain your skin’s natural elasticity and mobility. Restylane is designed to add volume to your skin and subcutaneous tissue while hydrating skin for a lasting effect. Restylane is also commonly used for lip augmentation and smooths fine lines and wrinkles around the lips, including vertical lip lines and nasolabial folds. The results of Restylane can be seen for up to a year.

In addition to the face, one of the most common places to reveal age is our hands. Our hands can lose volume over time, which may leave skin looking loose and wrinkled, exposing unattractive tendons and veins. Radiesse is the only filler approved for treatment to restore this lost volume in the hands. As a versatile injectable filler, Radiesse has also been approved for treating the face.  Dr. West uses Radiesse to restore volume along the jawline, in the hands, and in the thin, crepey skin that many women develop around the inner upper arms, the chest, and above the knees.

Sculptra is a poly-L-lactic acid collagen stimulator that works with your body to revitalize collagen production and restore the skin’s deep, underlying structure to diminish the appearance of deep hollows and wrinkles. Sculptra works to reflate very hollow areas, gradually restoring facial volume and fullness over multiple treatment sessions. Results from Sculptra can last up to two years.

For moderate to severe wrinkles and lines, Belotero is another effective dermal filler that produces a natural look and feel. Belotero uses a hyaluronic acid gel to integrate with your skin’s natural tissue to plump the skin and diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Dr. West uses Belotero to restore volume in certain specific areas of the face.

Revanesse Versa is a hyaluronic acid filler that treats moderate to severe folds and wrinkles. Our experts use Versa to replenish volume and fullness to the skin, providing a healthy and youthful appearance to the lips, cheeks, nasolabial folds, glabella (between the eyes), and tear troughs. The benefits of one treatment can last up to six months.

Teoxane’s state-of-the-art RHA fillers are the first and only injectables that are FDA-approved to improve dynamic facial wrinkles and folds, such as the nasolabial folds. RHA products can adapt to natural facial movements more effectively than any other fillers on the market. Offered in 3 different formulations (RHA 2, RHA 3, and RHA 4), each filler has unique properties and can be injected into varying depths for distinct effects. RHA fillers can be long-lasting and endure for up to 9 to 18 months in some patients.

What Are Your Options of Tear Trough Fillers for Bags Under Eyes?

In addition to seeking a leading injector like Dr. Tina West to perform your treatment, it’s also essential to select the appropriate filler product.

For the delicate area under the eyes, a hyaluronic acid filler, such as Restylane or Restylane Silk, is an excellent choice. Not only will a HA filler deliver smooth, natural-looking results, its effects can also be reversed using an enzyme called hyaluronidase.

Additionally, the thin composition of these products helps limit the chance of a Tyndall effect, which presents as a bluish tint under the eyes.

What Are the Benefits of Tear Trough Filler?

Tear trough filler is a safe, effective, and non-surgical way to rejuvenate the eyes. The treatment takes just a matter of minutes and immediately eliminates circles and brightens eyes.

Zero-downtime is another key advantage of this dermal filler procedure. Patients, like Lala, love that they can schedule a treatment over their lunchbreak and return to work looking vibrant and refreshed.

Best of all, tear trough filler results last 6-9 months, which means looking well-rested and free of under eye circles on a regular basis.

Learn More About Our Providers

Amy Waters-PA-C

Amy Waters-PA-C, Cosmetic Dermatology

Amy Waters, PA-C achieved certification as Physician Assistant and completed her Master of Health Sciences degree at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Read More.

Chelsea Heidenberger Medical Esthetician

Chelsea Heidenberger- Medical Esthetician

Chelsea is a licensed aesthetician and a graduate of the Aveda Institute in Washington DC. Read More.

Why Should I Choose Dr. West as my Facial Injector in Washington D.C.?

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Dr. Tina West has over twenty years of experience in facial contouring, including having studied among the industry’s most renowned names and participating in the phase III FDA clinical trials for the approval of Botox Cosmetic®. Through this extensive training, Dr. West has honed her unique technique to maximize results using minimal filler material, making her your best option for dermal fillers in the Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Chevy Chase, MD areas. Her unique training and experience allow her to create a significant lift with refreshed and natural-looking outcomes for all of her patients.

