At his downtown Chicago office in Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Dr. Sidle offers many non-surgical options for the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles. Botulinum toxins and cosmetic fillers available at Northwestern Facial Plastic Surgery include: Botox, Juvéderm, Restylane, Sculptra, and Radiesse.
Botox or Dysport for treating Facial Lines and Wrinkles
Lines to the frown, forehead, crow’s feet around the eyes, and vertical lines around the lips occur as the result of repeated facial expressions, sun-exposure, and age. Over time, these lines become etched into the skin. These so-called dynamic lines of facial expression can be treated with an injected medicine, BOTOX or DYSPORT®.
This naturally occurring toxin, when used in small quantities, leads to highly specific relaxation of targeted muscle groups thus eliminating lines which may contribute to a tired, angry, or worried appearance. BOTOX or DYSPORT® is one of the most popular treatments in facial plastic surgery because of its effectiveness, safety, and the fact that there is virtually no downtime.
How do botulinum toxins work?
Botulinum toxins, when used in small quantities, lead to highly specific relaxation of targeted muscle groups, which reduces or eliminates lines that contribute to a tired, angry, or aged appearance. In addition to improving the appearance of lines or wrinkles you already have, use of botulinum toxins is thought to decrease the chance of forming new lines in the future.
Currently, there are a few different botulinum toxin products available, all of which work in basically the same way – blocking nerve impulses to temporarily weaken particular muscles that are responsible for creating wrinkles. However, there are slight differences in how quickly each individual product begins to work and in how long it lasts. Dr. Sidle has Botox® and Dysport® available, both of which have a proven track record when used for elimination or reduction of facial wrinkles.
The most common areas that are treated with botulinum toxins are:
- “11’s” or frown lines in between your eyebrows
- Horizontal lines across your forehead
- “Crow’s feet” or smile lines beside your eyes
- “Bunny lines” on the side of your nose
- “Marionette lines” around the corners of your mouth
Benefits of Botox or Dysport
Effective treatment can be accomplished through injections with tiny needles and low volumes, minimizing the amount of discomfort experienced. Because BOTOX or DYSPORT® selectively deactivates only those muscles responsible for creating unsightly lines, there is little risk of affecting a muscle that is needed for function. In addition to improving the appearance of a targeted area, BOTOX or DYSPORT® may decrease the chances of lines forming in the future.
Sometimes, a brow lift may be recommended with these treatments to achieve a more comprehensive upper-face rejuvenation. A brow lift can address sagging brows and deep forehead lines, further enhancing the youthful appearance.
What can you expect during the treatment?
If you have not had this treatment before or are unsure which areas you would like to treat, he will have a thorough consultation with you before your treatment. Once you have worked together to determine a plan, the treatment itself only takes a few minutes. It is performed in a clinic, typically after applying a specially-formulated topical numbing cream unless the patient chooses to forego this step.
Before your treatment, it is recommended that you avoid aspirin/NSAIDs (ex. Ibuprofen) and any other medications that may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising. Several natural supplements that have been associated with an increased risk of bleeding include ginseng, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, vitamin E, and fish oils (containing omega-3 fatty acids).
Following your treatment, try not to rub the injection sites for the next 12-24 hours. For best results, you should also avoid strenuous activity for 6 hours after treatment. Overall, side effects are uncommon, but patients occasionally experience mild bleeding or bruising at an injection site, particularly if treating the “crow’s feet” area. Other side effects including drooping of the eyelid, headache, flu-like symptoms, and nausea are extremely rare.
Botulinum Toxin FAQs
You may begin to notice some weakening of the treated muscles as early as 3-5 days after treatment, but it generally takes about 1 week to see the full effect of the treatment. At this time, you will see a noticeable decrease in the appearance of wrinkles in the treated area. The length of time a treatment lasts depends on which area(s) was treated, how often a patient gets the treatment, and each patient’s individual metabolism, but on average results last about 3-4 months.
Dermal Filler for treating Facial Lines and Wrinkles
Dermal fillers or dermal injectables are indicated for the correction of facial lines, wrinkles, and folds to restore volume and fullness to the skin, providing a more youthful appearance. Each dermal filler has its own properties and characteristics as well as optimal performance profile and longevity. Dr. Sidle performs Botox or Dysport, Restylane, Juvederm, Perlane, Radiesse, and Sculptra injections in the office.
Dermal fillers such as PERLANE®, RESTYLANE®, JUVEDERM®, RADIESSE®, and SCULPTRA® are used to add volume to correct moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds. As they age, patients experience loss of volume to the face along with loss of skin plumpness. Facial injectables are used to restore a more youthful appearance in a natural way with little downtime.
