Underlying tissues that keep skin youthful and plumped may break down, leaving lines or deep creases on the face where extensive muscle movement occurs. This may lead to a prematurely aged appearance.

Surgical intervention with the most advanced and proven injectable soft-tissue fillers such as Restylane^® and Radiesse^® (formerly “Radiance FN”), or with fat taken from other areas of the body, can help fill in lines and creases, temporarily restoring a smoother, fuller, more balanced look and youthful firmness. These tiny yet potent injections fill in crevices formed by wrinkles and deep laugh or smile lines, vertical lip lines and frown lines; add fullness to lips; or redefine the lip border.

Increasingly, these techniques can also plump up sunken areas of the face, such as cheeks, to restore or recreate the shape of the face itself, which may flatten with age. Tissue-plumping techniques may be recommended as part of a facial cosmetic surgery plan or in conjunction with dermatological skin-care procedures such as medical peels, microdermabrasion and laser skin resurfacing, depending on the aesthetic goals.