The traditional way of using fillings is to inject them with a needle. For some people, it can be painful and leave bruises.
But now there is a new way, gentler way to use the fillers.
Plastic surgeon Tim Greco says instead of using sharp-pointed needles, he uses a cannula. It's a flexible tube with a blunt end.
With a needle, doctors may do a dozen needle sticks.
But with a cannula, it's inserted in one spot through a tiny hole, then moved under the skin to insert the filler.
"The cannula, if it comes across blood vessels, it pushes them aside," Dr. Greco said.
Colleen Jennings has been getting fillers for 9 years. She usually experiences bruising, saying "It gets pretty bad to where concealer doesn't usually cover it."
But, after getting the fillers by cannula, Colleen went out without concealer. Three days later, she only had a slight bruise under her eye, and nothing around her mouth.
"The amount of complications seen with cannula are dramatically less," said Dr. Greco.
Many doctors say for some areas, a needle may be better. But Dr. Greco thinks as new, thicker fillers come out more plastic surgeons will be using cannulas.
As a reminder though: If you have any procedure done, you want to make sure the doctor is board certified and has plenty of experience with the treatment you are having done.
