Dermal fillers are one of the most popular cosmetic treatments available today. They’re used to smooth out wrinkles, plump lips, lift sagging facial features, remove gummy smiles, and much more. Most people opt for fillers over more invasive procedures in their pursuit of a more youthful look.
However, before undergoing treatment which encompasses dermal fillers, there are certain things you should know. Understanding what these treatments are and how they work can better prepare you for a successful filler procedure and optimal results.
There are various types of dermal fillers, and the best one to use will depend on your unique needs and what you hope to achieve through your treatment.
Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like type. These types of fillers are often used for treating wrinkles, frown lines, scars, and more. Since hyaluronic acid is actually found naturally throughout the human body, this type of filler is considered to be extremely safe to use.
Calcium hydroxyapatite is another substance which can be found naturally in human bodies- more specifically, in the bones and teeth. Hence, it’s no wonder that we use it in fillers. The calcium component of the substance promotes skin rejuvenation, whereas the hydroxyapatite is responsible for skin firming and tightening.
This type of filler is composed of an acid that’s similar to one found in the human body. Poly-L-lactic Acid (PLLA)is also known as a bio-stimulatory dermal filler, because it can stimulate one’s skin to produce collagen. PLLA is most often used to decrease the visibility of lines and depressions, as well as to give areas of the face more volume.
Artecoll or Artefill are newer types of fillers which can provide longer-lasting effects. While they are never permanent, studies have shown that the effects of these fillers can last up to even years. It’s no wonder that more and more patients are opting for this type of injection.
Dermal fillers which utilize fat from the patient’s own body are called autologous. These types of fillers are often used to recontour one’s face, diminish the look of frown lines, smile lines, crow’s feet, as well as to increase definition in areas such as the chin and cheeks.
The primary reason why individuals opt for filler treatments is to achieve a younger look. In these types of treatments, a patient’s areas of concern will be injected with a specific type of filler which will address the issue(s) on hand, making him or her look healthier, younger, and more vibrant. Cosmetic procedures which involve fillers are often done using an anesthetic or numbing cream, such that patients do not feel as much pain as they would if they were to undergo other procedures, like laser treatments.
The most common areas where these treatments are injected include the lips, cheeks, under-eye hollows filler, chin lines, marionette lines (the corners of the mouth), forehead lines, and eyebrows. Also, these treatments can also be used on the scalp to achieve an entire hairline.
Although dermal fillers are FDA approved and have been in use for many years, they often have minor side effects, such as bruising and swelling. As well, in certain instances, an individual might have a minor allergy or be hypersensitivity to certain ingredients found in the type of filler which is being used.
Other common side effects include redness, itching, pain during cold weather, and lumps in your skin. These side effects usually only last for a few days, depending on which type you use. If any of these side effects persist after that period (which is extremely rare), seek medical attention immediately.
After getting a filler procedure, the results you’ll see will depend on your unique needs, the type of treatment which was used, and your skin type, age, and lifestyle habits.
While these treatments are instant fixes that can give you a youthful look within just a few minutes, it may take several days before you start seeing clear signs of improvement in your skin. Your doctor will adjust the dosage depending on how much he or she thinks is ideal for achieving the desired result. Remember! This cosmetic procedure is not permanent and has to be repeated if you want to maintain your youthful look.
Procedures which involve the use of dermal fillers are safe, straightforward, relatively painless. Your dermatologist will apply an anesthetic cream before the treatment or inject your skin with a common anesthetic that will last approximately 5 to 20 minutes. By doing so, the treatment area will be numbed and you will not feel the dermal filler injections. If you still feel pain during the procedure, talk to your cosmetic dermatologist about how you can manage it effectively.
Many people often confuse filler procedures with dermabrasion procedures, mostly because both treatments are used to eliminate wrinkles and fine lines from the skin.
However, dermal filler procedures involve the injection of different substances which will give volume to your skin, making it appear smoother and more youthful. On the other hand, dermabrasion procedures involve a rotating metal brush which is used to polish or resurface the skin and to remove the outer layer of skin cells.
Dermal fillers vary from one another depending on the substances they’re made of and how they work. For example, collagen-based are proteins that occur naturally in your skin and are often used to reduce wrinkles, minimize the appearance of scars, and to plump one’s lips. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid fillers (which are high in water content) are usually used to give hollowed-out areas of the face more structure and plumpness. When you go in for this treatment, your dermatologist will be able to determine the best type of injection to use on your areas of concern, such that you will get optimal results.
These treatments are quite popular because they’re fast and you can see results immediately. However, the effects usually diminish at around six months. Hence, one must undergo treatments regularly before noticing any significant signs of improvement.
Another benefit of these procedures is that it doesn’t last forever. That is, patients have to do touch-up injections every six to twelve months depending on how quickly their bodies metabolize the substance which was utilized. This being said, subsequent treatments build on the effects of preceding treatments. Hence, the more treatments you undergo, the longer the results will last. Your dermatologist will recommend the perfect time frame for having a follow-up appointment.
A natural fullness of the cheeks can be achieved subdermally through collagen injections, which target the areas around the cheekbones. This type of cheek filler treatment results in an attractive appearance of firm cheeks with more contours than before.
Filling out the lips with filler helps to maintain healthy, plump lips. It has been established that people with well-defined lips appear younger than their actual age.
People who have a flat or underdeveloped nose can opt to gain a more prominent nose through the use of dermal fillers. In these cases, the treatment is injected into specific parts of one’s nose (such as the tip), which results in a more well-defined nose.
This procedure can help to restore facial contours and decrease the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles, making one appear younger and more refreshed.
In addition, a facial filler treatment can be used to enhance the shape and definition of your face through tear through augmentation. This type of procedure targets the undereye area, which is usually hollow and dark. The results will leave one looking much younger and lively.
A protruding earlobe can look unpleasant and decrease one’s self-esteem – it is for these reasons that many individuals choose to have filler procedures which target the concerns which they have with their ears. Ear augmentations involving fillers can be done in a short time and can deliver instant results.
Your hands are indicators of your age. This is because age spots and wrinkles show up more on hands than other parts of the body due to activities such as hand clenching and hand washing. Filler injections help reduce the visible signs of aging which persists in hands, while also making them look fuller and more rejuvenated.
People who have experienced facial scarring often want to get rid of these imperfections to regain a more youthful and charming appearance. Dermal filler injections help reduce the appearance of scars and promote skin regeneration for a more natural look.
These treatments are very safe and common. However, it would be ideal to go to an accredited professional for treatment. As well, you should be free from skin disorders or autoimmune diseases before you get the procedure done. This is because fillers might worsen the condition you have if your body rejects them. Before getting treatment, make sure to consult a dermatologist to avoid any complications which might arise later on.
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