Benefits of Facial Fillers
Facial fillers will correct folds around the nose and mouth, reduce the appearance of smile lines, decrease sagging skin along the jawline, improve depressions under the eyes or from depressed scars, and provide volume and lift to cheeks. Dermal fillers are used in the office under topical numbing cream with the use of special blunt cannulas to decrease discomfort and bruising.
Dermal fillers are a rapidly growing, as many patients turn to non-surgical choices for facial rejuvenation. The optimal choice in the range of injectable fillers will be individualized just for you at the consultation to achieve the results you desire. Please call today for your one-on-one consultation.
What is Dr. Sidle’s philosophy when using cosmetic fillers?
Dr. Sidle believes that the key to achieving an attractive yet natural-appearing result with these augmentation procedures is by using meticulous injection techniques and taking a conservative approach to treatment.
His meticulous technique involves choosing the most ideal injection device for a particular area and placing the material in precisely the correct anatomic location to optimize improvement in appearance. In many cases, a blunt cannula may be used for injection, which has been shown to reduce discomfort during and bruising after the procedure.
His conservative approach mandates that only appropriate amounts of material are placed in a particular location. Implanting too much material inevitably leads to an artificial, “over-done” appearance that Dr. Sidle is careful to avoid.
Cosmetic Fillers FAQs
Different areas of the face exhibit certain signs of aging. In particular, thin lips and volume loss around the nose and mouth are telltale signs of aging. These make the face look drawn and convey the sense that a patient is always frowning. In some cases, volume loss under the eyes may create dark circles and make patients seem chronically tired.
These areas can be made to look more youthful by restoring fullness. Volume augmentation and improvement in the appearance of wrinkles can be achieved in a number of ways. With so many choices on the market, let an expert like Dr. Sidle help you choose which treatment will work best for you.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) fillers at Northwestern are booming in popularity. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance that delivers nutrients to the skin, adding volume and helping the skin retain moisture and softness. Hyaluronic acid products (Juvéderm & Restylane product families) are injectable agents that, like collagen, make up the ground substance or glue that acts as a structural foundation for the skin. These materials have a long history of safe and effective use worldwide and have become extremely popular in the United States. Because hyaluronic acid is a substance that naturally occurs in our skin, no allergic reactions are expected for these products.
Lip Augmentation
Soft tissue augmentation of the lips requires strategic and meticulous placement of injections to carefully distribute the filler to enhance lip fullness and to raise or define a cupid’s bow or vermillion border.
Nasolabial Folds
An improved appearance in the creases from the side of your nose to your mouth is visible almost immediately, although minor swelling or bruising may appear at the injection sites.
Eye Bags / Dark Circles Under Eyes
Improvement in the appearance of tear troughs (creases below the lower eyelid area) and decreased shadowing under the eye can be achieved with the simple procedure of placing injectable filler into the deficient areas.
Hollow Cheeks & Temples / Facial Lipoatrophy
This is a condition often seen in extremely fit athletes or patients with HIV. There are a number of FDA approved fillers that can provide a dramatically improved appearance of the cheek and temple regions in these patients.
Our Products
Neuromodulators (botulinum toxins)
- Botox
- Dysport
Cosmetic Fillers
- JUVÉDERM Product Family
- Ultra XC
- Ultra Plus XC
- Volbella XC
- Vollure XC
- Voluma XC
- Ultra XC
- RESTYLANE Product Family
- Restylane-L
- Defyne
- Refyne
- Silk
- SCULPTRA
- RADIESSE
Fat Injection
Injection of a patient’s own fat is another option for augmentation. Fat injection involves extracting fat from one area of the body (ex. under the chin, lower abdomen, etc.), usually by liposuction, and then injecting it into the desired area(s). This procedure can easily be performed in the doctor’s office with local anesthesia or a light sedation depending on patient preference. Following the procedure, you will likely have mild swelling and bruising that typically resolves within 1 week.
When you come in for your consultation, Dr. Sidle’s staff will review pricing for these products and procedures. As opposed to some practices, in which a surgeon’s staff does the injections, Dr. Sidle does all the of his injections personally. Our office also offers a reduced rate for patients who are in the healthcare industry or have had surgery with Dr. Sidle previously.
Dr. Sidle has extensive training in botulinum toxin injections. He has been performing these injections for many years and has the necessary expertise to achieve the best possible result following your treatment.
Although tissue augmentation with cosmetic fillers is a quick, in-office procedure that can produce a marked improvement in your appearance, safe and effective use of the products requires a physician with specialized training and a thorough understanding of facial anatomy. Optimal treatment requires going to a physician like Dr. Sidle who is well-versed on the properties and uses of all of the available fillers and is able to recommend the ideal filler for each individual patient. The quest to find long-lasting, safe cosmetic fillers is an area of extensive research in medical science. Dr. Sidle has co-authored several scientific papers and book chapters on the subject, making him a recognized expert in the field.
