Nonsurgical procedures such as dermal fillers, Botox, and Kybella involve various devices and tools for administration. Botox is mostly administered through very fine needles, whereas fillers and now even Kybella, may be administered through a combination of both needles and cannulas. Thus, we want to introduce to you the various ins and outs of both.
Fillers are classified by the FDA as a medical device. Each syringe of dermal filler comes in a sterile pouch with 2 needles. The syringe is removed from the sterile pouch and a sterile needle or cannula is attached. Fillers have different properties, and are carefully selected to match the area of the face we are treating. Because of these unique properties and anatomical variations of the face, different sized tools in the form of a needle or cannula are attached to each syringe. Some products are used for mimicking fat and bone and while others are used to smooth out the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles. This can be done either with the precision of a sharp needle or through a blunt tip cannula. So what are the major differences between the two: needles and cannulas?
Needles are sharp tools that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are best suited for treating areas which necessitate precision or for small or large amounts of product to be placed into one confined area. Examples of this may include adding filler to the temples, cheeks, gonial angle of the mandible, pre-jowl sulcus, chin, or fine lines and wrinkles in and around the mouth or lips. It may require several sticks with the needle, but is being done with the distinct purpose of lifting up tissue, adding projection to an area or filling out the area of depression or concavity. Needles come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. When using a filler with a larger molecule size, for example, such as Restylane Lyft, Juvederm Ultra Plus, Radiesse, or Juvederm Voluma, we may select a larger sized needle in diameter to allow for less extrusion force to have to be applied to the plunger of the syringe.
Cannulas are a long, blunt tubular like device which require an entry portal to be made prior to accessing the skin. They are flexible, making them ideal for evading blood vessels. Cannulas can easily glide through and remain in one plane of tissue. They are best suited for areas of wide distribution of product and ideal for adding contour. Sometimes they are selected for treating certain areas of the face deemed higher risk, as the blunt nature may make them less likely to compromise the vasculature system. Having a cannula wielded across an area sometimes feels like pressure, tightness, and compression, with the intermittent sensation of electrical twinges when the nerves become excited.
All in all, both needles and cannulas are mostly well tolerated. With topical numbing applied before filler procedures, as well as lidocaine numbing in the syringe itself, patients report minimal discomfort and healing occurring mostly from the access points.
Please be sure to plan your treatments when you have time to heal. It is best to plan treatments 2 weeks ahead of major life events. Expect to experience some degree of swelling, bruising and maybe even some unevenness temporarily. This is part of the injection process. There are ways to help prevent and minimize these side effects.
Our goal is for you to have the best possible outcomes, and to enjoy the benefits of nonsurgical enhancements with Botox and dermal fillers. We would enjoy working with you to help you look and feel your best.
If you are interested in nonsurgical enhancements with Botox or dermal fillers or would like to learn more, please contact Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery in Greenwood 317-969-8472 or Carmel 317-682-0803 today to schedule your consultation.