Dr. West spends 30 minutes in each consultation to ensure that her patients’ concerns are understood. Each patient receives an individualized treatment plan based on their unique aesthetic goals as well as a plan for long-term maintenance to maintain their refreshed look over time. At The West Institute, the goal is for patients to look great and never overdone. Patient satisfaction is the cornerstone of their practice.  

Let's Get Started

Dr. Tina West is a board-certified dermatologist and leading expert in cosmetic dermatology, laser surgery, and body contouring procedures. For over 20 years, Dr. West has dedicated her practice to providing natural-looking results and full patient satisfaction. Dr. West invites you to visit The West Institute for a friendly and informative consultation.

Dr. West's signature

Let's Get Started

What Can I Expect in a Dermal Filler Procedure?

Before

After Dr. West and her staff welcome you to the practice, you will have the opportunity to explain your aesthetic goals. Together, Dr. West will work with you to determine the best plan to achieve these aims. If you decide that injectable dermal fillers are the right option to restore your youthful appearance, Dr. West will perform the procedure based on the specifications determined and discussed during your consultation.

During

A typical dermal filler procedure at the West Institute starts with photographs, followed by the application of a potent, customized topical numbing cream which is left on the skin for about 20 minutes.  After the local anesthetic is removed and the skin is thoroughly cleansed, Dr. West uses her Accuvein device to map out underlying blood vessels in order to minimize bruising.  Ice applied just before injecting to further minimize discomfort.

After

Most patients report that the injections have only minimal if any, discomfort. Injectable fillers also contain lidocaine, a mild anesthetic that alleviates discomfort during and after your injections. Dr. West is highly precise with every injection. She understands how even the most subtle choices can make dramatic improvements to your appearance. This is also why Dr. West uses far less filler than many other practices when contouring and balancing the face. 

How Soon Will I See My Washington D.C. Dermal Filler Results?

In many cases you will see results immediately following treatment, however, some fillers may work more gradually over time.  Side effects may include mild bruising and swelling. Dr. West invites all of her patients to return to the office the day following injections to address any bruising that may have occurred overnight, offering every facial contouring patient complimentary treatment with her V-beam pulsed dye laser or M-22 IPL device to promote resolution of any bruising within 24 hours following treatment.

Facial contouring results last at least one year, and Dr. West encourages her patients to return for annual treatments to keep up with volume loss as it occurs, preventing the need for major surgery later.

Ready to Experience a More Youthful-Looking You?

Start living your best life faster. To learn more about how dermal fillers in Northern Virginia can boost your appearance and give you long-lasting and immediate results, call Dr. West at The West Institute at 301-986-9378 or fill out our online form today!

Dermal Fillers FAQs

Dermal fillers are used to replace volume in the skin that is lost over time. More advanced techniques, such as Dr. West’s trademarked Facelift In a Syringe™, effectively rebalance the face to provide a more youthful overall facial contour. They can also be used for lip augmentation or rejuvenation, to chisel the jawline, to lift sagging earlobes, and many other applications.

Hyaluronic acid is a natural sugar found within your body. Its role is to attract and retain moisture. While you can find many topical skincare products made with HA, it provides even better results when injected into your skin at precise depths. Hyaluronic acid fillers hydrate and plump your skin with long-lasting effects.

A typical dermal filler procedure at The West Institute starts with photographs, followed by the application of a topical numbing cream that stays on your skin for about 20 minutes. After cleansing your face to remove all traces of the numbing agent, Dr. West uses her Accuvein device to map underlying blood vessels to minimize bruising. We’ll apply ice just before injecting to further minimize discomfort. Dr. West is highly precise with every injection. She understands how even minor changes can dramatically enhance your appearance. With Dr. West’s advanced, artistic approach that rebalances your facial contours, you will look refreshed, but nobody will know that you’ve had anything done.

Dr. West uses her expertise to provide immediate, natural-looking results. You will notice a subtle improvement that looks like a younger, better-rested, and more approachable version of yourself.

Dr. West has over 20 years of experience as an injector and trainer. Depending on your combination of fillers, most patients return about once a year for maintenance. 

Dr. West uses her advanced trademarked technique, Facelift in a Syringe™, to precisely rebalance and contour your face using various dermal fillers, together with neuromodulators in most cases, restoring your natural, youthful appearance without an overdone look.