Dr. Sidle’s extensive training with one of the world-renowned leaders in the field of Cosmetic Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Corey Maas, makes him uniquely well-trained in this art. He is confident in his ability to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment for all cosmetic injectable procedures. For all procedures, he guarantees his work and offers free touch-ups in the rare instance that a particular area is under-treated.
Experience matters: as a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon at Northwestern with special expertise in rejuvenation of the face and neck, Dr. Sidle can provide you with an individualized plan to achieve your specific goals. Individualized consultation with Dr. Sidle is a valuable learning opportunity that our current patients recommend. Call our office for a one-on-one consultation.
More Cosmetic Injectables FAQs
Cosmetic injectables are substances injected into the skin to improve the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of aging. Some common cosmetic injectables include Botox, collagen, and hyaluronic acid.
Cosmetic injectables work by relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles, replacing lost collagen, or plumping up the skin to fill in lines and creases. They can be a great way to achieve a more youthful look without surgery and typically require little downtime after treatment.
Yes, you can get Botox under your eyes for wrinkles. Many apply it to combat the root cause of crow’s feet muscle and delicate line tension when the eye muscles regularly contract over time.
When you come in for your consultation, our staff will review pricing and ensure that Dr. Sidle’s services are right for you. As opposed to some practices where an assistant does all of their injections personally (and sometimes incorrectly), he offers increased customer care by doing everything himself, specifically regarding patient satisfaction, which means better results than ever before. We also provide a reduced rate if someone works within healthcare or has already had surgery with him previously – ask us about these beneficial promotions during your visit.
Getting fillers in your late twenties or early thirties is typically recommended. However, it is ultimately up to the individual and their doctor to decide when is the best time to start getting fillers.
Some signs that you may need fillers include deep wrinkles, fine lines, lost volume in the face, and thinning lips. If you are experiencing any of these signs, you should consult a doctor to see if you are a good candidate for fillers.
There are a lot of places that offer these services, but not all of them are created equal. Experience matters and you want to ensure you’re going to a qualified and experienced professional. As a double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon at Northwestern, Dr. Sidle has experience and qualifications you can trust. He offers both Botox and fillers and is confident in his ability to help you achieve the results you’re looking for.
Cosmetic injection is a procedure that involves injecting a substance into the skin to improve its appearance. The most common substances used for this purpose are collagen and hyaluronic acid.
Some things you can expect from the cosmetic injection include a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and lines and an improvement in skin elasticity. You may also notice a decrease in the size of pores and an increase in skin tone and brightness. Results can vary depending on the individual, but most people see a noticeable improvement after treatment.
Insurance for Botox and fillers can vary depending on the provider and your plan. Generally, insurance will cover at least a portion of the cost of these procedures. Always check with your provider to find out more about what is covered under your specific plan.
For the most part, facial injectables are considered to be safe. However, as with any medical procedure, there is always a risk of complications.
Some common complications associated with facial injectables include bruising, swelling, and redness. In rare cases, you may experience an allergic reaction to the injection or develop an infection.
It is essential to consult with a qualified doctor before undergoing any facial injection. By doing so, you can minimize the risk of experiencing any harmful side effects.
After a filler, your face will look more or less the same. Some people may experience minor swelling or bruising after the treatment, but this should fade within a few days.
If you’re unhappy with the results of your filler treatment, don’t hesitate to speak to your doctor about it. They may help improve your skin’s appearance using additional treatments like laser therapy or microdermabrasion.
Yes, fillers can help to improve the appearance of jowls. Jowls often form due to aging and loss of volume in the cheek area. Fillers can replace this lost volume, which can improve the contour of the cheeks and reduce the appearance of jowls.
You should not inject fillers into any infected area or have an active skin lesion. You should also avoid injecting fillers into the lips of someone who smokes, as smokers are more likely to develop wrinkles and lines around the mouth. Additionally, you should not inject fillers into areas near the eyes. As with any injection, there is always a risk of bruising and swelling, so it’s best to consult a qualified medical professional before treatment.
It is best to avoid sun exposure. Sun can increase the risk of inflammation and hyperpigmentation around the filler injection area. Try to avoid massages or any other type of aggressive treatment near the filler injection area. You should also avoid drinking alcohol and taking NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) for at least 24 hours after your treatment. Finally, avoid strenuous exercise or activities that will cause you to sweat for the first few days after your treatment. These can all increase the risk of bruising and swelling around the injection site.
Post-operative Instructions
All post-operative instructions can be found on the Patient Resources page.
Our Results
Click here to access Dr. Sidle’s Before & After Gallery for all procedures.
