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STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK — Although the saying goes, “you get what you pay for,” when it comes to dermal fillers, it’s not “what” you pay that matters, it’s “who” you pay.
Dermal fillers are gel-like substances injected under the skin to plump fine lines, wrinkles and gauntness. The most popular fillers are Juvederm and Restylane, which are made of hyaluronic acid – a substance that naturally occurs in the body. The plumping, smoothing and skin-boosting effects of fillers can be seen instantly and requires little to no downtime, making them ever popular among men and women who are short on time but still want to look their best.
If you’re in the market for dermal fillers, popular hyaluronic acid types such as Juvederm and Restylane could cost you anywhere from $550 to $1,200. That’s a big difference. So how do you determine what you should pay for them?
Here are the two most common logics when it comes to how much you should pay for dermal filler injections:
- It doesn’t matter, you’ll get the same results – Some think there is no reason to pay $1,200 for Restylane or Juvederm when they could pay $$500 for the same product. They think because the products used are identical, the results will be as well – no matter who administers it.
- Expensive = experience – Some people assume price always reflects experience and skill and therefore, the more they pay, the better the results.
Who’s right? Neither really.
When it comes to thinking you would get the identical results from two different surgeons because they are using the same brand name product is like saying your manicure will look the same whether your 3-year-old or manicurist does it because they are using the same brand nail polish.
Product does not dictate results.
For those who think price is in direct correlation with experience, you’d be interested to know most of what dictates the price of procedures is demographic location.
“You should expect to pay more for procedures in Los Angeles, California than you would in a small town in Alabama,” says Dr. Miller, a top plastic in Staten Island.
While an experienced surgeon or facial specialist will probably charge more for their services, not all surgeons charging more are experienced. A first-year plastic surgeon in Los Angeles might charge $1,000, while a surgeon in Alabama with 20+ years with facial aesthetics might charge $600. In such a case, you would be paying nearly twice as much for a surgeon with very little experience.
If you want the best results from your dermal filler procedure, focus on who you pay, not what.
“Dermal filler procedures are like art,” says Dr. Andrew Miller who performs rhinoplasty and face-lifts in Staten Island. “Every surgeon is an artist and has different techniques and preferences when injecting, but the ones who do it well, are the ones who do it often. This is why facial specialists are your best bet when it comes to filler procedures.”
We suggest seeking an experienced plastic surgeon that specializes in facial plastics, head and neck surgery or oculoplastics. While having one of these residencies is no guarantee the doctor will be good at any one particular procedure, specialists typically have increasingly more experience in relevant procedures and a better grasp of facial anatomy than a body specialist or jack-of-all-trades.
You wouldn’t want a podiatrist to perform your brain surgery, would you?
Also, when comparing the cost of your next procedure, keep in mind that surgeons choose the price of their procedures. A bad or inexperienced surgeon can charge the same amount as the best plastic surgeon in Staten Island. The only rule of thumb that remains quite relevant is that experienced surgeons don’t typically discount their work. Look for their prices to be average or above compared to their location.
Do your homework when choosing a cosmetic surgeon. You can either pay the price it costs for experience or “pay the price” and suffer the consequences of choosing a poor surgeon. Call today for a free initial consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon.
